The Town of Rockport’s Harbor Strategic Task Force hosted a public meeting April 1 at the Rockport Opera House to kick off the Town’s effort to address sea level rise and storm surge impacts to the harbor and its assets, as well as preserve and optimize the existing uses of the harbor, including the working waterfront and public access.

The Town’s consultant, Richardson and Associates, along with partner WSP, presented information on future expectations for sea level rise and storm surge events, as well as the types of technologies that could be deployed to protect the town asset, according to a news release from the Rockport Planning Office.

"The public meeting was well attended, and good questions were asked in the Q&A session," the release said. "The Town encourages all residents to take the public input survey that was developed to help guide this effort. We are asking that everyone take the survey by April 8. If you received a paper survey at the meeting, please submit it to the Town Office either in person or send a digital copy to othomas@rockportmaine.gov."

As the project timeline shows, a second public meeting is tentatively scheduled for May 29, where potential options will be presented. A final concept plan and estimate of probable cost will be presented in July.