About Us

The Maine Coastal Program

The Maine Coastal Program is a partnership among local, regional, and state agencies for the purpose of managing Maine's coastal resources for the public benefit.

In 1972 Congress responded to the rapid deterioration of coastal areas throughout the nation by passing the Coastal Zone Management Act. Administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the law authorized funding for state coastal programs around the country to improve the environmental and economic health of America?s coastal areas. The Maine Coastal Program was established in 1978 and is administered by the State Planning Office.

Through this networked program, no one agency or department is responsible for the entire coast. Rather, all partners help ensure its proper management. The result of this balanced approach is a healthier coast--and a better future for communities.

The Maine Coastal Atlas Advisory Group

This group has helped to guide the development process of the Atlas and has made recommendations and suggestions for content, layout, and accessibility. The group is comprised of members from the Maine Department of Marine Resources, the Maine Geological Survey, the Gulf of Maine Research Institute, the Island Institute, the Quebec Labrador Foundation, and the Northeast Regional Association of Ocean and Coastal Observing Systems.