The Boothbay Region Maritime Foundation, BRMF is one of six groups chosen to receive Land for Maine’s Future funds for the protection of Maine’s working waterfront. Funds will be used towards rebuilding Carter’s Wharf at 87 Atlantic Avenue in Boothbay Harbor. Carter’s Wharf, a lobster buying station, supports over 30 licensed lobstermen in the Boothbay region. The Carter’s Wharf project includes demolition of the existing pier, and rebuilding a new and improved facility that will include a new buying station, lengthened finger pier, and new floats and ramps. The projected start date for reconstruction is January of 2021. The Carter’s Wharf portion of the project will cost approximately $2.7 million. The preliminary allocation from Land for Maine’s Future is $301,500. BRMF is currently seeking additional funds from state and federal grant sources.

Proposals for Land for Maine’s Future funds were submitted back in March and part of that proposal included providing proof of community support. The Boothbay Region Maritime Foundation is extremely grateful for the many letters of support that were provided by area businesses and individuals as well as the towns of Boothbay Harbor and Southport. These letters contained a multitude of reasons why our commercial working waterfront needs to be protected and many personal reflections on its importance to our heritage and our community identity.

Plans for Carter’s are still in the preliminary stages and are challenging due to the wharf being located in the strictest FEMA flood zone, the V zone. The current plan reduces the size of the buying station and moves it forward towards the street, out of the flood zone. The pier behind the buying station, on the water side, will be sloped to keep this section of pier at a more manageable height for use by the fishermen. In order to raise the building to current flood zone height requirements, the new buying station will be built over land but will be on a pier.

The adjacent pier, leased by the Boothbay Region Maritime Foundation and owned by the Catholic Church, will be addressed separately. This property includes a small building that was one of the first three fishing co-ops in the state of Maine. BRMF plans to continue leasing the pier and parking area and will work with the church to make needed renovations.

All plans are preliminary at this point and are contingent on permitting, town approval, and FEMA floodplain regulations. Additional information and preliminary concept drawings can be found on the BRMF website, www.BoothbayRegionMaritimeFoundation.org

Boothbay Region Maritime Foundation was recognized by the state of Maine as a nonprofit organization on September 11, 2018. Its board is comprised of six year-round residents who volunteer their time and resources. Their mission is to support commercial working waterfront in the Boothbay Region and to provide educational opportunities for locals and visitors. Anyone interested in helping with funding for this project and others can contact them at BRMaritimeFoundation@gmail.com