Blue Hill Bay Use Inventory Project
Begun in 2006, the Use Inventory is a community effort to better understand the many ways that people use and value Blue Hill Bay; for fishing, recreation, industry, education, and research. Blue Hill Bay includes the waters between Mount Desert Island and the Blue Hill Peninsula, from Ellsworth in the north, to Swans Island in the south.
More than 20 maps have been created, combining Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology and state level data with local knowledge and hand-drawn "sketch maps" from community members. The maps show a range of features including DEP designated pollution threats, recreational destinations and boating routes, historical fishing areas, lobster and crab areas, water quality monitoring sites, high-use areas, and more.
The completed Use Inventory will be a publicly accessible resource to help foster collaboration and community involvement in understanding current trends and thinking about the future of the Bay.