To address the problem of coastal debris and trash, the LCRP has compiled a pictorial inventory of unauthorized trash and litter sites located in the coastal zone. These pictures were used during Coast Week '88 to increase public awareness to this problem. Improving Government Operations The LCRP has increased its efforts to provide technical assistance to local parishes to develop local coastal programs (LCPs). To date, the LCRP has approved eight LCPs and is currently working with four additional parishes to develop plans for a local coastal program. To improve consistency between state agencies, a LCRP staff member is serving as a liaison between the CMD and the Department of Environmental Quality's (DEQ) Office of Water Resources on two water quality programs. The staff member will participate on committees, comment on documents for the CMD and coordinate CMD activities with the DEQ to avoid duplicative efforts between the two agencies. Also, the consistency staff member will review the present oil contingency plan for potential environmental effects and adequacy of procedure. Developing Natural Resources A geological review procedure that decreases wetland loss is being applied to an increased number of energy exploration activities. Formerly, oil and gas canals of 500 feet or less in length or oil field roads of 1,500 feet of less in length (threshold lengths) in wetlands did not have to undergo a geological review. However, recent research has shown that these threshold lengths are not justifiable; therefore, all proposed exploration sites involving wetlands modification must undergo this procedure. This geological review has led to a decrease in the average oil and gas canal length. MAINE Date of Program Approval: 1978 Federal Program Support 1982-1989: $12 Million Coastal GNP (1985): $5.0 Billion (34.3% of state total) National Estuarine Research Reserves: Wells (1,600 acres) COASTAL RESOURCE INFORMATION Special/National Significance of Maine's Coast Maine's coast is a diverse and complex combination of human and natural resources. It includes urban regions such as Portland, fishing villages, remote island communities, and wild timberland areas without local governments, in addition to sandy beaches, mountains, islands, large marshes, and rocky, highly indented shorelines. Principal Coastal Threats and Emerging Challenges • Cumulative impact of incremental development on coastal peninsulas and bays. • Protecting and managing the Gulf of Maine in concert with the other states and provinces that border the Gulf. Expanding coastal access opportunities. Effects of sea level rise on coastal real estate, especially in erosion prone areas. COASTAL PROGRAM INFORMATION Program Description Maine's Coastal Management Program (MeCMP) is based on thirteen core laws administered by the state and local governments. The State Planning Office (SPO) is the lead agency for implementing the MeCMP. The Departments of Environmental Protection (DEP), Conservation (DOC) and Marine Resources (DMR) have primary responsibility along with some local agencies for administering the core laws of the MeCMP. Defined Coastal Zone Maine's coastal zone consists of all coastal towns and townships on tidal waters, all coastal islands, and its territorial seas to the extent of the state's territorial limit. Federal Program Support 1982-1989: $12 million. Major Program Accomplishments An $11 million bond referendum to construct new fish piers and other support facilities was the result of a MeCMP funded study that analyzed and identified inadequacies in the infrastructure of the fishing industry. Additional local and federal investment resulted in new or rehabilitated fish piers in Stonington, Portland, Eastport, Kennebunkport, Saco, Rockland, and a fish processing plant in Vinalhaven. Later, a new fishing boat facility and fresh fish auction was constructed in Portland. The Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve, located in the southern part of Maine, was designated in 1984. The Reserve contains approximately 1,600 acres of undeveloped marsh and upland fields and forests, in addition to endangered species-the bald eagle and the peregrine falcon. CZM funded Waterfront Action Grants have helped communities provide 1) improved public access to beaches and shoreland areas, 2) port and waterfront redevelopment activities, and 3) preservation and restoration of shoreland and other nationally significant resources. • Two new laws, Maine's Coastal Management Act and Maine's Comprehensive Planning and Land Use Regulation Act,provide a basis for municipalities to establish comprehensive land use plans to address natural resource management and land use and development issues brought on by the recent growth and development of Maine's coast. SPECIFIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS Protecting Natural Resources The state has increased protection for natural areas through the enactment of the Critical Areas Program. More than 600 areas have been designated by the SPO and more than half of these are located along the coast. The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)'s Marine Monitoring Program, initially funded through the state's coastal program, is providing a dataset concerning toxic chemicals in Maine's marine environment. This database will help the DEP and MeCMP plan pollution mitigation projects to improve water quality. The DEP's administration and implementation of Maine's Sand Dune Law has been improved through the generation of computerized maps. These maps include barrier beaches, wetlands, salt marshes and tidal flats and have been developed to assure that DEP permit decisions are consistent and are based on sound geological criteria. Providing Public Access to Coastal Recreation Three interpretive overlooks were built at Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve with a CZM grant. These overlooks increase public awareness and education concerning the marshland ecosystem. • In 1989, the MeCMP has helped increase public access to shoreland areas through the funding of coastal acquisition projects. For example, coastal funding provided $50,000 for the acquisition of the $2.35 million Dodge Point property in Newcastle; $35,000 in CZM funds helped acquire Shackford Head in Eastport. These two acquisition projects open a total of 4 miles of coastline to the public. The City of South