The purpose of this project is to protect water quality and habitat for the federally Endangered Species, Atlantic salmon, and their ecosystem. This project will address priority actions for recovery of this genetically distinct population segment of Atlantic salmon.  These actions are highlighted in the 2006 Status Review for Anadromous Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) in the United States; the 2005 Recovery Plan for the Gulf of Maine Distinct Population Segment of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar); and the 2003 Cove Brook Watershed Management Plan.

The proposed project will implement BMPs for the four highest priority NPS sites, eliminating 174 tons of sedimentation to the brook annually. The Cove Brook watershed, while relatively small in size, has national distinction. The small size of the watershed makes mitigation of the majority of NPS problems possible. The project will increase collaboration with local municipalities and involve community members. This will increase the transfer of BMPs and general awareness of NPS issues in the community.

Funding for this project, in part, was provided by the U.S.Environmental Protection Agency under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act.  Section 319 grants are administered by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection in partnership with EPA

 

January
• Coordinator met with the Winterport snowmobile club to initiate discussions on how the watershed council and the club could work together on mutually beneficial projects;
• Coordinator attended an all day education workshop “Healthy Water, Healthy People” sponsored by the UM Mitchell Center;
• Coordinator attended the first meeting of the newly revitalized Eight Rivers Roundtable.
February
• Held a public dinner with guest speaker presenting talk on the history of Atlantic salmon;
March
• Coordinator initiated and facilitated bug identification classes with Hampden Academy Advanced Placement biology class and entomologist;
April
• Coordinated a “Lawns & Gardens for a Healthy Coastal Watershed” fair;
• Coordinator attended the Maine Water Conference;
• Coordinator met with representative of the Waldo County Soil & Conservation District to discuss erosion issues on Cove Brook;
• Awarded a NWFW NOAA Salmon Fund award for community outreach and education on salmon issues;
May
• Coordinator met with School District #22’s curriculum coordinator to plan for salmon/watershed education in the district;
June
• Coordinator met with teachers at Leroy Smith school to plan for salmon/watershed education in the school;
July
• Coordinator facilitated two Steering Committee meetings at which members edited the Cove Brook Watershed Management Plan;
• Coordinator attended an intense one week workshop sponsored by the League of Conservation Voters in which she acquired hand-on experience with strategic planning, message development, media relations, consensus building, and fundraising, among other skills.

January
• Completed a cursory geometric assessment of Cove Brook with Woodlot Alternatives, through a grant from the New England Grassroots Environment Fund;
• Affiliated with the Maine Council of the Atlantic Salmon Federation;
• Applied for two grants with the Coastal Watersheds Grants Program through the Maine State Planning Office - one for education and outreach, the other for watershed inventory and assessment;

February
• Received 501 (c) 3 non-profit status from the IRS;
• Hired a consultant from the UM George Mitchell Center to write a watershed management plan for the Cove Brook watershed;
March
• Coordinator attended “Building Sustainable Organizations for the Protection of Maine’s Environment” all day workshop;
• Coordinator participated, with a display, in the Maine Sportsman Show in Orono, Maine;

April
• Was awarded a grant from the Maine State Planning Office for a watershed inventory and assessment, the results of which will be incorporated in the watershed management plan due in 2003;
• Applied for a National Fish & Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) Grant for the purchase of a parcel of land on Cove Brook bordering prime salmon spawning and rearing habitat;
• Coordinator participated, with a display, in the HOPE Festival in Brewer, Maine;
May
• Coordinator plus one member attended the Maine Land Conservation Conference;
• Was awarded a grant from the Maine Atlantic Salmon Commission (MASC) to write a watershed management plan;
• Received funding from the National Marine Fisheries Service to fund 12 hours/week council coordinator’s position;
June
• Coordinator gave a presentation to the Winterport Board of Selectmen on who the council was and what its goals were;
July
• Was awarded grant from NFWF for the purchase of Cove Brook property;
• Coordinator gave a presentation to the Winterport Planning Board on the goals of the CBWC and discussed how the two groups could work together;
• Coordinator compiled a list of names and addresses of all property owners bordering Cove Brook and sent out a letter in which the mission and goals of the council were explained. In this letter, permission for access was also solicited.
August
• With the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and the Maine Atlantic Salmon Commission, coordinator facilitated water quality monitoring, nonpoint source identification, and embeddedness training, for CBWC volunteers;
September
• With the Maine DEP and the Maine ASC, coordinator initiated a long term monitoring project with Hampden Academy Advanced Placement Biology students;
• Participated in the Craig Brook Fish Hatchery Open House;
• Initiated development of a Cove Brook webpage;
October
• Received from the Maine ASC funding for development of a Strategic Plan for the council.
• Coordinator and DEP representative initiated nonpoint source identification survey in watershed to continue through following summer;
November
• Coordinator plus one member attended the STEP Institute (Strengthening Environmental Group Process) in Augusta;
• Coordinator plus one member attended the New England Grassroots Environment Fund retreat in Worchester, MA;
December
• Purchased key property on Cove Brook with funds from the NFWF grant;

List of Funding Received by the Cove Brook Watershed Council

Maine Atlantic Salmon Commission 3/2001 $2,000 Startup Funds for Council Operation

National Marine Fisheries Service 8/2002 $10,000 Salary for Watershed Coordinator

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation 3/2001 $30,000 Purchase Land to Protect Salmon Habitat from Development

New England Grassroots Environment Fund 12/2001 $1,200 Cursory Geomorphic Assessment of Cove Brook

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation 8/2002 $65,000 Purchase Land and House at 150 Baker Road to Protect Salmon Habitat

Maine State Planning Office 3/2001 $18,500 Assessment of Cove Brook Watershed

Maine Atlantic Salmon Commission 7/2001 $8,000 Develop a Watershed Management Plan for Cove Brook

MBNA 3/2002 $550 Costs of Speaker at Lawns and Gardens Fair

Atlantic Salmon Federation 3/2002 $900 Costs of Brochure Printing

Maine Atlantic Salmon Commission 10/2002 $5,000 Develop a Strategic Plan for Cove Brook Watershed Council

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation 5/2003 $14,000 Educational Initiative for Cove Brook Watershed

Project Share 7/2003 $2,000 Habitat Restoration Grant