Bangor Area Storm Water Group News

December Meeting

2011-12-01T16:20:00.001-05:00

The Bangor Area Storm Water Group will be holding their Monthly Meeting on December 8, 2011 from 9:00 to 11:30 am at the Room 107 B, Rangely Hall, Eastern Maine Community College. Draft Agenda topics include:

Welcome, Introductions, Approval of Minutes & Announcements
Pervious Pavement at Eastern Maine Community College
Update from Education and Outreach Committee
Special Discussion: Review of the "Hot List" with David Ladd, a group discussion of potential conflicts about new permit requirements
Planning for January Meeting

November Meeting

2011-11-07T09:30:00.001-05:00

The Bangor Area Storm Water Group will be holding their Monthly Meeting on November 10, 2011 from 9:00 to 11:30 am at the Bangor Waste Water Treatment Plant. Draft Agenda topics include:

Welcome & Announcements
Special Work Session: Interdepartmental and Council Communications

Alternate Approaches - sharing about challenges, successes and ways of addressing different forms of government
Overcoming the "But we've always done it this way" barrier
5 bullet points to share with councils
Developing an advanced stormwater 101/multimedia presentation
Meeting them where they meet (brainstorming access points)

Road Salt in the Environment: Presentation by Steve Kahl, Sewall Co.
Review of PY4 Requriments: Check-in on status of meeting requirements for this permit year
Group Work: Indicators Discussion

Suitability for Development Grant Process, LaMarr Clannon

Optional Treatment Plant Tour Courtesy of the City of Bangor

October Meeting

2011-10-05T11:03:00.000-04:00

The Bangor Area Storm Water Group will be holding their Monthly Meeting on October 13, 2011 from 9:00 to 11:30 am at the Hampden Town Office. Draft Agenda topics include:

Welcome & Introductions
BASWG Organizational Business

BASWG PY3 Report Submitted on September 29, 2011
Urban Stormwater Retrofit Workshop - October 25th, Jeff's Catering
Watershed Manager's Round-table - November 15th, Hampden Town Office
Engagement of MMA in municipal stormwater issues
Other announcements

Public Vehicle Washing Regional Discussion

Special Guest, Hampden Fire Chief Reynolds, What has worked in Hampden
Identification of MS4 challenges and obstacles, including discussion of public safety and public works vehicle washing, municipally-supported fundraising car washes, etc...
Group brainstorming and problem solving
Development of initial action plan

Stormwater Utility Update
Planning for November Meeting

September Meeting

2011-09-02T10:07:00.000-04:00

The Bangor Area Storm Water Group will be holding their Monthly Meeting on September 8, 2011 from 9:00 to 11:30 am at the Milford Town Office. Draft Agenda topics include:

Welcome and Introductions
BASWG Organizational Business

Financial commitment of in-kind support to WRRI grant
Opportunity to co-host technical LID workshop (Allen)
Announcements

Salt Management Task Force Video Conference (9-12-11)
Lower Penobscot Coalition Meeting (10-5-11@12 pm E.S.C.)
Watershed Manager’s Roundtable (November)
Other announcements

BASWG Intercept Survey Report
Progress on Developing a Stormwater Steward Mobile Application
Stormwater Utility Update

Fairmount School Students Spray Paint the Streets

2011-06-07T11:10:00.001-04:00

Bangor, ME— 4th and 5th graders at Fairmount School in Bangor are partnering with the Penobscot County Soil and Water Conservation District, the Bangor Area Storm Water Group (BASWG) and the City of Bangor to spray paint a important message on the streets.

Sample storm drain stencil.

The students will visit the neighborhoods around the school in Bangor on June 15, 2011 to stencil, REDUCE YOUR USE OF LAWN CHEMICALS, DRAINS TO STREAM on pavement near storm drains to remind residents that stormwater flows unfiltered to Kenduskeag Stream. The stencil also depicts a Rubber Ducky, which has become the symbol of stormwater pollution since the original “Ducky Ad” aired on television in 2005. This year a new advertisement featuring the red duck promoted safer lawn care, by encouraging Mainer’s to cut back on lawn chemicals, mow higher and leave grass clippings. In addition to stenciling messages next to the storm drains, the students will be leaving door hangers at houses to educate residents abut the project and stormwater.

