DOCSLIB.ORG

State of Maine Department of Environmental Protection 2006

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
State of Maine Department of Environmental Protection 2006 State of Maine Department of Environmental Protection 2006 Integrated Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Report Document Number: DEPLW0817 2006 Maine Integrated Water Quality Report Table of Contents Chapter 1 Preface ........................................................................................................................... 7 Data Sources and Acknowledgements .............................................................................. 9 Chapter 2 Executive Summary and Response to Comments....................................................... 11 Executive Summary.......................................................................................................... 11 Response to Comments ................................................................................................... 14 Chapter 3 Background................................................................................................................... 21 State Atlas and Water Quality Standards......................................................................... 21 Effectiveness of Point Source Pollution Control Programs .............................................. 26 Nature & Extent of Nonpoint Sources of Pollutants and Program Recommendations .... 36 Education and Outreach................................................................................................... 41 The Environmental Impact and Economic & Social Costs/Benefits of Effective Water Quality Programs.............................................................................................................. 43 Chapter 4 Surface Water Monitoring & Assessments................................................................... 49 Assessment Methodology ................................................................................................ 49 Assessment Criteria ......................................................................................................... 54 Integrated Report Lists of Categories 1 Through 5 .......................................................... 58 Rivers / Streams ............................................................................................................... 63 Lakes / Ponds...................................................................................................................75 Estuaries / Ocean ............................................................................................................. 91 Chapter 5 Wetlands..................................................................................................................... 116 Background..................................................................................................................... 116 Development of Wetland Water Quality Standards........................................................ 117 Integrity of Wetland Resources ...................................................................................... 118 Extent of Wetland Resources......................................................................................... 119 Chapter 6 Ground Water Monitoring & Assessments ................................................................. 123 Overview......................................................................................................................... 123 Assessment of Ground Water Quality ............................................................................ 124 Overview of State Ground Water Protection Programs ................................................. 152 Chapter 7 Public Health – Related Assessments........................................................................ 154 Beach Program Monitoring & Assessments................................................................... 154 Shellfish Program Monitoring & Assessments ............................................................... 156 Ocean Fish and Shellfish Consumption Advisories........................................................ 157 Freshwater Fish Consumption Monitoring, Assessments and Advisories ..................... 159 Drinking Water Program Monitoring & Assessments ..................................................... 162 Ground Water and Public Health Concerns ................................................................... 167 Chapter 8 Summary of Impaired Waters..................................................................................... 170 Chapter 9 Accessing and Managing Data Used in Making Decisions on Status of Waters ....... 191 Maine DEP Quality Management System ...................................................................... 191 Environmental Information Management Systems......................................................... 192 Listings on Individual Waters.......................................................................................... 195 Maine DEP 2006 305(b) Report and 303(d) List 2 2006 Maine Integrated Water Quality Report Index of Figures Figure 3-1 Yearly CSO Volumes and Annual Rainfall ................................................................................ 30 Figure 3-2 CSO Annual Volumes Discharged and Precipitation ................................................................. 30 Figure 4-1 2003 and 2004 Stream and River Samples – Macroinvertebrates (left) and Algae (right) ........ 71 Figure 4-2 Position of Maine’s tiered aquatic life uses on the Biological Condition Gradient .................... 71 Figure 4-4 Invasive Plant Program - 2004 and 2005 Budget Expenditures & Priorities.............................. 90 Figure 4-5 Percentage of Estuarine and Marine Waters in Each Classification .......................................... 