Gov. John Baldacci signed Maine’s new Working Waterfront Current Use Taxation law (LD 1972) and Working Waterfront Covenants (LD 1930) at a press event in Augusta on June 7.
LD 1972 allows waterfront property that supports the commercial fishing industry to be taxed based on its current use. LD 1930 allows a working waterfront business to sell some of its development rights, as a covenant, to a third party, ensuring that the property remain as working waterfront and allow the property to be taxed at a reduced rate.
From left in the photo are Sue Inches (Maine State Planning Office), Rep. Jane Eberle, Jennifer Litteral (Island Institute), Susan Swanton (Maine Marine Trade Association), Joseph Donnelly (York Harbor), Willow Rheault (Coastal Enterprises, Inc.) Maggie Drummond (GrowSmart Maine), Rep. Leila Percy, Tim Glidden (Land For Maine’s Future), Sen. Dennis Damon, Gov. Baldacci, Rep. Ed Mazurek, Peter Cowin (Board President of Maine Aquaculture Association), David Etnier (Maine Department of Marine Resources), John Bubier (Bath City Manager), and Patrice and Edwin McCarron (Maine Lobstermen’s Association).