MAINE STORMWATER CONFERENCE

Transcription

1 2017 CASCO BAY COMMUNITY GUIDEBOOK MAINE STORMWATER CONFERENCE JESSA BERNA, AICP

2 Objective Engage Casco Bay coastal communities about policies to protect Casco Bay and adapt to climate change Audience Local governments (staff, boards, committees) Focus Case studies, best management practices, non regulatory tools PROJECT OVERVIEW

3 STAKEHOLDER COMMITTEE Annie Cox Wells Reserve Curtis Bohlen Casco Bay Estuary Partnership Ivy Frignoca Friends of Casco Bay Malcolm Burson Conservation Law Foundation Marybeth Richardson Maine DEP Robyn Saunders Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District Julie Rosenbach City of South Portland Susie Arnold The Island Institute Abbie Sherwin Maine Coastal Program Kimberly Darling Town of Falmouth Peter Slovinski Maine Geological Survey Victoria Boundy Casco Bay Estuary Partnership

4 GUIDEBOOK Vision Create a targeted and digestible report for local governments to learn from one another about tools they can use to protect Casco Bay and ensure our region s health and prosperity into the future.

5 Cape Elizabeth Maureen O Meara, Town Planner Chebeague Island Nick Adams, Code Enforcement Officer Cumberland Carla Nixon, Town Planner Falmouth Ethan Croce, Senior Planner and Kimberly Darling, Sustainability Coordinator Freeport Donna Larson, Town Planner COMMUNITY INTERVIEWS SEMI STRUCTURED Long Island Jim Nagle, Code Enforcement Officer Portland Christine Grimando, Senior Planner Scarborough Jay Chace, Senior Planner South Portland Steve Puleo, Senior Planner and Fred Dillon, Stormwater Coordinator Yarmouth Alex Jaegerman, Town Planner and Steve Johnson, Town Engineer

6 ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLANGES STORMWATER RUNOFF Stormwater refers to all of the water that flows along the ground after a rainfall or during a period of melting snow. As stormwater runs across impervious surfaces such as roads, roofs and parking lots, it picks up pollutants such as oil, pesticides, heavy metals and bacteria. Stormwater runoff is the leading source of pollution to rivers, lakes and coastal waters across the country. Within the Casco Bay watershed, these pollutants are washed into streams and sewers and eventually drain into Casco Bay, degrading water quality and reducing biological diversity. CLIMATE CHANGE Across the globe, rising sea levels and temperatures have been observed for decades. In Maine coastal flooding and intense storm events have also become more frequent, and average temperatures have increased year round. These environmental changes have already had an impact on the Casco Bay watershed. Larger and more erratic storms have led to increased stormwater polluting the waters we depend on for living, working and playing. Coastal flooding has put many communities at risk and warming temperatures have started to threaten the region s agricultural and recreational economy. HABITAT DEGRADATION Habitats are places where plants and animals live, feed, find shelter, and reproduce. The Casco Bay watershed includes many productive habitat types, including upland forests, riparian areas and salt marshes. To protect the wealth of species that live in Casco Bay, it is necessary to conserve these natural environments. Habitat has been lost, fragmented or degraded by human activity, especially suburban and commercial development.

7 STRATEGIES FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS Long range planning Land use regulations Incentives Local findings Case studies Direct action

8 LONG RANGE PLANNING

9 Our new Comprehensive Plan posits sustainability as a multifaceted topic that is related to our transit system, our fiscal health, and an equitable community. Christine Grimando, Portland Senior Planner

10 LONG RANGE PLANNING Community Spotlights

11 LAND USE REGULATIONS

12 I try to add flexibility to our regulations because this prevents the political pendulum from swinging too far in either direction. Everyone appreciates having options as opposed to hard and fast rules. You can t accomplish everything, so it is important to choose wisely. Donna Larson, Freeport Town Planner

13 LAND USE REGULATIONS Community Spotlights

14 INCENTIVES

15 Transfer of Development Rights only works in superheated real estate markets. In a small community, the stars have to align perfectly forittobeused.butitis available and if it is used once to save a property then that is a good thing. Maureen O Meara, Cape Elizabeth Town Planner

16 INCENTIVES Community Spotlights

17 DIRECT ACTION

18 Our new harbormaster building is going to have a site plan with LID. If we are going to talk to the talk, we better walk the walk. We also go through our own planning board process and obtain the same permits we require from others. Steve Johnson, Yarmouth Town Engineer

19 DIRECT ACTION Community Spotlights

20 COMMON BARRIERS Staff resources Other community priorities Inconsistent implementation Lack of regional coordination Operating at a small scale KEYS TO SUCCESS Knowledgeable staff and elected officials Valued natural resources in the community Community support and champions Proactive policies and procedures Education and assistance from local non profits

21 ADDITIONAL KEY FINDINGS Bridging the gap Municipal Staff care about this topic and are working within the framework of local government to affect change. Many of the great things communities are doing are not required in formal regulations or policies. Many interviewed felt that environmental organizations did not fully understand/value dense urban centers an essential part of environmental conservation/protection.

22 Local Governments State and Regional Government Casco Bay Estuary Partnership Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District Others? NEXT STEPS

23 Thank you! Questions? JESSA BERNA, AICP CASCO BAY COMMUNITY GUIDEBOOK 2017 MAINE STORMWATER CONFERENCE