Fact Sheet/Spring 2005
A watershed is the land that
water flows across or under
on its way to a stream,
river or lake and is nature's
way of dividing up the
landscape. New England
includes many eco-systems
that, by virtue of their ecologi-
cal value, recreational value,
or proximity to large popula-
tions, hold a special signifi-
cance to us. EPA
New England is focusing par-
ticular attention and
resources on these special
places. Working closely with
our federal, state and local
partners, these community-
based initiatives are
delivering tangible environ-
mental improvements to these
watershed areas.
> EPA Contact
Marilyn Smith-Church
(617)918-1133
smith-church, mafilyn@epa.gov
United Stales
Environmental Protection
i Agency New England
Customer Call Center
888-372-7341
www.epa.gov/region 1
Salmon Falls
What Makes The Salmon Falls/Piscataqua
River Watershed Special?
KSalmon Falls Piscataqua River is an interstate
water, forming the boundary between a portion
of ME and NH. Coordinated actions are required
by botli states to achieve water quality standards.
Mlie potential exists to increase fisheries (shad.
herring, brown trout, rainbow trout) and
improve sport fishing. Recent licensing decisions
have resulted in unrestricted (run-of-river) flows
at virtually all dams in the lower part of the basin,
below Milton Three Ponds.
Why Does The Salmon Falls/Piscataqua
River Watershed Need Special Attention?
Mile river has a severe water quality problem: a
S.Smile section, upstream of the S. Berwick
dam. fails to meet ME and Mi's designated water
quality standards for dissolved oxygen.
KSevere algae blooms develop in the first twi t
impoundments above head-of-tide and continue
to the estuary.
^Biological monitoring for macro-invertebrates
collected downstream from Berwick indicate
that Maine's aquatic life criteria are not met.
^Southern Maine watersheds are under consider-
able development pressure.
What is the Long-Term Goal?
^Meet water quality standards and restore biologi-
cal integrity of the river by 2006.
Progress/Goals for the Future
What Partnership Progress has been Made?
*EPA, ME DEP, NH DES, and wastewater treatment
plants participated in a coordinated water quality
monitoring survey in 1998 to better define the ex-
tent of the water quality impairments.
*EPA funded an economic analysis of various treat-
ment alternatives for the municipalities discharg-
ing wastewater to the river completed in January
1999.
^EPA approved final pollutant load allocations for
the Salmon Falls River in November 1999.
*EPA drafted permits for five wastewater treatment
plants in ME and NH with phosphorus limits, and
issued final permits for the Milton, Rollinsford, and
Somersworth facilities in NH in 2000-2001.
*ME DEP hosted a 2001 workshop for communities
with regulated stormwater systems. EPA prepared
town-specific maps of regulated areas in ME, based
on the 2000 census.
*• A Great Works sub-watershed survey was com-
pleted in 2001. A citizens' coalition started moni-
toring the river for dissolved oxygen, temperature
and turbidity.
^ME DEP issued final permits for South Berwick and
Berwick, ME in 2002-2003.
(continued)
-------
Salmon Falls
mm
Regulated Area
•• 303(d) L«l*d W»t«fs
II Wmlaimnao- Boundary
J Sub-Watershed Boundary
| Surtooe Water
River
Town Boundary
_ State Boundary
N
A
Data Sourcm: PoWtcai boundana* and waMnned data Tom
Maine Office ol QIS Regulated Areas correspond
wan Cantut-dMignalad UrBamzM Ami from 1990
and 2000. Surface wataftromUSQS at 1:100.000.
Jtmtl.MM
ME
NH
D
V.
&EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency New England
Customer Call Center 888-372-7341 • www.epa.gov/region1
Watersheds
What Partnership Progress has been Made?
(continued)
Nn 2004, the northern section of the Great
Works sub-watershed was surveyed for
nonpoint source runoff problems, from its
headwaters in Sanford to its convergence with
the Salmon Falls River. More than 250 sites
had negative impacts on water quality.
*-The Great Works River Watershed Coalition is
now monitoring the entire river for water and
air temperature, dissolved oxygen, bacteria
and phosphorus, as well as observing water
level, odor, color and uses. A 2004 survey
report was scheduled for completion in
December 2004.
What Actions are Planned for 2006?
^•Continue construction and implementation of
phosphorus controls at wastewater treatment
plants.
^Continue development of a Great Works River
watershed management plan, using ME DEP
nonpoint source grant funds. Hie nonpoint
source project runs from 2004-2006. High
priority remediation sites will be presented to
towns starting in January 2005.
^•Continue to provide technical assistance on
stormwater management
Who are the Partners?
EPANew England • New England Interstate Water
Pollution Control Commission • ME Department of
Environmental Protection • NH Department of
Environmental Services • ME Department of Inland
Fisheries and Wildlife • NH Fish and Game Depart-
ment • US Fish & Wildlife Service • York County
Soil and Water Conservation District • Maine Stole
Planning Office • Sea Grant Maine • Conservation
Commission of South Berwick • Great Works Land
Trust • Town of North Berwick • Town of South
Berwick • Great Works River Watershed Coalition
Note: EPA New England offers businesses and municipalities information and assistance to improve compliance with environmental laws and be better stewards of their
local environment. Please call to learn how EPA can help.
Printed on 100% recycled/recyclable paper with a minimum 50% post-consumer fiber using vegetable-based ink
------- |