92 Figure 4-6 Comparison of Water Quality Index Results .............................................................................. 97 Figure 4-7 Comparison of Nitrogen Results................................................................................................. 97 Figure 4-8 Comparison of Phosphorus Results ........................................................................................... 98 Figure 4-9 Comparison of Chlorophyll a Results......................................................................................... 99 Figure 4-10 Comparison of Water Clarity Results ....................................................................................... 99 Figure 4-11 Comparison of Dissolved Oxygen Results ............................................................................. 100 Figure 4-12 Comparison of Sediment Quality Index Results..................................................................... 101 Figure 4-13 Comparison of Sediment Toxicity Results .............................................................................101 Figure 4-14 Comparison of Sediment Contamination Results ................................................................... 102 Figure 4-15 Comparison of Total Organic Carbon Results........................................................................ 103 Figure 4-16 Comparison of Benthic Index Results .................................................................................... 103 Figure 4-17 Casco Bay Water Quality Health Index Distribution.............................................................. 106 Figure 4-18 Toxic Chemicals in Casco Bay Sediments..............................................................................108 Figure 4-19 TBT in Casco Bay, 1994 versus 2001..................................................................................... 109 Figure 4-20 Total PAH in Casco Bay, 1991 versus 2001........................................................................... 110 Figure 4-21 Total Dioxins in Casco Bay, 1994 versus 2001 ...................................................................... 111 Figure 4-22 Sediment PAH in the Fore River ............................................................................................ 112 Figure 4-23 Lead in Mussels in Casco Bay................................................................................................ 113 Figure 6-1 Spills from Residential Heating Oil Tanks ............................................................................... 129 Figure 6-2 Active and Inactive Landfills in Maine..................................................................................... 135 Figure 6-3 Distribution of Sole Source Public Water Supply Wells for the Ambient Water Quality Montioring Network by Aquifer Type. .............................................................................................. 145 Figure 6-4 Ambient Water Quality Monitoring Network Well Location Map........................................... 146 Maine DEP 2006 305(b) Report and 303(d) List 3 2006 Maine Integrated Water Quality Report Index of Tables Table 2-1 Summary of Changes to Surface Water Assessment Categories – 2004 to 2006......................... 12 Table 3-1 The 2006 305(b) Report State of Maine Atlas ............................................................................. 23 Table 3-2 CSO Program Summary Statistics ............................................................................................... 29 Table 3-3 Yearly Summary of SCGP Activities........................................................................................... 32 Table 3-4 Shellfish Areas Opened from 1991 to 2004 ................................................................................. 34 Table 3-5 Maine NPS Priority Waters List - Marine
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Contaminant Assessment of Common Terns in the Gulf of Maine
    U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE MAINE FIELD OFFICE SPECIAL PROJECT REPORT: FY07-MEFO-2-EC Contaminant Assessment of Common Terns in the Gulf of Maine July 2008 Mission Statement U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service “Our mission is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance the nation’s fish and wildlife and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.” Suggested citation: Mierzykowski S.E., L.J. Welch, C.S. Hall, S.W. Kress and R.B. Allen. 2008. Contaminant assessment of common terns in the Gulf of Maine. USFWS. Spec. Proj. Rep. FY07-MEFO- 2-EC. Maine Field Office. Old Town, ME. 91 pp. U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE MAINE FIELD OFFICE SPECIAL PROJECT REPORT: FY07-MEFO-2-EC Contaminant Assessment of Common Terns in the Gulf of Maine FINAL REPORT Region 5 ID: 1261-5N38 DEQ ID: 200450001 (filename: COTE Report 5N38 Revised.pdf) Prepared by: Steven E. Mierzykowski U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services - Maine Field Office Linda J. Welch U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge C. Scott Hall and Stephen W. Kress National Audubon Society, Seabird Restoration Program and R. Bradford Allen Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Bird Group July 2008 Executive Summary In 2001, developmental abnormalities and low productivity were reported in common tern (Sterna hirundo) chicks from three islands on the Maine coast - Stratton Island, Jenny Island, and Pond Island. Newborn terns were too weak to hatch or unable to completely emerge from their eggshell. Others birds that were able to hatch quickly developed combinations of the following symptoms: swollen or encrusted eyes, bloody nares, patchy feather development, and necrotic skin at the base of the bill and legs.
