marion

The Town of Marion has a modest population of just over 5,000 people and boasts a beautiful 24-mile shoreline [CIT. 17] featuring Sippican Harbor, Aucoot Cove, Wings Cove, and the Weweantic River.

In the next 30 years, Marion is projected to experience a variety of impacts to both natural areas and developed areas along its coast (see Coastal Impact Matrix for details).

As soon as 2050:

DEVELOPED AREAS: Daily tidal flooding is projected to impact 45 buildings [CIT. 5]. A 10-year flood may impact more than 890 buildings (24% of town buildings), and a 100-year flood may impact more than 1,464 buildings (40% [CIT. 5]). The densely developed downtown, including wastewater treatment pump stations, is vulnerable to flooding. Private septic systems are also at risk of failure due to the rising water table. Additional areas of concern include the Harbormaster Building and Town Landing, the Sippican School, and Tabor Academy.

ROADS: Daily tides may flood 0.5 miles of roads [CIT. 5]. A 10-year flood is projected to inundate 16 miles (19% of town roads), while a 100-year flood may inundate 26 miles (31%) [CIT. 5]. At risk roads include Front Street (the main access route into town), Route 6, and the Aucoot Cove area.

SALT MARSHES: Seventy two percent (254 of 353 acres) of critical high marsh habitat may be lost by flooding or conversion to low marsh. Overall, about 21% of total marsh (86 of 405 acres) may be completely lost [CIT. 6]. In particular, marshes in the southwest part of Sippican Harbor are disappearing.

BEACHES: 9.4 miles of shoreline are classified as beach [CIT. 17], and 4 miles of the coastline are publicly accessible (17%) [CIT. 16]. Areas experiencing beach erosion may include Silvershell Beach, northeast Aucoot Cove, Stewarts Island, and isolated areas within Sedge Cove and Wings Cove. Erosion impacts in areas around Great Hill Point and Warren Point may also increase.

““[People] kicked the can down the road, and the end of the road is in sight.” ”
— JAMES MCGRAIL, TOWN ADMINISTRATOR

 THE TOWN IDENTIFIED THE FOLLOWING RESILIENCE PRIORITIES [CIT. 36 AND 37]:

  • Adaptation measures for the Front Street pump station and the Creek Road pump station (which serve about 50% of the town by area).

  • Construction of a new harbormaster building and Maritime Center.

  • Updating the town’s Open Space Plan.