Southwest Harbor and the wider Mount Desert Island community

Resilience Hub

Climate, water and sewer, public health, housing, and waste resources for the people who live in, work in, and visit Southwest Harbor.

A resource for Southwest Harbor maintained by Les Heilakka, a member of the Sustainability Committee. Climate assessment by GMRI with support from A Climate to Thrive.

This hub gathers what the town knows about the risks ahead and the practical steps residents can take today. It draws on the Southwest Harbor Climate Vulnerability Assessment, developed by the Gulf of Maine Research Institute with support from A Climate to Thrive, and the ongoing work of the town's Sustainability Committee and its workgroups.

Environmental & Safety Initiatives Tracker: Public Records On-Line

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Climate Assessment

What the assessment found about coastal flooding, extreme heat, ocean warming, well water and wildfire risk.

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Tick Safety

Daily tick checks, repellent guidance, safe tick removal, and what the Tremont deer hunt means for tick risk.

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Deer Nuisance

The Tremont hunt, the deer and Lyme evidence, what is actually being counted, collision law, and keeping deer out of the garden.

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Waste & Recycling

What to do with common household items, plus donation, reuse and hazardous waste options.

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EMR Station

Drop-off tips, single-sort rules, contact details and the 2026 Universal Waste Day calendar.

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Housing

Year-round and workforce housing need, the housing inventory in progress, and how to give input.

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Water & Sewer

Where our water comes from, the latest lead and PFAS results, wastewater plant performance, and who to call.

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Short-Term Rentals

What each island town requires, Bar Harbor's registration and cap system, Maine's lodging tax, and the housing effect.

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Municipal Wastehub

A statewide Maine partner for affordable, sustainable municipal waste disposal.

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Quick answers

Where has flooding already reached?: Seawall Road and Manset flooded during back-to-back storms in January 2024, and that frequency is expected to increase. See the assessment findings.
How bad is Lyme disease here?: Hancock County rates have risen from 13 per 100,000 in 2001 to more than 617 per 100,000 today. Learn how to protect yourself.
Where do I take my recycling?: The EMR transfer station, using single-sort rules. Hours, rules, and 2026 Universal Waste Days.
What do I do with an item that isn't recyclable?: Check the item-by-item guide before you drive anywhere. Open the decision guide.
Is our tap water safe, and does it have PFAS?: No violations in 2024, and PFAS testing in March 2025 found none. See the full test results.
Why can't I dig clams in the harbor?: Southwest Harbor and Norwood Cove are classified Prohibited because of pollution. Read why, and what the wastewater plant records show.
How is the town addressing housing?: A working group is documenting year-round and workforce housing need and building a local inventory. See the work in progress.