    [Show full text]
  • Atlantic Coast: Eastport, ME to Cape Cod, MA UNITED STATES Atlantic Co Eastport, M Cape Cod, UNITED STATES 2014 (44Th) Edition
    UNITEDUNITED SSTTAATTEESS AtAtlanticlantic Coast: EastpoEastporrtt,, MEM to CaCapepe Codd,, MA 2014 (44th) Edition This edition cancels the 43rd Edition and includes all previously published corrections. Weekly updates to this edition are available at: http://nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/nsd/cpdownload.htm They are also published in the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) U.S. Notice to Mariners. U.S. Department of Commerce Penny Pritzker, Secretary of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Kathryn Sullivan, Ph.D., Acting Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, and Administrator, NOAA National Ocean Service Holly Bamford, Ph.D., Assistant Administrator, National Ocean Service II U.S. Coast Pilot 1 Pilot Coast U.S. 72° 70° 68° 66° Calais CANADA Coast Pilot 1 – Chapter Index UNITED STATES Chapter 4 – Quoddy Narrows to Calais, Maine MAINE 4 Chapter 5 – Quoddy Narrows to Petit Manan Island, Maine Eastport Chapter 6 – Petit Manan Island to Jericho Bay, Maine BAY OF FUNDY Chapter 7 – Jericho Bay to Penobscot Bay, Maine Bangor Chapter 8 – Muscongus Bay to Cape Elizabeth, Maine Chapter 9 – Cape Elizabeth, Maine to Cape Ann, Massachusetts Machias Chapter 10 – Cape Ann to Boston Harbor, Massachusetts Chapter 11 – Boston Harbor and Approaches 5 Chapter 12 – Minots Ledge to Provincetown, Massachusetts 8 6 NOV A SCOTIA CANADA 44° 44° Bath PENOBSCOT BAY NEW HAMPSHIRE 7 Portland CASCO BAY Portsmouth 9 NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN Gloucester Salem 10 MASSACHUSETTS Boston 11 42° 42° 12 72° 70° 68° 66° U.S. Coast Pilot 1, Preface III Preface he United States Coast Pilot is published by the National Ocean Service (NOS), National TOceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), pursuant to the Act of 6 August 1947 (33 U.S.C.
    [Show full text]
  • Sea Level Rise and Casco Bay's Wetlands
    Sea Level Rise and Casco Bay’s Wetlands: A Look at Potential Impacts FREEPORT EDITION Muskie School of Public Service University of Southern Maine www.cascobayestuary.org PO Box 9300 Portland, ME 04104-9300 207.780.4820 (phone) 207.228.8460 (fax) Sea Level Rise and Casco Bay’s Wetlands: A Look at Potential Impacts • Curtis Bohlen • Marla Stelk • Matthew Craig • Caitlin Gerber This report is one of a series of ten reports focusing on the following Casco Bay municipalities: Brunswick Phippsburg Cape Elizabeth Portland Falmouth South Portland Freeport West Bath Harpswell Yarmouth Assistance with field work and other data collection provided by Melissa Anson and Melissa Smith. GIS analysis provided by Lauren Redmond and Caitlin Gerber. These reports were funded in whole or in part by the Maine Coastal Program under NOAA award no. NA10N0S4190188 and the US EPA under grant #CE 9614191. The report does not necessarily reflect the views of the sponsoring agencies, and no official endorsement should be inferred. Casco Bay Estuary Partnership 2013 Overview The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a report in 2007 documenting a rise in average global temperatures, ocean temperatures and sea level rise. The sea level off Maine’s 3,478 miles of coastline, as measured by the Portland, Maine tide gauge, has been rising at a rate of 1.8 + 0.1mm/yr since 1912. This is markedly similar to the global average sea level rise determined by the IPCC. The most likely impacts of sea level rise in Maine will be inland migration of beaches, dunes and tidal wetlands over the next century.
