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| A federal grant of $8.1 million has been awarded to the Portland Water District to lead a regional watershed protection initiative safeguarding Sebago Lake, the drinking water source for more than 200,000 people. COURTESY PHOTO |
The award, funded through the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), will leverage an additional $10 million in partner contributions, enabling more than $18 million in critical watershed protection work.
This award builds on an initial $8 million RCPP award secured in 2020. That award resulted in the conservation of over 12,000 acres of priority forest, the reconnection of 42 miles of rivers and streams, and the sustainable management of over 5,000 acres of forest.
PWD’s responsibility to provide safe, reliable drinking water begins with protecting its source. Watershed conservation and stewardship complement the treatment and monitoring programs by safeguarding water quality before it reaches Sebago Lake.
“Conserving land is essential to protecting Sebago Lake. This investment strengthens that protection by improving forest health and reconnecting streams,” said Paul Hunt, Environmental Services Manager at PWD. “It is an $8.15 million commitment to the people who depend on Sebago Lake today and the generations who will depend on it tomorrow.”
Permanent Forest Conservation:
** Working with interested landowners to purchase conservation easements on high-priority forests to safeguard natural water filtration and prevent development fragmentation.
** Forest Stewardship: Providing private landowners with technical assistance and funding for forest management planning, invasive plant and insect control, and habitat enhancement.
** Stream Restoration: Removing barriers and improving stream crossings to promote fish passage, restore natural river flows, and build flood resilience.
Anticipated outcomes of this Phase II project include 30 miles of improved stream habitat, over 6,000 acres of improved forest stewardship and 2,000 acres of permanent forest conservation.
"This award demonstrates what strong regional collaboration can accomplish," said Karen Young, Partnership Director for Sebago Clean Waters. "By bringing together partners with shared interest in conserving the watershed, we are multiplying the impact of every dollar invested. This funding allows us to expand our reach, work with more landowners and build resilience into our regional ecosystem."
Half of the on-the-ground project funding is directed for aquatic habitat restoration along local streams. Over decades, outdated culverts and stream crossings have fragmented and degraded water habitat. SCW partners will upgrade crossings to restore natural stream connections, allow fish and other aquatic organisms to pass freely, and reduce local flood risks during heavy storms.
SCW partners the Lakes Environmental Association and the Casco Bay Estuary Partnership will work closely with Trout Unlimited to identify and repair important stream crossings in the Crooked River and other river networks in the watershed.
"Our lakes and streams don't exist in isolation, they depend on healthy tributaries and well-managed forests surrounding them," said Colin Holme, Executive Director of the Lakes Environmental Association. "This investment enables us to tackle critical stream crossings, open up miles of habitat for native aquatic species, and work directly with landowners and towns to keep our ecosystems thriving while improving road and drainage infrastructure at the same time."
The project is in support of a national NRCS priority to safeguard critical public drinking water sources.
About participants
Portland Water District protects public health and the environment by delivering clean drinking water to more than 200,000 Mainers and providing essential wastewater services. From safeguarding Sebago Lake to treating wastewater, PWD combines science, skilled professionals, and responsible investment to keep communities healthy and thriving.
Sebago Clean Waters works collaboratively to sustain and enhance clean water and healthy forests in the Sebago Lake watershed to support thriving human and ecological communities.
The SCW collaborative members are Loon Echo, Western Foothills, Mahoosuc, and Presumpscot Regional Land Trusts, Lakes Environmental Association, Casco Bay Estuary Partnership, Portland Water District, Open Space Institute, and The Nature Conservancy.
Trout Unlimited brings people together across the country to be champions for their rivers and help make our water cleaner, our communities healthier and our fisheries stronger. <
Anticipated outcomes of this Phase II project include 30 miles of improved stream habitat, over 6,000 acres of improved forest stewardship and 2,000 acres of permanent forest conservation.
"This award demonstrates what strong regional collaboration can accomplish," said Karen Young, Partnership Director for Sebago Clean Waters. "By bringing together partners with shared interest in conserving the watershed, we are multiplying the impact of every dollar invested. This funding allows us to expand our reach, work with more landowners and build resilience into our regional ecosystem."
Half of the on-the-ground project funding is directed for aquatic habitat restoration along local streams. Over decades, outdated culverts and stream crossings have fragmented and degraded water habitat. SCW partners will upgrade crossings to restore natural stream connections, allow fish and other aquatic organisms to pass freely, and reduce local flood risks during heavy storms.
SCW partners the Lakes Environmental Association and the Casco Bay Estuary Partnership will work closely with Trout Unlimited to identify and repair important stream crossings in the Crooked River and other river networks in the watershed.
"Our lakes and streams don't exist in isolation, they depend on healthy tributaries and well-managed forests surrounding them," said Colin Holme, Executive Director of the Lakes Environmental Association. "This investment enables us to tackle critical stream crossings, open up miles of habitat for native aquatic species, and work directly with landowners and towns to keep our ecosystems thriving while improving road and drainage infrastructure at the same time."
The project is in support of a national NRCS priority to safeguard critical public drinking water sources.
About participants
Portland Water District protects public health and the environment by delivering clean drinking water to more than 200,000 Mainers and providing essential wastewater services. From safeguarding Sebago Lake to treating wastewater, PWD combines science, skilled professionals, and responsible investment to keep communities healthy and thriving.
Sebago Clean Waters works collaboratively to sustain and enhance clean water and healthy forests in the Sebago Lake watershed to support thriving human and ecological communities.
The SCW collaborative members are Loon Echo, Western Foothills, Mahoosuc, and Presumpscot Regional Land Trusts, Lakes Environmental Association, Casco Bay Estuary Partnership, Portland Water District, Open Space Institute, and The Nature Conservancy.
Trout Unlimited brings people together across the country to be champions for their rivers and help make our water cleaner, our communities healthier and our fisheries stronger. <
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