Meduxnekeag (Drew's) Lake Restoration Project
Over the past seven years the Southern Aroostook Soil and Water Conservation District has been working the Drew's Lake Property Owner's Association and various other agencies to develop and implement a restoration plan for the lake. The goal of the restoration project is to improve the water quality of Drew's Lake through the implementation of Best Management Practices (BMP's) such as road grading and shaping, armored road cutouts, critical area treatment, replacement of undersized and/or malfunctioning culverts, installation of new culverts, plunge pools, and riparian buffers.
The initial phase of this project was successfully completed in November of 2004 on Chickadee Lane and the North Shore Road. Funding for this aspect of the project was provided through a Watershed Improvement Financial Assistance Partnership (WIFAP) grant the district received through the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and the Maine Department of Agriculture.
The next phase of this project is to significantly reduce erosion and the export of sediment and phosphorus into the lake. Erosion and sediment control conservation practices will be installed on at least 8 sites in the watershed. The project will focus on lakeshore sites that need stabilization. In addition, the project will raise awareness about watershed problems and work to foster long-term watershed stewardship. Each property owner will be asked to sign a contract with the District to maintain their Best Management (BMP's) and Conservation Practices for a period of at least 5 years and to provide a minimum of 40% match either in cash or in-kind. Work on this phase of the project will occur in the summer of 2008.
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection has a series of 20 fact sheets on conservation practices that home and camp owner's can use to protect water quality. The fact sheets include detailed instructions, diagrams and color photos about installation and maintenance of these practices. Check those out here . Some of these practices will be installed on projects at Drew's Lake this summer.
The Drew's Lake Restoration Project is a collaborative effort between the following agencies and groups.
Southern Aroostook Soil and Water Conservation District - Project Coordinator. Responsible for General Supervision of Projects, Documentation and Reporting.
United States Environmental Protection Agency - Funding and Guidance.
Maine Department of Environmental Protection - Administer the Grant Contract and Technical Assistance.
Maine Department of Agriculture - Funding and Technical Assistance
Natural Resources Conservation Service - Technical Assistance and Assistance in Prioritizing BMP's
Drew's Lake Property Owner's Association - Assistance in Prioritizing Critical Area's and with Providing in Kind Labor and Cost Sharing.