2 min read

FREEPORT — Results of a survey — to be revealed in December — will be used to develop a watershed-wide restoration plan for Concord Gully Brook.
Concord Gully Brook, located in Freeport, drains approximately 600 acres, including about half of downtown Freeport, before discharging into Allen Pond and the Harraseeket River at Porter’s Landing. The state Department of Environmental Protection has identified the brook as an urban impaired stream due to degraded aquatic life and habitat.
The Concord Gully Brook Watershed Survey documented erosion problems and polluted runoff issues throughout the 600-acre watershed. The survey results will be used to develop a watershed-wide restoration plan, which will be published next June.
The project is a collaborative effort among the town, Cumberland County Soil & Water Conservation District, the state Department of Transportation, Casco Bay Estuary Partnership, committed watershed residents and businesses, and the DEP.
Beginning last year, the town was awarded funds through DEP’s Nonpoint Source Grants program. The first phase of funding was dedicated to identifying areas of nonpoint source pollution (such as nutrients, sediment, and other polluted runoff) and sections of the stream where funds could be directed to stabilize the stream banks, provide habitat for aquatic life, and reduce the impacts of stormwater flow in the stream.
To develop the survey, volunteers were divided into groups and assigned a section of the watershed to survey on foot. Stream/road crossings were also surveyed and problems documented. In addition to the traditional “land based” survey, a Riparian Corridor Survey and geomorphology assessment was completed to document buffer, stream bank, and in-channel conditions.
The project team welcomes volunteers, and inquiries should be directed to Kate McDonald, Cumberland County Soil & Water Conservation District (892-4700).
Funding for this project, in part, was provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under Section 604b of the Clean Water Act. Section 604b grants are administered by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection in partnership with EPA.



Comments are not available on this story. Read more about why we allow commenting on some stories and not on others.