April 2009 MAINE COASTAL NEWS Page 9.
Waterfront News
THREE WATERFRONT PROPERTIES PROTECTED ON COAST
Three new working waterfront projects and bait storage. With the award, the Co-op harvesters and the recreational public also bond issues approved by Maine voters in
were approved by the Land for Maine’s Fu- members plan to purchase an adjacent 0.4 share the launch ramps and pier. As a result, 2005 and 2007 providing $5 million to pre-
ture (LMF) Board at their meeting in Augusta acre parcel for gear storage, pay down their users are backed up daily and the fishermen’s serve commercial fishing access to the coast
on March 10. In a joint statement, the Maine debt, and renovate their wharf to improve incomes are severely curtailed by the lack of of Maine. To date the program has provided
Department of Marine Resources (DMR) and their competitive position and encourage an adequate pier facility. An enlarged pier $3.6 M in state bond funds to secure commer-
the Land for Maine’s Future Program (LMF) new membership. Jim Wotton, Co-op Presi- with three times the current area, all tide cial fishing access over 14 properties with a
announced that three separate awards total- dent, recognized the value of the Working access, and direct vehicular loading by me- combined fair market value of $12.9 M that
ing $707,500 were made to the Vinalhaven Waterfront Access award to the members, chanical hoists is planned for construction handle $38 million in annual landings, and
Fishermen’s Co-op in Vinalhaven, the “Friendship Lobster Co-op would like to next fall utilizing $400,000 of town money in support over 700 fishing families.
Friendship Lobster and Realty Co-op in thank everyone on the Land for Maine’s addition to a grant from the Maine Depart- With funds still available, WWAPP co-
Friendship, and the Town of Scarborough for Future Board for considering our applica- ment of Transportation’s Small Harbor Im- ordinators Dick Clime and Hugh
the Pine Point Municipal Pier to preserve tion. We look forward to continuing our provement Program and the money from the Cowperthwaite urge fishermen, commercial
commercial fisheries use of these properties. relationship with them as we progress sale of the Working Waterfront covenant. fisheries property owners, coastal munici-
These funds from the Working Waterfront through the rest of the WWAPP process. With the assistance of Thomas Hall, Town palities and conservation groups to consider
Access Pilot Program (WWAPP) will pur- During these tough economic times we are Manager to apply for the WWAPP award, protecting important commercial fisheries
chase a “working waterfront covenant” on excited to be able to improve and maintain our Officer Corbeau is happy that the effort is (including clamming and aquaculture) ac-
each property that will restrict any future facility while ensuring a piece of working paying off, “I saw what the fishermen had to cess properties in their communities. Appli-
development of the land that conflicts with waterfront will remain in our community for work with …limiting their fishing effort and cations for the WWAPP are accepted on a
fisheries uses. DMR Commissioner George generations to come!” catch. I’m really pleased that this award will rolling basis as long as funding is available.
Lapointe, who is also Chairman of the LMF Playing a critical role in Carver’s Harbor permit the town to complete construction of To learn more call (207) 772-5356 and ask for
Board, pointed out that when commercial to land nearly a third of the island’s catch, the the new pier and give fishermen 24 hour the Working Waterfront Access Pilot Pro-
fisheries properties are transferred to resi- Vinalhaven Fishermen’s Co-op contributes access to the water”. gram or go online at www.wwapp.org.
dential or other forms of commercial develop- to a significant portion of the community’s Funding for the WWAPP comes from
ment they are lost forever as access points for income as more than 50% of the island’s
Maine’s commercial fishermen. According inhabitants earn their living through the fish-
to Commissioner Lapointe, “DMR is very eries. The lands preserved through covenant
proud that this Pilot Program has been so protection include a combined 1.0 acres of
Bring your boat.
successful in reaching exactly those types of shoreside facilities and back lot storage. It
properties which will make the greatest con- includes 320 feet of deep water frontage with
tributions to Maine’s fishing future. Indi- all tide access and two pier structures that
We’ll supply the rest.
vidually and collectively, the projects ap- accommodate the offloading of up to 60 boats
proved yesterday will have tremendous im- during the season. With the increasing dif- Cruise the coast or spend the summer onboard at your slip, surrounded by all the
pact for years to come”. ficulty of acquiring a regular and dependable
luxuries of home and protected by our huge breakwater.
