Region 1 



This region is the westernmost region in the characterization area. It 

 consists of approximately 250 miles (300 km) of shoreline (Casco Bay) and 

 167,330 acres (66,932 ha) of upland and fresh water. It has less freshwater 

 wetland than any of the other regions (table 2-1). The abundance and quality 

 of the intertidal habitat make the marine and estuarine environment of this 

 region important. The presence of many large shallow bays with intertidal 

 flats, mussel reefs, and eelgrass beds provide large acreages of many 

 habitats. Similarly, the occurrence of many nearshore islands (approximately 

 400) provide additional intertidal areas, as well as island habitats for 

 nesting waterbirds and rocky ledges for seals. 



Forests in region 1 are dominated by white pine, pitch pine, oak, and other 

 hardwoods. Its terrestrial habitat includes a larger proportion of developed 

 land than other regions. This region is the most densely populated in the 

 characterization area. Portland is the largest port in Maine and has the 

 largest fish landings. The major oil shipping terminal in Maine is also in 

 Portland. 



Region 1 includes nine coastal towns in Cumberland County (see figure 2-1 and 

 appendix B) . 



Region 2 



Region 2 contains approximately 650 miles (1040 km) of shoreline and 319,100 

 acres (127,640 ha) of upland and fresh water. It has a greater proportion of 

 estuarine and riverine tidal wetland than any other region (table 2-1). It 

 includes the estuaries of three major rivers, the Kennebec, Androscoggin, and 

 Sheepscot. This region contains what is in some ways the most unique 

 shoreline on Maine's diverse coast. The rolling, hilly terrain and drowned 

 river mouths produce a deeply indented, steep-sided, fjord-like coast. The 

 southward projecting fingers of land are often cut off from the mainland by 

 narrow guts and/or channels. Some areas are shallow, with extensive mud 

 flats, others are steep-sided, with navigable water at low tide. This region 

 also includes the greatest acreage of estuarine emergent wetland and the 

 greatest acreage of sand beaches among the regions. Region 2 encompasses 

 Merrymeeting Bay, a large freshwater tidal bay formed by the confluence of the 

 Kennebec, Androscoggin, Eastern, Cathance, Muddy, and Abagadasset Rivers. The 

 bay itself comprises about 8400 acres (3400 ha), with approximately 99 miles 

 (158 km) of shoreline. It is the largest freshwater tidal bay north of 

 Chesapeake Bay. The bay area is used extensively by migratory waterfowl. The 

 island complex in this region, like that in region 1, is important for 

 migratory, wintering, and breeding seabirds and waterfowl. 



The uplands of region 2 are a mosaic of forests, pasture lands, and cultivated 

 fields, as well as developed areas. Forests in this region are predominantly 

 white pine-pitch pine and spruce-fir near the immediate coast and white pine, 

 beech, birch, and maple inland. Many features of historic, scenic, and/or 

 natural interest are present in region 2, a fact which is reflected in the 

 importance of tourism in the local economy. Most of the coastal towns in this 

 region have summer populations two or more times greater than the resident 

 population. Region 2 is the site of Maine's only nuclear power plant, The 



2-3 



10-80 



