|
“to protect and enhance Maine's soil and water resources by providing educational programs, conservation information and technical assistance to municipalities, schools, landowners and residents of Kennebec County." |
Cobbossee Lake 319 ProjectSummary: The project components are: A) Public Education and Technical Assistance, with an emphasis on LakeSmart-Start! and on Camp Road Workshops; B) BMP implementation, with a focus on re-vegetating the lake's shoreline (landowners from LakeSmart-Start!) and general outreach and on Camp Roads; and C) Promotion of Low-Impact Development in town planning, via the on-going work of CWD with the towns. Although separated for budget purposes, Public Education, Technical Assistance, and BMP Implementation are not necessarily separate tasks. Staff are working in each of these task categories every time they meet with landowners. Click here to view a copy of the entire workplan. 2008 marks the second year of a two-year water quality improvement project in the Cobbossee watershed. Kennebec County Soil & Water Conservation District (KCSWCD) will provide financial and technical assistance to landowners, groups and municipalities in the watershed. Financial assistance will be provided in the form of cost sharing on Best Management Practices (BMPs). BMP's are designed to address some of the problems contributing to declining water quality of Pleasant Pond. Technical assistance will be offered at no cost to anyone who requests assistance in the watershed. Landowners are required to share in the cost of construction work. Landowners will sign a cost-share agreement that states the expected cost, the expected completion date, type of BMPs to be installed, and an agreement to maintain the BMP. For work done by a contractor, the KCSWCD reimburses the landowner once work is completed and inspected. Source of funds is the EPA through the Maine DEP '319' Program. In general, Kennebec SWCD will offer a $2,000 max grant contribution per site (at least 14 installed during project). The District field staff, based on feasibility and priority, will select sites. The Friends of the Cobbossee Watershed will also provide support for 15 youth corps sites. KCSWCD staff will respond to landowner inquiries and assess whether the site is a priority. Field staff will also define size of the site and number of sites. Sites selected for cost-share must be completed and submitted for reimbursement within three months of landowner signing the cost-share agreement. No new cost shares will be processed after October, 2008. The following are examples of site work:
o Culvert replacement or Culvert inlet/outlet armoring o Construction/stabilization of up to 500 linear feet of ditch or road o Stabilizing/vegetating exposed soil o Shoreline stabilization (armoring) o Installing a vegetative buffers o Dry well, French drain, water bar, etc Landowners or groups that my be interested in being part of a project or learning more about the cost share process should contact the Kennebec County Soil & Water Conservation District. Kennebec SWCD 21 Enterprise Drive; Suite #1 Augusta, Maine 04330 Phone #: 207-622-7847 x 3 Email: john@kcswcd.org
Project Duration: Spring 2007 to Spring of 2009
Funding Source: Clean Water Act Section 319 (administered by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection)
Click here to view a watershed map for this project. Partners and other local sources of information for the Cobbossee Lake Watershed: ü Friends of Cobbossee Watershed ü Cobbossee Watershed District ü Town of Winthrop ü Town of Manchester |