Stormwater is rain that does not soak into the ground, but rather flows over the surface of the ground into the nearest body of water. As the water travels, it collects pollution such as pesticides, fertilizers, yard clippings, pet waste, loose soil, gasoline and oil. Storm drains act like funnels, transporting the stormwater from our streets and driveways directly into local waterways.

Chris Brewer of the Penobscot County Soil & Water Conservation District explains that there are many things we can all do to reduce stormwater pollution: “We are encouraging home owners to reduce or eliminate the use of lawn pesticides and fertilizers, pick up their pet’s waste, keep their vehicles well-tuned, and plant vegetation over bare ground and around bodies of water. All of these things dramatically reduce the amount of pollution entering our waterways, and improve water quality.”

The BASWG is a comprised of seven municipalities and other entities, working together to meet to make the Bangor Area a better place to live and work. For more information on BASWG and many stormwater friendly homeowner tips visit our website at www.baswg.org

June Monthly Meeting

2011-06-02T14:22:00.000-04:00

The Bangor Area Storm Water Group will be holding their Montly Meeting on June 9th from 9:00 to 11:30 at the Orono Town Office. The meetings of the BASWG are open to the public. To see a copy of the draft agenda click here.

May Monthly Meeting

2011-05-04T11:04:00.000-04:00

The Bangor Area Storm Water Group will be holding thier Montly Meeting on May 12th from 9:00 to 11:30 at the Orono Town Office. The meetings of the BASWG are open to the public. To see a copy of the draft agenda click here.

6th Annual Regional Street & Stream Cleanup

2011-04-20T11:42:00.003-04:00

The Bangor Area Storm Water Group is looking for volunteers from our communities to help protect our local water resources at the 6th Annual Regional Street and Stream Cleanup. This is a great opportunity to get outside and enjoy the fresh spring air with friends and family, while truly making a difference in your community and for our environment. Kid and adults, local organizations, groups and individuals are welcome. Volunteers will meet for a short safety discussion before heading out to the designated cleanup sites. All volunteers will be provided with free T-shirts as well as gloves and safety vests to wear during the event. After cleanup activities, groups will reassemble for a free BBQ luncheon and celebration of our volunteers’ hard work.

This event is a coordinated regional effort to clean up our local waterways and reduce polluted runoff. The cleanup promises to be a fun and socially rewarding event, each year focusing on different locations throughout the seven municipalities forming the Bangor Urban Area (Bangor, Brewer, Orono, Old Town, Veazie, Hampden, and Milford). Last year was our 5th annual regional cleanup, and it was a huge success with over 300 volunteers participating in the collection of trash along the Penobscot River and its tributaries throughout the region.

If you would like to volunteer for this year’s events please meet us at one of the following locations:

Hampden: May 7
9:00 am, meet at the Town Office Community Room, 106 Western Ave
Contact: Bob Osborne, 862-6527, planner@hampdenmaine.gov

Veazie: May14
9:00 am, meet at the Veazie Salmon Club
Contact: Allan Thomas, 947-2781, arthomas@veazie.net

Bangor: April 23 – Shaw Brook & Outer Hammond Street
9:00 am, meet at Sports Arena, 1640 Outer Hammond Street
Contact: Tim, 848-7095, pellet@gmail.com

Bangor: May 14 – Capheart Brook & Finson Road
9:00 am, meet at Assembly of God Church, 614 Finson Road
Contact: Wendy Warren, 992-4255, wendy.warren@bangormaine.gov

Brewer: May 14
8:00 am, meet at the Brewer Auditorium
Contact: Ken Locke, 989-5417, klocke@brewerme.org

Orono: May 14
9:00 am, meet at the Orono Town Office
Contact: William Murphy or Ruth Vaughan, 866-5051, wmurphy@orono.org, ruthv@orono.org

University of Maine: April 27
9:00 am, meet at Fogler Library
Contact: Scott Wilkerson, 581-3049
scott_wilkerson@umit.maine.edu

The Regional Stream Cleanup started in 2006 as a way to comply with the Public Education and Participation requirements of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection Storm Water Permit. This event is coordinated by members of the Bangor Area Storm Water Group, in conjunction with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension and the Penobscot County Soil & Water Conservation District. All of the funds necessary to perform the event are raised locally through donations. No taxpayer funds are used for this program.

