Preserving the Working Waterfront

The Bremen Lobster Co-Op, on Keene Narrows, has received a grant from the Working Waterfront Access Pilot Program that will help preserve the property as Working Waterfront. The Co-Op plans to use the funds to remove the decaying hull of the Cora Cressey, make repairs to the lobster pound, and purchase new equipment. In return, the property has a covenant restricting any future development to maintaining fishery use. Neighbor Dan Goldenson helped the Co-Op write the grant application. For more information on this program, go to www.wwapp.org

Another program that can help preserve Working Waterfront property is Maine's Working Waterfront Tax Law. This law allows property to be assessed for what it is worth as working waterfront land and not what its market value would be if it could be converted to other uses.

The program is similar to the Tree Growth Tax Law in that once it is enrolled in the program, the property must remain working waterfront or face penalties for withdrawal or disqualification.

Although not for everyone, the Tax Law has great potential for reducing taxes for those Working Waterfront property owners who want to keep their land for commercial fishing purposes.

For a definition of Working Waterfront and an explanation of how the program works, go to
www.maine.gov/revenue/forms/property/pubs/workingwaterq&a.htm

Both these programs are part of the Strategies Section to Encourage Traditional Rural Occupations in A Conservation Plan for Bremen

---