Tides, Taxes, and New Tactics

Goal

To investigate and plan for the economic and social impacts of sea level rise and storm surge with the towns of Kennebunk, Wells, and York.

Project Elements

• GIS-based economic and social vulnerability assessment of flood hazard impacts to coastal private property
• Evaluation of associated implications for the municipal tax base
• Development of creative, locally-relevant adaptation and resiliency planning strategies
• Community engagement workshops

Products

• January 15, 2020:  Project Advisory Committee meeting presentation (kickoff meeting)
• April 15, 2020:  Project Advisory Committee meeting presentation (GIS vulnerability assessment methodology) 
• August 14, 2020: Project Overview

Partners

The project is overseen and guided by an advisory committee comprised of municipal staff members from each of the three communities. It is coordinated by SMPDC (contact Abbie Sherwin asherwin@smpdc.org).

• Southern Maine Planning and Development Commission (lead)
• Towns of Kennebunk, Wells, and York
• Wells Reserve
• Maine Sea Grant
• rbouvier consulting
• GIS consultant

Funding

Municipal Planning Assistance Program, Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry: $46,187 to SMPDC