March Bangor Area Storm Water Group Meeting

2011-03-03T11:09:00.000-05:00

The Bangor Area Storm Water Group will be holding thier Montly Meeting on March 10, 2011, from 9:00 to 11:30 at the Veazie Town Office. The meetings of the BASWG are open to the public. To see a copy of the draft agenda click here.

February Montly Meeting

2011-01-26T09:34:00.000-05:00

The Bangor Area Storm Water Group will be holding thier Montly Meeting on February 3rd from 9:00 to 11:30 at the Veazie Town Office. The meetings of the BASWG are open to the public. To see a copy of the draft agenda click here.

Bangor Students Spray Paint for Healthy Lawn Care

2010-10-15T10:50:00.000-04:00

Bangor, ME—The Penobscot County Soil and Water Conservation District in conjunction with the Bangor Area Storm Water Group (BASWG) and the City of Bangor will be spray painting a new message on the streets of Bangor.

Students from Bangor High School will be visiting the Randolph Street neighborhood in Bangor on October 23re to stencil, REDUCE YOUR USE OF LAWN CHEMICALS, DRAINS TO STREAM on pavement near storm drains to remind residents that stormwater flows unfiltered to Birch Stream. The stencil also depicts a Rubber Ducky, which has become the symbol of stormwater pollution since the “Ducky Ad” aired on television in 2005. In addition to stenciling messages next to the storm drains, the students will be leaving door hangers at area houses to educate residents abut the project and stormwater pollution in general.

Stormwater is rain that does not soak into the ground, but rather flows over the surface of the ground into the nearest body of water. As the water travels, it collects pollution such as pesticides, fertilizers, yard clippings, pet waste, loose soil, gasoline and oil. Storm drains act like funnels, transporting the stormwater from our streets and driveways directly into local waterways.

Chris Brewer of the Penobscot County Soil & Water Conservation District explains that there are many things we can all do to reduce stormwater pollution: “We are encouraging home owners to reduce or eliminate the use of lawn pesticides and fertilizers, pick up their pet’s waste, keep their vehicles well-tuned, and plant vegetation over bare ground and around bodies of water. All of these things dramatically reduce the amount of pollution entering our waterways, and improve water quality.”

The BASWG is a comprised of seven municipalities and other entities, working together to meet permit requirements to make the Bangor Area a better place to live and work. For more information on BASWG and many stormwater friendly homeowner tips visit our website at http://www.baswg.org/

Soil Erosion Training

2010-08-25T13:47:00.000-04:00

Presented by DEP's Nonpoint Source Training Center
Hosted by the Bangor Area Storm Water Group

Date: Thursday, October 21, 2010
Time: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Location: Rangely Hall, Eastern Maine Community College, Bangor, Maine

Who should attend? This session has been designed for MS4 Stormwater coordinators, public works employees and private contractors.

Purpose: The primary purpose of this training is to prevent nonpoint source pollution from construction activity by creating an incentive for Maine contractors to become educated on best management practices for erosion and sedimentation control. It’s secondary goal is to recognize contractors who make an effort to educate themselves on erosion control practices and to provide an incentive for contractors to continue education efforts on erosion control practices.

Registration: Please see registration materials and directions in the attached event brochure. Early bird registration fee: $50 if regsistration is received on or before September 21st. The fee is $60 for all registrations received after Sept. 21st.

For more information about registration, please contact Brenda Zollitsch, Facilitator of the Bangor Area Storm Water Group, at bmzconsulting@aol.com or (207) 772-4729. For more ifnormation about the program content and certifcation process, contact Bill LaFlamme at (207) 287-7726.

We hope to see you there!

Salt Management in Impaired Streams Roundtable

2010-08-18T11:28:00.000-04:00

Wednesday, September 8, 2010
9:00 am - 3:30 pm
Maple Hill Farm Inn and Conference Center
Hallowell, Maine

Roundtable Purpose:

Bring participants up to speed on the most recent findings about salt management and impacts in the State of Maine
Learn about current methods and deicing alternatives*, including some cost-benefit information
Work as a group to identify a list of barriers to and opportunities for addressing the salt issue in impaired stream areas
Compile a list of reserch and information gathering questions to guide future grant writing and exploratory efforts in Maine

* Please note that it is NOT the purpose of this roundtable to advocate for any specific salt alternative or even salt alternatives categorically. This event is designed to provide information and gather ideas, concerns and questions that need to be answered in order to begin to address the impact of salt on Maine's impaired streams.