In its decision the LMF Board recog- supply of lobster bait, the Co-op has decided
Easy slip access • Washers and dryers • Power to 100 amps
Wireless internet and cable TV • Fuel dock • Comfortable shoreside lounge
nized that these properties are important to to invest its award monies to construct a large
Water and ice • Convenience store • Brand new showers
the state’s economy and to the welfare of building for frozen and refrigerated storage of The calmest dockage in Casco Bay!
their host towns. Together these three fish- bait that promises to smooth out supply
When the season ends, we can store your boat right here,
ing facilities serve 122 commercial lobster problems. Co-op President, Ted Lazaro com-
SLIPS AVAILABLE
with 35,000 square feet of heated indoor storage space, 30-
boats and their crews as well as 42 clam mented, “The program is great for us. The
FOR 2009 foot-high doors, and the best service and repair, anywhere!
harvesters and their skiffs. About 240 fishing purpose, to ensure that shorefront facilities
Come by for a visit, see our website at www.maineyacht.com, or give us a call!
families rely on these access points for their remain available for commercial fishermen, is
livelihood. completely consistent with the mission of our
MAINE YACHT CENTER
Life is good.
The Friendship Lobster and Realty Co- Co-op. In addition, the funds from the sale of
100 Kensington Street, Portland, Maine 04101 • 207.842.9000
op founded in 1996 occupies the site formerly the covenant will allow us to build a bait
known as Wallace’s Shellfish which has seen cooler which we really need, but would not
commercial activity since the 1800’s when have done given the uncertainty of the
fishermen and coastal steamers used it as the economy and its effect on lobster prices”.
primary landing for people, products, and Dave Corbeau, Scarborough Marine
supplies in the town. The property consists Resources Officer, has been working to im-
of 0.6 acre with 110 feet of shore frontage on prove the municipal dock on Pine Point for 6
Friendship Harbor, a large wharf with over years. The 25 lobstermen that use the facility
22,000 square feet of working area, berthing are limited to 3 hours a day to load and offload
space for multiple boats, ample parking, fuel their equipment and catch. Over 40 clam
Land Management Act Saves GoMOOS
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Mike the way for more stable funding in the
Michaud praised House passage of H.R. 146, future.”
the Omnibus Public Land Management Act GoMOOS was the pilot for ocean
of 2009. This bipartisan lands bill is a observing systems and was started in 1999
package of more than 160 bills, many of and became fully operational in 2001. Since
which have previously passed through the then, other regional ocean observation
House. Michaud has been a strong systems have been established and have
supporter of formally authorizing the Gulf of been competing for the same pot of funding.
Maine Ocean Observing System The bill that passed today, formalizes a
(GoMOOS). Initiated in 2001, GoMOOS is a national ocean observing system. Currently,
pilot program for the national ocean the administration is proposing to increase
observation system, which provides funding from the current level of $20 million
weather and ocean data important to to $30 million, and to have it fully funded at
scientists and fisherman in Maine. H.R. 146 $50 million by 2014. Michaud will be pushing
authorizes the national “Integrated Coastal hard to make sure that the Congress lives up
and Ocean Observation System” (ICOOS), to these goals. For Fiscal Year 2009,
which would permanently authorize and GoMOOS still faces challenges. Michaud’s
formalize the operations of GoMOOS, which office is currently working with the
is critical to securing long-term funding for delegation to explore having other federal
the program. agencies that use GoMOOS help sustain its
“GoMOOS has experienced funding operations during Fiscal Year 2009.
shortfalls over the last several years and Attempts have been made numerous
currently can only maintain 6 of the 11 buoys times over the last eight years to authorize
monitoring the Gulf of Maine,” said this national ocean observation system
Michaud. “I have heard from Mainers who which is critical to secure long-term funding.
have called my office concerned about this The ICOOS supports national defense,
issue. Attendees of the fisherman’s forum in marine commerce, navigation safety,
Rockport told me just how important they weather, climate, and marine forecasting,
viewed GoMOOS’s operations. While this public safety, and coastal and marine
bill does not actually appropriate additional resource management. For more
funding, formalizing the program does pave information go to www.gomoos.org/.
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