Those of us who depend on access – public or private – to Maine’s waterfront have a big job ahead of us. For reasons extending back to colonial times, our access to most intertidal beaches and rocky shores is protected by a 17th century law known as the Colonial Ordinance, which keeps the intertidal zone open for “fishing, fowling and navigation.” Otherwise, unless the state or a town actually owns the shorefront, or unless an easement or right-of-way guarantees public access, getting to the salt water means crossing private property.
We got along with this arrangement for nearly 400 years, through times when a greater proportion of the population depended on water access for its livelihood than does today. But times have changed: the “value” of waterfront real estate (meaning the price individuals are willing to pay for it) of has skyrocketed everywhere. Coastal properties traditionally used for fishing, manufacturing, transportation or other longtime purposes are being bought and converted to uses that don’t include public access. An Island Institute mapping project earlier this year found that of 5,300 miles of coastline, less than 20 miles remain available as “working” waterfront. Mainers’ whole way of relating to their coast is, to put it mildly, at risk.
So it’s time to get creative — and there’s evidence that we’re doing just that. The bond issue proposed in referendum question #4 on the November ballot is just the most visible example, providing $3 million to acquire property or easements on working waterfronts. It’s not nearly enough for the purpose, but if spent well it can “leverage” lots of additional funds. Question #4 deserves everyone’s support.
Another example of creativity is Camden’s proposal to re-zone part of its waterfront to entice a major marine-related employer to stay there in exchange for that firm’s restricting some of its waterfront to “working” purposes.
For further examples of creativity on the waterfront, you don’t have to look far. Fishing co-ops are banding together to protect their access; the city of Portland seems intent on making better use of its public waterfront; Belfast is looking for an access-oriented buyer for a large chunk of its waterfront.
While it wouldn’t be wise to relax, we can at least reassure ourselves that we’re finding ways to protect what we’ve got left. The process is messy and imperfect, but it’s what we have. We need to support each of these efforts, and look for more ways to ensure that our grandchildren will inherit an affordable, accessible coast.