BANGOR DAILY NEWS • December 19, 2024
Engineers from across Maine expressed concern Thursday about proposed new rules that are meant to encourage natural methods for restoring and protecting the state’s shorelines, but that would restrict the use of harder protections such as seawalls and layers of stone known as riprap. During a hearing before the state Board of Environmental Protection, some of the opponents said that they generally support nature-based solutions to protect shorelines — such as vegetation and biodegradable materials like logs — but they argued that the proposed rules would be too restrictive for coastal property owners who have long relied on the stronger protection offered by riprap. The BEP is accepting feedback on the rule change until Jan. 13.