Reclaiming Roads Not Taken
Up and down the coast, communities are using a little-known state program to find and re-establish public rights-of-way to the shore.
By Nancy Comiskey
After tunneling through a mile and a half of balsam and spruce, the bone-jarring gravel road opens abruptly on a sunny crescent of sandy beach. Three lobsterboats bob gently on the high tide. A lone shingled house peeks through the firs at the north end of the beach. Otherwise, it's all forest, sea, and sky.Cujo, a big black Lab-mix, his shaggy coat matted with saltwater and sand, bounds up the beach to greet Machiasport Selectman Doug Campbell. Lobsterman Danny Manchester strides behind in heavy rubber boots.
