Midcoast Council of Governments
12/17/2013
MCOG Coastal Hazards Resiliency Workshop:
Issues Identified by Participants
Land Use
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Don’t think we are going to get people to move
FEMA – Insurance rates (need to increase to make a difference)
Mapping/tools to visualize will help communicate. Google Maps – wow!
Citizens won’t buy into zoning changes (great obstacle)
What will happen with residents who do not have the wealth to make improvements for
resiliency?
o Who will be left living on the coast?
There may be a benefit for insurance companies to provide grants for land banking land for
either relocation or remaining vacant.
Strong leadership needed at State level. State agencies – DOT – all the things being done now
are being funded by feds – NOAA
Emergency access responding to SLR factors into future land use
Culverts are still being designed for 25 year storm rather than 100 year storm – look into at least
modifying subdivision regulations precipitation data available from Cornell (new website)
Upland run-off is the issue not necessarily SLR w/culvert sizing. The culvert issue is what
impacts roads
Making changes/implementation requires going to selectoboard and town meeting in most
Maine communities
What can a Planning Board member do?
o Ask for an educational piece on planning issues from planning staff/others
o Pick from your interests and get speakers
o Ask what is the county doing for SLR?
Amtrack – SLR will impact regionally all the way to Brunswick
What does the town need for support?
o Education as a starting point to develop and understanding – this is key
o GIS mapping capability or assistance
o $$$
o Getting buy in from seasonal population /absentee owners
Natural Infrastructure
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Regional Concern – Doesn’t stay in a town boundary
Marine Resources? – Clams, habitat, etc.
o This is also an economic issues
 Sellers
 Consumers
Midcoast Council of Governments
12/17/2013
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Eco-Tourism
 Open Space Plans – Do they account for natural infrastructure?
Wildlife Corridors – How are these impacted as a result of sea level rise?
Regional “data commons” – Available through Google Earth
Capacity of natural infrastructure to accommodate change?
Balancing development & need to preserve and protect natural infrastructure
Old canals as “spillways” for natural floods?
Relationship between natural & built infrastructure – need to be aware of the impacts one has
on the other
Emergency Management
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Hazard Mitigation Planning
Involve/Educate local EMA’s
Inform residents of specific risks & help them prepare
Preparedness at municipal level
Emergency notification
Emergency access responding to SLR factors into future land use
Economic Development
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Need to consider the impacts on downtowns and what this means for businesses and downtown
revitalization efforts (i.e. Bath)
Impact on certain fisheries (i.e. clams) and tourism – has this been looked at thoroughly?
Built Infrastructure
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Identify and plan for all municipal infrastructure that could be impacted by SLR – what planning
horizon should be used in looking at lifecycle of infrastructure?
Culverts are still being designed for 25 year storm rather than 100 year storm – look into at least
modifying subdivision regulations precipitation data available from Cornell (new website)
Upland run-off is the issue not necessarily SLR w/culvert sizing. The culvert issue is what
impacts roads