PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE
ATVs on the Down East Sunrise Trail. Photo courtesy: sunrisetrail. org
MaineDOT Regional Planning Services
Staff led the Sunrise Trail Coalition through a board retreat to help them improve their organizational capacity and clarify their goals. Follow-up work with representatives from the East Coast Greenway advanced plans and secured $ 250,000 to support critical improvements.
SCEC continues to support the municipalities of Calais and Cherryfield in planning and development of the National Scenic Byway infrastructure and planning for bicycle and pedestrian safety and access projects( in preparation for the Village Partnership and Active Transportation Initiative projects).
Brownfields
The Brownfields coordinator is participating in a national Nonprofit Land Reuse Learning Cohort, which is designed to help nonprofits effectively lead brownfield site reuse projects with a strong focus on community-centered engagement. By the end of 2025:
• Phase I assessments were completed for the former Princeton Rec Center
• Site-Specific Quality Assurance Project Plans( SSQAPP) for the former Dickinson’ s Feed & Seed in East Machias and at 46 Main Street in Jonesport were submitted
• Phase I and II Assessments were completed on the former Cutler Navy Base administrative building
Municipal Assistance
Danforth’ s comprehensive plan was completed and submitted to the State. Cutler, Roque Bluffs, Beals, and Machias are all in process. SCEC has contracted with Lubec and Eastport for additional planning work around capital investment and ordinance development.
SCEC continues to assist municipalities in securing project funding and with implementing projects funded by grant sources. Current projects include but are not limited to:
• Whiting Mill Pond Dam and Fish Passage project: Construction is anticipated to begin April 2026
• Direct assistance to Jonesport ' s Henry Point Working Waterfront Project
• Continuing work on the Housing Opportunities Program Service Provider Grant. Through this process data will be gathered and provided to municipalities, developers, nonprofits, and other community groups to implement short- and long-term housing solutions. This project will also produce a Washington County Municipal Housing Toolkit: a suite of locally relevant housing-related ordinances and advisory materials for town officials to assist in the development of workforce housing.
• Assisting communities through funding provided by Maine ' s Municipal Planning Assistance Program and the Maine Coastal Program through a subcontract with the Hancock County Planning Commission.
6 | SCEC 2025 Annual Report