This is the first of two articles on the Passamaquoddy Tribe’s fight against sea level rise, water quality issues, and habitat loss in Maine.
SIPAYIK, Maine—The Passamaquoddy Tribe resides on the Sipayik peninsula, surrounded by water on three sides. This beautiful but vulnerable location highlights their battles against a changing climate. Rising sea levels are swallowing beaches and marshes. Their wastewater facility faces risks from potential flooding, and many homes struggle to stay warm, leaving some residents stretched thin financially.
The ecosystem that nourished their people for generations is collapsing. For the Passamaquoddy, this land isn’t just home; it’s a core part of their identity. Ralph Dana, a 57-year-old tribe member and environmental coordinator, emphasizes the tribe’s deep connection to the sea: “We’re fishers; we belong in this place.” His lifetime of watching the coastline erode demonstrates the stakes involved.
Community discussions about potential retreat from the coast have emerged, a sobering reality for Dana and others. “We’ve got nowhere to go,” he admits. “Our infrastructure is in danger.
About 600 tribe members live in Sipayik, a small area less than one square mile. A man-made causeway connects them to Eastport, known as the easternmost city in the U.S. State Representative Rena Newell appreciates their unique position: “We’re one of the first to see the sunrise here.”
Brian Altvater, a lifelong resident and spiritual leader, cherishes his community ties. “Everyone knows everybody,” he said. But underlying this connection is significant adversity. More than a third of tribe members live in poverty, while about a quarter have disabilities, as reported by the 2023 American Community Survey. On the reservation, life expectancy averages just 49 years, noticeably lower than the state and national averages of around 78 years. Altvater recognizes the ongoing struggles: “We’re still lagging.”
The tribe has initiated climate response measures, partly fueled by a $5 million grant for resilience planning from the Interior Department in 2022. The Sipayik Resilience Committee is vital, crafting a climate action plan with ongoing engagement from community members. Interest in these projects reflects a desire to protect their home and adapt.
Robert Wood, leading the planning efforts, views the grant as crucial “seed money” for overcoming challenges, although funding uncertainties remain. The need for comprehensive adaptations, including safe housing and sufficient resources, is pressing. “Climate requires a community to be resilient in a universal way,” he noted.
The rising seas are not merely an abstract concern; they are reshaping the landscape. A NOAA buoy in Eastport has already recorded nearly 9 inches of sea level rise since the early 1900s, and with predicted increases, areas like Sipayik’s southern portion may become islands within the next century. The Maine Climate Council warns of potentially devastating rises up to 8 feet by 2100.
Maine’s coastal environment is particularly susceptible to erosion, with researchers noting that once coastal bluffs erode, they do not reform. This erosion threatens homes, infrastructure, and access to vital resources. Recent data indicates that annual coastal flooding in Eastport has tripled since the 1950s, painting a stark picture for Sipayik as conditions worsen.
The wastewater treatment facility is at risk. Chuck Applebee, its superintendent, is acutely aware of looming problems. “In a 100-year flood today, we’d have 2 to 3 feet of water in the plant.” The result could be catastrophic, polluting Passamaquoddy Bay. This underscores the tribe’s urgency to relocate essential facilities away from vulnerable areas.
A Focus on Food Security
The pressure on traditional food sources compounds these challenges. Groundfish and shellfish, once plentiful, are now declining sharply, with soft-shell clam and lobster harvests down by over 50% since 2008. Warming waters and invasive species have worsened the situation, reducing availability and pushing traditional practices to the brink. The tribe’s community clam garden aims to address this, designed to replenish their depleted food resources.
Through community efforts to enhance food security and implement sustainable practices, including accessible garden plots, the Passamaquoddy are showcasing their resilience. Altvater notes the connection between food traditions and cultural survival, explaining that returning to these roots is crucial for the tribe’s identity.
The Path Ahead
As questions of relocation arise, Dana reflects on this emotional burden. “It’s our home,” he says, referencing their rich 10,000-year history in Sipayik. Yet the challenges they face are formidable. “Relocation isn’t just moving; it’s a matter of being accepted into new communities.”
The story of Sipayik reflects broader trends along Maine’s coastline, as communities grapple with climate change. According to the IPCC, areas may face unprecedented flood levels by mid-century unless solutions evolve rapidly. For the Passamaquoddy Tribe, fighting for their land, culture, and future means acknowledging the challenges while also finding ways to thrive.
