The $12 million bond for the Land for Maine’s Future Program passed last November included a $2 million set-aside for projects that protect strategically significant working waterfront properties.
Increasing demand for coastal waterfront land, rising land values and property taxes have made it difficult for commercial fishing businesses to retain working access to the water. There is often a significant difference between the market value of a waterfront property and a reasonable business value of the property for commercial fishing purposes.
The Maine Working Waterfront Access Pilot Program is aimed at protecting waterfront land with the facilities, capacity and services needed to support commercial fisheries businesses. Such businesses are defined as enterprises directly or indirectly concerned with the commercial harvest of wild or aquacultured fish or shellfish.
Grants made through the pilot program will include a provision that the property may not be used, altered or developed in a manner that precludes its use by commercial fisheries businesses. These provisions will be incorporated into a restrictive covenant, which will be held by the State of Maine. Property acquisitions can include the purchase of development rights.
The Department of Marine Resources (DMR) is administering the pilot program in conjunction with the Land for Maine’s Future Board. The State Planning Office and Department of Transportation are also providing assistance. The DMR has retained the services of Coastal Enterprises Inc. (CEI) and the Island Institute as program contractors. This team is available to assist and advise project applicants with program details and the application process.
Grants will be given for up to 50 percent of the costs to acquire property that is used for or directly supports commercial fishing. Individuals, private businesses, cooperatives, municipalities and organizations are encouraged to apply. Core program criteria include the economic significance of the property, alternative properties available in the vicinity, the degree of community support, the level of threat of conversion and the property’s usefulness for commercial fisheries business. Application materials are now available by contacting CEI at (207) 772-5356, hsc@ceimaine.org, or www.wwapp.org. The application deadline is Nov. 1, 2006, and awards will announced in early 2007. Projects must be completed by the spring of 2008. q