CLF has helped to protect Maine s fresh and salt waters, its coastline, and the relationship of its people to the state s marine resources. Beginning in 1978, CLF s Marine Project battled both locally and nationally to protect the Northern Atlantic right whale the world s most endangered great whale from extinction.
Coastal estuaries are an important but fragile element of Maine s coastline.
Our goal is to restore closed off estuaries to biological health. CLF defeated developments that would have obstructed navigable waterways, and set the stage for major revisions to dock permitting regulations. As a result of these efforts, the threats will be drastically reduced. In a case of international import, CLF set the stage for an agreement between Canada and the U.S. to develop effective and consistent regulations for land-based sources of pollution. In 2001, CLF is launching the Maine Coastal Defense Project.