Roundtable Agenda at a Glance:

Research findings from recent study of salt management in Maine
Research findings on salt in Maine's impaired waters
Maine DOT's approach to snow and ice management
Facilitated discussions:

Identifying local issues and barriers to reducing impacts (How real is the problem? What are the real issues?)
Compiling group questions (what don't we know that we need/want to know?)

Who should attend?

Becuase there is limited space, registration for this event is open to all MS4 stormwater coordinators and a number of other invited guests. Invited guests will receive a personal invitation from a member of the planning committee. If you would like more information about attending or registration, please contact Brenda Zollitsch, BASWG Facilitator at bmzconsulting@aol.com or 207-772-4729.

Registration and Fee:

In order to cover costs for the event site, food and beverage, as well as registrations management, a small registration fee is being charged. Registrations received on or before August 31: $60.00; after August 31st $65.00. See attached brochure for registration form and payment options.

Special Thanks to the Roundtable Planning Group Members:

Zachary Henderson - Woodard and Curran
John Murphy - City of Bangor
Dave Owen - UMaine SSI Urban Stream Research Team
Jan Patterson - City of Lewiston
John Peckenham - UMaine Mitchell Center
Tamara Lee Pinard - ISWG Facilitator
Kristie Rabasca - Southern Maine Stormwater Cluster
Doug Roncarti - City of Portland
Amy Stratford - Southern Maine Stormwater Cluster
Wendy Warren - City of Bangor
Brenda Zolllitsch - BASWG Facilitator

For more information, please download the brochure or contact the coordinator for this event:
Brenda Zollitsch, BASWG Facilitator at (207) 772-4729 or bmzconsulting@aol.com

BIA IMPLEMENTS BIOHAVENS®

2010-07-23T11:51:00.000-04:00

By Amanda Plourde Bangor International Airport Environmental Technician

In the spring of 2008, Bangor International Airport started conducting experiments with floating treatment wetlands also known as Biohavens® to help improve the quality of the water at the outfalls near the airport property. The islands were created by Floating Islands International and donated to the Airport by the inventor Bruce Kania. These islands “bio-mimic” floating wetlands that are found in nature (ex. Peat bogs),and are composed of fibers made from 100% recycled plastic, the layers of recycled plastic are then bonded with foam to provide buoyancy.

At the airport we are always looking for options that can enhance the quality of the storm water that flows off of the property. We began looking into the floating wetlands as an option to meet three treatment objectives.

The objectives were:

Remove/reduce nutrient levels in the waterways
Remove/Reduce trace amounts of glycol in waterways
Reduce the temperature of the water

Based off of experiments conducted by others (ref: http://www.floatingislandinternational.com/fi_pages.php?name=m83) the floating islands would be able to meet/exceed objective 1. They also would provide shade to help reduce temperature in the waterways which meets objective 3. The only objective we were unsure about was the ability of the island to remove/reduce glycol and survive in a water/glycol environment.

After determining the objectives two islands were ordered. The first was a 64 sq. ft. island that would be launched in the waterway. The second island was 1 sq. ft. and would be used for laboratory testing.

The Big Island:

Once we received the big island a spot was chosen in the waterway to launch it. The island was planted with sod, and plants from the surrounding area. The goal for the first year was to observe the island and ensure good growth of the plants and grass and to see if it would survive through the winter.

I have provided photos of the island throughout the past three years.

June 17, 2008 a few days after the island was launched


May 15, 2009 the island appeared to survive the first winter. Although it appears that birds had consumed most of the vegetation as it began to grow in the early spring. Netting was placed overt the top of the island to deter animals in hopes the vegetation would grow back.

One month later the island has started to fill in nicely.

During fall of 2009 and spring of 2010 a construction project was completed on the waterways surrounding the airport. The island was nearly destroyed; it had been dragged down the waterway from its original spot and also brought up onto land by contractors attempting to move it out of their way. The main concern was that all of the biological life that had been growing within and under the island for the past 2 years would be killed off because it had been removed from the water. This next photo was taken in December of 2009, the island had now become home to a weasel, and it appeared that we would have to start the process all over again by planting new sod and plants.

