The grants are made possible by Maine's federal coastal management award from the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The grant program, an important component of the Maine Coastal Program, balances the development and conservation of Maine's coastal zone by providing technical assistance to coastal municipalities for planning and public access. Each grantee will provide a minimum of 25% in matching funds or services.
"Commercial and public access to Maine's coastline is important for fisherman, businesses that rely on tourism and public enjoyment of our natural resources," said Governor Paul R. LePage. "These projects will promote local access and economic activity along the Maine coast."
"The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry is a partner with many communities in their efforts to improve coastal access for commercial and recreational users," said Commissioner Walt Whitcomb. "Our Maine Coastal Program Grants help provide communities with technical assistance, infrastructure design and expanded access to Maine's coastal resources."
Grants were awarded as follows:
1. Town of Wiscasset: $20,000 for the design of the Wiscasset Waterfront Boardwalk. The town of Wiscasset will use this funding to create a Riverfront Boardwalk from the Commercial Pier to Route 1 along the Sheepscot River, thereby providing full pedestrian linkage between all waterfront access points in the village, while also expanding opportunities for sustainable ecotourism with greater access to the coastline.
2. Town of Eliot: $15,200 for developing a plan to improve access to the Piscataqua River in two different locations: Park Street and Pleasant Street. The town will develop a plan to improve public access for both properties using a land scape architect, an engineer, and through the solicitation of substantial public feedback. 3. Town of Kittery: $20,000 for the design of a wave protection system in Pepperell Cove. The town will solicit bids for engineering work that will in turn investigate the placement of wave attenuation devices in an effort to more effectively protect the Pepperell Cove mooring fields and associated waterfront infrastructure.
4. Town of Rockland: $6,000 for engineer planning to facilitate the improvement of the existing boat ramp at Snow Marine Park. This access point is used by recreational and commercial fishermen from across Midcoast Maine. It is also one terminus of Rockland's Harbor Trail providing a pedestrian connection to downtown Rockland.
5. Town of Lubec: $12,000 for the design of the Lubec gangway and seasonal dock facility. The project will improve public water access by adding an additional ADA approved gangway, two dedicated transient moorings and a seasonal floating dock system at the former Lubec Marina in Lubec. The funds will cover planning, engineering and materials for this project. Recreational boaters, commercial fishermen and passenger vessels compete for limited access to the Lubec waterfront. This project will increase the desirability of Lubec and the surrounding communities as a tourist destination.
6. Towns of Perry/Pembroke: $12,468 for the development of a mooring plan and improvements to public access. The towns of Perry and Pembroke propose to cooperate in the preparation (Perry) and update (Pembroke) of a mooring ordinance for each community. The Town of Pembroke proposes to prepare a mooring plan including a GIS map of mooring sites, remove inappropriate mooring materials from past practices, and install 3-4 town-owned moorings within the newly defined mooring area. The Town of Perry proposes to investigate the status of municipal title and rights of way to Stickney Beach from the Shore Road.
This is the eighth round of Shore and Harbor Planning Grant solicitations. Since 2006, 55 grants have been awarded for a total of $714,710.
More information on the grant program can be found at http://www.maine.gov/dacf/mcp/grants/shore-and-harbor-planning-grants.html
For more information about the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, go to: http://www.maine.gov/acf
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