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Home > Explore! > Coastal Marine Geology > Maine Beaches Conference > Program > Impacts of Sea Level Rise

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Valuing Maine’s Beaches:

Assets, Challenges, and Actions for Today and Tomorrow

Concurrent Session I

Impacts of Sea Level Rise on Coastal Infrastructure

  • Paul Kirshen, Applied Coastal and Environmental Services, Battelle Memorial Institute

Many coastal communities in Maine will be impacted by sea level rise and increased storm and tidal flooding during the next century. Over the last few decades, a growing percentage of Maine’s population, businesses and economic activity occur in coastal areas. Municipal officials, planners, local residents, and business owners will have choices to make to address the rising frequency and intensity of coastal storms and associated damages. A decision support tool used in a scenario-based risk assessment framework will help communities make informed decisions. The decision framework relies upon evaluation of economic and environmental impacts to help plan for the present as well as the future.

Last updated on April 28, 2009