In May of 2010 the island was placed back in the waterway. Within one month it had come back to life. The sticks and the netting were removed to reduce the weight of the island so that it would float properly. The plant life has come back and some grass has begun to grow. The island survived the construction.

Initial Laboratory Testing:

During the same time period that monitoring of the large island was taking place tests were being conducted in the laboratory.

The first test that we completed was a control test to see how long it would take glycol to break down in water without any treatment. Two bins were set up with 10 gallons of water each. Circulation pumps were added to move the water between the two bins. Next 1000mL of glycol (a 50/50 mixture was made with 500mL Type I and 500mL Type IV) was added to the system. Originally we thought that the glycol would break down on its own as the water circulated between the two bins. The system was tested each day with a MISCO hand held refractometer, after 7 days of monitoring there was no change in the concentration of glycol within the bins. Next a bubbler was added to the system to see if aerating the water helped the glycol break down. Again after 7 days there was no change in glycol concentration.

Since no change in glycol content was found it was decided that a new test would be started. The whole system was torn down, cleaned, and put back together. The bins were filled with 20 gallons of clean water and 1000mL of type I glycol. The system was tested and an initial glycol reading of 1.0 was recorded. Once again after a period of 14 days there was no change in the glycol content within the system.

On the third attempt a light was installed above the system to see if this would cause a change in the glycol content. The experiment was completed again and no change was recorded after a 14 day period.

The Small Island:

The next test was to begin using the island to see if it would aid in breaking down glycol at different concentrations. The original system was torn down and cleaned and a new test was started.

The island was planted with Swiss Chard and allowed to grow over a period of time, algae also began to grow along the sides of the bin. Swiss Chard was chosen because it grows relatively quickly and has a generous root system. Shortly after preparing the island it was found to be very unstable due to its small size. The first time the island was “launched” in the bin it rolled over and all the soil and seeds were dumped into the water. A second attempt was tried at planting the island with soil and seeds and re-launching it in the bin, again it rolled over. This problem was resolved by placing the island off to one side of the bin and adding a partition to hold it in place (see photo below). In addition to the partition a glass jar was placed under the island to further stabilization. The light was put on a timer to mimic a natural light cycle. We kept the aerator from the previous tests to continue to provide air flow within the water column. The bin was then filled with approximately 15 gallons of water. In order to estimate a scale for real world application we determined that this island occupies about ½ of the surface area of our little pond.

The lab all set up

Another shot of the lab

The Test:

The goal was to see if the biological life growing within the island and the algae growing on the walls of the bin would be able to reduce/remove glycol from the water.

The experiment was started on March 3, 2010. 10 drops of type I glycol were added, with a dropper, to the system each day for (3) days. After the three day period the water was tested for glycol with a CHEMetrics Vacu-vial Glycol test kit, the result after the three day period was 4ppm.
On March 16, 2010 the test was repeated. The amount of glycol was increased to 10 drops of type I glycol each day for (10) days. The purpose of extending the number of days was to attempt to greatly increase the concentration of glycol within the system. After ten days the water was tested again and a result of 3ppm was recorded.
This test continued over a period of approximately one month by continually increasing the amount of glycol each week. Every five days the concentration of glycol in the water was tested. After 30 days the test results continued to be recorded at 3-4ppm of glycol within the system.

Since there was no real change in the concentration of glycol within the system after 30 days, it was decided that a much higher amount of glycol would need to be added in order to obtain a measurable increase.

On April 4th 2010, 2mL glycol was added to the system each day for five days, again a similar result of approximately 2ppm was found after testing.

Next 4mL glycol was added to the system for five days. At this time we also began monitoring Dissolved Oxygen (DO), and pH. After the five day period the results still produced a reasonable glycol content of approximately 21ppm. The DO after this period of time was 4.93mg/L and the pH 7.

The Turning Point

After the first two tests the concentrations did not appear to be reaching a level that would provide a good test of what the system might be capable of.

On April 9th 2010, 10mL of glycol was added to the system. Three days later (4/12/2010) the water was tested, the concentration of glycol was at 30ppm.
On 4/16/2010 the water was retested and the concentration had dropped to 1ppm, DO had risen to 8.33mg/L and pH remained at 7.

This is exactly what we had been looking for; the island system was consuming the glycol and essentially removing everything except the smallest amounts from the water.