    [Show full text]
  • Friends of Casco Bay Twelve-Year Water Quality Data Analysis: 1993
    Friends of Casco Bay Twelve-Year Water Quality Data Analysis: 1993 – 2004 Report Battelle Applied Coastal and Environmental Services 153 B Park Row Brunswick ME 04011 June 29, 2005 Acknowledgments We sincerely thank Lee Doggett from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, Diane Gould from U.S. EPA, Karen Young and Beverly Bailey-Smith from the Casco Bay Estuary Partnership and a team of peer reviewers for their guidance and technical expertise. Production of this report was funded by a grant from the Casco Bay Estuary Partnership. Twelve-Year Water Quality Data Analysis: 1993-2004 Page i Executive Summary Friends of Casco Bay (FOCB), with support from the Casco Bay Estuary Project, has successfully conducted the Citizens Water Quality Monitoring program for twelve years and counting. The program is carried out with the aid of hundreds of volunteers who sample at approximately 80 shore-based stations and assist FOCB staff at 11 profile stations located throughout Casco Bay. They measure the standard oceanographic parameters of temperature, salinity, pH, Secchi depth, dissolved oxygen, plus ancillary air and water measurements. In the last 4 years, the program was expanded to include measurements for chlorophyll (as measured by in situ fluorescence) and dissolved inorganic nutrient concentrations. Summary statistics for all Casco Bay surface data are presented in Table 1. The minimum and maximum values for each of the parameters provide a good representation of the variability among sites, across the bay, and over time. The shallowest water depth was measured in Anthoine Creek and the deepest depth was consistently measured at Halfway Rock.
    [Show full text]
  • Maine State Legislature
    MAINE STATE LEGISLATURE The following document is provided by the LAW AND LEGISLATIVE DIGITAL LIBRARY at the Maine State Law and Legislative Reference Library http://legislature.maine.gov/lawlib Reproduced from electronic originals (may include minor formatting differences from printed original) DEPLW0962 SURFACE WATER AMBIENT TOXIC MONITORING PROGRAM FINAL REPORT 2008 DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT MAINE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AUGUSTA, MAINE 04333 June 2009 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE INTRODUCTION 3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 4 1 MARINE MODULE 6 1.1 SHELLFISH TISSUE ANALYSES 7 1.2 CONTAMINANTS COMMON LOON, PIPING PLOVER AND PEREGRINE FALCON EGGS 78 1.3 PCBS IN BLUEFISH 83 2 LAKES MODULE 85 3 RIVERS AND STREAMS MODULE 86 3.1 AMBIENT BIOLOGICAL MONITORING 87 3.2 FISH CONSUMPTION ADVISORIES 99 3.3 CUMMULATIVE EFFECTS ASSESSMENT OF FISH POPULATIONS 108 2 INTRODUCTION This 2008 Surface Water Ambient Toxic (SWAT) monitoring program final report is organized into an Executive Summary (with introduction and table of contents) and 4 modules, 1) Marine & Estuarine 2) Lakes, 3) Rivers & Streams. The full report is available on DEP’s website at http://www.maine.gov/dep/blwq/docmonitoring/swat/index.htm Questions may be directed to authors of each study or to Barry Mower, DEP, SHS 17, Augusta, Maine 04333, tel: 207-287-7777, email: [email protected] Acknowledgements Collection of samples was conducted by the principal investigators and technical assistants listed (DEP staff unless otherwise specified). Chemical analyses were performed by AXYS Analytical Services, Sidney, British Columbia or other laboratories as listed in reports in individual sections. 3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Maine’s Surface Water Ambient Toxics (SWAT) monitoring program was established in 1993 (38 MRSA §420-B) to determine the nature, scope and severity of toxic contamination in the surface waters and fisheries of the State.
