MAINE PUBLIC • August 28, 2023
New aerial images and data show that a shoreline property and sandbar on the tip of Chebeague Island in Casco Bay has changed dramatically in recent years. The images of what's known as the "Hook" were taken by the Greater Portland Council of Governments, which has studied sea level rise and erosion on coastal communities in the region. Peter Slovinsky, a marine geologist for the Maine Geological Survey, said they reveal how the property has experienced intense erosion due to severe storms in 2018 and last year in late December. Resident Phyllis Brunner said there are few viable long term options as intense storms become more frequent. Still, she said there are positive signs that the beach is rebuilding itself with less traffic on the access road. And this summer, near-threatened piping plovers nested on the island, which Brunner said is a first for Casco Bay in the last 40 years.