Maine’s coastline stretches for thousands of miles. Within that expanse are many intersecting and often competing activities and values. Mainers are deeply connected to the coast through livelihoods, cultural identities, family legacies, and deep appreciation for nature, wildlife, and wild spaces. But sometimes those connections to the coast can clash. 

How does Maine adapt its coastal infrastructure to hazards while maintaining access, identity, and heritage? How does Maine develop its coast in a way that also protects the integrity of our coastal habitats? How does Maine preserve working waterfront while also preparing for sea level rise? 

Maine Coastal Program works to answer these questions and is inviting Mainers to help.  

Maine Coastal Program (MCP) was established in 1978 to help balance the demands of conservation and development in Maine’s coastal zone, and is currently writing its next five-year strategy, the “2026-2030 Strategic Outlook.” Updating the Strategic Outlook on this cycle helps keep pace with and adapt to emerging challenges on Maine’s coast and gives regular opportunity for public input. 

From Oct. 22, 2024 until Friday, Jan. 3, 2025 MCP will keep open a public opinion survey as one way of incorporating public input into the 2026-2030 Strategic Outlook. Insights from a statewide community engagement effort that took place in spring 2024 as part of the update to Maine's climate plan, Maine Won’t Wait, will also be included. That effort was spearheaded by the University of Maine’s Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions and a summary of findings can be found at https://www.maine.gov/future/meetings/maine-climate-council-3.  

Any plan that hopes to balance sustainable development and conservation in Maine needs to be rooted in what’s good for Mainers. Only with the support of communities can projects be truly successful. Take the time to think about what coastal management issues are most important right now and help Maine Coastal Program balance priorities by taking this public opinion survey. To learn more about the Maine Coastal Program, visit www.maine.gov/dmr/programs/maine-coastal-program