Talk on Oyster Farming at Bremen Library

Dana Morse will give a talk about Oyster Farming In Maine at the Bremen Library on Monday, November 2, at 6:30 p.m.

 

Dana  is an Extension Associate for the Maine Sea Grant Program, and University of Maine Cooperative Extension.  He works out of the Darling Marine Center in Walpole and focuses mostly on issues in marine fisheries and shellfish aquaculture, such as selectivity in trawl and scallop fishing, scallop stock enhancement and spat collection, and shellfish  production, including the recreational Oyster Gardening Program and helping new growers get started. 

 

Dana's background includes a BS in Wildlife Management from the Univ. of New Hampshire, an MS in Fisheries Technology from the University of Rhode Island.

 

His talk will focus on how Oyster Farming started in Maine, how it has evolved, its successes and  challenges, and why the Damariscotta River is so good for growing oysters.  

 

The Bremen Library is located on Rt. 32 in front of the Bremen Town Office. 

 

BCC to attend Community Forest Workshop

The Bremen Conservation Commission will be sending two members to attend the all day workshop on Community Forests in Bath on October 23rd.. The workshop is designed to engage participants through facilitated exercises that promote an exchange of questions, information and experience on issues related to:

• Different models of ownership and management of community forests

• Challenges and opportunities for communities in owning and managing forestland

• Engaging your community in acquiring and managing a community forest

• What resources are available to help communities own and manage forestland

• What roles community forests play in achieving local or regional conservation goals, town master planning efforts, and local community development

• Guided site visits to the Bath community forests during lunch.

Please contact Dennis Prior (529-2987) or Diane O'Connor (529-4499) if you should have any questions regarding this workshop.

Muscongus Pond Alewife Update: October 6, 2009

I actually smelled them before I saw them. I have looked for them
over the summer, but no confirmation until today. I had found the remains of what I hoped to be a young alewife in a downstream beaver dam, but it wasn't until I saw an actual school that the celebrating started.

They may not be here in the numbers as recent summers when DMR would
stock the pond. These are however a few very important young alewife. (The photo does not do justice.) The summer of 2009 now marks the first year since the installation in the 1960's of the southern RT 32/ Muscongus Stream culvert that "naturally" returning adult alewife reached and spawned in Bremen's Webber Pond. If you remember this past June ascending adult alewife successfully used a fish ladder to pass upstream of the southern hanging MEDOT RT 32 culvert. They also passed the remains of the old Webber Mill and yet another challenging RT 32 culvert before crossing a beaver dam into the lake. THESE CULVERTS MUST GO! Culverts are unnatural structures that accelerate a consistent water flow, and do not allow bypass alternate routes for fish etc... I will provide other fish ladders until these culverts are removed.

Fish ladders are a poor alternative, that work only under ideal conditions. This small population of now resident alewife will likely not prosper until future culvert removal. Though the 09' fish ladder was demolished in the late June flood, the effort was worthwhile.

I am excited!

Dave Wilkins

Aggressive Invasive Aquatic Plant Found in Local Lake

Would anyone in Bremen be able to identify this invasive plant species if it were in McCurdy, Webber or Pemaquid Pond??

Dick Butterfield, a Jefferson volunteer for the Damariscotta Lake Watershed Association (DLWA) took a workshop to identify invasive aquatic plants.

This week that course and Butterfield's keen eyes may save Damariscotta Lake from the most aggressive invasive aquatic plant in North America - hydrilla (hydrilla verticillata).

Maine Dept. Environmental Protection biologists and the Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program confirmed Butterfield's Sept. 21 discovery in the lake's west 0.3-acre cove.

Able to grow an inch a day and without predators, hydrilla overtakes native lake habitats, shading and out competing ecologically valuable plants. Dense infestations can alter water chemistry and oxygen levels.

A preliminary survey on Sept. 23 suggests the infestation is limited to within and just outside the mouth of the small cove.

Biologists from the DEP are screening off the cove's mouth to prevent hydrilla fragments and thereby potential new infestations, from migrating into greater Damariscotta Lake. Butterfield and other DLWA volunteers, who are trained in plant identification and lake survey methods will begin monitoring nearby coves to determine the scope of hydrilla in the lake.

Plant identifications training is provided by Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program's Center for Invasive Aquatic Plants under contract with the DEP.

