Resources

Here are the best data and decision support tools for climate change preparedness in Maine!

Adaptation plans often call for shared solutions across sectors and community members. The path to resilience can be about how decisions are made so that climate is included, and who is at the table when those decisions are made. This might be a specific asset that could be made more resilient or an ordinance that can be updated, or other times it might be a planning process that can take stock at a higher level and chart a more resilient future overall. Each project presents an opportunity and it’s important to have the right decision-support tools at hand.

Resilience Building Cycle Community and Landscapes Assess Risk Make a Plan Implement Monitor and Adapt
Maine Flood Resilience Checklist (PDF) check mark check mark
Flood Insurance Maps for Maine check mark check mark
Coastal Hazards Map Viewers for Erosion, Tides, Storms, and Sea Level Rise check mark check mark
Coastal Resiliency Maps for Wetlands and Open Spaces check mark check mark
Beginning with Habitat Maps for Conservation of Wildlife, Natural Communities, and Rare Plants check mark check mark
Conservation Lands in Maine check mark check mark
Ecological Connectivity in Region check mark check mark
Road and Culvert Map for State-Owned Infrastructure check mark check mark
The Nature Conservancy Coastal Resilience Tool check mark check mark
Maine Coastal Risk Explorer for Habitat, Aquatic Connectivity, and Social Vulnerability check mark check mark
Weathering Maine Flood Risk Map of Historic and Cultural Resources check mark check mark
Lyme Disease Maps at the Town Level check mark check mark
Climate Reanalyzer check mark check mark
Climate Change Trends and Data clearinghouse of risk and vulnerability information for Maine check mark check mark
NOAA’s 2022 Practitioner Guide to Implementing the Steps to Resilience check mark check mark check mark check mark
Climate Adaptation and Resiliency Planning for New England Communities First Steps and Next Steps check mark check mark check mark
Maine Municipal Climate Adaptation Guidance Series

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Model Ordinance Language for Maine Municipalities: Guidance for Coastal Resilience (Southern Maine Planning & Development Commission) check mark check mark
New England Stormwater Retrofit Manual, U.S. EPA (PDF) check mark check mark check mark
Adapting Stormwater Management for Coastal Floods (NOAA Guide) check mark check mark
Maine Municipal Infrastructure Planning Toolbox (for Stream Crossings) check mark check mark check mark
Hazard Mitigation Planning (links to County plans) check mark
High Water Marks check mark
Living Shoreline Site Suitability check mark check mark
Wastewater Adaptation check mark check mark check mark
Stormwater Management check mark check mark check mark
Adaptation Decision-Support Tools Clearinghouse Maine Climate Hub, 11 topic areas for sector or cross-sector use check mark check mark check mark

See the Funding Resource page for determining suitable sources to support the application of these resilience-building tools.