    [Show full text]
  • Ibastoryspring08.Pdf
    irds find Maine attractive for many of the same reasons we do—the state offers a unique blend of landscapes spanning from mountains to the sea, with forests, grasslands, rivers, marshes, and long coastlines in between. B Where we find beautiful places to hike and kayak, camp and relax, birds find the habitat they need for their survival. But while Maine’s diverse habitats serve an important role for over IBAs 400 bird species—some threatened, endangered, or of regional conservation in concern—the state’s not immune to a growing list of threats that puts these birds at further risk. Habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation due to development, toxins such as mercury and lead, oil spills on the coast and Maine inland waters, and climate change are top among them. BY ANDREW COLVIN In the face of these threats, a crucial step in conserving Maine’s birds is to identify the areas of the state that are most important for breeding, wintering, and migration. After several years of working toward that goal, Maine Audubon Lists Maine Audubon has recently completed the first phase of its Important 22 of the Most Important Bird Areas (IBA) program, identifying 22 areas across Maine that are vital Places in Maine for Vulnerable Birds to state—and even global—bird populations. HANS TOOM ERIC HYNES Eight of the rare birds used to identify IBAs in Maine (clockwise from left): Short-eared owl, black-throated blue warbler, least tern, common moorhen, scarlet tanager, harlequin duck, saltmarsh sharp-tailed sparrow, and razorbill. MIKE FAHEY Important
    [Show full text]
  • IMPORTANT BIRD AREAS of MAINE an Analysis Of
    IMPORTANT BIRD AREAS OF MAINE An Analysis of Avian Diversity and Abundance Compiled by: Susan Gallo, Thomas P. Hodgman, and Judy Camuso A Project Supported by the Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund IMPORTANT BIRD AREAS OF MAINE An Analysis of Avian Diversity and Abundance February 7, 2008 Compiled by: Susan Gallo, Maine Audubon, 20 Gilsland Farm Rd., Falmouth, ME 04105 Thomas P. Hodgman, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, 650 State St., Bangor, ME 04401 Judy Camuso, Maine Audubon, 20 Gilsland Farm Rd., Falmouth, ME 04105 (Present Address: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, 358 Shaker Road, Gray, ME 04039) Recommended citation: Gallo, S., T. P. Hodgman, and J. Camuso, Compilers. 2008. Important Bird Areas Of Maine: an analysis of avian diversity and abundance. Maine Audubon, Falmouth, Maine. 94pp. Cover Photo: Scarborough Marsh at sunrise, by W. G. Shriver ii Table of Contents History ..........................................................................................................................................1 What is an Important Bird Area?.......................................................................................1 Qualifying Criteria...................................................................................................................1 Data Use and Applicability Disclaimer .............................................................................2 Acknowledgements...................................................................................................................3
    [Show full text]
  • Shellfish Harvesting Area Classification-Notification Of
    STATE OF MAINE D EPARTMENT OF M ARINE R ESOURCES 21 STATE HOUSE STATION AUGUSTA, MAINE 04333- 0 0 2 1 JANET T. MILLS PATRICK C. KELIHER GOVERNOR COMMISSIONER Shellfish Harvesting Area Classification-Notification of Changes August 29, 2020 This notice is in effect until repealed or replaced Ladies and Gentlemen: Under the authority of 12 M.R.S.A. § 6172; the Commissioner has made the following changes to the Conditional Area Closure Notice: this notice closes the rainfall areas in Areas 11, 14, 15, 16, 21-C, 21-D, 21-E, 26 and 27 due to rainfall exceeding one inch in 24 hours. Areas No. 21-C, 21-E, 26 and 27 will reopen effective 00:01 hrs. September 7, 2020 and Areas No. 11, 14, 15, 16, and 21-D will reopen 00:01 hrs. September 12, 2020. All existing pollution and biotoxin closures remain in effect. Please refer to the specific Area notices for maps and a detailed description of the impacted conditional areas: http://www.maine.gov/dmr/shellfish-sanitation-management/closures/pollution.html . Reopening dates will change if additional rain or flow events occur. Whenever a Conditional Area is impacted by rainfall AND a WWTP CSO or bypass event, the area remains closed until the WWTP closure is lifted. Always check this notice before harvesting in a rainfall, river flow and/or Waste Water Treatment Plant performance conditional area to determine the open/closed status. All existing pollution and biotoxin closures remain in effect. The descriptions of the areas are as follows (struck text is removed and underlined text is being added): Rainfall, Tide, Sewage Treatment Plant and River Discharge Conditional Areas Rainfall Closures: The following areas are closed due to greater than one inch of rainfall in a twenty-four hour period and will REOPEN EFFECTIVE 00:01 HOURS, SEPTEMBER 7, 2020.
