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Residents, county staff press towns to join York County coastal resilience coalition amid DEP permitting delays
Summary
Public commenters and county emergency management staff discussed progress on a countywide beach management coalition, urged holdout towns to sign a memorandum of understanding, and described state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) permitting and dredging timing as a current roadblock to early-season sand placement.
York County Commissioners on Jan. 15 heard public comments urging wider town participation in a countywide coastal resilience effort and requests for help expediting state permitting so dredging and sand placement can proceed this season.
David Plavin, who identified himself as vice president of Save by Shore Sauco Bay and a Saco resident, told commissioners that coalition organizers are seeking broader participation from coastal towns so the group can compete more successfully for roughly $1,000,000 in funding and grants. "If we show up in this 4 or 5 out of the 9 communities are represented, the first question is, where are the other 4 or 5?" Plavin said. He urged the county to continue pressing holdout towns to sign a memorandum of understanding so the coalition can present a united funding application.
The county and its emergency management team acknowledged slower-than-expected sign-ups. A county staff member who answered public comments said the county will "focus on the towns that really wanna work with us" and proceed with the communities that have permits and are ready to move forward, while continuing outreach to the remaining towns.
Kevin Roche, who identified himself as president of SOS Saco Bay, described recent state-level permitting developments as an impediment to the county's plans. Roche said the dredge is in the water at Wells and that Wells could be ready to proceed in February, but that recent DEP action and bureaucratic delays have raised concerns about whether sand placement and other emergency measures can be completed this season. Roche asked county staff who at the state could be contacted to press for emergency consideration of coastal work.
County staff discussed the county's priorities: pursuing dredge use as one tool among many, pushing through the DEP permitting process, and building a broader coastal resilience plan that extends beyond beach and dune repair. Staff said the dredge is a focus and that they are “hopeful that we will be able to do something this season,” while acknowledging DEP review remains a roadblock.
The public comments and staff reports did not include formal votes or binding commitments from the towns. Commissioners did not take new formal action at the Jan. 15 meeting on the MOU or dredging; staff said they would continue outreach and keep community groups advised of progress.
Why it matters: A multi-town coalition shows grant funders a regional approach and can affect which projects receive state or federal funds and the scheduling of near-term dredging and sand placement. DEP permitting and town-by-town decisions will shape whether the county can leverage the dredge and other emergency tools this season.
The commissioners' meeting record shows ongoing staff work and public support; organizers asked the county to continue outreach and to identify state contacts for emergency permitting relief.
Ending: County staff said they will continue to prioritize towns ready to move forward and will maintain outreach to those that remain hesitant; community groups said they will continue assisting the county in publicity and logistics so the coalition can present a stronger, unified funding case.
