Recent
monitoring data from the Pleasant River watershed shows elevated fecal
bacteria levels and other water quality concerns. Results of
Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife monitoring show a recent and rapid
decline of the Pleasant River population of brook floater mussels (Alasmidonta varicose),
a small freshwater mussel that is listed as a "threatened" species in
the State of Maine and federally as a "species of special concern."
As a result of these factors, the Pleasant was identified by the both
the Presumpscot River Watershed Coalition and the Casco Bay Habitat Restoration Committee as a priority area for
inventory/assessment and remediation of non-point source pollution
sources.
The primary purpose of this project which began in
September 2010 is to create a watershed-based management plan for the
Pleasant River. The plan under development by the Cumberland County
Soil and Water Conservation District, will address remediation
priorities and action steps for the next five to ten years.
Implementation
of the Pleasant River Watershed Management Plan will be funded by the
State of Maine's Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Projects Section 319 program.