About us
In 2022, SOS was recognized by the City of Saco for going the Extra Mile as part of its recognition as an Extra Mile City. The proclamation defined SOS:
“Save our Shores (SOS) is made up of volunteers who are committed to protecting our community’s shoreline. Saco Bay’s shoreline has been in peril for years, with erosion causing multiple homes to be lost to the ocean as well as major infrastructure damage. In the past few years, SOS Saco Bay has brought together elected officials from all levels of government to fight for this cause. They have been crucial in educating the public about these issues, setting up symposiums and conferences that have included many subject matter experts and elected officials. The group demands that changes be made to better one of the most valuable natural resources in our community. With their help, progress has been made forming a plan for remediation. The communities of Saco Bay are grateful for your unyielding dedication to our shores.”
-Saco Mayor, Jodi MacPhail, 10/24/2022
SOS Saco Bay is a 501(c) 4 non-profit organization
Why SOS Saco BaY
For the past 100 years, Saco Bay has experienced catastrophic coastal erosion, especially in Camp Ellis where 38 homes and hundreds of feet of beach have been lost. Originally formed as SOS Camp Ellis, we are still focused on the most erosive beach in Maine and perhaps far beyond. This man-made environmental disaster is caused by the construction of the Saco River Jetty at Camp Ellis, built by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE). Until recently, inadequate relief has been offered by the ACOE to remediate or rectify this devastating loss to homeowners, the municipalities involved, and the State of Maine. Had these losses been the result of a single storm, as opposed to a hundred years of losses from a man-made structure, there would have been immediate relief offered by the federal government to make all parties whole. This has not been the case, even when the ACOE admitted guilt stating the erosion was caused by the Jetty it built.
Rebranded in 2019 as SOS Saco Bay, we have expanded our territory from Biddeford Pool, to the beaches, coastline and marshes of Scarborough. We have a unified message: this is our beach, our bay. Banding together gives us greater numbers and greater impact.
SOS Saco Bay provides a single, comprehensive location where all interested parties can go for information including studies - past and present - and updates on actions designed to make our coast more resilient.
This problem is bigger than individuals, or just one community. We want to consolidate all interested parties and have a unified voice and message. It is our belief that by coming together we will have a louder and more influential voice.
What we do
SOS acts as a conduit between private citizens and public officials. The main focus is to empower citizens to take action that will influence decisions. We attend town meetings, initiate letter writing campaigns and act as a watchdog over officials to drive policies that effect the shoreline and its environs. We also host meetings and events to inform citizens of action being taken – or not taken. We organize two events: a Symposium that brings together government officials and the scientific community; and Coastal Conference that brings together
We do not make policy, but we will comment on it and we will be influencers. We do not endorse political candidates but we will praise those who support us; and be critical of those whose policies are counter to our aims.
We keep you informed.
Who we Are
SOS Saco Bay is filing to become a 501(c) 4 non-profit organization. The current officers are:
Kevin Roche, President & Treasurer
Kevin came to Saco in 1998 to manage a company in the industrial park and decided to live here based on his love of kayaking and the ocean. He started his own manufacturing company in 2005, while coaching his daughter’s soccer team and serving as the Town Councilor for Ward 4, which serves the entire Saco coastal community, from 2013 to 2017. After leaving the council and selling his company in 2018, Kevin remained on the Shoreline Commission and helped start SOS Saco Bay to oversee Saco’s efforts for the Army Corps resolution to its completion.
David Plavin, Vice President
David is a Maine native and moved to Saco in 2016. He lives in the crosshairs of coastal disruptions on Lower Beach Road. After a long career in journalism and technology, he is retired from the corporate world. David has become involved in SOS issues and serves as Chairman of the Saco Shoreline Commission.
The officers manage the online content, but anyone can comment or post on Facebook and Instagram.
Save Our Shores Saco Bay is supported by 387 members and connects with over 1,000 followers on Facebook who help amplify our work and mission.