Community Engagement in
Water Quality
The Watershed
•Water from 1/3 of the state
of Maine flows out through
the Kennebec Estuary.
•Expansive and
interconnected system of
water and land.
Annual Value of Commercial
Shellfish Harvesting to Maine
2013
Species
Live Pounds
Caught
Commercial Value
Softshell Clams
10,676,041
$16,915,005
Blue Mussels
13,332,292
$2,340,965
Oysters
965,339
$2,415,764
Mahogany Quahogs
4,599,180
$1,378,491
Hard Clams
515,955
$502,004
Total Direct Value to the state of Maine: $23,552,229
Estimated Total Value to the state of Maine:
$70,657,000
>2000 Commercial
Shellfish Harvesters
Quick Clam Biology
Soft-shelled Clam
• Bivalve Mollusks
–
• Filter
Filterfeeder
feeders
– Concentrate pollutants
• Frequently
Add clameaten
biology
picture!
–
raw or
partiallyBody
cookeddiagram,
maybe also a life cycle picture…
Problems on Shellfish Flats
Harvesting prohibited due to
fecal pollution
• Fecal coliform is found in the feces of
warm blooded animals….including
people.
• Pollution on Shellfish Flats causes
shellfish flats to close to harvesting
of all shellfish.
• Closure of important shellfish flats for
the town leaves shellfish harvesters
unemployed.
Pollution Sources that Can Close
Shellfish Flats
Wildlife, Pets and Livestock
Boat Discharges
Overboard Discharges (OBDs)
Malfunctioning Septic Systems
Partnerships
State Agencies
Town Shellfish
Committees and
Wardens
Westport
Island
Town and Local
Organizations
Mid-Coast
Council of
Governments
TOWN REPORT
Androscoggin Valley
Soil and Water
Conservation District
2009-10
Town by Town Focus
Georgetown
Woolwich
Phippsburg
1
Partnerships
2
Communication
3
Targeted
Sampling
4
Outreach
5
Special Projects
Working Toward
Clean Water for Clams
in Each Town
Communication
KELT served as a
pass through for
communication
• Easing tensions
• Bringing partners
together
Targeted Sampling
Partnering with the DMR
Extra Sampling for DMR of High Priority Areas and
Streams
Outreach: Schools and Youth
Officer SALTY (4th grade) and
Clean Water for Clams (6th grade)
Class Field Trips to Clam Flats
College Collaborations
Art Van Partnership
Outreach: Community
Septic Presentations for Code
Town Outreach Programs
Enforcement Officers and Plumbing
Inspectors
Clam Digging Explorations
Storm Drain Stenciling
Special Projects
Citizen Volunteer Water Sampling
pH Sampling on Clam Flats
Green Crab Trapping and Monitoring
Thank you!
Questions?
Ruth Indrick
Project Coordinator
[email protected]
Becky Kolak
Education Coordinator
[email protected]