Recently, we were asked to submit 10 questions for the Comprehensive Plan survey – see where you stand on these Ogunquit conservation issues:
10 QUESTIONS FOR THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN SURVEY
-All questions are yes/no questions-
Should we continue our relationship with Maine Healthy Beaches and their daily updates about the cleanliness of the Maine Beach, Riverside Beach, and Little Beach?
Daily water samples are taken during the season and this information is posted on the Maine Healthy Beaches website to keep swimmers informed about the cleanliness and safety of our beaches.
- Should the town ensure that the beach is free of disease causing bacteria due to animal feces?
One of our chief concerns is to protect our beach since our beach is the reason most tourists come here. Without the beach, we would lose not only an enjoyable place for residents, but for those who want to share our beautiful place for several days or weeks.
- Should the Conservation Commission continue to seek grants to ensure the cleanliness of our waters?
In the past few years, the Conservation Commission along with the town won grants totaling well over $100,000 to continue water monitoring and sampling.
- Should we continue to protect our dunes from the damage caused by illegal trespassers and their pets?
Our dunes feed our beach and protect the fragile ecosystem in the wetlands and river area
- Should fines be raised from the current $50 fine for trespassing on the dunes and the $100 for illegal dogs on the beach?
It’s cheaper to camp on the dunes and pay the fine than it is to rent a campsite. Owners with dogs on the beach illegally, when warned about the $100 fine, often laugh and reply, ‘I don’t care; I’ll pay the fine!’
- Should the town fund adequate beach enforcement to enforce ordinances already on the books?
Lack of enforcement is a chief reason for problems on our beach.
- Should the town continue to ensure our river clean to ensure continued use of our clam flats for any with a valid clam license?
Clamming has a long history here in Ogunquit; our clam warden along with volunteers have worked hard to seed baby clams for years of good clamming and eating in the future.
- Do the Conservation Commission and the town need to do more to inform people about organic alternatives to chemical pesticides?
A lot of this information is available on our site, www.ogunquitconservation.org however our site is difficult to find on the town’s webpage.
- Should the Conservation Commission’s website be easily available on the front page of the town site, especially since informative and helpful organic lawn and garden tips are added regularly?
Aside from being a good place to look for local conservation matters, our blogs have also tried to inform Ogunquit citizens about organic solutions to chemical pesticides and so has replaced two other sites formerly on the town’s front page.
- Should the town be putting aside $25,000 a year for a conservation land fund?
One of our missions is to save Ogunquit land for conservation use. We know the opportunities lost – the land where the Anchorage now stands and ‘The Island’ in the Cove.