Only one other water body in the state, Pickerel Pond in Limerick, is infested with hydrilla. In total, 31 out of Maine's 5700 ponds and lakes contain an invasive aquatic plant species.

Article from the Lincoln County News

Conservation commissions good for Maine | Portland Press Herald

Conservation commissions good for Maine | Portland Press Herald

Artwork Raffle Success

Congratulations to Bob Wheeler who won the artwork raffle from the Muscongus Bay Atlas Exhibit held in Bremen on August 18th. Dennis Prior and 717 Studio donated a photographic canvas art piece to raise funds to benefit the Town of Bremen's Land Conservation Reserve Fund.

Anyone interested in taking part in future art exhibits sponsored by the Bremen Conservation Commission to benefit this account is encouraged to contact Dennis Prior. Look for more information in the coming months here and in the Lincoln County News.

Hunting Safety Courses at YMCA

The CLC YMCA will offer 2 hunter safety courses this fall. Taught at the YMCA by long time instructor Gunnar Gunderson the course includes a course handbook, outdoor survival information, and additional handouts. This course is mandatory to hunt in the state of Maine. There will be a class in September and October. Cost of class $7. Dates TBA. Call the Y at 563-3477 for more details.

Muscongus Bay Map Exhibit

There will be an opening night reception for the Muscongus Bay Atlas Exhibit from 7 - 9 p.m. on  Tuesday, August 18, at the Bremen Town House. 

 

The exhibit includes 24 colorful maps of the Muscongus Bay region, featuring a variety of themes such as historical sites, fishing, sailing and kayaking areas, and wildlife habitats. 

 

Everyone is invited to attend; admission is free and refreshments will be served. 

 

In addition to the map exhibit, the Bremen Historical Society will have photo display on Bremen Boat building at the opening.   

 

At about 7:30 p.m., there will be brief presentations by Jennifer Atkinson, Marine Program Director of the Quebec-Labrador Foundation which prepared the maps, and Maggie Shannon, Director of the LakeSmart program.  Three LakeSmart Awards will be presented.  

 

Also, BCC chairman Dennis Prior is providing original artwork from his collection to benefit the Bremen Conservation Account. Ten selections, all marine inspired, capture the essence of Bremen's working waterfront and its fleet in a vibrant display of light and color. Each piece ranges in size from 16" x 16" to 16" x 22" and is valued starting at $300.  Anyone who donates $5 to the conservation account at the exhibit opening will receive a chance to win the canvas of their choice; a $20 gift will entitle the donor to five chances.  The drawing will be at 8:30 p.m.  

After the opening, the maps will move to the town center where they will remain on display through August 31.

 

A number of Bremen committees and organizations are helping sponsor this Opening Event, including the Conservation Commission, Townhouse Committee, Historical Society, Patriotic Club, Muscongus Community Club and the Library.    The Medomak Valley Lant Trust and the Pemaquid Watershed Association are also sponsoring this event. 

Woodlot Workshop in Waldoboro

The Small Woodland Owners Association of Maine, in collaboration with the Maine Forest Service, will present a six-session course titled "Working with Your Woodlot" beginning Monday, September 14, at Medomak Valley High School in Waldoboro.

 

The course will help landowners to make informed decisions about their woodlots.  Topics to be covered include forest managment techniques, wildlife management, forest health, tree identification, forest management plans, harvesting, working with forest professionals, legal aspects of forest ownership and more.

 

All are invited to attend.  The fee for the course is $15.  Classes will be held 6:30-8:30 p.m. on six consecutive Mondays.

 

Medomak Valley High School is located at 320 Manktown Road, Waldoboro.  For more information, contact Jeanne Kannegieser at 207-626-0005 or jeanne@swoam.org. 

Conservation Account is Growing

The Bremen Conservation Commission has received a donation of $955 for the town's conservation account from the Friends of Broad Cove.

Friends Co-Chair Barney Burrall said the money was raised to help protect the Cove from environmental damage and foster education with land owners. "Because the Bremen Conservation Commission has demonstrated its commitment to similar goals, we feel this donation will be better used in fostering the Commission's efforts for all of Bremen," Burrall said.

Dennis Prior, chairman of the Bremen Conservation Commission, thanked the Friends of Broad Cove for its generous donation. Prior said he was delighted to see this donation to the Conservation Account and pleased by the confidence in the Commission shown by the Friends of Broad Cove. "You can be sure that these funds will be used to benefit all of Bremen," he said.

