ENVIRONMENT: INDICATORS

 

LAND USE

1. Service center vs non service center population change

Kittery is the service center for the KEYS region. Between 1990 and 2000, Kittery experienced the lowest level of population growth among the four towns at 2 percent. Eliot showed a 12 percent increase, and South Berwick and York experienced 14 and 31 percent changes respectively.

2. Change in Population vs Total Housing Units

Although Kittery experienced the slowest population growth in the region, it simultaneously showed the greatest relative change in total housing units during the same period when compared with population. In 1990 the total number of housing units was 3927 and in 2000, 4375, resulting in an annual change of 1.09 percent or 11 percent increase over the 10 year period. This suggests that housing units in Kittery grew at a 9 percent faster rate than population. Eliot’s growth rates also favored housing over population at a rate of 8 percent. In South Berwick and York, population grew at a slightly faster rate of 4 and 7 percent respectively.

Change in Population

Change in Total Housing Units

Change in Population vs Total Housing Units

3. Conservation land acreage

In 2004, the KEYS region identified 10,837 acres in conservation. In only two years, this number has increased by 349 acres to a total of 11,186 acres. These numbers include easements, fee lands, town lands, water district lands, and federal and state lands.

Stewardship (RECYCLING)

4. Solid waste recycling rate

In (look up year KEYS Counts recycling data), the KEYS region demonstrated an average of 40% of solid waste recycled. Eliot’s rate was highest at just over 50%, Kittery and South Berwick were at just below 40% and York’s rate fell below 30%.

 

WATER MANAGEMENT

5. Shellfish harvesting areas closed

Shellfishing areas open to harvest are an indicator of regional water quality. The Maine Department of Marine Resources’ Public Health Division runs the Shellfish Growing Area Classification Program. This Program uses established standards to assess the cleanliness of marine waters and by extension, the safety of the shellfish grown in these waters. In recent years, the KEYS region has experienced an increase in the acreage of shellfishing areas closed to harvest. In 2003 the region’s closed acreage numbered 3654; this number increased to 3839 in 2004 and again in 2005 to 4156 acres.