Once again the island was put to the test. This time 15mL glycol was added. A glycol test was completed within a few hours of adding the 15mL to see what the glycol concentration starting point was. The result was found to be greater than 65ppm which is the limit of the test kit without dilution. It was decided that it would take considerably longer for the system to consume the glycol at high concentration. After 10 days the concentration was tested and the result was 2ppm Glycol, DO=7.39mg/L, and 5.29pH.

The testing continued over another 30 day period. The amount of glycol added was increased by 5mg/L each week (15mL, 20mL, 25mL, and 30mL). Over this time the concentration was driven up to over 200ppm glycol. Each time the system would consume the glycol bringing it back to 0-1ppm within 7 days.

The final test was completed on June 1st 2010. 30mL of type I glycol was added to the system. The concentration of glycol increased to 500ppm with a DO level of 7.82mg/L and pH of 7.82. On 6/8/2010 the water was retested and the concentration had dropped to 25ppm (95% glycol removal in 7 days). The system was checked again on 6/15 and the concentration had dropped again to 1ppm. Also during this time a population of spring tails was observed on the water’s surface.

These results taken over the 3 month period proved to us that the island systems could effectively reduce glycol concentrations in water. We also believe that increased aeration may improve the islands performance and hope to do more experiments in the future to prove that theory.

Conclusion:

I feel that these islands would be a great asset to any airport or other business that may have similar storm water objectives. These systems can improve water bodies by lowering nutrients, providing shade to reduce water temperature, and by reducing or eliminating glycol in the stormwater runoff with the addition of detention and aeration.

5th Annual Regional Street & Stream Cleanup

2010-04-16T10:03:00.002-04:00

The Bangor Area Storm Water Group is soliciting help from community groups, businesses, families, and individuals in conducting our Fifth Annual Regional Street & Stream Cleanup. This event is taking place in several locations throughout the Bangor Urban Area. Volunteers will meet for a short safety discussion before heading out to the designated cleanup sites. All volunteers will be provided with free T-shirts as well as gloves and safety vests to wear during the event. After cleanup activities, groups will reassemble for a free BBQ luncheon and celebration of our volunteers’ hard work.

This event is a coordinated regional effort to clean up our local waterways and protect water quality, as well as to build community awareness about storm water pollution. The Stream Cleanup promises to be a fun and socially rewarding event, each year focusing on different locations throughout the seven municipalities forming the Bangor Urban Area (Bangor, Brewer, Orono, Old Town, Veazie, Hampden, and Milford). Last year was our fourth annual regional cleanup, and it was a huge success with over 300 volunteers participating in the collection of trash along the Penobscot River and its tributaries throughout the region.

If you would like to volunteer for this year’s events please meet us at one of the following locations:

Hampden: May 1, 2010
9:00 am, meeting at Hampden Town Office
Contact: Bob Osborne, 862-6527, hampenmaineplanner@gmail.com

Veazie: May 8, 2010
9:00 am, meeting at the Veazie Salmon Club
Contact: Allan Thomas, 947-2781, arthomas@veazie.net

Bangor: May 15, 2010
9:00 am, meeting behind the Airport Mall
Contact: Wendy Warren, 992-4255, wendy.warren@bangormaine.gov

Brewer: May 15, 2010 (Rain Date May 22, 2010)
8:00 am, meeting at Brewer Auditorium
Contact: Ken Locke, 989-5417, klocke@brewerme.org

Orono: May 15, 2010
9:00 am, meeting at Orono Town Office
Contact: William Murphy, 866-5051, wmurphy@orono.org

Milford: May 15, 2010
9:00 am, meeting at the Milford Town Office
Contact: Barbara Cox, 827-2072, manager@milfordmaine.org

University of Maine: April 28, 2010
Contact: Scott Wilkerson, 581-3049, scott_wilkerson@umit.maine.edu

The Regional Stream Cleanup started in 2006 as a way to comply with the Public Education and Participation requirements of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection Storm Water Permit. This event is coordinated by members of the Bangor Area Storm Water Group, in conjunction with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension and the Penobscot County Soil & Water Conservation District. All of the funds necessary to perform the event are raised locally through donations. No taxpayer funds are used for this program.

