MDOT Seeks Surface Water Protection Projects

Maine has thousands of surface water bodies such as lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, and coastal waters within its boundaries. Many of them are adjacent to or near highways. To help reduce pollution and other damage from those highways, the Maine Department of Transportation has created a Surface Water Quality Protection Program (SWQPP) and is looking for potential protection projects.

This program is funded under the Surface Transportation Program (STP), which is part of the federal Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) of 1998.

The funding can be used on what MDOT refers to as arterial, major and minor collector highways, which include most of the major highways in Maine and other state transportation facilities.

The SWQPP has three purposes, according to MDOT. (1) To identify potential project locations where surface water quality is being adversely impacted by runoff from highways, (2) To select and prioritize potential pollution elimination projects for funding under this program, and, (3) To manage the design, development and construction of projects selected for funding.

Working with the Department of Environmental Protection, MDOT has developed a list of fourteen criteria for evaluating potential projects. That list includes requirements that work funded under this program not involve non-MDOT property unless it is essential to eliminating runoff pollution, that projects consist of actions not included in normal routine highway maintenance or construction activities, and that high priority be given to projects which are actively supported by the municipality, local environmental groups, conservation commissions, planning boards, soil and water conservation districts and similar organizations.

Nominated projects are screened, selected and prioritized by a team of representatives from MDOT and the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.

Nominations are accepted on a rolling basis and are evaluated twice a year by the steering committee.

Individuals or groups interested in application details and a full listing of selection criteria should contact Zach Henderson at MDOT's Environmental Office, 16 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0016, by phone at 207-624-3080, or by email at zachary.henderson@maine.gov.