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MAKE A DIFFERENCE:

The City has unveiled new detailed Coastal Flooding Maps that show streets and neighborhoods vulnerable to flooding due to sea level rise under three scenarios — daily high tides, the occasional astronomical high tide, and major storms — over the next 25 to 75 years.

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Learn more about the City’s coastal resilience efforts and how you can get involved: southportland.gov/coastalresilience

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What you can do:

Have you signed our Climate Resilience Petition?
please sign & share it with all your contacts
in South Portland. Thank you!
 
THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR SOUTH PORTLAND is
MANDATED TO BE UPDATED EVERY 12 YEARS.
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The Comprehensive Plan forms the ”foundation for community actions, policies and regulations.” The citizens of South Portland are encouraged to participate by attending meetings in person or to watch via livestream. It is crucial that citizens voice what the goals for the city should be.

 

After the January 13th storm surge and flooding, PSP and the community advocated for the Comprehensive Plan Committee to move its climate goals from the last of five goals to the number one goal for future planning and development. Placing climate resilience as the number one goal is a first in South Portland history. We are grateful to have such responsive Comprehensive Plan Committee members.

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THE #1 GOAL AS NOW WRITTEN IN THE MOST RECENT DRAFT:

 

1. Ecology and Climate Readiness. South Portland will collectively take responsibility for preserving and protecting its natural places and preparing for the impacts of climate change. Goals include:

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  • Plan for sea level rise & coastal storms: at least 1.5 - 3 feet of sea level rise by 2050 and 3.8 - 8.7 feet by 2100 and increased risks from storms.

  • Become climate resilient against extreme weather: adapt codes, ordinances, policies, and services to prepare for the impacts of climate change.

  • Protect & enhance the natural environment: protect South Portland’s coastline, green spaces, and natural habitat.

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We encourage citizens to work with the Comprehensive Plan Committee to support the climate goals as the details of the plan are created. Visit SouthPortland2040.com to catch up on progress of the plan and to learn how you can participate. Email or call your city council members. You can help shape the future of South Portland.

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LOCAL CONCERN HAS ARISEN REGARDING HEALTH AND SAFETY AT THE
PROPOSED YARD SOUTH DEVELOPMENT IN OUR SHIPYARD DISTRICT.

 

There is a large-scale residential development referred to as Yard South proposed next to scenic Bug Light Park. As described in a recent site walk, Yard South, in phase one, is planning to build three or four 18-story towers with 1200 or more residential units. The developers claim there will be 8-10% affordable housing units provided. The current owners are expected to apply for a contract zone from light industrial to allow residential in the Shipyard district. We believe they will submit their application in May.

 

For the following reasons, PSP has grave health and safety concerns for this proposed zone change:

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  1. D.E.P. Emissions Permits for the adjacent Gulf and Portland Pipeline terminals combined allow:

    • 100+ tons of airborne Volatile Organic Compounds per year

    • DEP monitoring has documented some of the city’s highest levels of petroleum-associated cancer-causing benzene and other health-damaging chemicals in this area

    • 30+ tons of airborne hazardous air pollutants per year

  2. The proximity of bulk petroleum storage facilities to existing residential, community college, and other land uses are already a serious safety and evacuation concern for a catastrophic fire/explosion/petroleum spill event. 

  3. This area is a contaminated brownfield.

  4. The 2020 Maine Climate Council Scientific and Technical Committee Report suggests preparing for 8.8 feet of sea level rise by 2100. See the visual below of 9 feet sea level rise around Bug Light and in the Shipyard Districts.  Tank farms pose a threat from flooding with sea level rise and storm surges as well as extreme weather conditions.  The future public expense to maintain this area as dry land or to mitigate future flooding is likely to be considerable.  There is also concern that buried toxins will leach into flood waters and be released into Casco Bay. Meanwhile existing neighborhoods and all So. Portland tank farms will need protection from heightened water levels.

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For more information, visit our page dedicated to the Yard South Proposal. 

Because of these concerns, before any zoning change, Protect South Portland is a strong advocate for:

  1. Tank emission mitigation

  2. Sea level remediation

  3. Publicly informed clear emergency evacuation plan

We encourage you to contact the City Councilors to share any questions or concerns you may have about this issue and talk to your friends & neighbors:

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If you are interested in having your voice heard in-person, public comment on any subject is allowed for up to 3 minutes at all City Council meetings. Click here to find the schedules and agendas for City Council and Comprehensive Plan meetings.

Want to get involved? There's a range of different issues, including greatly increased traffic and the widening of Broadway, related to Yard South development. For more information, call or email Cathy Chapman.

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