The grant will provide technical assistance to a minimum of 12 property owners and financial help with the installation of conservation practices on at least 12 sites. Conservation practices protect soil and water resources, and can lower maintenance costs and enhance property values. A steering committee comprised of the SPWP, municipal representatives and watershed citizens is now being formed. To volunteer for the committee, participate in grant activities; request technical assistance or help with conservation practices please contact AVSWCD at 753-9400, ext. 400.

A public meeting will be held to introduce the project to watershed citizens, date to be announced.

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (MDEP), volunteer monitors, and a private consultant have monitored water quality in Sabattus Pond for almost 30 years. The Pond has experienced algal blooms for more than 20 years, and has been listed by MDEP as a lake that does not meet state water quality standards (303d list), and has also been designated as a Nonpoint Source Priority Watershed. In 2004, a Phosphorus Control Action Plan (a.k.a. "TMDL") was prepared and approved. Within the last several years, the water quality of the pond has shown some improvement; average transparency has increased, and nuisance blooms appear later in the season and last for shorter periods of time.

Sabattus Pond is managed as a warm water fishery by the ME Inland Fisheries & Wildlife Management Department. The pond hosts more than a dozen types of fish, including both native and introduced species. Sabattus Pond has strong recreational value for residents of the region, as well as many out-of-state visitors, for boating, swimming, and fishing in the summertime, and ice fishing and snowmobiling in the wintertime. Public access to the lake is provided at the Martin's Point Park and boat launch in Sabattus. The pond also serves as a staging area for many species of migratory birds, and hosts seasonal populations of many species of ducks and geese. Recently, nesting bald eagle populations have been confirmed by state wildlife officials.

Land uses which contribute to soil erosion and nutrient and sediment loading of water bodies are labeled "non-point sources" of pollution; in Sabattus Pond, almost three-quarters of the primary nutrient responsible for the algal blooms in the pond are contributed by human activities across the landscape. Traditionally, about half the shoreline properties around the lake have been used on a seasonal basis, but recently many "summer camps" have been converted to year round residences, and development of neighboring areas is increasing. Agricultural use has declined significantly within the last 15 years, with less than 3% of the land area now being cultivated, and slightly more than 3% in passive agricultural management. Less than 1% of the total watershed acreage is actively managed forest, and approximately 60% of the acreage is passively managed forests or reverting fields. In the 2004 TMDL study, it was noted that all developed land (shoreline and non-shoreline development, agricultural, and operated forest land) totaled 19% of the watershed acreage, but was responsible for 72% of the total phosphorus export to watershed streams, rivers, and ultimately, the pond.*

Members of the newly formed Sabattus Pond Watershed Partnership approached Androscoggin Valley SWCD in 2001 for assistance in raising local awareness of the relationship between land use and SPWP representatives, a representative of the Sabattus Lake Association, and AVSWCD staff then outlined a grant proposal that would combine educational workshops and technical assistance to property owners with on-the-ground fixes. The grant project's goal was to demonstrate actions that would prevent soil erosion and nutrient loading to the pond, with the purpose of improving water quality. Recognizing that significant change in water quality is a long-term effort, the group decided to label the proposal as a Phase One project, with the intention of applying for successive grants as each phase of work was completed. Education and outreach activities suggested by the work group for Phase One included publicity and education through public meetings, newsletters, press releases, workshops, and partnered projects with school students. Funding also was sought for technical assistance for landowners, and for construction projects throughout the watershed. The grant proposal was submitted to MDEP, and funding from the agency's Nonpoint Source Program (Clean Water Act, Section 319) was awarded to AVSWCD in 2002. A short summary of the Phase One activities is shown below.

