Where Do We Go From Here?

Where Do We Go From Here? Click here for presentation slides.

In 2002, a group of fishermen identified loss of working waterfront as one of the biggest issues facing Maine's fishing industry. In response, the Working Waterfront Coalition was formed. The Coalition is a "statewide group of industry associations, nonprofits, state agencies and individuals dedicated to supporting and enhancing Maine's working waterfront through policy, planning [and] research, investment and education.

Although Maine has 300 miles of coast only 20 acres are working waterfront. In 2005 and 2007, armed with this statistic, the Coalition went to the legislature and asked for $2 million from the Land for Maine's Future Fund to support their efforts to preserve Maine's working waterfront. Due in part to the state funding, the Coalition helped pass both the Working Waterfront Access Pilot Program and the Current Use Taxation Program.

Excited about their success the Coalition began to focus on the future, asking: what next, what still needs to be done? In July of 2007, in an attempt to answer these questions, the Coalition distributed a survey.

Q: Can you explain what "expanding the definition of working waterfront" means when referenced as an objective on the coalition's strategic plan?

A: Right now the definition of working waterfront is limited to fishing and aquaculture. There are a number of other interested parties, kayak rental companies, boat builders, etc. that would like to have those uses incorporated into the definition. We support expansion of the definition; however, we are still unsure of what we think the new/expanded definition should include.

Q: Is Bath Iron Works or boat builders included under working waterfront under this definition?

A: No. The program is predicated on the fishing industry's dependence on waterfront access. Sometimes activities that are closely associated with fishing or aquaculture are deemed to fit under the current definition of working waterfront. The broadest interpretation is that working waterfront includes all water- dependent industries. The Coalition is still trying to decide how broad do we want the definition to be and how broad it can be without undermining the purpose of the working waterfront program.

Getting back to the survey, Gillian explains that based on information gathered from the survey the Coalition developed a strategic plan. The goals articulated by the plan include: maintaining and monitoring the Working Waterfront Access Pilot Program and the Current Use Taxation, increasing legislative awareness, and education.

Q: In terms of education, has the WWC connected with municipal governments?

A: An existing tax assessor continuing education program is a great opportunity to be educating tax assessors on the Current Use Taxation Program.

Q: Is the Current Use Taxation Program limited to commercial fishing?

A: Yes. The definition of current use needs to be narrowly construed for the program to provide the exemptions that it does.

Q: Are there any criteria that makes sure that those who get the current use benefit are actually working the waterfront? What if someone owns ten acres of land with a mansion and a fishing boat, could they benefit from the current use taxation program?

A: The tax benefit is only for the coastal land that is being worked. Tax assessors make sure this criterion is met.

Q: Is there a need to develop a fishermen's land trust?

A: Yes. Just as the agricultural industry saw a need to create a land trust designed to preserve farmland as opposed to open space or conservation, we feel that it makes sense to create a trust with expertise in working waterfront.

Q: How do we balance conservation easements, which increase property values, and affordable housing?

Q: From Lincoln County's perspective, we have lots of boat builders, and not much other industry. I think, for our area, it is really important to expand the definition of working waterfront to include boat building so that boat builders could benefit from the Working Waterfront Access Pilot Program.

A: Even if the definition of working waterfront is expanded it does not mean that other marine industries included in the expanded definition would be allowed to participate in the Working Waterfront Access Pilot Program. Other marine industries need to consider what their needs are and establish programs that meet those specific needs. This particular program is designed to meet needs specific to the fishing industry.

As far as small boat builders are concerned, many boat builders have sold their coastal property and moved inland because they are not a water-dependent use and the coastal property became too valuable for them to hold onto. For example, just down the coast from the Port Clyde Co-op, a 3/4-acre lot with a house was purchased for $1.8 million and the buyer tore down the house and built a mansion. Bigger boat builders are a little different in that they are water dependent.

Municipalities need to invest by zoning to preserve working waterfront.

Q: Does the Coastal Program/State Planning Office have a document that articulates what they are hoping to accomplish?

A: Yes. They are in the form of statutory policy statements.

Q: What is the state of the status of the policy statements, have they been updated or amended?

A: No.

Q: What are some ways we can foster or develop outreach programs aimed at educating municipalities regarding working waterfront issues and programs?

A: There seems to be a lack of knowledge at the municipal level and perhaps we can be going directly to the businesses, the landowners, the individuals who are affected or would benefit. Get the information to the fishermen (mass mailing perhaps) and let the fishermen, who have an incentive, get the information to their local governments.

Q: How are you going to reach people if you are not speaking their language? How do you provide information in a way that is meaningful to the individuals who would benefit from it?

Comment: As a fishermen and a taxpayer I voted for the bond issue and kept my eye out for the program. As a lobstering license holder we get weekly mailings from the state. They have a mailing list of every license holder, they should send out the information.

Comment: If your municipal council members, tax assessors, etc. can not answer your question, you need to push them to find out-- it is their job.

Next: Midcoast Closing