IIn the spring of 2009, The Hancock County Soil & Water Conservation District begin administration of the Green Lake Watershed Improvement Project (319 Grant) from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection to help reduce nonpoint source pollution issues in the Green Lake Watershed.  This grant involves giving Road Associations technical and financial assistance to help reduce erosion along roadways, providing landowners with technical and financial assistance to reduce erosion on driveways and along the shoreline, conducting educational activities, and the creation and implementation of an Outreach Plan to address nonpoint source pollution issues in the Green Lake watershed.

So far, we have completed 60 road projects, which included replacing culverts, ditching, installing turnouts to channel water away from the road, and regrading of roads.  We have also completed 4 residential site projects, with 3 more planned for 2011 for projects such as buffer plantings and driveway water diverters.

While these projects help to improve the roads and properties, they also help to reduce the amount of runoff of gravel and phosphorus into the lake.  Phosphorus is the biggest threat to lakes in Maine because it can cause algae blooms which can lead to everything from fish kills to decreased property values.

This summer the grant also helped to fund 3 educational events including a Buffer Boat Cruise for Ellsworth & Dedham Planning Board members, a mailing to help increase membership in the Green Lake Association, and a Lake Day that included a barbeque and educational boat rides facilitated by the Maine Lakes Conservancy Institute.  

Green Lake Outreach Plan

This outreach plan will be used to guide efforts by partners in the Green Lake protection effort.  Click the link above to download a copy of the plan.

The Green Lake Watershed Improvement Project 319 Grant is funded in part by the Maine DEP through a US EPA Nonpoint Source Grant under section 319 of the Federal Clean Water Act.