The State of Casco Bay
Editor’s Note: Municipal officials, environmental
leaders and others will be in Freeport on Wednesday, June
19, to get updates on implementation of the Casco Bay Plan,
a series of initiatives to protect and improve the ecosystem
of Casco Bay and the surrounding region. The plan’s implementation
is being coordinated by the Casco Bay Estuary Project, which
is headquartered in USM’s Muskie School of Public Service.
The conference Web site can be viewed at www.cascobay.usm.maine.edu/sob.html
A program description and schedule follows. For more information,
please contact Katherine Groves, director, Casco Bay Estuary
Project, at 780-4820, or Beverly Bayley-Smith, assistant to
the director, at 780-4306.
Program Title: The State of the Bay: An Update from
the Casco Bay Estuary Project.
Time/Date: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday, June 19
Place: The Harraseeket Inn, Freeport, ME
Description: Over the past six years, the Casco Bay
Estuary Project has been implementing actions outlined in
the Casco Bay Plan that are focused on: habitat; clam flats;
toxics; stormwater and sewer overflows; and stewardship.
Habitat: Identified significant wildlife habitats
and are working with communities to protect those habitats
through conservation easements and land acquisition.
Clam Flats: Opened 200 acres of clam flats to harveting.
Working on a program to ensure the sustainability of clam
flat harvesting.
Toxics: Monitoring air deposition, sediments, mussel
and lobster tissue, and will work to reduce and/or eliminate
those sources.
Stormwater & Combined Sewer Overflows: The largest
source of pollution in Casco Bay. Working to remove CSOs and
treat stormwater.
Stewardship: Developed public service announcements
and have distributed materials for homeowners on what they
can do to help protect the Bay, from using less hazardous
materials to the proper way to maintain their vehicle.
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