Windmills near BIA help aerate water for stream - Bangor Daily News

2009-12-10T16:54:00.000-05:00

Windmills near BIA help aerate water for stream - Bangor Daily News

Movie - "A Chemical Reaction"

2009-11-10T16:02:00.002-05:00

The acclaimed full length documentary movie, "A Chemical Reaction" about the dangers and environmental impacts of lawn care chemicals and the anti pesticide movement will be viewed at the University of Maine on Thursday, November 12th in Room 100 of the Donald P. Corbett Business Building. Doors will open at 6:30 P.M. and screening will begin at 7:00 P.M. The screening is free but donations are encouraged.For more information about the movie and safe lawn care practices go to www.ChemicalReactionMovie.com or visit www.SafeLawns.org.

This film was directed by Maine director Brettt Plymale and produced by University of Maine grad Paul Tukey. Tukey is well known for his work as host on HGTV and founder of the the non-profit orginization, SafeLawns. He also founded the magazine, People, Places, and Plants.

BASWG Presented Lane Construction with a Volunteer Service Award

2009-10-08T12:23:00.004-04:00

On October 8, 2009 the Bangor Area Stormwater Group (BASWG) presented the Lane Construction Corporation with a volunteer service award for their generous donations in support of our Regional Stream Cleanups.

Each year BASWG coordinates the Annual Regional Stream Cleanup. This year was our 4th annual event and over 800 volunteers showed up with bags and buckets in hand to collect litter from the watersheds of our local streams and rivers, at the 10 events in Bangor, Brewer, Orono, Old Town, Hampden, Veazie, and Milford.

All in all, over 1,000 bags of trash were collected, totaling an estimated 8.2 tons! Some of the most interesting items found include an old pool table, a wheel chair, and foreign currency. However, most of the volume of trash collected was made of small every-day items such as cigarette butts, food wrappers, and disposable coffee cups.

Had it not been collected, all of this litter would have been carried into our local waterways in stormwater runoff, the water that runs over the surface of the ground during rain storms. At the Brewer Stream Cleanup volunteers learned that stormwater carries other pollutants to the stream as well, such as lawn care products and pet waste, and that we can reduce stormwater pollution year round by doing things like using less fertilizer on our lawns, and picking up our pets’ waste. Special appearances of Stormy the Stormwater Duck also reminded volunteers of this message, which was delivered in the Ducky Ads that aired on TV and radio this summer.

The event couldn’t have been what it was without its generous sponsors, including Lane Construction, NH Bragg, Bangor Daily News, Edwards Family Shop-N-Save, Casco Bay Energy, Union Street Athletics, and others.

Eugene Weldon, Environmental Coordinator at Lane Construction, discusses his company’s role as an event sponsor: “It is through community projects like these stream cleanups that we are able to share our concern for the environment and work together as a team to improve the quality & appearance of those communities. The Lane Construction Corporation is committed to safety and was pleased to provide 500 T-Shirts for these events. The t-shirts were bright orange to increase the visibility of our volunteers and we know how important it is to be visible when working in public areas. We are grateful to the Bangor Area Storm Water group for working with their members to coordinate these events regionally and to all of the volunteers who participated in these events that made them a success.”

The Bangor Area Storm Water Group is comprised of the cities/towns of Bangor, Brewer, Hampden, Milford, Old Town, and Veazie as well as the Bangor International Airport, Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Center, Eastern Maine Community College, Maine Air National Guard, University of Maine, University College of Bangor, Maine DEP, UMaine Cooperative Extension and the Penobscot County Soil and Water Conservation District, working together to make the Bangor Area a better place to live and work.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day Helps Keep Our Waters Clean

2009-09-18T10:58:00.003-04:00

Saturday, October 3, 2009
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Proper disposal of household waste helps keep our waters clean. That is why 22 Bangor area communities collaborate one a year to offer the annual Bangor Regional Household Hazardous Waste Event. These communities realize that providing residents a place to take their hazardous waste helps keep it out of landfills and incinerators, as well as reducing the potential for illegal dumping in the woods, streams and air that surrounds our homes.

The City of Bangor Public Works Center located at 530 Maine Avenue, will host the event on Saturday, October 3, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The event is free to most pre-registered residents of participating communities. The communities plus the non-profit organizations, Keep Bangor Beautiful, and Bangor Area Storm Water Group support the collection and disposal activities.

Residents who wish to drop off household hazardous waste on collection day should make a list of items they would like to bring to the collection event, and then visit their town office no later than Friday October 2, 2009 by noon to register in advance. Residents who have not pre-registered will be charged a $10 fee on the day of the event. No permits will be issued after 12:00 p.m. on Friday October 2nd.

