Boothbay and other Lincoln County towns have a significant potential of massive flooding due to a combination of climate change and other natural disasters, according to Lincoln County Planner Robert Faunce. On July 19, the Boothbay Planning Board heard about what county resources are available from the Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission  for combating natural disasters like a “100-year flood” combined with continued rising sea levels.

These factors could create a massive natural disaster along the coastline, according to Faunce. A 100-year flood is considered the storm of record and statistically occurs once in 100 years. It also has about a one percent chance of occurring in any given year, according to Faunce. 

“It seems new predictions about sea levels happen every few weeks, but the one certain factor is they all show sea levels risings. We’ re all planners here tonight. We need to start thinking about what would happen if sea levels rise 4-5 feet combined with a historic (100-year) flood,” he said.

Faunce discussed various LCRPC services. One is the website www.lcrpc.org with information on the county’s coastline. The website includes a Lincoln County sea level rise and flood study, photos from various King Tides (highest predicted tides of the year) in coastal towns,  hurricane maps and mapping of potential sea level rise and storm surge in Boothbay Harbor.

Faunce explained county data shows the two most vulnerable areas to severe flooding in Boothbay are Ocean Point and Route 96. The commission has worked with two county sewer districts about protecting their resources from massive flooding, and has worked with Boothbay Harbor and Wiscasset in developing flood impact studies for their treatment plants. Faunce also has met with several coastal towns, advising them about the potential risk of massive flooding.

The commission could aid coastal towns like Boothbay by reviewing town ordinances and applying for federal grants.

“There is no additional cost for our services. We have resources available to the town in preparing for massive flooding,” Faunce said.

The planning board may review the town’s ordinances regarding massive flooding and consider implementing a strategy for such disasters during a future workshop.

In other action, the board voted 4-0 to approve a permit for an expansion project in East Boothbay. Ann Prost and Laurie Zimmerli received approval to add a 10-foot by 16-foot addition to a deck at 33 Hiawatha Trail. The house is in a special residential zone and shoreland overlay district.

The board is also continuing work on a proposed marijuana ordinance. The board scheduled a July 20 workshop to propose establishing general objectives and standards for regulating retail marijuana’s sale and commercial growth. Chairman Alan Bellows reported about his discussion with selectmen on July 12 regarding potential ordinance language. The board is considering recommending stringent regulations on retail marijuana sale and growth.

Bellows told selectmen the ordinance would likely limit retail marijuana activities to the C-2 district and Industrial Park. “They seemed to be on board with our direction,” Bellows told his fellow board members.

Bellows expects the workshop to produce a framework for a proposed ordinance and allow the board to forward its ideas for the town attorney to begin writing a first draft. The board is working toward submitting an ordinance for voter approval this November. The board must submit a proposed ordinance to selectmen in time for a mid-August public hearing. Selectmen must approve a final draft by Sept. 27 to qualify for the Nov. 7 referendum ballot.

The planning board will meet next at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 16 in the municipal building’s conference room.