ROCKPORT, MAINE

The Town of Rockport contracted FBE to assess climate vulnerabilities in the town’s ecosystems and recommend specific actions to enhance its resilience. Rockport, a coastal town with a diverse landscape, is home to a wide range of unique natural resources. The Town of Rockport, given its coastal location, has low lying regions that are particularly susceptible to the impact’s sea level rise and coastal storm surges. Intensified storms are also leading to increased inland flooding and are affecting some of Rockport’s key freshwater regions. Rockport has an extensive forest system that is vulnerable to changing climate conditions. These forests provide vital habitats for wildlife but are facing challenges from road crossings and ongoing development. As part of the assessment, opportunities for ecological restoration were identified, including the removal of aquatic barriers to restore natural flow. Based on these findings, the recommended next steps include conserving high-priority lands, pursuing targeted restoration efforts, and establishing natural resource protection zones to ensure the town's long-term environmental sustainability.