New Online Resource to Help Property Owners Address Coastal Hazards
The northeasterly storms that frequent the Maine coast in winter and spring can bring dramatic changes to sandy beaches, coastal marshes, and bluffs. The waves and flooding that accompany strong storms threaten coastal property with erosion and wind and water damage.
Because homeowners may not be aware of these hazards or the vulnerability of their property, Maine Sea Grant and University of Maine Cooperative Extension have created the Maine Property Owner’s Guide to Managing Flooding, Erosion, and Other Coastal Hazards,
Developed in partnership with Maine Geological Survey and Maine Department of Environmental Protection, the new online guide seeks to help those who own waterfront land understand and manage their risks.
“The coastal property owners who advised us on this project suggested a need for information on coastal environments and related hazards, as well as what they can do to prepare for hazard impacts,” said marine extension associate Kristen Grant, one of the leaders of the project.
The guide helps landowners identify what type of coastal environment they live in, which often is the first step to making a property more resilient. They then can explore a variety of possible strategies for addressing coastal hazard threats on their particular type of coastline. Approaches range from planting vegetation on dunes and improving drainage on bluffs, to elevating structures or moving them back from the water’s edge.
“Our intent is to help coastal property owners, and the municipal officials who work with them, together improve the resilience of coastal Maine,” said Grant.
Contact Catherine Schmitt, 207.581.1434, catherine.schmitt@umit.maine.