In the aftermath of the January 13, 2024 rain and wind storm that caused flooding and damage and Bug Light Park and Willard Beach, including the destruction of the former fishing shacks that stood on Fisherman's Point, the City held a workshop with City Council, staff, and local, state, and federal officials. The workshop took place on February 13, 2024 at the South Portland High School. This page compiles information related to the storm, the damage it caused, and the City's response and coastal resiliency efforts.
Video Recording
Watch the video of this Council meeting.
Meeting Summary
Local, state and federal officials shared information about the effects of the storm, recovery efforts and challenges, and the City's coastal resiliency work. The purpose of the workshop was to gain more information from these officials and City staff about these topics. The City did not make decisions at this workshop, including in regards to the former fishing shacks. However, officials shared information that provided a foundation for City Council and staff to take next steps, which includes additional information gathering.
Regarding the former fishing shacks on Fishermen’s Point, the information shared prior to and during the meeting indicates that the City cannot recreate these structures in the same location or re-build as they were. The shacks, which have not been used for fishing in many years, stood in a federal flood zone and shoreland zone. Any rebuild would need to meet local, state, and federal standards, which would include meeting elevation, setback, flood resistance and height limitation requirements. Were the City to rebuild the shacks as they were, South Portland likely would be suspended from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), according to Sue Baker, the Maine Floodplain Management Program Coordinator and Barb Skelton, South Portland Code Enforcement Director.
Ms. Baker shared that being suspending from the NFIP would have significant negative consequences for the City and its residents. If South Portland were disqualified from participating in the NFIP, the City would be ineligible to apply for Flood Mitigation Assistance grant funds from the Maine Emergency Management Agency. South Portland residents would be directly affected as well. In the event of a presidentially declared disaster, residents would not have access to some forms of disaster assistance that are available in communities that do participate. There would be an immediate impact on some residents’ home loans as well. Anyone that has flood insurance coverage that is mandated because they have a federally backed loan, would not be able to renew their policies, which could put their loan in jeopardy, according to Baker.
This was challenged by two community members, who claimed that the fishing shacks had a historic designation and newly rebuilt shacks may not need to meet the same standards in order to qualify for the NFIP. However, a follow up email exchange between the City and Michael Goebel-Bain, head of Maine Historic Preservation, made clear than any reconstructed shacks would not have historic designation and would therefore need to meet the local, state, and federal standards, which would include meeting elevation, setback, flood resistance and height limitation requirements, to qualify for the NFIP.
Regarding potential protective measures against sea level rise along the beach, presenters from Maine DEP made clear that new seawalls may not be built at Willard Beach, as they are prohibited in the coastal sand dune system. The questions about whether the City should invest in a breakwater required further research and consultation with the Army Corps of Engineers. The Maine DEP representatives emphasized that nature-based solutions are recommended.
Next Steps
- The City will have the Fishermen’s Point property surveyed. This will provide the accurate information necessary to determine what is possible for a potential rebuilding of the former fishing shacks in this location. The City will present the results and implications of the survey to the Council and public.
- The City will conduct research and consult experts, including the Army Corps of Engineers, on the idea of a breakwater to see if this is a recommended and viable option for Simonton Cove.
- City Staff will continue to assess its vulnerable infrastructure along the shore and make plans for sea level rise and storm impacts.
- For example, the City will continue to work toward the resiliency goals in its One Climate Future plan and Comprehensive Plan update. The Sustainability Department has requested funds in next fiscal year’s budget to develop Resilient Zoning Standards as part of its One Climate Future action plan. Staff will also look at other options such as dune restoration and provide those findings to City Council.
Meeting Outline and Presenters
- Welcome – Mayor Pride
- Overview of City Department Responsibilities/Roles of Other Local, State, and Federal Agencies – Scott Morelli, South Portland (SP) City Manager
- Overview of January 13th Storm Damage, Clean-Up Status, and Future Plans - Phil Selberg, SP Fire Chief/EMA Director; Karl Coughlin, SP Parks, Recreation, and Waterfront Director; and Kristina Ertzner, SP Conservation Manager
- Overview of Maine Floodplain Management Program/National Flood Insurance Program and Local Regulations, Including a Discussion About the Fishing Shacks - Sue Baker, Maine’s Floodplain Program Manager, and Barb Skelton, SP Code Enforcement Director
- Overview of Coastline Protection Options, Such as Sea Walls, Breakwaters, Dunes, Etc. - Marybeth Richardson, Director of Maine Dept. of Environmental Protection (MDEP); Nathan Robbins, MDEP Climate Change Specialist; and Amanda Sayles, Army Corps of Engineers Regulatory Team
- Overview of Available Funding Opportunities for Governments and Private Homeowners - Michael Durkin, Cumberland County Emergency Management Agency
- Overview of Role/Recommendations from Harbor Master – Kevin Battle, Harbor Master
- Overview of Vulnerability Assessment, Related One Climate Future Plan Recommendations - Julie Rosenbach, South Portland Sustainability Director
- Comments/Questions from the Public and Council
Note: Willard Beach Storm/Sewer Infrastructure was a topic originally on the agenda but not presented on due to Brad Weeks, South Portland Water Resource Protection Director, being ill on the day of the meeting. His responses to issues raised and questions asked related to this topic will be added to this page.
Workshop Materials
Meeting Overview and Information Slides
South Portland Fire Chief Phil Selberg's Presentation
Preparing for Coastal Flooding in South Portland - Explore the effects of sea level rise and coastal storms on South Portland's ecosystems, economy, infrastructure, and community. This mapping tool was produced by the Gulf of Maine Research Institute in concert with the City of South Portland with financial assistance provided by the Maine Coastal Program from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce
Memo from Peter Slovinsky, Marine Geologist with Maine Geological Survey (Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry) - Mr. Slovinsky could not be present at the meeting, but responded to a number of questions relating to coastline protection and hardscape solutions (such as sea walls) vs. nature based solutions.
Current (circa 1985) FEMA floodplain maps and the proposed 2024 maps that will be effective come June:
Email Exchange with Michael Goebel-Bain, head of Maine Historic Preservation - The email exchange following the February 13 meeting clarifies that rebuilt fishing shacks would not have a historic designation/exemption. Therefore, the City is more limited in what we can do with the shacks in order to comply with our ordinance and the floodplain/NFIP requirements.
Memo from City of South Portland Assessor Brent Martin - In this memo, the City Assessor responds to the question: "How will flooding and future sea level rise impact home valuation by the City?"
Press Releases
2/8/24 - City Invites Community to Join Storm Damage/Coastal Resiliency Workshop
1/24/24 - South Portland Storm Recovery Planning Underway; City to Hold Storm Damage/Coastal Resiliency Workshop February 13