Sea Level Rise

SMPDC, in partnership with the Maine Coastal Program, the Maine Geological Survey, and the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, works with member coastal communities on land use and development in hazardous coastal erosion areas and areas subject to inundation from sea level rise. Our work includes sea level rise chapters for municipal comprehensive plans (examples can be found below), policy development, sea level rise presentations (examples can be found below), GIS mapping, and other relevant tasks.

 

 

 

Recent Sea Level Rise Reports

Sea Level Adaptation Working Group - Road Infrastructure Assessment Report (June 2015)

This report was generated by the Saco Bay Sea Level Adaptation Working Group (SLAWG) for the purpose of identifying and assessing the potential impacts of several different scenarios of sea level rise or storm surge on both public and private roads within the Saco Bay region. 

Evacuation Route Signs & Emergency Shelters - Considerations for York County Coastal Communities (June 2016)

This report and accompanying map are intended to be an overview of York County's current evacuation sign system and how it relates to the State-designated evacuation routes and emergency shelter locations. Specific suggestions and observations from SMPDC and the Committee are also included in the report as well as a list of helpful materials.

Click here to view the accompanying map

Natural Disaster Debris Management Site Planning - Considerations for York County Coastal Communities (May 2016)

This report and accompanying map are intended to be an overview on identifying potential debris management sites an understanding the logistics that surround choosing these sites. Specific suggestions and observations from SMPDC and the Committee are also included in the report as well as a more extensive list of helpful materials.

Click here to view the accompanying map

 

Sea Level Rise Municipal Comprehensive Plan Chapters

SMPDC offers support and technical assistance for communities who wish to include Sea Level Rise chapters in their Comprehensive Plan updates. So far, SMPDC has assisted the following communities:

  • York
  • Wells
  • Kennebunk
  • Biddeford
  • Saco
  • Old Orchard Beach

 

Maine Department of Environmental Projection -

Update to Chapter 1000: Guidelines for Municipal Shoreland Zoning Ordinances

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) updated Chapter 1000: Guidelines for Municipal  Shoreland Zoning Ordinances in December 2014. These are standards the Maine DEP uses as a guide when reviewing municipal ordinances. A municipality need not adopt the guidelines word for word. Municipalities are encouraged to consider local planning documents and other special local considerations. A municipality may wish to adopt a more stringent ordinance, or an ordinance different from the "Guidelines." This is acceptable as long as the ordinance is equally or more effective in achieving the purposes of the Shoreland Zoning Law.

Click here to view the Rulemaking Fact Sheet

Click here to view Chapter 1000: Guidelines for Municipal Shoreland Zoning Ordinances

 

 

Sea Level Adaptation Working Group

The purpose of the Sea Level Adaptation Working Group (SLAWG) is to review information from the Coastal Hazard Resiliency Tools Project that has analyzed the problem of sea level rise, to create a Vulnerability Assessment for Saco Bay, and to develop and implement an Action Plan of implementation strategies for regional solutions.  The SLAWG shall limit its scope to its defined region, which shall consist of any coastal estuaries, marshes and beaches subject to tidal influence and storm surges, whether by fresh or salt water, as well as any associated developed areas, roads, and other infrastructure, within the four member municipalities.  At this time, the SLAWG has completed its initial versions of a Vulnerability Assessment and this Action Plan, both of which are intended to be continually refined, as the identified actions are researched, designed, and implemented.

SLAWG Steering Committee Roster

Action Plan for SLAWG

 

Coastal Hazard Resiliency Tools Project

August 14, 2008 & August 20, 2008 meeting agendas

Possible Policy & Regulatory Resources Manual

PowerPoint Presentations:

  • Kittery Comprehensive Plan Committee - May 25, 2011
  • Ogunquit - June 2, 2011
  • Background on Possible Policy & Regulatory Responses to Sea-Level Rise - 8/14 & 8/20/08
  • Improving Storm Hazard Resiliency - Biddeford & Saco Area - 8/14/08
    • Peter Slovinsky, ME Geological Survey - This document is too large for attachment.  Please contact us and we will send you a copy.
  • Improving Storm Hazard Resiliency - Old Orchard Beach & Scarborough Area - 8/20/08
    • Peter Slovinsky, ME Geological Survey - This document is too large for attachment.  Please contact us and we will send you a copy.
  • Background on Possible Policy & Regulatory Responses to Sea-Level Rise - 1/14 & 1/19/10
  • Developing Municipal Hazard Resiliency Tools & Responses: Kennebunk - 1/14/10
  • Developing Municipal Hazard Resiliency Tools & Responses - York - 1/19/10

 

Background Reports:

 

 

 

Biddeford Public Access Television Show:

  • "The Wandering Road" with Pete Slovinsky & JT Lockman - April 14, 2010

SPO Webinar:

 

** Some documents/videos cannot be linked and uploaded on this page.  If you would like to view them, please contact Lee Jay Feldman (contact information below) and he will forward it to you in a different format.**

 

For more information

Contact:  Lee Jay Feldman

Southern Maine Planning and Development Commission

21 Bradeen Street, Suite 304, Springvale, ME  04083

E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Voice: (207) 324-2952 x 14 - Fax: (207) 324-2958

www.smpdc.org