Environmental Initiatives

Living Shoreline Project

Shorelines and saltmarshes are beneficial for the community, but shoreline stabilization practices that protect property from erosion can harm them. Shorelines prevent flooding and protect land and communities during coastal storms. Saltmarshes are crucial to filtering contaminants from runoff, preventing flooding and creating a gentle buffer between ocean and land, which protect communities. Shoreline development is increasing, as are requests for shoreline stabilization structures. However, hard shoreline structures, such as bulkheads, prevent natural marsh migration and decrease fisheries habitat and biodiversity. Living shorelines provide an alternative to hardened shorelines. This shoreline management method can improve water quality, provide fisheries habitat, increase biodiversity, and promote recreation. A living shoreline involves using natural materials such as plants, sand, or rock. Currently, there are no Best Management Practices for constructing a living shoreline that are accepted by natural resource agencies that advise or regulate Maine. Therefore, a working group was formed to help develop standards for shoreline stabilization in Brunswick. There have been two living shoreline projects constructed in Brunswick, one at Wharton Point and one at Maquoit Bay Conservation Land. Find more information about the specific projects here.

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Living Shoreline Maquoit Bay                                                      Living Shoreline at Wharton Point 

MMWMP Opens in new windoware Brook Watershed Management Plan

The goal of the is for Mare Brook to meet its State-designated Class B standards by 2037. In February of 2022, Town Council voted to adopt the plan. The Planning and Development Department is currently implementing the plan. Find more information here.