Casco Bay was designated an "estuary of national
significance" by the
U.S. EPA in 1990 in part because of its relatively pristine nature but,
also because of the increasing pressure on its water quality and
habitats from human activities. For generations, Casco Bay and the
waters that feed into it have supported industries such as shipping,
commercial fishing, and tourism and have also, made the area a popular
destination for living, working, and recreating. As a result of these
varied uses, the Bay and its watershed face a myriad of environmental
issues arising both directly from human activities such as sewage
disposal and indirectly from population growth, suburban sprawl and
other pressures.
While the health of the Bay has generally
improved over the years, specific problems relating to pollution and
habitat loss remain. More recent concerns have also surfaced, including
the arrival of new marine invasive species and "emerging" contaminants
from pharmaceuticals and personal care products.
The Casco Bay Plan, which directs the work of the Casco Bay Estuary
Partnership, focuses on five key areas of watershed protection:
stormwater management, shellfish and swimming area protection, toxic
pollution reduction, habitat conservation, and monitoring and
stewardship. To learn more about these environmental issues in the Bay
and its watershed, click on the links below:
Stormwater
Cross-cutting environmental issues:
Climate Change