*Steering Committee Meetings: SPWP representatives, educators, volunteers, municipal representatives, and AVSWCD and MDEP staff met 12 times to plan project activities and assist with other tasks.

o A Public Meeting, held in June 2002 to introduce the project, was attended by 35 people. Displays on vegetated buffers and road erosion were exhibited, and presentations made by SPWP and agency staff.

o Press releases and stories were published in daily and weekly papers; SPWP distributed a semi-annual newsletter throughout the watershed, developed a web site (see www.mainewoodsonline.com/sabattuspondwatershed), and attended "Community Day" events. SPWP also created a kiosk at Martin's Point to provide information to the general public on the best practices to protect water quality, as well as invasive plant identification, and lake stewardship activities.

o Students in Dr. Lois Ongley's science classes at Oak Hill High School completed many soil and water quality monitoring projects over a 3-yr period. Students presented findings at their school's science fairs, SPWP's annual meetings, and MDEP's Water Quality Fair. Ashley Malinowski traveled to Portland, OR with Dr. Longley, to present Ashley's research results at a national science competition. SPWP assisted teacher A. Lanteigne and her 8th grade students with a planting project at Martin's Point Park.

o Homeowner Practices: The full-day workshop was attended by 26 people, who first learned about appropriate conservation practices to prevent erosion, then turned their energies to installing practices on a lakefront property. The group added a vegetated buffer along the shoreline, stabilized the driveway with an open-box culvert and crushed stone, and installed a drywell to capture roof runoff.

o Camp Road Associations: Attorney Dan D'Ateuil led two instructive sessions for property owners living on private gravel roads. Mr. D'Ateuil provided information on the legal aspects of forming road maintenance associations, and led a roundtable discussion attended by 15 people. Three road associations were formed following the workshops, with the grant providing help in researching deeds, as well as funding for legal fees.

o CEO/Planning Board Workshop: Hosted by the Town of Greene, representatives from Sabattus and Wales attended a workshop in May 2004 to learn about planning initiatives that would help protect the lake. SPWP's consultant, Scott Williams of Lake & Watershed Resource Management Associates, was the presenter. Later, representatives of SPWP attended town meetings to advocate for lake protections.

*Technical Assistance: Response to technical services was very strong. Originally tasked to provide assistance to 36 property owners, grant staff worked with 74 individuals and businesses over four years. Many of the visits resulted in implementation of erosion control practices throughout the watershed. A few large-scale projects were referred to the Natural Resource Conservation Service for advanced designs and alternative funding. Two of those projects have been selected for funding under the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program. Grant staff also provided technical assistance to a commercial operator, in order that soil erosion and nutrient loading could be controlled prior to sale of the property.

*Implementation Projects: Sixteen projects were installed over four years with the help of grant funding. Several other projects were approved for funding, but were not completed. Projects were wide ranging in scope and setting, and included streamside and lakefront buffers, gravel road improvements, town road improvements, driveway stabilization, shoreline stabilization with riprap and vegetation, and improvements on a right-of-way to the lake. All of these projects reduced sediment and nutrient loading to the pond, or to watershed streams.

Six of the 16 projects were accomplished as group work projects, with the grant providing technical assistance and designs, and money to purchase materials. This willingness to work together to solve problems has served well both watershed citizens and our natural resources.

The Sabattus Pond Implementation Project achieved many of its goals, despite significant challenges. Local awareness of water quality issues is more widespread, and many citizens took action to stabilize their properties. Although water quality in the pond has improved over the years, in 2006 the heavy spring rains and sediment-laden runoff contributed to early algal blooms; late winter ice and errant winds caused significant shoreline erosion.

Thanks to funding from state and federal agencies, AVSWCD will continue to work with the Sabattus Pond Watershed Partnership and watershed citizens to make improvements in the watershed. A second grant project will get under way in October 2006. Resources will be available for technical assistance and new construction projects. SPWP will be promoting the grant project in early fall.

· Join SPWP - membership costs are low, but the rewards are great. Become part of the team that supports stewardship in the watershed, through education and hands-on projects.

· Lend a hand to neighbors needing assistance with projects. As demonstrated during this recent grant project, a few hours of volunteer time can make big changes in the landscape.

· Attend workshops to learn what you can do on your property to eliminate erosion and make property maintenance easier. Sign up for a technical assistance visit when the new grant gets under way.