Maine, Maine Coastal Program, Embayment, Estuary, Estuaries 

"The objective of 'The Estuary Book' is to provide information about estuaries, the impact of uses on the environmental health of an estuary and what communities and concerned individuals can do to successfully manage and protect their local estuarine resources. Much of the information presented here pertains to other embayments along the Maine coast which may not be true estuaries.

This book has three chapters. The first chapter describes natural features of estuaries in Maine and the importance of these special environments. The second chapter details the sources and effects of water pollution and habitat alteration on estuarine resources. The final chapter examines how land use planning can be used to protect and improve coastal water quality and natural resources. Regulatory and nonregulatory tools that promote wise stewardship of estuarine resources are reviewed. Sources for more information are summarized in the Appendix."  

This document was produced by the Maine Coastal Program of the Maine State Planning Office.
It focuses on aspects of Maine's estuaries as unique environmental locations that are in need of specific management practices.

Topics covered include:
- Maine Estuaries: Resources & Values
- Maine Nearshore Embayments
- The Maine Coast
- Estuary Basics
- Estuarine Communities
- The Consequences of Development
- Water Quality
- Types of Pollution
- Estuary Planning & Management
- Policy Development
- Institutional Arrangements