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Valuing Maine's Beaches:

Assets, Challenges, and Actions for Today and Tomorrow

2009 Maine Beaches Conference - Meeting Blogs

Introduction

  • Peter Slovinsky, Maine Geological Survey

Welcome

  • President James Ortiz, Southern Maine Community College

Opening Remarks

  • Robert W. Varney, Normandeau Associates

Plenary Session I


Valuing Maine's Beaches: An in depth discussion of the economic impact of Maine’s beaches, how sea level rise and coastal erosion may affect those values inside and outside Maine, and actions we can take.

Concurrent Session I


The State of Maine's Beaches in 2009 - Water Quality: Summary of trends at many of Southern Maine's beaches highlighting water quality.

  • Mark Margerum, Department of Environmental Protection and
  • Keri Lindberg, University of Maine Cooperative Extension

The State of Maine's Beaches in 2009: Geology: Summary of trends at many of Southern Maine's beaches highlighting beach profiles, shoreline erosion, and dune restoration.

  • Stephen Dickson and Peter Slovinsky, Maine Geological Survey

Planning for Impacts of Sea Level Rise on Coastal Infrastructure: Evaluating the economic and environmental impacts of sea level rise and storm events to inform decision making in Maine's coastal communities.

  • Moderator Zack Steele, Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve
  • Paul Kirshen, Applied Coastal and Environmental Services, Battelle Memorial Institute
  • Sam Merrill, Director, New England Environmental Finance Center, Muskie School of Public Service, University of Southern Maine

Concurrent Session II


Climate Change and Sea Level Rise: Recent Developments in Science and Public Policy: Discussion on recent developments in science relevant to advancing sound public policy for adapting to predicted climate change and sea-level rise on the seacoast and beaches of Maine.

  • Moderator Robert Almeder, Emeritus Professor of Philosophy of Science, Georgia State University
  • Ian Burnes, Governor's Office of Energy Independence and Security
  • Richard Lindzen, The Sloan Professor of Atmospheric Sciences, MIT

How to Preserve Your Beach Community

  • Moderator Janice Parente, member of Surfriders Northern New England Chapter
  • Judy Barrett, Public Health Nurse, Kennebunkport
  • Mike Horn, Ogunquit Conservation Commission
  • Kristen Grant, Maine Sea Grant and University of Maine Cooperative Extension

Building Community Resiliency - A Walking Tour: Actions for property owners and communities to reduce coastal hazards and improve resiliency discussed while walking Willard Beach, South Portland.

  • Stephen Dickson, Maine Geological Survey
  • Tom Long, Southern Maine Community College

How Do State and Federal Laws Affect My Coastal Property? Discussion of issues affecting coastal property owners including National Flood Insurance Program, Federal Emergency Management Agency's Flood Insurance Rate Map updates and DEP's Coastal Sand Dune Rules.

  • Sue Baker, Maine Floodplain Management Program
  • Dawn Hallowell, Maine Department of Environmental Protection

Plenary Session II


Adaptations to Create Resilient Beach Communities: Adaptating to predictions of future climate change on Maine's coast and coastal beaches.

  • Moderator Jon Lockman, Southern Maine Regional Planning Commission
  • Bob Hamblen, City Planner, Saco
  • Greg Tansley, City Planner, Biddeford
  • Gary Lamb, Director of Planning and Community Development, Old Orchard Beach

Parting Thoughts


  • Peter Slovinsky, Maine Geological Survey

For More Information


Please contact kngrant@maine.edu

Last updated on August 27, 2009