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CASCO BAY PLAN

The water that runs along the ground or through pipes after a rainfall (or during snowmelt) is known as stormwater.  Stormwater picks up sediments, bacteria, nutrients, chemicals, and debris as it runs across lawns, roofs, driveways, parking lots, and residential, commercial, and industrial sites. Laden with a variety of pollutants, stormwater then flows into water bodies and storm sewers that drain into Casco Bay. Bacteria and pollutants carried in stormwater have caused periodic closures of productive shellfish flats and swimming beaches in Casco Bay. Stormwater runoff may be the single greatest contributor of contaminants to Casco Bay. 

There are two primary sources of contaminated stormwater. The first, known as point sources, conveys stormwater runoff into rivers and the bay through direct, identifiable conveyances such as pipes. The second, known as nonpoint sources, includes runoff from land or groundwater seepage that enters rivers and the bay from diffuse locations such as malfunctioning septic systems, paved areas, feed lots, or manure storage areas. National studies estimate that nonpoint sources of pollution now contribute up to 60 percent of the pollutant load. 

Each sewage treatment plant is designed to handle a certain amount of flow. When flow increases dramatically during a storm, it can overload the plant. To avoid damage to the sewage treatment plant during heavy rains, a portion of the combined sewage (sewage and stormwater) that would enter the plant must be diverted without treatment through relief points known as combined sewer overflows. 

Common sources of stormwater runoff in the Casco Bay watershed include the following: 

• urban development
• residential development
• construction activities
• air deposition
• roadways
• industrial sites
• agriculture

• Casco Bay Estuary Partnership Low Impact Development Fund:  The Casco Bay Estuary Partnership is pleased to announce a Request for Proposals for its Low Impact Development Fund.  Up to $66,000 is available for grants to support construction of low impact development (LID) demonstration sites within the Casco Bay watershed.  Individual project awards will range from $5,000 - $24,000.  Municipalities, non-government organizations, and state agencies are eligible to apply.  Matching funds are required. Applications must be received by 4:00 pm on June 30, 2005.  For the complete Request for Proposals and an application form, click here.  For more information, contact: Matt Craig, Program Coordinator, Casco Bay Estuary Partnership.  Telephone: (207) 228-8359.  Email: mcraig@usm.maine.edu.
• A new program air on the Weather Channel, February 4, 2004, in conjunction with the EPA and National Estuary Progams.  The program is  called "After the Storm" and will highlight the problems of stormwater pollution.
• Our partners have several projects ongoing within the Maine Non Point Source Management program
• CBEP in cooperation with the Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District and with the assistance of students from the Muskie School and Maine Law School, is bringing together municipal resprsentatives with state and federal agencies to develop a  plan for the management of stormwater in the region.  The result of this project will be interlocal agreements for the development of a comprehensive, collaborative stormwater management program. 
•  "Stormwater Management in Cold Climates: Planning, Design, and Implementation" was the first international North American Conference dedicated specifically to addressing  the challenges of urban stormwater management in cold climates.  Whether you attended the sold-out conference or not, we hope the proceedings which include the contributions of more than twenty speakers will be of value to you.

• If you are an engineer, planner, local decision-maker or state regulator, NEMO is an educational program that adresses the relationship of land use to natural resource protection.  EPA Virtual Technology Trade Shows offer an opportunity for you to access the most current information on technologies to meet your water quality goals from the comfort of your own PC. The May 1999 Natural Resources Defense Council report: Stormwater Strategies: Community Responses to Run-off Pollution documents some of the most effective strategies being employed today by communities around the country to control urban runoff pollution.
• Have your septic system pumped regularly (suggested time frame is every 3-5 years). 
• Cut down on your use of household hazardous waste such as solvents and cleaners and try the less toxic alternatives (CBEP has information on the alternatives). 
• Limit or reduce your use of pesticides and herbicides on your lawn and garden. If you feel you must use them, use only in limited quantities and always provide vegetative buffers on your property, they help to take in the chemicals before they are further dispersed into the environment. 
• Keep a clean running car and other home equipment such as lawn mowers and boats. This will cut down on excess emissions such as oil and gas.