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Home > Explore! > Coastal Marine Geology > Maine Beaches Conference > Program > Public Officials

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The Future of Maine's Changing Beaches:

Diverse Interests and Common Goals

Concurrent Session II

11:30 - 12:15 p.m. at locations to be announced.

Maine's Changing Beaches: Priorities for Public Officials

  • John Bubier, Biddeford City Manager
  • Ron Owens, Scarborough Town Manager
  • James Thomas Old Orchard Beach Town Manager

This is one of three priority setting and problem solving sessions facilitated by leaders in each stakeholder group. Findings from each session will be reported back at the conference closing.

This session will explore the issues that concern and confront municipal officials in managing the use, access, maintenance, and preservation of public and private beaches. Participants will be presented a series of specific challenges in managing beach areas ranging from public access to cleaning the beaches and asked to identify best practices they employ or have observed. The discussion is designed to encourage both municipal beach operators and interested citizens to comment and critique provided examples or examples identified through the discussion. The purpose of this session will be to provide public works directors, recreation directors, municipal officials and interested citizens practicable strategies in both managing and maintaining beach areas and preserving and expanding the public's access to our beach areas.

The range of topics will depend on participants' interests but may include:

  • Public access to both public and private beach areas from public ways.
  • Management of parking in conjunction with beach access.
  • Management and regulation of traditional and non-traditional beach uses - surf boarding, wind surfing, wind karts, horses, etc.
  • Best practices and equipment to keep the beach clean and attractive while protecting endangered birds.
  • Restrooms, concessions, parking and activities essential to the public's enjoyment of the beach.

Last updated on April 11, 2007