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Cape Elizabeth

About

Cape Elizabeth extends 12 miles along coastline open to Casco Bay and features sandy beaches, rocky shores, coves, ponds, and cliffs. There is abundant open space, such as State Parks, that provide ecosystem protection and recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike. Due to coastal climate hazards such as flooding, existing low-lying development in Cape Elizabeth is at risk of damage and access loss.


Priorities

Key coastal risks in Cape Elizabeth include:

  • Erosions of sand dunes that protect habitat and properties

  • Flooding of low-lying areas, especially wildlife habitat

  • Inundation of roadways and loss of access during storms

Focus should be given to areas with beaches or sand dunes that need bolstering, restoration, or protection along with areas along the Spurwink River which are susceptible to flooding.

Vulnerable Sites



The profile presents technical data on coastal hazards and community resources including habitat, infrastructure, and socio-economic conditions, to visualize vulnerabilities and impacts. These profiles helped to identify the priorities and vulnerable sites listed above and are intended to help guide municipal staff in future planning.


View the Cape Elizabeth Story Map here 


Data Profile

Adaptation Strategies

How can the town address these vulnerable areas? There is a range of adaptation strategies the town can use to build coastal resilience—from nature-based solutions to policy. Every site is different and may require a mix of strategies.

  • Learn about potential different strategies on the Adaptation Strategies page

  • Visit the Renderings page to see conceptual drawings for how these strategies may look in practice

  • Explore projects around the region and how towns are applying different adaptation strategies

Projects

  • Sawyer Road Removal: The Towns of Cape Elizabeth and Scarborough was awarded a grant through the Maine Natural Resources Conservation Program (MNRCP) to remove a ¼ mile portion of Sawyer Road/Street that transcends the Spurwink Marsh across the town lines.  The road removal will eliminate tide restrictions, restore saltwater marshland, and enhance emergent salt marsh upstream of the restriction.

Resources

Click on each link to be directed to the town resource:

​This project is made possible through a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, with support from Gulf of Maine Research Institute, The Builders Initiative, and Jane’s Trust Foundation.

The views and conclusions contained on this website are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the opinions or policies of the U.S. Government or the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and its funding sources. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute their endorsement by the U.S. Government, or the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation or its funding sources.

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