BELGRADE REGIONAL CONSERVATION ALLIANCE INC

1- EROSION CONTROL: 7 LAKES ALLIANCE CONDUCTS DIVERSE PROJECTS TO PROTECT AND RESTORE WATER QUALITY BY PREVENTING THE EROSION OF SEDIMENT AND THE ALGAE-FUELING PHOSPHORUS IT CARRIES WITH IT FROM ENTERING WATERS OF THE BELGRADE LAKES WATERSHED. EXCESS PHOSPHOROUS IS THE PRIMARY CAUSE OF EXCESSIVE ALGAL BLOOMS IN THE WATERSHED. 7 LAKES WORK INCLUDES THE SECTION 319 PROGRAM,YOUTH CONSERVATION CORPS, LAKESMART AND VARIOUS POLICY INITIATIVES AND COMMUNICATIONS. SECTION 319 PROJECTS ARE FUNDED, IN PART, BY THE U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY UNDER SECTION 319 OF THE CLEAN WATER ACT AND ADMINISTERED BY THE MAINE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION NONPOINT SOURCE (NPS) PROGRAM. 7 LAKES ALLIANCE ALSO OPERATES A YOUTH CONSERVATION CORPS WHICH EMPLOYS LOCAL YOUTH TO WORK WITH LANDOWNERS TO VOLUNTARILY IMPLEMENT VARIOUS EROSION CONTROL MEASURES ON THEIR PROPERTIES. WORK ALSO INCLUDES EDUCATIONAL AND POLICY EFFORTS TO EDUCATE AND ENGAGE WATERSHED COMMUNITIES IN EROSION CONTROL EFFORTS.

2- THE 7 LAKES ALLIANCE INVASIVE AQUATIC PLANT PROGRAM PROTECTS AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS AND THE PUBLIC USE, VALUES AND ENJOYMENT OF THE LAKES IN THE BELGRADE LAKES WATERSHED BY PREVENTING AND MITIGATING THE SPREAD OF INVASIVE AQUATIC PLANTS. THROUGH ITS COURTESY BOAT INSPECTION PROGRAM, 7 LAKES ALLIANCE PARTNERS WITH LOCAL WATERSHED ORGANIZATIONS TO PLACE BOTH PAID AND VOLUNTEER COURTESY BOAT INSPECTORS AT PUBLIC BOAT LAUNCHES TO CHECK FOR PLANT FRAGMENTS ON BOATS ENTERING AND LEAVING THE LAKES AND EDUCATES BOATERS ABOUT THE THREATS POSED BY INVASIVE AQUATIC PLANTS. 7 LAKES ALLIANCE EMPLOYEES ALSO SURVEY AND ORGANIZE CITIZEN VOLUNTEER INVASIVE PLANT PATROLS TO SEARCH FOR AND THEN REMOVE INVASIVE PLANTS THAT MAY BECOME ESTABLISHED IN AT-RISK AREAS. IN 2023, 7 LAKES ALLIANCE EMPLOYED 32 PART-TIME WORKERS AND 15 VOLUNTEERS THAT INSPECTED BOATS ON 5 PUBLIC BOAT RAMPS AND 1 PRIVATE LAUNCH THAT AFFECTS PUBLIC WATERS.