ABOUT THE
PIER PROJECT
PIER CHALLENGES AT A GLANCE
2023
PIER TASK FORCE FINDINGS
The Pier Task Force findings as of February 2023 are as follows:
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Replace, not repair, the pier.
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Raise the pier at least 4 feet higher at the water end.
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Re-build the pier with all its current functionality.
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Replicate the size and layout of the current pier.
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Replace the pier within 5 years, with a longer assessment period.
2021
PIER CLIMATE
CHALLENGES
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The rate of sea level rise in Maine has accelerated since the early 1990s, continues to increase, and is faster than at any other time in the 20th century. Scientists believe the trend will continue, though to what extent will depend on future rates of greenhouse gas emissions.
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Historical patterns for sea level rise do not account for the accelerating impacts from climate change.
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Stephen Dickerson, a marine geologist at the Maine Geologic Survey, has found a similar rate of change along the entire coast of Maine.
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The Maine Climate Council has recommended that the State of ME to managing 1.5’ of sea level rise by 2050 and 3.9’ by 2100, and to manage for a high sea level rise scenario of 3’ by 2050 and 8.8’ by 2100 depending on the risk tolerance of different kinds of infrastructure.
2021
PIER TASK FORCE MISSION
Major facts/assumptions assessed include:
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Key attributes the IOS needs/wants in a pier.
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Functionality of the current pier.
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Climate change assumptions and implications.
a. Sea level rise
b. Storm surges/catastrophic storm risks
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Lifespan of construction materials (pilings, cap beams, stringers, decking, ramps)
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Prevailing construction techniques.
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The condition of the current pier.
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Repairs required to mitigate the risks of storm surges to the pier (as it currently exists) for the next 10 years.
