RESOURCES FOR LAKE STEWARDS
MAINE CONGRESS OF LAKE ASSOCIATIONS (Maine COLA) provides technical information, education, advocacy and capacity building to lake associations and individuals statewide. Annual Maine Lakes Conference, quarterly newsletter, website, lake association visits. Courtesy Boat Inspection training north and east of Augusta info@mainecola.org www.mainecola.org (877) 254-2511
DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION oversees management, development and protection of nearly 18 million acres of forestland, unorganized territory, and public reserved land as well as 47 parks and historic sites.
Navigational Aids: DOC installs and maintains uniform waterway markers. No city, county or person may mark the waters of Maine in a manner that conflicts with this system. Information (207) 582-5771
Boating Facilities: DOC’s Bureau of Parks and Lands maintains a list of freshwater public access sites at http://www.state.me.us/doc/parks/programs/boating/index.html
Maine Natural Areas Program (NAP): Comprehensive information source on natural features: rare/endangered plants and animals and rare natural communities. Don Cameron maine.nap@maine.gov or (207) 287-8044.
Beginning with Habitat: Wildlife and plant conservation program. Provides habitat assessment and mapping for towns to help guide habitat preservation. On-site presentations for specific localities available. Maine.nap@maine.gov (207) 287-8044
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION (DEP) is charged with protecting and restoring Maine's natural resources and enforcing environmental laws
Enforcement and Compliance: To report a possible violation of one of the water quality protection laws, call the nearest regional DEP office. The report may be made anonymously.
· Presque Isle (Northern Maine): (207) 764-0477; (888) 769-1053
· Bangor (Eastern Maine): (207) 941-4570; (888) 769-1137
· Augusta (Central Maine): (207) 287-3901; (888) 452-1942
· Portland (Southern Maine) (207) 822-6300; (888) 769-1036
Invasive Aquatic Plant Program
DEP staff maintains database of documented infestations, implements and oversees DEP’s Rapid Response and Remediation efforts, oversees management plans, administers cost share grants for education and prevention efforts, administers courtesy boat inspections and training, plant identification, hand removal, and lake survey training. milfoil@maine.gov or http://www.maine.gov/dep/blwq/topic/invasives.htm
Nonpoint Source Training and Resource Center provides training workshops, develops and maintains various publications and a video lending library; and acts as a clearinghouse for NPS and BMP information. Contact: Bill Laflamme, phone 207-287-7726, fax 207- 287-7191.
Dams and Hydropower: Maine Law requires that a permit be issued for the construction, reconstruction, or structural alteration of new or existing hydropower projects and dams. DEP is the water quality certification agency for projects in organized municipalities. Contact: Dana Murch (207) 287-3901
Family Lake Day: On-site, activity-based lake ecology program for children and adults. Most materials furnished and activities conducted by DEP staff. Contact: Christine Smith (207) 287-7734
Lake Smart Program recognizes lakefront property owners who maintain their property so as to protect water quality. Free property evaluation leads to Award and site specific guidance. Contacts: Christine Smith (207) 287-7734; Bill LaFlamme (207) 287-7726, or your local SWCD (see below).
Project WILD provides workshops to teachers and other educators interested in integrating wildlife and conservation education into their lesson plans. Contact: Lisa Kane (207) 287-3303
Primary responsibility Maine State Highway system.
Local Roads Center: Provides information, technical assistance, training to local officials regarding town roads. Peter Coughlin, Director of Community Services, peter.coughlan@maine.gov or (207) 624-3266
Surface Water Quality Protection Program: Collaboration among local, state and federal agencies to reduce stormwater runoff from state highways. Citizens may nominate problem sites. Zach Henderson, SWQPP Coordinator zachary.henderson@maine.gov or (207) 624-3080.
Androscoggin Valley SWCD (Androscoggin and Sagadahoc Counties)
254 Goddard Rd.; PO Box 1938; Lewiston ME 04241-1938
(207) 753-9400 ext.3; Executive Director: Phoebe Hardesty phoebeh@maine.rr.com
NRCS District Conservationist: Kay Nickel
St. John Valley SWCD (Aroostook County)
139 Market St., Ste 106; Fort Kent, ME 04743; (207) 834-3311 ext.3
District Coordinator: Heidi Royal sjvswcd@me.nacdnet.org
NRCS District Conservationist: David Tingley
Central Aroostook SWCD
Harley D. Welch Ag. Bldg.; 744 Main St.; Presque Isle, ME 04769; (207) 764-4770
Executive Director: Linda Alverson caswcd@mainepotatoes.com
Central Aroostook County USDA Service Center; Central Aroostook NRCS Office
99 Fort Fairfield Rd.; Presque Isle, ME 04769
NRCS District Conservationist: Skip Babineau
304 North St., Houlton, ME 04730; (207) 532-2087 ext.3
Office Manager: Andrea Newman saswcd@saswcd.org Website: www.saswcd.org
NRCS District Conservationist: Timothy Yarab
Cumberland County SWCD (Cumberland County)
201 Main St., Suite 6; Westbrook, ME 04092; (207) 856-2777
District Manager: Betty McInnes betty-mcinnes@me.nacdnet.org
Cumberland County USDA Service Center;
