Town of Southwest Harbor, Maine

Southwest Harbor Resilience Hub

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

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 on the ongoing work of the town's environmental and housing workgroups.

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

Daily tick checks, clothing and repellent guidance, and how to remove a tick safely.

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

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

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

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

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.
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.