Who We Are
Founded in 1999, the New Meadows Watershed Partnership (NMWP) is a coalition of citizens, nonprofit organizations, and municipal, state, and federal officials concerned with the health of the New Meadows River. Our mission is to protect, improve and maintain the vitality of the ecological and economic resources of the New Meadows River and its watershed.
The NMWP’s work is guided by a steering committee comprised of representatives from the watershed’s five municipalities: Bath, Brunsiwck, Harpswell, Phippsburg, and West Bath. We meet every two months to examine shared interests and concerns and to advance the work of the Partnership.
History
Impetus for founding the NMWP came from two events. The first was a massive fish die-off in 1991, caused by low oxygen levels due to over-enrichment of nutrients in the river (see picture, right). The second was the proposed expansion of Brunswick’s Coastal Protection Zone to the town’s portion of the New Meadows watershed, which would limit septic systems and other sources of nutrient pollution. In order to expand the Zone to the New Meadows, data on water quality in the River was needed -- and the NMWP was charged with gathering this data.
Major Achievements
The NMWP has assessed water quality in the watershed, worked to remediate shellfish harvesting areas, researched nonpoint source pollution sites, and conducted extensive public outreach. A hallmark of our efforts was drafting the New Meadows Watershed Management Plan in 2004. Developed with significant input from area stakeholders, the Plan describes a comprehensive approach to protecting the water quality of the New Meadows River. It is complemented by a targeted Action Plan, updated in 2008.
The Partnership
Steering Committee
Curtis Bohlen, Director, Casco Bay Estuary Partnership, cbohlen@usm.maine.edu
Matt Craig, Casco Bay Estuary Partnership, mcraig@usm.maine.edu - Treasurer
Robert Cummings, Shellfish Committee, Town of Phippsburg, drummore@gmail.com
Mike Doan, Friends of Casco Bay, mdoan@cascobay.org
Michael Feldman, Brunswick, mikefeldman@suscom-maine.net
Amy Fitzpatrick, Maine Department of Marine Resources, amy.fitzpatrick@maine.gov
Kurt Garascia, Brunswick, garasciak@hotmail.com
Diane Gould, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, gould.diane@epa.gov
Thomas Hoerth, City Arborist, City of Bath, thoerth@cityofbath.com
Donald Kale, Maine Department of Environmental Protection, donald.kale@maine.gov
Slade Moore, Maine State Planning Office, slade.moore@maine.gov
Paul Mateosian, West Bath Marine Resources Committee, pmateosian@cityofbath.com
Peter Milholland, Friends of Casco Bay, pmilholland@cascorbay.org
Heather True, Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District, htrue@cumberlandswcd.org
Carol Tukey, Town Planner, Town of Harpswell, ctukey@town.harpswell.me.us, Co-Chair
Steve Walker, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries, and Wildlife, steve.walker@maine.gov - Co-Chair
To get involved in the New Meadows Watershed Partnership, please contact us!
ABOUT US
MISSION
The mission of the New Meadows Watershed Partnership is to protect, improve and maintain the vitality of the ecological and economic resources of the New Meadows River and its watershed.
MEETINGS
The New Meadows Watershed Partnership’s steering committee meets on a bi-monthly basis. Meetings are open to the public and are held at rotating locations throughout the watershed. For information on the next meeting, please contact us.
GUIDING DOCUMENTS
New Meadows River Watershed Management Plan (2004): our comprehensive strategy for protecting the water quality of the New Meadows watershed
Action Plan (2008): detailed step-by-step guide for implementing the Watershed Management Plan
Strategic Plan (2002): outlines the mission, goals, objectives, and action plans of the NMWP