Programs: Plan & Regulate for Access

What programs exist for towns to support and gain coastal access?

• Community Development Block Grants to create public access facilities as part of waterfront development projects.
• Land for Maine’s Future funds to acquire waterfront lands and boating access sites
• Land and Water Conservation Funds for land acquisition, boating access, and outdoor recreational facilities like trails.
• DEP 319(h) Non-Point Source Protection Grants to identify sources of water pollution and develop remedial plans that can include appropriate improvements for public access. See also http://maine.gov/dep/blwq/docgrant/319.htm.
• DEP State Revolving Loan Fund to help finance water pollution control facilities that could be linked to public access improvements.
• Small Harbor Improvement Program (SHIP) for maintaining, improving, and creating public water access sites and facilities.
• Other planning programs may include a capital improvement plan to implement recommendations in adopted comp plans which taps the State’s Implementation Fund
• The Right of Way Rediscovery Program of the Maine Coastal Program provides small grants to municipalities to conduct the research needed to re-establish and defend existing public ways to coastal waters.
• Maine Shore and Harbor Technical Assistance Grants. To promote sound waterfront planning, harbor management, and balanced development of shore and harbor areas to improve marine infrastructure and assure access to the shore. Funds may be used for harbor planning, including harbor management plans, ordinances, and mooring plans; as well as, planning studies for public and working access, planning and designing of harbor improvements, developing management plans for municipal facilities in harbors and waterfronts that border upon and may include state-owned submerged lands.
• The Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program (CELCP): Established in 2002 to protect coastal and estuarine lands considered important for their ecological, conservation, recreational, historical or aesthetic values. Provides state and local governments with matching funds to purchase significant coastal and estuarine lands, or conservation easements on such lands, from willing sellers.

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