    [Show full text]
  • Notice of Intent and Pre-Application Document
    November 23, 2020 Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 888 First Street, N.E. Washington, D.C. 20426 Via Electronic Filing Re: Worumbo Hydroelectric Project (FERC No. 3428) Notification of Intent to File License Application and Pre-Application Document Dear Secretary Bose: Brown Bear II Hydro, Inc. (BB2H or “The Applicant”), a subsidiary of Eagle Creek Renewable Energy, LLC, is preparing to relicense the Worumbo Hydroelectric Project (FERC No. 3428), “the Project”, with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission). The Project is located on the Androscoggin River in the Town of Lisbon, Androscoggin County, Maine. The FERC license expires on November 30, 2025. BB2H hereby commences the relicensing process by filing its Notice of Intent (NOI) to file an application for subsequent license and Pre-Application Document (PAD) for the Project in accordance with the Commission’s regulations. BB2H intends to utilize the Commission’s Integrated Licensing Process (ILP). In accordance with 18 C.F.R. §§ 5.5(c) and 5.6(a)(1) of the Commission’s regulations, the Applicant is simultaneously distributing electronic copies of the NOI and PAD to relevant federal and state resource agencies, Indian tribes, non-governmental organizations, and other potentially interested parties, as set forth on the attached stakeholder distribution list. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Applicant is not providing two courtesy paper copies of the NOI and PAD to Commission Staff in the Office of Energy Projects and Office of General Counsel – Energy Projects, as is typically required by the Commission’s filing guidelines. The Applicant understands that the Commission will public notice the filing of the NOI and PAD within 60 days of the filing date.
    [Show full text]
  • 2010 Pumpout.Pub
    IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR PENOBSCOT AND BLUE HILL BAYS MOUNT DESERT AND DOWN EAST CORRECTIONS TO THIS GUIDE, PLEASE LET US KNOW: 207-287-7905 Merchant's Landing Moorings 594-7459 9 P OR [email protected] Rockland Harbor Rockland City Landing 594-0312 9 P Journey's End Marina 594-4444 9 P Trident Yacht Basin 236-8100 9 P Landings Marina 596-6573 9 P Camden Harbor 2010 Maine Camden Pumpout Boat 236-3353 9 P Wayfarer Marine 236-4378 9 P Pumpout Station Belfast Harbor Belfast Boatyard 338-1142 9 R and No Discharge Belfast City Landing 338-1142 9 P Penobscot River Area Guide Port Harbor Marine at Bucksport 469-5902 9 P Mid-Coast Marine 223-4781 16 P VHF Winterport Marina 223-8885 9 R Hamlin’s Marina 443-0071 9 P Bass Harbor Bangor City Landing 947-5251 9 P Morris Yachts 244-5509 9 P Castine Harbor Red Fern Boat/Up Harbor Marina 266-0270 9 M Castine Town Landing 266-7711 9 P Blue Hill Harbor Southwest Harbor Kollegewidgwok Yacht Club 374-5581 9 M Downeast Diesel and Marine 244-5145 9 P Great Harbor Marina 244-0117 9 P Hinckley Company 244-5572 9 P Southwest Boat Marine Service 244-5525 9 P Northeast Harbor New No Discharge Areas! Clifton Dock 276-3378 9 P Mount Desert Town Landing 276-5737 9 P Bar Harbor If you are refused service or find a Bar Harbor Whale Watch 288-2386 9 P malfunctioning pumpout station Machiasport/Bucks Harbor Machiasport Town Landing 255-4516 9 P call: 207-287-7905 or e-mail [email protected] Key: Produced By: Maine DEP, Augusta, ME 04333 P = Public Pumpout Station $5 maximum charge Phone: 207-287-7905 M = Pumpout Boat, get pumpout service at your mooring! Fax: 207-287-3435 R = Reserved for customers only, $10 maximum charge.
