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Rockland, Maine - Marking the successful culmination of the nationally precedent-setting Maine Lights Program, U.S. Senator Olympia J. Snowe was the keynote speaker at a ceremony awarding the deeds to new owners of over two dozen Maine lighthouses at the Samoset Resort in Rockport, Maine, this past June 20th.
Twenty-eight lighthouses, all former U.S. Coast Guard properties, were transferred to new owners including the State of Maine, six different municipalities, two educational institutions and various non-profit organizations.
"Transfer of these historic lights marks a turning point for both the United States Coast Guard and has become a national model for lighthouses across the country," said Senator Snowe, who authored the Maine Lights legislation in Congress. "By preserving access to Maine's lighthouses and assuring continued Coast Guard maintenance of the lights and horns, we are assuring that future generations can enjoy Maine's coastal lights while giving the Coast Guard the flexibility it needs to best allocate its limited resources."
Captain Chuck Beck of the First Coast Guard District of Boston commented that by turning over these properties to appropriate groups, "the Coast Guard can focus its resources on giving direct service to mariners while at the same time these important historic treasures will be restored and made more accessible to the public."
The Island Institute, which conceived of the Maine Lights Program in March of 1994, enlisted the aid of Senator Snowe who helped define the particulars of the novel program and successfully introduced implementing legislation in Congress. President Clinton signed the legislation into law October, 19 1996, authorizing up to as many as 36 transfers. Eligible recipients were approved by the Maine Lighthouse Selection Committee, a five-person committee appointed by the Secretary of Transportation.
"Maine is fortunate in having the talented people available for the selection process. Instilled with a love of lighthouses, they showed a deep respect for Maine's maritime history and a keen understanding of implementing the legislation," said Richard I. Rybacki, Rear Admiral, USCG (Retired), Chairman of the Maine's Lighthouse Selection Committee. "I count it a privilege to have worked with people of such talent and dedication."
Peter Ralston, Executive Vice President of the Island Institute, who first conceived of the idea of a mass transfer said, "the Selection Committee has performed magnificently; their work has been a great gift to the State of Maine. It is important to note that their criteria will be studied and used around the nation and abroad for years to come."
The Institute's and Senator Snowe's goal was to ensure that the density of these properties be determined by a strong local voice. Rather than ownership determinations being made in Washington, D.C. or elsewhere, Mainers themselves were able to decide who would be the new keepers of the lights. Under the new law, the Island Institute identified eligible parties and subsequently conveyed the Selection Committee's final determination of approval to the Secretary of Transportation.
The Program requires that the properties be maintained in a manner "consistent with provisions of the National Historic Preservations Act;" that they be used for educational, historic, recreational, cultural, and wildlife conservation programs for the public; and that the U.S. Coast Guard maintain and have access to the active aids to navigation. Critical to the program is the preservation of public access; no property will be transferred into private ownership and public access to the property must be maintained.
Tim Harrison, president of the American Lighthouse Foundation, said, "The Maine Lights program is probably the most significant event in American lighthouse history since the United States Lighthouse Service was abolished in 1939."
At a conference convened by the Island Institute and the Maine Lights Selection Committee in June of 1997, prospective applicants received pertinent information to assist them with their ownership applications. Using standards developed throughout 1997, the Maine Lights Selection Committee evaluated the submitted proposals, and discussed their conclusions in open meetings held December, 1997, February, 1998 and April, 1998. All lighthouse Stations with applications before the Committee were ultimately granted ownership approval. Two stations had multiple applicants and the final approval was based on the compilation of independent numerical ratings by Committee members.
"It has been especially heartwarming and gratifying to experience the vigor, resourcefulness, respect and thoughtfulness with which Maine's citizens stepped forward to preserve their maritime heritage," said the Institute's Ralston. "The applicants have all displayed a deep appreciation for their lighthouses' place in history, understanding of and respect for their new federally mandated responsibilities, and a genuine desire to share these maritime sentinels with the public. Mainers have been able to create a nationally significant template by which knowledgeable and appropriate local people could make the big decisions. From the start this has been a model federal program by, of, and for Mainers."
Speaking at the 1997 conference, former President George Bush emphasized the significance of the Maine Lights Program. "Maine is leading the nation and the world in saving lighthouses," Bush said, "Through the Maine Lights Program, we have been presented with a truly historic opportunity for establishing an internationally noteworthy conservation and preservation program."
This story appeared in the
July 1998 edition of Lighthouse Digest Magazine. The print edition contains more stories than our internet edition, and each story generally contains more photographs - often many more - in the print edition. For subscription information about the print edition, click here.
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