The coast of Maine is a very special place. At almost 3,500 miles long we have the fourth longest coastline in America.

The coast is also a major driver of Maine’s economy, providing jobs in fishing, boat-building, shipping, tourism and lobstering. It is also an important part of what makes Maine what it is. Think of Maine and some of the first things that come to mind are lobsters and lighthouses.

It is also an incredibly varied coast, with sandy beaches, rocky shores and many, many harbors and islands. Yet for all its variety, there are many issues and problems that are shared by all or most of coastal Maine. To deal with these issues, last year I founded the Legislature’s first Coastal Caucus.

Like the coastline, the senators and representatives who serve coastal Maine are notable for their diversity. The 17 senators and 44 representatives from coastal districts include members of both parties and cover all the shades of the political spectrum. This broad group has come together well when it comes to dealing with legislation to protect and preserve our coastline and the coastal economy.

During this last session, there were several bills that the Coastal Caucus worked on as priority issues. Among the successes of the caucus were bills to improve and streamline the lobster licensing system, a bill to address and mitigate the problems caused by marine debris and a bill requiring the development of a comprehensive plan for managing Maine’s beaches.

One major disappointment was a bill I sponsored to help communities plan for and deal with changes in sea level. We have seen the sea level rise 5 inches in Portland Harbor in the last few years alone, and with further changes expected, this was an important bill for Maine’s coastal communities. The measure received broad bipartisan support, not only from the members of the Coastal Caucus but other legislators as well.

But the bill was one of the many vetoed by the governor, however, and we could not muster enough votes to override the veto. I have resubmitted this bill for the new Legislature to work on next session.

In addition to working on and promoting individual pieces of legislation, the Coastal Caucus also held a number of informational meetings on important coastal issues. These meetings were held not just for caucus members but for the benefit of all legislators, and they were well attended. Topics included flood mapping for storms, the effects of underwater power cables on lobsters and other shellfish, the importance of the Atlantic salmon to the state’s ecology and economy, and the cruise ship industry as an important and growing part of tourism in Maine.

It is my hope that we will be able to build upon this success and expand it in the future, drawing in more people and doing what we can to protect and preserve Maine’s coastline and its resources.

— Rep. Lydia Blume is in her first term in the Maine Legislature, where she serves on the Marine Resources Committee. She represents the coastal part of York.