The Conservation Account was established by vote at the 2008 Bremen Town Meeting for the purpose of acquiring land, easements and rights-of-way to maintain open space for Bremen's future. Including this donation, the $3,100 appropriated to the account by the town, and donations of $178.50 from the BCC's 2009 Earth Day compost bin sale, the Conservation Account now totals $4233.50.

Invasive Aquatic Plant Identification Workshop

Where: Roberts 101, University of Maine, Farmington
When: August 11th, 1-6:30 pm

New and seasoned shoreline patrollers and plant identifiers are welcome and encouraged to attend a hands-on workshop hosted by RLHT and conducted by the Maine Center for Invasive Aquatic Plants (MCIAP).
During the informative workshop participants will learn about the ecological and economic threats posed by invasive aquatic plants. They will also learn how to conduct a shoreline survey, collect aquatic plants, and identify both native and invasive species that can live in Maine's waters.
No experience is needed and everyone is encouraged to attend.

Pre-registration is required but the workshop is free. To sign up, contact Rebecca Kurtz at RLHT (864-7311 ext. 5 / rkurtz@rlht.org), or go online at http://www.mainevolunteerlakemonitors.org/workshops

Can you identify this island?

This might mean you have to get out on the water in a boat of some kind.
Email bcc@tidewater.net with your answer/guess.
We'll post the answer soon.

Lakesmart Getting Underway

Local volunteers for the Lakesmart Progam recently met at the beautiful home of Mary Berger to fine tune local efforts and to get the program underway on Bremen's lakes and ponds.

The Lakesmart Program recognizes property owners in lake watersheds who manage and landscape their property to protect lake water quality. Declining water quality can affect the type and number of fish species that inhabit the lake and can harm other recreational uses as well as the local economy. Studies have shown that as water quality declines the value of shorefront property also decreases.

Lakesmart is a completely voluntary program that involves an on-site evaluation to review the landscape and maintenance practices in four categories:

• Road, Driveway & Parking areas,
• Structures and Septic Systems,
• Lawn, Recreation Area and Footpaths,
• and shorefront & beach area.

If the owner's property exceeds the criteria in all four categories he/she will receive:

• A personalized award plaque,
• Publicity in local newspaper or newsletter, and
• Signs for their Lakesmart property (optional).

Homeowners may schedule a visit to be evaluated for a Lakesmart Award by contacting DEP or the local Soil and Water Conservation District. Volunteers from Bremen who are certified as pre-screeners for the Lakesmart Program are Mary Berger, Bob Wheeler, Bennett Collins and Dennis Prior.

Visit the Lakesmart website at www.MaineDEP.com for more information.

QLF Exhibit Coming in August!

The BCC is working with the Quebec Labrador Foundation to exhibit their beautiful maps of Muscongus Bay.  These maps are detailed, theme oriented and beautifully done.  In addition the MVLT, PWA, Lakesmart and the BCC will be taking part in this event. The BCC is hoping for an opening at the Bremen Town House sometime around the second week in August.  More information will be available soon in the local newspapers.  Watch for more details or check back here soon!

Volunteers Needed

The Bremen Conservation Commission is forming a sub-committee to address issues relating to water quality and water resources in Bremen. The focus of the committee will be lakes and ponds, with some members participating in the Lakesmart program which recognizes landowners who practice stewardship of their waterfront properties.
Future focus areas for this sub-committee could be fishery protection, shellfish conservation and groundwater supplies. Anyone with concerns with the health of our water resources should contact Bennett Collins at 650-4759 or by emailing bcc@tidewater.net.

