Program Overview

Permanent working waterfront access protection through the purchase of development rights

The Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR), working with the Land for Maine’s Future (LMF) program, provides funds to help purchase, preserve and protect key properties on the coast that provide access to and support commercial fisheries activities. The DMR has contracted a Working Waterfront Team (WWFT) at Coastal Enterprises Inc. (CEI) to administer and implement the Working Waterfront Access Pilot Program (WWAPP). The WWFT works closely with fishermen, businesses, communities and other interested parties to identify the projects that best fit the WWAPP’s goals and requirements. The WWFT guides the planning and application process to help assure that applicants submit a complete and appropriate proposal. Once a project has been allocated funding the team continues to assist each project to completion.

When a project receives funding, the working waterfront property’s development rights are extinguished through the sale of a “working waterfront covenant” held by the DMR. The covenant protects all current and future fisheries related uses of the land by prohibiting all conflicting non-fisheries activities (i.e. condos, marinas). The covenant does allow a degree of mixed use and provides the property owner with the flexibility to manage the property as needed to remain viable. The property owner also retains all other rights of ownership; they are free to sell or lease. If and when the property owner chooses to sell the property, the State has a “right of first refusal” to assure that the land will be valued at its working waterfront value and thus remain affordable to those who would purchase it with the intent to continue commercial fishing activities. (See the link below for a more detailed summary of the working waterfront covenant).

There are certain criteria that the DMR is looking for in potential projects. Not all projects will necessarily fit all criteria. Projects may be:

  1. Active working waterfront which is strategically significant to the local, regional and state fisheries related economy;
  2. Currently located and developed to fully support commercial fishing activities; providing key supports such as all tide access, fuel, bait, sales, and/or adequate parking;
  3. Under current and emerging threat by development and changing population dynamics of conversion to uses incompatible with commercial fishing activities;
  4. In a community with a clear desire to maintain and support their commercial fishing enterprises as evidenced by zoning, comprehensive plans, etc, and;
  5. A critical part of the local fishing infrastructure and provides key access for the area

Additionally, DMR is seeking individuals, businesses, co-ops, or communities that are:

  1. 1. Willing to develop a business/operating plan
  2. 2. Willing to enter a permanent deed restriction assuring the prohibition of all competing non-fishing uses of the property to be held and monitored by the DMR.

Working Waterfront Covenant Summary