Portland's Spring Point Shoreway project provides 4 miles of walkway along urban shoreline. This project was supported by $130,000 from MeCMP and $700,000 in state and local funds. The rehabilitation of the Town Wharf in York Harbor, funded by a Waterfront Action Grant, has improved public access to the water for both recreational boaters and commercial fishermen. Promoting Urban Waterfront Development The expansion of Augusta's Waterfront Park along the Kennebec River is part of a plan to rehabilitate the River's deteriorated waterfront. This expansion project, which included placing granite steps for access to the water and adding benches in the upland areas, was funded by a Waterfront Action Grant. CZM funds were used to help the town of Bucksport continue its waterfront revitalization efforts. A Waterfront Action Grant was employed to rehabilitate the Town Dock, improve the access road to the dock and complete a walkway path to the dock. Preserving Ports and Marinas Gilkey's Harbor, located on the island of Islesboro, underwent facility improvements that enhanced year-round access to the island and also increased Harbor safety. Facility improvements included rehabilitation of the town pier and boat ramp. Improving Government Operations • The Comprehensive Planning and Land Use Regulation Act of 1988 requires that coastal communities plan for the future and protect coastal resources. This Act establishes the following goals: 1) to provide direction and consistency for localities and state agencies planning regulatory action that affect natural resource protection and land use development; 2) to establish technical and financial assistance programs to help municipalities develop growth management programs, and 3) to establish a review process for local growth management programs to ensure consistency with the requirements of the Act. The Permit by Rule regulation, which was established to save time and expense for certain development activities in addition to providing standards for how these activities should be carried out, became effective on February 15, 1989. This Rule establishes that certain activities that do not significantly affect wetlands and water bodies (e.g., the placement of water-monitoring devices or moorings) require only a notice to be filed with the Maine DEP. • The Shoreland Zoning Act Amendments of 1989 empower municipalities to adopt, administer, and enforce improved shoreland zoning ordinances for their jurisdictions. The amendments strengthen both the administrative and environmental standards of the Shoreland Zoning Act of 1971. • A formal training program and certification procedure for local code enforcement officers has been instituted. Certified code enforcement officers are now able to testify in district court, consequently improving enforcement of local zoning and environmental laws. Developing Natural Resources To help communities protect against loss of water-dependant activities and structures that support marine industries, the SPO and DECD have prepared Protection of Prime Sites for Water Dependent Use. This publication describes the regulatory and non-regulatory options that are available to communities to resolve conflicts between marine industries that require a waterfront location and new residential or commercial development plans that do not require a waterfront location. Mitigating Coastal Storm Damage and Coastal Hazards ⚫ The state has addressed sea level rise and other coastal hazards through new regulatory provisions under its Natural Resources Protection law. Under the law, seawalls and other structures on or seaward of a frontal dune or in high hazard areas are prohibited. Elevation and area requirements for buildings are included along with a provision for relocating structures encroached on by a coastal wetland. The state completed its first "Statewide Hazard Mitigation Plan” in December 1987. The Plan discusses hurricanes and other coastal hazards, identifies areas in need of improved management and contains draft language for legislative changes to address the management issues identified. INTERSTATE ACCOMPLISHMENTS Maine's SPO has taken the lead role in establishing the international Gulf of Maine Initiative. This Initiative, which contains representatives from Canada as well as the United States, was formed to improve the management of the Gulf of Maine. The goals of the working group are to improve communication on Gulf related issues and to develop recommendations to protect the Gulf's natural resources. The states of Massachusetts, Maine, Connecticut. Rhode Island, and New York have completed three separate studies designed to improve government decision making concerning: 1) the preservation and protection of water-dependent uses of regional waters, particularly with regard to commercial and recreational boating facilities; 2) the strengthening the public trust doctrine with regard to public access, and 3) the development of an interstate policy to improve the effectiveness of floodplain management. MARYLAND Date of Program Approval: 1978 Federal Program Support 1982-1989: $12 Million Coastal GNP: $25.9 Billion (35.8% of state total) Coastal Population (1985): 3,159,900 (72.0% of state total) Shoreline Mileage: 3,190 Miles National Estuarine Research Reserves: Chesapeake Bay (3,400 miles) COASTAL RESOURCE INFORMATION Special/National Significance of Maryland's Coast Maryland's coastal area contains two distinct regions; the Atlantic Coast shoreline and the Chesapeake Bay area. The Atlantic Coast, bounded by barrier islands backed by coastal bays, is the site of extensive recreational activities and vast areas of cord grass dominated salt marshes. The majority of the state's shoreline borders the nation's largest and most productive estuary—the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, including the Potomac to Washington, D.C. The Bay is the center of this country's largest oyster and crab producing region as well as the location of extensive fin fish, waterborne commerce, and petroleum activities. More importantly, the Chesapeake Bay provides an important habitat for thousands of water dependent species. Principal Coastal Threats and Emerging Challenges Effects of sea level rise on coastal real estate, especially in erosion hazard areas. Continued support for the Chesapeake Bay Initiative and related programs to ensure continued |