Farm Energy Partners is a network of providers who promote access to and coordination among programs designed to assist farmers with achieving energy efficiency savings and development of farm-grown energy sources. A current effort focuses on the Farmers Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Project.  Androscoggin Valley Soil and Water Conservation District is a partner of FEPN, (a program of Maine Rural Partners) collaborating to provide services to farmers within Androscoggin and Sagadahoc Counties, serves on the management team and is the lead for the agricultural carbon sequestration portion of a USDA Risk Management Agency grant received by Maine Rural Partners on behalf of the FEPN. See http://www.mainerural.org/energy/.

EPA Funded Grant Projects

Road Association Pilot Project

Androscoggin Valley Soil and Water Conservation District is working through the legal process, with a volunteer steering committee in the Range Pond Watershed, to develop a formal road association.  The funding is from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and administered by Maine Department of Environmental Protection.

Sabattus Pond Watershed Implementation Grant Phase 3

AVSWCD is now facing its final field season for the 319 Clean Water Act grant obtained through funding from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and administered by Maine Department of Environmental Protection. The major focus presently is working with landowners to work on erosion and sediment control projects that will prevent the degradation of  the water quality in Sabattus Pond.  The work could include plantings which serves as  buffer for water runoff, bank stablization, gravel road maintenance, water flow diversions, etc. This spring two final  projects are planned to be finished  with a cost share reimbursement. 

The project  uses volunteers from the Sabattus Pond Watershed Partnership to serve on a steering committee, who provides guidance for the implementation of the work to be done through this grant project.   Some cost share funding for these projects may yet be available to those living in the Sabattus Pond Watershed.   If you live in the watershed and are interested in participating in this project please contact Susan Gammon at the District office to set up a site visit by phoning 753-9400 extension 404 or email her at susan.gammon@me.nacdnet.net.  When emailing, please note in the subject "Sabattus Pond Interest".

A task the Sabattus Pond Watershed Implementation Grant - Phase 3 was to hold a public meeting, which was done on May 5, 2010. Click this link to read the press release. To see the flyer with meeting time, location and agenda, click here.  To learn more go to "Sabattus Pond Project" page.

Sabattus Pond Watershed Project-Phase 2 (WIFAP grant) has wrapped up its final year. Technical Assistance has been given to those who requested it and construction projects have been completed.  

What is 319?
Section 319 was added to the Clean Water Act (CWA) in 1987 to establish a national program to address nonpoint sources of water pollution. The leading cause of water quality degradation in the United States, nonpoint source pollution originates from diffuse or scattered sources rather than a defined point like a pipe outlet. Click Here to go to the EPA site for further explanation.

Contact your local soil and water conservation district if you have a project you would like our help with or interested in applying for a 319 grant. A meeting can be set up to further discuss applying for this grant. To read the current request for proposal click Here. This link will connect you to the Maine DEP website who is responsible for administering the grant.  

Groundwater and Drinking Water Protection Program

Groundwater and Drinking Water Protection Program  Clicking on the this link will take you to the menu for self assessment tools. The assessment tools are now complete and planning is research for funding that will make it possible to complete the assessments online is in process.

We continually try to help people make connections and decisions in the name of conservation.

Below are photos of a camp road owner who had his road re-graded with Front Runner.