Each resident will be allowed to bring up to 15 gallons of household hazardous waste and one computer monitor, one keyboard and one television per permit. Residents should contact their local town office for more information.

Participating Communities Include

Bangor	992-4200	Holden	843-5151
Brewer	989-7800	Kenduskeag	884-7947
Carmel	848-336	Milford	827-2072
Clifton	843-0709	Newburgh	234-2490
Dedham	843-6217	Old Town	827-3962
Dixmont	234-2294	Orono	866-2556
Eddington	843-5233	Orrington	825-3340
Etna	269-3551	Penobscot Nation	817-7320
Glenburn	942-2905	Stockton Springs	567-3404
Hampden	862-4500	Veazie	947-2781
Hermon	848-3485	Winterport	223-5055

You Can Be Storm Water Friendly and Have a Beautiful Lawn

2009-09-16T14:53:00.001-04:00

Maine lakes and rivers are suffering as a result of too much phosphorus being washed in by melting snow and rain water. One source of phosphorus is lawn fertilizer. Did you know that your lawn probably doesn’t even need phosphorus? Over 90% of lawns tested in the past five years would not have become greener with additional phosphorus. That means your lawn shouldn’t require phosphorus to stay healthy. And why pay for something you don’t need?

Here are some tips on lake friendly lawn care.

Have your soil tested first! You can obtain a soil testing kit from the Penobscot County SWCD. A soil test will tell you exactly what your lawn needs to be its best.
If you must fertilize, use P-free and avoid over fertilizing. Follow the directions on the bag and calibrate your spreader accordingly. Watch for lawn response; if you are not happy with the results apply a second smaller dose. MORE DOES NOT MEAN BETTER. The best time to fertilize is September – the worst is right before spring green-up.
For some people it may not be necessary to fertilize at all. If you leave grass clippings and your lawn is more than 10 years old there are enough nutrients in the soil to grow a healthy lawn. Younger lawns may need nitrogen; look for bags with 10-0-0 on the label.
Phosphorus free fertilizer can be found in any hardware store. Look at the three numbers on the bag. The numbers indicate the percent of nitrogen, phosphorus and potash. The middle number should be 0.

Students Spray Paint For Lawn Care

2009-07-20T14:17:00.002-04:00

Milford, ME—The Penobscot County Soil and Water Conservation District in conjunction with the Bangor Area Storm Water Group (BASWG) and the University of Maine Cooperative Extension will be spray painting a new message on the streets of Milford.
Students from Upward Bound will be visiting the neighborhoods in Milford on July 23rd and 27th to stencil, REDUCE YOUR USE OF LAWN CHEMICALS, DRAINS TO RIVER on pavement near storm drains to remind residents that stormwater flows unfiltered the Penobscot River. The stencil also depicts a Rubber Ducky, which has become the symbol of stormwater pollution sick the “Ducky Ad” aired on television in 2005. In addition to stenciling messages next to the storm drains, the students will be leaving door hangers at area houses to educate residents abut the project and stormwater pollution in general.
Stormwater is rain that does not soak into the ground, but rather flows over the surface of the ground into the nearest body of water. As the water travels, it collects pollution such as pesticides, fertilizers, yard clippings, pet waste, loose soil, gasoline and oil. Storm drains act like funnels, transporting the stormwater from our streets and driveways directly into local waterways.
Chris Brewer of the Penobscot County Soil & Water Conservation District explains that there are many things we can all do to reduce stormwater pollution: “We are encouraging home owners to reduce or eliminate the use of lawn pesticides and fertilizers, pick up their pet’s waste, keep their vehicles well-tuned, and plant vegetation over bare ground and around bodies of water. All of these things dramatically reduce the amount of pollution entering our waterways, and improve water quality.”
The BASWG is a comprised of seven municipalities and other entities, working together to meet permit requirements to make the Bangor Area a better place to live and work. For more information on BASWG and many stormwater friendly homeowner tips visit our website at http://www.baswg.org/

Upward Bound is a federally funded program which assists qualified students to improve their skills in high school and prepare to enter and succeed in college. Upward Bound provides academic support during the school year and an intense six-week residential summer experience at the University of Maine. For more information visit www2.umaine.edu/ub/.