INTRODUCTION:

As the last ice age retreated, the ocean pushed inland, flooding several hundred feet above existing elevations. The glaciomarine sediments from the retreating glacier, primarily fine grained clays, washed toward the sea. As the land rebounded from the weight of the retreating glacier, these deposits settled toward the seaward margin of the glacier. The small estuaries of Frohock and Ducktrap contain this type of sediment. The following inventory will look at the natural resources of the Lincolnville coast, its harbor areas and water quality.

NATURAL RESOURCES OF THE LINCOLNVILLE COAST

Shell Fishing: Maine is justly famous for its shellfish. The soft-shell clam, Mya arenaria, and blue mussel, Mytilus edulis. have delighted Mainers for cen-turies. Unfortunately for Lincolnville, a limited number of mud flats, the prime habitat of the soft-shell clam, has historically limited the catch.

Prior to the construction of the new ferry pier at Lincolnville Beach, the De-partment of Marine Resources has designated the shellfish beds at the “Beach” as an “unredeemable resource”. Recreational harvesters still rake a few hods of steamers from the Ducktrap area.

The blue mussel, Mytilus edulis, can be found in some quantity in the flats off of Ducktrap. Some residents feel that this resource is wearing thin. Despite its recent popularity this species has not been harvested commercially in recent years.

Two underutilized species of shellfish are found in the waters off Lincolnville. The surf clam, Spisula solidissima, locally referred to as the hen clam, is found from the intertidal zone down to 100 feet. Over the past two decades, some residents have seen dredging operations for this clam. Also quite common along the coast is the black clam, Arctica islandica, refereed to locally as the mahogany quahog. In the 1980s, a number of fisherman attempted, without success, to create a market for this species.

Crustaceans: The northern lobster, Homarus americanus. is caught along the Lincolnville coast. The lobster catch, along with rock and pointed toe crabs, makes up the greater part of commercial fishing catch in Lincolnville.

The green sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis, may be the next significant resource to be commercially harvested. As with all fisheries, everything depends on a sustainable resource coupled with a dependable market.

LINCOLNVILLE’S HARBOR AREAS

Lincolnville Beach Harbor: Lincolnville’s “Harbor” is tucked into a crescent-shaped section of water to the north of the State Ferry Terminal. The harbor fronts “Lincolnville Beach”.

To the south of the Ferry Terminal lies the old Hemenway property, purchased by the State in 1990, and now referred to as State Beach. This fine sand beach trails out to cobbles at its southern end.

The State Ferry Terminal is the terminus for Route 173. The elevated approach ramp is asphalted, with granite riprap applied to the shoulders. The berthing configuration for the ferry was redesigned and rebuilt in 1990 to accept the new ferry, the Margaret Chase Smith. Six large reinforced concrete dolphins guide the ferry to its berth. During the summer months, the ferry service schedules nine round trips a day to Islesboro. Tariffs for the ferry vary from summer to winter.

The State owns a small flat-roofed brick ticket office at the entrance to the ramp. Parking is available in two State owned lots. The asphalt lot behind the terminal has space for approximately 45 cars as well as providing space for the ferry waiting line. The recently purchased Hemenway lot provides parking in a gravel and dirt lot just to the south of the terminal. During the summer months, the State charges a fee of $1.50 day to park in the lots. The ticket office is tied into the “Beach” sewer system with a concrete pumping tank just to the north of the access ramp to the ferry.

The Town boat ramp is located adjacent to the terminal. It provides small boat access to the harbor at almost all tide conditions. The boat ramp has no parking of its own.

The summer of 1991 saw the completion of the new Lincolnville Pier. Built with a combination of private donations, funds from the Towns of Lincolnville and Islesboro, the MDOT, and a grant from The Coastal Zone Management Program, this rugged 40 feet by 80 feet pier is accessed by a 3 feet walkway and a 12 feet access ramp. The pier itself is supported on pressure-treated pilings with capped oak piles on the seaward side. The 4x10 pressure-treated decking planks are supported by 10x10 pressure-treated girders. The whole structure is tied together with galvanized fasteners. Six light posts provide illumination at night.

During 1991, the pier was utilized by a growing number of fishermen. Accord-ing to local fishermen, four boats were lobstering, a number of people were considering the sea urchin trade, and two boats were dragging for scallops while several other boats supported divers going after the same species. During the summer of 1991 several menhaden boats tied up for short periods. Buyers of lobsters and crabs are now showing up regularly to buy directly off the boats. There is talk on the pier of harvesting blue mussels and mahogany quahogs. There is also a growing use of the pier to offload lumber and other building materials from trucks directly onto boats and barges for trips to the islands.

In a nutshell, most fishermen agree that the new pier is starting to open up opportunities that previously had been unavailable to Lincolnville fisherman.

The size of the pier allows for a wide configuration of floats and inclines. The Harbormaster and Harbor Committee anticipate that, in 1992, four floats, two inclines and two hoists with block and tackle will be in place. This arrange-ment should adequately meet the needs of recreational boaters and commercial fishermen who use the Harbor.

In addition to the commercial activity outlined above, approximately 30 recreational boats were moored in the Harbor during the summer of 1991. According to the Harbormaster, approximately 50% of these boats belonged to out-of-town residents.

Ducktrap Harbor: It is hard for the late 20th century visitor to Ducktrap Harbor to imagine the scope of commercial activity that took place in this Harbor during the 19th century. During its heyday, the banks of the Trap were lined with a variety of commercial ventures from lime kilns to saw mills, with docks, shipyards, cooper shops, brickworks, ice and hay sheds thrown in for good measure.

The average mariner approaching Ducktrap Harbor today from the red nun buoy on Haddock Ledge probably would turn tail in the quickly shoaling water. That coasters of substantial tonnage made passage into this tiny harbor regularly during the last century is a tribute to their masters’ seafaring skills. The difficult approach and shoallng water make realistic use of this Harbor marginal today, with the exception of human-powered and other small boats.

Today, Ducktrap Harbor is a popular spot for family outings and picnics. The Trap provides an excellent site for swimming, fishing, shell gathering, clamming, birding and a host of other recreational activities.

Public Access to Lincolnville’s Shore: With three public beaches, one boat ramp and a recently completed pier facility, Lincolnville has adequate access to its coastal waters.

With the completion of the new fish pier, sewage treatment plant, and the State acquisition of the Hemenway property, now called “State Beach”, Lincolnville is well positioned to meet both the spirit and letter of Maine’s coastal policies.