Unity Pond Watershed Restoration Project, Phase III
Burnham & Unity, Maine – Unity Pond is moving forward with recent watershed planning goals through this on-the-ground restoration project featuring nature-based shoreline stabilization, gravel road improvements, improved public spaces and hands-on demonstration projects.
Ecological Instincts was contracted by Friends of Lake Winnecook (FOLW) to serve as the Project Coordinator and provide technical assistance and support for a two-year US EPA Section 319 grant. The purpose of the Phase III watershed restoration project is to improve water quality in Unity Pond by reducing sediment and phosphorus inputs into the lake. The goal of the project was to install Best Management Practices (BMPs) on four private roads, 3 driveways, a town road and boat access site, and at 10 residential properties on the shoreline.
Ecological Instincts conducted individual site visits with landowners and municipal officials, developed site specific erosion control site plans that incorporated nature-based shoreline stabilization techniques, prepared permit applications, and assisted FOLW with preparing cost-share agreements with landowners, developing outreach materials, and with general grant management and reporting to Maine DEP.
The project included $75,000 in matching grants for construction to reduce erosion across the watershed. The project also included buffer and road workshops that increase awareness for efforts that help improve water quality. Waldo County Soil & Water Conservation District coordinated hands-on outreach through a live stake demonstration on the east shore of Unity Pond, a buffer workshop and planting at the Unity boat launch/beach, and a gravel road workshop.
Project partners include FOLW, Waldo County Soil and Water Conservation District, Maine Environmental Solutions, the towns of Unity and Burnham, Sebasticook Regional Land Trust, Maine DEP, and Ecological Instincts. Funding for this project was provided in part through a US EPA Clean Water Act Section 319 grant, with additional local match s from watershed partners and landowners.