    [Show full text]
  • Final Report
    Final Report Green Crab, Carcinus maenas, Trapping Studies in the Harraseeket River, and Manipulative Field Trials to Determine Effects of Green Crabs on the Fate and Growth of Wild and Cultured Individuals of Soft-Shell Clams, Mya arenaria (May to November 2013) Brian F. Beal, Professor, Marine Ecology, University of Maine at Machias Director of Research, Downeast Institute for Applied Marine Research & Education 24 January 2014 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY In 2013, the Freeport Town Council approved funding a “Shellfish Restoration Project.” The overarching goals of this field-based effort were to: 1) understand how trapping, netting, and fencing can reduce green crab predation on young-of-the-year clams (i.e., spat, “recruits,” or 0-year class individuals); and, 2) understand how reduced crab predation correlates with increased spat survival. Planned activities focused on three areas of study: 1) green crab trapping in the Harraseeket River at areas adjacent to and south of Weston Point (near Collins Cove) vs. areas north of Weston Point (at Porter Landing, Pettengill flat, and Sandy Beach) to collect information on the relationship between trap immersion time and catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE), how CPUE varied through time and by location, and how size-frequencies of male and female green crabs as well as sex ratios varied spatially and temporally; 2) the role of fenced vs. control vs. netted plots in enhancing 0-year class soft-shell clam individuals (Little River Flat); and 3) the effect of large-scale green crab fencing across an entire cove on enhancing wild soft- shell clam recruits (Recompence Flat). Green crab trapping (using 18-inch diameter x 36-inches long wire traps) occurred from 27 May to 5 November, and involved a total of 15 clammers, seven of whom fished five to ten traps regularly over at least some of that period.
    [Show full text]
  • Tracking the Discharge of a Waste Water Treatment Plant in Casco Bay, Maine with a Numerical Coastal Model. June 2013
    Tracking the discharge of a waste water treatment plant in Casco Bay, Maine with a numerical coastal model. June 2013 Ernest D. True , Mathematics Dept., Norwich University, Northfield, VT 05663 USA Abstract A finite-volume numerical coastal model (FVCOM) is applied to the circulation of currents in Casco Bay, Maine to examine the discharge from the Freeport Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) which flows into Harraseeket River in Freeport, Maine. The coastal model incorporates bathymetry, tidal forcing, wind stress and river discharges from various sources. The horizontal resolution of coastline and island boundaries used in the study is sufficient to capture small eddy production and decay, and identify local circulation dynamics. In May 2003, a dye study of the WWTP discharge was conducted by the Maine Department of Marine Resources (MDMR). The results of the dye study are used to tune the numerical model and validate the dilutions, dispersion, residence times, time of travel, and extent of the wastewater discharge. Although there were some faulty dye discharges during the dye study that were included in the recorded dye concentrations at two buoy stations, the numerical model shows good correlation with the dye study report. The application of the FVCOM numerical model to other wastewater treatment facilities may serve as an efficient aid for MDMR, whose responsibility includes establishing zones around discharge areas where commercial harvesting is prohibited. An appendix of graphs to this document, Model-Appendix.pdf, serves as a supplement to this report. It compares the model output with the same ten transects Figures 11 through 20 provided in the report by Livingston(2007).
    [Show full text]