Cumberland NRCS Office, 306 US Rt. 1, Suite A1; Scarborough, ME 04074-9774
(207) 883-0159 ext. 3; NRCS District Conservationist: Wayne Monroe
Franklin County SWCD (Franklin County)
107 Park St.; Farmington, ME 04938; (207) 778-4279
District Manager: Rosetta Thompson rosetta-thompson@me.nacdnet.org
NRCS District Conservationist: Paul Hersey
Hancock County SWCD (Hancock County)
190 Bangor Rd.; Ellsworth, ME 04605; (207) 664-7496
Project Manager: Liz Petterson: liz-peterson@me.nacdnet.org
Website: www.ellsworthme.org/soilandwater
NRCS District Conservationist: Roland Dupuis
Kennebec County SWCD (Kennebec County)
9 Green St., Room 307; Augusta, ME 04330;(207) 622-7847 ext.3
Executive Director: Dale Finseth dale@kcswcd.org
Website: www.kcswcd.org
NRCS District Conservationist: Ron Desrosiers
191 Camden Rd.; Warren, ME 04864; (207) 273-2005 ext.4
Office Manager: Mary Tiel mary-tiel@me.nacdnet.org
Website: www.knox-lincoln.org
NRCS District Conservationist: Mary Thompson
Oxford County SWCD (Oxford County)
1570 Main St., Ste. 10; Oxford, ME 04270-3390; (207) 743-5789 ext.3
Office Manager: Heidi Linscott: heidi-linscott@me.nacdnet.org
NRCS District Conservationist: Peter Marcinuk
Penobscot County SWCD (Penobscot County)
28 Gilman Plaza, Ste. 2; Bangor, ME 04401; (207) 990-3676 ext.3
District Administrator: Chris Brewer: chris.brewer@penobscotswcd.org
Website: www.penobscotswcd.org
NRCS District Conservationist: Dan Schmidt
Piscataquis County SWCD (piscatiquis County)
42 Pine Crest Drive; Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426; (207) 564-2321 ext.3
Executive Director: Sheila Grant : pcswcd@me.nacdnet.org
NRCS District Conservationist: Albert Dow
Somerset County SWCD (Somerset County)
12 High St.; Skowhegan, ME 04976; (207) 474-8324
Executive Director: Jeff McCabe: somerset-swcd@me.nacdnet.org
NRCS District Conservationist: Kevin White
Waldo County SWCD (Waldo County)
266 Waterville Rd.; Belfast, ME; (207) 338-1964 ext.3
Office Manager: Kym Sanderson kym-sanderson@me.nacdnet.org
NRCS District Conservationist: Randy Doak
Washington County SWCD (Washington County)
51 Court St.; PO Box 121; Machias, ME 04654-0121; (207) 255-4659
District Manager: Nate Pennell: washingtoncounty.swcd@state.me.us
NRCS District Conservationist: David Garcelon
York County SWCD (York County)
8 Waterboro Rd.; PO Box 819; Alfred, ME 04002-7015; (207)324-7015
District Manager: Debbie St Pierre debbie-st-pierre@me.nacdnet.org
NRCS District Conservationist: Geoffrey Coombs
NON-GOVERNMENTAL RESOURCES
George J. Mitchell Center, UMO. Water research institute generates key data for the public and for policy and decision making. Sponsors PEARL (Public Educational Access to Environmental Information in Maine), the on-line GIS-based, searchable database for Maine lakes http://pearl.maine.edu
Lakes Environmental Association (LEA) Administers the Courtesy Boat Inspection (CBI) program and Cost Share Grants for the State, sponsors the Annual Milfoil Summit. Provides courtesy boat inspection workshops south and west of Augusta. Serves the Sebago and Long Lake Region. lakes@megalink.net http://www.mainelakes.org
Maine Audubon works to conserve Maine’s wildlife and wildlife habitat by engaging people in education, conservation and action (e.g. annual Loon Count). Varied courses available at its Gilsland Farm headquarters, Falmouth, some on-site programs also available. (207) 781-2330 info@maineaudubon.org
Maine Center for Invasive Aquatic Plants (MCIAP) Go-to site for information, and volunteer action regarding Maine’s 11 invasive aquatic plants. Resources, workshops, plant identification, hands-on training, virtual herbarium,
(207) 783-7733 or mciap@mainevlmp.org
Maine Conservation School (MCS) offers outdoor programs for children and adults, a summer youth camp and public school outdoor education designed to instill a conservation ethic and outdoor skills. MCS, PO Box 188, Bryant Pond, ME 04219 (207) 665-2068 mcsops@megalink.net www.meconservationschool.org
Maine Lakes Conservancy Institute (MLCI) Award-winning on-site learning programs: Floating Classroom provides hands-on lake ecology experience for adults and children during summer; schools program takes experiential curriculum to middle school students. http://www.mlci.org
Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program (VLMP) provides lake data and information concerning lakes and their watersheds by coordinating a scientifically based lake monitoring and data management system. Provides training for water quality monitors. vlmp@mainevlmp.org http://mainevolunteermonitors.org
Maine Water Utilities Association (MWUA) Educates and advocates for safe drinking water. MWUA@direcway.com
Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials (Maine NEMO) offers customized workshops for decision-makers on the relationship between land use and water quality, focusing on nonpoint source pollution, stormwater runoff, open space planning and protection. lcannon@maine.rr.com (207) 771-9020
Watershed Stewards Program, University of Maine Cooperative Extension. Provides 20 hours of lake fundamentals for lake groups: how lakes work, how to identify pollution sources and how to correct the problems. Free, on-site 8-weeks of instruction. Schedule through Laura Wilson: (207) 581-2971 http://www.umaine.edu/waterquality/lakes/Stewards/htm.