Saco Bay Symposium set for March 17

The City of Saco and Save Our Shores Saco Bay is holding its sixth annual Saco Bay Symposium from 9:30-11:30 a.m., Monday, March 17 in the auditorium at Saco City Hall, 300 Main St.

Panelists include several government officials, scientists, and educators to talk about the latest developments in the battle to remediate the significant erosion in Saco Bay, especially Camp Ellis, widely considered the most erosive beach in the State of Maine.

There will be a presentation by Marine Geologist Peter Slovinsky of the Maine Geological Survey.

Speakers include Brian Ambrette, Senior Climate Resilience Coordinator, Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future; Lauren Folkert, Coastal Engineer, Anchor QEA; State Representative Lori Gramlich, Old Orchard Beach; and Assistant Professor Will Kochtitzky, Marine Sciences, University of New England; and Nathan Robbins, Climate Change Specialist, Maine DEP.

The confirmed panelists are:

• Peter Slovinsky, Marine Geologist, Maine Geologic Survey

• Lauren Folkert, Engineering and Environmental Services Professional, Anchor QEA

• Will Kochtitzky, Assistant Professor, Marine Sciences, UNE

• Art Cleaves, Director, York County Emergency Management

• Brian Ambrette, Senior Climate Resilience Coordinator, Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future

• Lori Gramlich, State Representative, District 131, Old Orchard Beach

• Donna Bailey, State Senator, District 31 (includes Saco coast) Kevin Roche, President, SOS Saco Bay

• Sarah Stanley, Representative of Senator King

• Pam Buck, Representative of Senator Collins

• Pam Trinward, Representative of Congresswoman Pingree

• Michael Burman, Ward 4 Councilor, Saco

• Melanie Nash, Sustainability and Resilience Planner, Southern Maine Planning and Development Commission

• Abbie Sherwin, Executive Director, Southern Maine Planning and Development Commission

• Peter Hanrahan, Hanrahan Environmental

• Justin Chenette, York County Commissioner

• Brad Favreau, Economic Development Coordinator, Biddeford

• Nathan Robbins, Climate Change Specialist, Maine DEP

• Diana Asanza, Town Manager, Old Orchard Beach

• Jen Thalhauser, US Army Corps of Engineers

• John Bohenko, City Administrator, Saco

• Jodi MacPhail, Mayor, Saco

For more information on SOS Saco Bay, go to www.sossacobay.com or www.facebook.com/SOSSacoBay/ or email info@sossacobay.com.

Highlights will include updates on recovery from the January storms, where the Federal, state, and local governments are focused, how Southern Maine can build back, and the future of life along the coast.

The event can be live streamed at: www.youtube.com/cityofsacoTV . A recording will be available 24 hours after the event.