Wetland Grants Database - WGD
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Grant Information
Grant Type
         
EPA Region
         
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Project Location
Grant Number
                       
Project Title
ME DEP Non-Regulatory Implementation of a Comprehensive State Wetland Protection Program
Project Description
Wetland Monitoring and Assessment: The Maine wetland biomonitoring initiative has been incorporated into DEP’s Biological Monitoring Program in the Division of Environmental Assessment. The Biomonitoring Program is responsible for implementing core wetland program elements related to monitoring and assessment and water quality standards as required under the Clean Water Act. The program also addresses State priorities in the Maine Wetland Conservation Plan and DEP Performance Partnership Agreement. Monitoring for wetlands and other water bodies is coordinated with the goal of a holistic watershed assessment approach. Wetland biomonitoring is coordinated with the State’s river and stream biomonitoring program using a 5-year rotating basin schedule. DEP conducts wetland site assessments using biological monitoring, which includes sampling for aquatic macroinvertebrates, epiphytic algae and phytoplankton. Associated physical and chemical data are obtained through field measurements and analysis of water samples. Habitat descriptions, Cowardin classification, hydrogeomorphic setting, substrate, and dominant plant species/community type are also documented. In addition, the DEP Biomonitoring Program uses a Human Disturbance Score as part of a rapid assessment of wetland condition. This information is used to characterize relative levels of human disturbance for biological metric development, identify sources and causes of degradation, and verify that candidate reference wetlands are actually minimally-disturbed.
Partners
Award Date
     
Close Date
       
Grant Dollars
       
Grant Match
     
Total Dollars
  (Grant Dollar + Grant Match)
Project Category
Core Element
Project Category
Monitoring and Assessment
Monitoring and Assessment
Project Category Definitions
Project Deliverables
EPA or
Peer Reviewed?
Final Report
Report Attachment(s)
   
MAINE DEP PILOT 2009.doc
Grantee Contact Information
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EPA Officer Contact Information
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Environmental and Other Project Outcomes
Actual or expected outcomes description
2007: The Maine DEP Biological Monitoring Program conducted monitoring and assessment of 23 wetland stations in the Kennebec River watershed during the 2007 field season. 2006: In June and July 2006, DEP conducted biological monitoring and assessment of 22 wetland stations in the Penobscot, St. Croix and down east coastal watersheds. DEP staff partnered with monitoring staff of the Penobscot Indian Nation and the Passamaquoddy Tribe to identify sites of tribal concern in the target watersheds. The DEP Biomonitoring Unit provided training in wetland monitoring methods for both tribes, and tribal members assisted the Unit with wetland field work. DEP also collaborated with staff of the Moosehorn and Sunkhaze Meadows National Wildlife Reserves to select wetland biomonitoring stations within reserve lands. During 2005, the Biomonitoring Program conducted biological monitoring and assessment of 21 wetland stations in southern Maine, including the Presumpscot, Saco and Piscataqua basins.
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