The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) announces the award of nearly $186,280 for five projects along the Maine coast.  The funds, from the DACF Maine Coastal Program, are awarded through the DACF Municipal Planning Assistance Program. The chosen projects will support the coastal economy by helping to enhance fish and shellfish harvests, reduce beach closures, increase public coastal access, revitalize coastal downtowns, and protect island transportation assets.

These grants are an important part of the Maine Coastal Program’s work, which includes other regional and local activities administered through the Municipal Planning Assistance Program. The grant funds are provided through Maine’s federal coastal zone management award from the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Each project involves local or regional collaboration and partnerships, which provide a minimum 25% match in cash or services.

Grants have been awarded as follows:

Boothbay Harbor Storm Surge Resiliency Study: $28,000 

The Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission will lead this project to analyze flood risks for commercial and governmental structures in downtown Boothbay Harbor. The project will also provide recommendations for improving the flood resiliency of those structures and raise community awareness of the flood insurance program.

Bath Stormwater Management Study: $42,000

The City of Bath will conduct a study to assess downtown stormwater runoff patterns and how they can be managed to mitigate the risk of flash-flooding and the volume of pollutants that are discharged into the Kennebec River. The study will include an examination of management options and the development of conceptual designs for infrastructure improvements.

Gardiner Stormwater Management Study: $30,000

The City of Gardiner will conduct a study to assess portions of its downtown storm drainage system, evaluate alternatives for improvements to mitigate the impacts of periodic flooding, make priority recommendations and provide budget estimates for the recommended work.  The study will reflect the potential for redevelopment of an underutilized downtown industrial site.

Downeast River Herring Restoration:  $41,280

The Washington County Council of Governments will lead this project to restore commercial river herring fisheries to the greater Cobscook Bay ecosystem; specifically on the Pennamaquan River in Pembroke and other nearby streams. The project will not only benefit the target streams, but will also support a larger project to restore diadromous fish within the Orange River watershed.

Vinalhaven Coastal Flooding Vulnerability Study: $45,000

The Town of Vinalhaven will conduct a vulnerability study for its downtown, locally referred to as “Downstreet”. This is the economic hub of the island, hosting approximately 40 businesses, dozens of fishing wharves, and the ferry landing. Due to its low elevation, it is also susceptible to flooding from storm surge and sea level rise. The study will provide a detailed understanding of flood risk, and examine both short-term and long-term adaptation options.