Warning - Invasive Plant Species

Yellow flag-iris

(Iris pseudacorus)

Yellow flag-iris (Iris pseudacorus) is an eye-catching perennial, found in wet areas at low- to mid-elevations, growing in ditches, irrigation canals, marshes, stream and lake shorelines and shallow ponds. Currently yellow flag-iris is distributed in BC's southern interior, and has quickly spread throughout the Okanagan valley, lower Similkameen valley, Christina Lake and other isolated sites in the West Kootenays. Plants have showy yellow flowers with 3 sepals that curve backward and 3 petals pointing upwards. Leaves fold and clasp the stem at the base in a fan-like fashion. They stand erect or bent at the top, with long sword-like leaves toward the outside of the plant. At maturity, plants can reach 1.5 metres in height. Yellow flag-iris reproduces quickly through seed dispersal and horizontal root systems, creating thickets in the water like cattails. Up to several hundred flowering plants may be connected rhizomatously under the water, and fragments can form new plants when they break off and drift downstream. Yellow flag-iris is widely sold in nurseries and on the Internet for wet areas and well-mulched soil. While seeds disperse in the wind and water, popularity of the plant in the market exacerbate efforts to contain new infestations. Dense stands of yellow flag-iris exclude native wetland species, threatening plant and animal diversity. Warning: Yellow flag-iris can sicken livestock if ingested, though it is generally avoided by grazing animals. Contact with the resins can cause skin irritation in humans.

BCC members attend Lakesmart Training

On June 22nd the state pilot Lakesmart Training Program was held at the Bremen Town House. Co-coordinated by the Pemaquid Watershed Association. (PWA), Damariscotta Lake Watershed Associaiton. (DLWA) and the Muscongus Pond Association the Bremen Conservation Commission represented the Town of Bremen well as Mary Berger, Bennett Collins and Dennis Prior completed a full day of classroom and on-site evaluation training to become Lakesmart evaluators.

The Lakesmart Program recognizes property owners in lake watersheds who manage and landscape their property to protect lake water quality. Declining water quality can affect the type and number of fish species that inhabit the lake and can harm other recreational uses as well as the local economy. Studies have shown that as water quality declines the value of shorefront property also decreases.

Lakesmart evaluations involve a site visit to review the landscape and maintenance practices in four categories:

• Road, Driveway & Parking areas,
• Structures and Septic Systems,
• Lawn, Recreation Area and Footpaths,
• and shorefront & beach area.

If the owner's property exceeds the criteria in all four categories he/she will receive:

• A personalized award plaque,
• Publicity in local newspaper or newsletter, and
• Signs for their Lakesmart property (optional).

Homeowners may schedule a visit to be evaluated for a Lakesmart Award by contacting DEP or the local Soil and Water Conservation District.

Visit the Lakesmart website at www.MaineDEP.com for more information.

Have you checked your septic tank lately?

When did you last check your septic tank? Do you even know where it is located on your property? When was the last time you pumped out your septic tank? Many of us forget that our septic systems should be pumped out every 2-3 years to maintain healthy septic field function. A properly maintained septic tank will extend the life of your septic field by years. By the time problems are identified with your septic field it is usually too late. Spending a couple hundred dollars is good insurance against a failed septic system that can cost thousands if it needs to be replaced. I encourage everyone to locate their tanks and take a look? Is it time for pumping?

Public service announcement - Submitted by Dennis Prior

BCC 2009 Sterling Dow Award Recipient

The Bremen Conservation Commission was recently awarded the Sterling Dow Conservation Commission of the Year Award by the Maine Association of Conservation Commissions for 2009.
Bob Shafto of the MEACC presented the award May 21st to the Bremen selectmen in front of well attended selectmen's meeting of BCC members, associates, volunteers and supporters.
The MEACC recognized the BCC for its outstanding leadership, community involvement, ongoing public conservation awareness programs and the completion of its open space plan which has been a model for open space planning in the State of Maine.
The BCC wishes to thank everyone who contributed to and supported its efforts over the past 3 years.

Bremen Favors Conservation Bonds

Are Bremen residents in favor of Open Space Conservation? The Bremen Conservation Commission thinks so. Attendence at workshops and public forums held by the BCC, and town votes to set up and appropriate funds for a Conservation Account seem to indicate that they are. But we've found further proof.

At a recent Open Space Conservation Planning and Finance Workshop, we learned that Maine voters passed three referendum questions favoring conservation bonds in 1999, 2005, and 2007 by what one speaker called significant margins -- 69%, 65%, and 63% respectively.

These bonds have been used to purchase public lands and easements for such things as conservation, water access, working waterfront, outdoor recreation, wildlife and fish habitat and farmland preservation throughout the State.

Curious as to how Bremen voted on these referenda questions, we checked elections results on the Secretary of State's website, and found Bremen voters favored issuing conservation bonds by even higher margins -- 71%, 74%, and 65%.

Way to go, Bremen!