Sustainable Coastal Communities: Protecting and Managing the Working Waterfront

Gulf of Maine Council Action Plan Working waterfronts need to be protected and promoted Under Goal 3: Support Vibrant Communities: 3.3 Assess working waterfront awareness Short-term Outcome: “ Coastal lawmakers have increased awareness of creative approaches to protect and manage the working waterfront infrastructure that marine-dependant industries require to remain competitive.”

Definition of the Working Waterfront Role of the Working Waterfront in the Sustainable Community Challenges for the Sustainability of the Working Waterfront Approaches to Addressing these Challenges Gulf of Maine Council Action Plan Sustainable Coastal Communities Protecting and Managing the Working Waterfront

What is a Working Waterfront ?

Coastal Communities connection to coastal and marine systems economic well-being tied directly to traditional fisheries and other marine resources unique communities (long settlement history, coastal architecture, lots of interaction with people from other ports) strong connections with other coastal communities commitment to community (generational ties, attractive landscape, isolation)

Sustainable Coastal Communities present and future social, economic and environmental needs a community that meets the present and future social, economic and environmental needs of today’s citizens without compromising the natural environment ability of future generations and the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

dependant on: natural resources access to marine waters sustainability of the working waterfront Coastal Communities

Working Waterfronts Sites and facilities providing physical access to the sea for commercial fishing and other marine commercial activities, including other facilities and services, which may not be located immediately at the shore, needed to support these activities.

The Working Waterfront The work of the waterfront includes fishing, small business, manufacturing, tourism, scientific research, the arts, aquaculture, transportation, and stewardship.

The Working Waterfront international shipping facilities mooring areas marinas and yacht clubs commercial and recreational fishing operations various service and support facilities facilities for shipping petroleum products and aggregates ferry landings

What is the Role of the Working Waterfront in the Sustainable Community ?

traditional ecotourism commercial historic residential The Role of the Working Waterfront

the link between land and sea critical to maintaining the coastal economy physical access to the sea infrastructure and services to marine- dependant industry water-dependant and water-enhanced economic, social and environmental issues The Role of the Working Waterfront

Challenges for the Sustainability of the Working Waterfront

Sustainability of Coastal Communities changing global and local economies changing demographics (out-migration, rural to urban) changing climate (storm surge, flooding, erosion) marine ecosystem failure water quality and availability (salt water intrusion) energy costs/ energy conservation aging of infrastructure loss or threatened loss of working waterfront Challenges

competition for limited land area (market value versus reasonable business value) rising assessments and property taxes aging infrastructure environmental degradation of harbor waters waste management dredging and containment of spoils conflicts between users competition for harbor space, moorings and parking adequate space for storage of gear and services balancing needs of residents and tourists providing access Challenges for the Sustainability of the Working Waterfront

Challenges - Access Sales of waterfront lots to non-fishing owners Conversion of wharves to non-commercial or recreational marine uses Disputes over legal access rights Revoking permission for access

Addressing Challenges

A community can: involve people in solutions (encourage stewardship) adopt a vision and take a strategic approach create efficient infrastructure implement strategies for energy efficiency plan according to carrying capacity seek economic development approaches that also benefit quality of life and the local environment conserve fisheries and marine resources ensure the enduring character of community, ecological, and economic vitality Addressing Challenges

planning operations management environmental action education and awareness measuring success Addressing Challenges on the Working Waterfront

zoning (mixed use, or water-dependant uses only) performance or tiered zoning value assessment for water-dependant uses infrastructure improvements creation of harbor improvement districts harbor management plans voluntary, sector- developed “best practices” Addressing Challenges - Planning

Non-regulatory Options: education about commercial fishing and working waterfronts formation of a commercial fishing heritage trust with other coastal communities tax policy changes fund for investments in the waterfront user fees obtain land for public water access (purchase, work with land trusts or purchase development rights) encourage car-pooling to reduce parking problems hire a full-time harbor master Addressing Challenges a village profile and development of options Options from “Cundy’s Harbor Working Waterfront Study”

Regulatory Options: stronger working waterfront policies and strategies in comprehensive plan Ordinances that permit some nuisance conditions Provide fishers first right and refusal on waterfront properties Dedicate a percentage of parking for commercial fishers and related service providers Zoning including restrictions on non-marine related uses Restrictions on residential uses in shoreland areas Consider other zoning systems – performance/tiered Plan use of interior lands for water-independent uses Addressing Challenges Options from “Cundy’s Harbor Working Waterfront Study”

Indicators of Success Indicators for economic, social and environment values  area of community dedicated to traditional uses  public understanding of working waterfront issues  harbor water quality Addressing Challenges

EconomicViability EnvironmentalQuality Social Equity meeting a “triple bottom line…”

Examples of Initiatives in the Gulf of Maine Addressing Challenges

State of Maine Working Waterfront Access Pilot Program a funding program for projects and property acquisition, to protect and secure commercial fishing access Working Waterfront Protection Program Maine Working Waterfront Coalition Cundy’s Harbour Working Waterfront Study “Contribution of Working Waterfronts to the Maine Economy”

Mapping Maine’s Working Waterfront Only 25 miles of a 5,300 mile coastline are devoted to commercial fishing activity…. A vital part of the solution…. allow properties related to commercial fishing to be taxed on their current use, rather than their ‘highest and best’ use ….

2007 GOM Action Plan Grant education project to help children understand what it’s like to be a fisher New Brunswick Coastal Livelihoods Trust Coastal Areas Protection Policy: Principles:securing public access provision for coastal location essential activities

one of 6 priority coastal issues in the new Coastal Management Framework addressed in upcoming State of the Coast report Will be addressed in the future Sustainable Coastal Development Strategy Nova Scotia Coastal Communities Network Between the Land and the Sea (2004) includes assessment of value of working waterfronts

New Hampshire 12 miles of coastal shoreline 78% in private ownership challenge is to maintain traditional uses boat access-salt marsh restoration project

Demonstrations, tours and performances New Bedford, Massachusetts issue of non-water dependant uses of the waterfront work to preserve and enhance vessel-related infrastructure 1990 Waterways Regulations Program: “Protect and promote tidelands as a workplace for commercial fishing, shipping, etc……” 11 State “Designated Port Areas” and specific development standards efforts to promote expansion of water-dependant use Massachusetts