West Penobscot Bay: Substantial coastal forest losses since early1990s: report

"Substantial deforestation" in all West Penobscot Bay towns between 1992 and 2011.  

Summary According to a report prepared earlier  August 17, 2015 for Friends of  Penobscot Bay, western bay towns Stockton Springs, Searsport, Belfast, Camden, Rockport, Rockland and South Thomaston lost about 30 square miles of forests between 1992 and 2011.

Full slideshow  as PDF and as powerpoint *** Listen to 8/17/15 presentation on this report

Twelve square miles of those lost forests became impervious surfaces, e.g. buildings, roads, parking lots. The remainder has become either wetlands or grasslands.  
Surprisingly with this 85% increase in developed land, came an average decline of 2% in west Penobscot Bay town populations.                                          

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The report "Tools for Assessing and Managing Human Impact on Maine’s Harbors" was prepared by Kevin Frech, in cooperation with Public Laboratory

Funding for the study was provided  by the Azavea Foundation, dedicated to improving data access and usage in natural resource and social applications 

  

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 Forest cover changes, Stockton Springs to South Thomaston, 1992 - 2011

Stockton Springs & Searsport together lost 14%  of their forest cover: 5 and a half square miles. Population increase of 84 people since 1990.

White surfaces of map are unchanged More details here

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Belfast  lost 4 square miles 15% of its forests. About 2 square miles became developed land.  While development went up 50%, the population only went up 4%.                      More details here

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Increases in roads, buildings & parking lots from 1992 to 2011

Camden, Rockport Rockland Owls Head,  South Thomaston

DETAILS

Camden & Rockport lost 8%  of their forestland.  3 square miles become developed land. 100% increase in development Lost almost 3 sq miles to development.    

Population grew by 72, or 0.1 percent   

White surfaces of map are unchanged

More details here

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Rockland & SW Rockport lost 23% of their forest cover.  45% increase in developed land  Population  of the city dropped  8%, from 7,900 down to 7,200 between 1992 and 2011.

White surfaces of map are unchanged

More details here

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South Thomaston  lost 40% of its forests. 6 sq miles. 80% increase in develop 1994-2011.  An increase of 3 square miles of wetlands and 1 1/2 sq miles of developed land. 16% drop in  population; a decline of 500 people. 

 More details

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The report was prepared by Kevin Frech, Azavea Intern, and recent Temple University graduate.

Summer of Maps presentation by Kevin Frech August 17, 2015 for Friends of Penobscot Bay & Public Laboratory

Listen below to 2015  Summer of Maps fellow Kevin Frech's analysis of  forest loss and impervious surface growth, along Penobscot Bay's Route 1 corridor between 1992 & 2011 & Q&As. Read Frech report
Part 1. 10 min Intro
Part 2. 11 min Rockland 1992-2011 
Part 3. 9min 23 sec  Studywide results & Searsport & Stockton Springs results.
Part 4. 9min 41sec  Rockland discussion.      
Part 5. 10min Bay wildlife impact
Part 6. 8min 46sec  Q&A to end.
Full report audio 61 minutes
Frech, a recent Temple University graduate, described changes between 1992 and 2011. Individual forest losses  and their impact, not always immediately perceptible were made visible via Kevin's analysis, and  great graphics. 

 A big thanks to Public Laboratory and project crew, and team members Liz Barry, Sean McGinnis, Tyler Dahlberg, Duncan Bailey, Norbert Ryan and Ron Huber - and all who participated in large ways or small.

Maine sewer management and three Penobscot bay towns

Maine  public sewer system is based on a municipal-scaled "Sewer District" system.
Definition:"Sewer district means a quasi-municipal corporation...established to construct and operate sewer systems to assist in the abatement of the pollution of public streams, lakes and inland and ocean waters."


Enabling state law: Title 38 Chapter 12   
See  Review  of  standards of  Maine state sewer district law  

 Title 38 Sec 1042. Sewer Extensions; applicable to all sewer districts

Section 1042 has two basic requirements to be met when proposing extending  sewer:
* The development to be served by the extended sewer - and the sewer pipe that would connect it to the wastewater treatment system - must both conform with "adopted municipal plans and ordinances regulating land use."

* Sewer districts must submit their operating plans to the Maine Board of Environmental Protection for review and approval

MDEP 2010 streams bays water quality appendices


ROCKLAND SEWERS

1. Rockland  sewage plant EPA permit 

2. Rockland Sewerline extension data
"Should the City extend public sewer and water to encourage development? "


From Rockland Comprehensive Plan: 
Regional wastewater coordination.
Excerpts
"Rockland wastewater lines not only serve the City of Rockland, but they also currently serve portions of Owls Head, Thomaston, and Rockport.

"The Glen Cove area and the Samoset Hotel, both located in Rockport are served by the City of Rockland sewer system.

"Rockland provides sewer service to a limited number of homes on Ingraham's Hill in Owls Head the remaining portions of Owls Head has no wastewater treatment system. Other surrounding towns have no public sewer systems

Rockland Comprehensive plan
Marine Resources
" As water quality improves in the harbor, in part due to extension of sanitary sewers to the Ingrahams Hill section of Owls Head, the City could work with the Town in the event they wish to develop public facilities along the southern shore of Rockland Harbor. Construction on the sewer line began in May 2000. "

"Rockland wastewater lines not only serve the City of Rockland, but they also currently serve portions of Owls Head, Thomaston, and Rockport.

"The Glen Cove area and the Samoset Hotel, both located in Rockport are served by the City of Rockland sewer system.

"Rockland provides sewer service to a limited number of homes on Ingraham's Hill in Owls Head the remaining portions of Owls Head has no wastewater treatment system. Other surrounding towns have no public sewer systems

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ROCKPORT SEWERS

Rockport Village is served by the Town of Camden wastewater treatment facility. 

Rockport wastewater section of its comprehensive plan (go to pages 94-96)

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Rockport Wastewater Commissioners March 2013  (See VI-c.)  (
Narrative:
... Tracy Murphy motioned to open as the Wastewater Commissioners. Seconded by Geoffrey Parker. VOTE: 5 FOR – 0 OPPOSED.

VI. Wastewater Commissioners
a. Commitment of Commercial Sewer User Rates for the period of January 2013. Kenneth McKinley motioned to commit the Sewer User Rates for the period of January 2013 for collection. Seconded by Tracy Murphy. VOTE: 5 FOR – 0 OPPOSED.

b. Discuss issues raised by the review of the existing Sewer Ordinance. 1) No requirement to connect if functioning septic system is in place, 2) required to connect if systems fails, 3) debt service required if sewer goes in front of dwelling.

 c. How to proceed with the idea of extending the Commercial Street sewer north from its current terminus in the vicinity of South Street. Do in conjunction with a southward extension of the sewer from Elwood Avenue to Rockville Street.
1) Sewer line expansion - +/- 1,600;’
2) Contact Woodward & Curran for cost estimate;
3) Seven (7) bed hospice facility on Pen Bay Medical Center site. The proposed Sewer Ordinance will not be completed in time for a vote in June.

The Glen Cove system is at 83% capacity. DEP will review at 90% capacity. The Town of Rockport is in discussion with Pen Bay Medical Center for a joint sewer line extension project. Establishing a bond will be discussed.

Tracy Murphy motioned to close as the Wastewater Commissioners...
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CAMDEN

Camden POTW  MEPDES permit

Camden Sewer Ordinance

Camden Comprehensive plan 



GENERAL MAINE SEWER AND WATEWATER INFO

Actual and predicted development Penobscot Bay 1940-2050


DHHS separation of water mains and sewer mains