Spruce Creek Watershed Improvement Project

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SCWIP Project Overview

Purpose

The Spruce Creek Watershed Improvement Project (Phase 1) (SCWIP-1) will address polluted runoff problems to reduce bacteria loading and the export of sediment and nutrients into Spruce Creek to improve water quality and help re-open shellfish harvest areas. The secondary purpose is to continue to raise community awareness in this watershed, with the long-term goal of improving and protecting the water quality of Spruce Creek and the Piscataqua River Estuary.

Please let us know if you'd like to participate in the project in any way.

Project Duration

Project start date: April 2008
Project completion date: March 2010

Estimated Total Cost, Federal & Non-Federal Sources
Federal Grant (319): $69,670
Non-Federal Match: $106,326
Total: $175,996

Project Outcome

1. At least twenty-two NPS sites treated with BMPs.

2. At least 500 watershed citizens and visitors directly educated

Environmental Results

1. Pollutants controlled: Reductions of sediment (tons/year), nitrogen (lbs/yr) and phosphorus (lbs/year) will be estimated for NPS sites treated with BMPs. Estimated tons of sediment kept out of Spruce Creek by addressing high and medium impact sites.

2. Water Quality Improvement: Improvement in river water quality is a long-term measure of environmental results of NPS abatement in the watershed. The final project report will include a summary of the current status of water quality as reported by the quality-assured efforts of the volunteer Spruce Creek Association. The summary will describe progress reopening the shellfish harvest area.

Interagency Coordination, Roles & Responsibilities

Grantee: The Town of Kittery

• The Maine Department of Environmental Protection will administer project funding, serve as the project advisor, participate on the steering committee and assist with local education/outreach efforts.
• The US Environmental Protection Agency will provide project funding and guidance.
• The Town of Kittery will serve as the project sponsor and be responsible for the coordination and implementation of all project activities.
• The Spruce Creek Association will provide in-kind match and serve on the steering committee, update and expand the current list of watershed residents, recruit volunteer assistance for NPS mitigation sites, coordinate the community participation, and assist in designing the outreach materials
• The Maine Department of Marine Resources will contribute water quality monitoring and shoreline survey data and will assist with managing and reopening clam flats.
• The Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve will participate on the project steering committee and provide input on project tasks.
• The York County Soil and Water Conservation District will provide project support, paid technical assistance, engineering assistance, serve on the steering committee and will assist with all project tasks.
• Representatives from the Town of Eliot will serve on the steering committee and provide project updates to Town’s Select Board, Planning Board and Conservation Commission.
• The University of New Hampshire Stormwater Center will provide technical assistance on effective stormwater BMPs for treatment and removal of bacteria, heavy metals, and nutrients.

Project Teams

Volunteer leaders are vital to the Town of Kittery’s efforts to reduce the stormwater impacts and protect and restore the quality of Spruce Creek. The contributions of time and expertise to team membership are our most important and valued resource.
SCWIP-I Project Teams include:

• Steering Team
  • Monitoring Team
• Community Outreach Team
  • PR
  • Outreach & Education
  • Events
• Resources Team
  • Volunteers
  • Vendors & Sponsorships
• Project Groups
  • Stormwater Retrofit & LID Development Project Team
  • Septic System Maintenance & Repair
  • Residential Conservation Practices
    • Stream Crossing Erosion Control & Culvert Replacement
      

Project Photos

Visit the Protect Kittery Waters photo site at http://protectkitterywaters.shutterfly.com/.

Grant Documentation

Glossary of Acronyms
Protect Kittery Waters Letterhead (Word format, 125 Kb)
List of Team Particpants & Contact Information (PDF format, 18 Kb)
Volunteer Information and Reporting Instructions (PDF format, 45 Kb)
Volunteer Time Sheet (Word format, 78 Kb)
Volunteer Time Sheet (PDF format, 267 Kb)
In-Kind Services "Match" Form (PDF format, 31Kb)

Recruiting Volunteers
Volunteer Poster (PDF format, 190 Kb)
Volunteer Invitation (PDF format, 168Kb)
Volunteer 2-Page Flyer (PDF format, 61 Kb)