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DMR Home > Public Health > Shellfish Growing Area Program > Growing Area Reports

Maine Shellfish Growing Area Reports

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A growing area's classification is determined by conducting a "sanitary survey," which is a three-fold process consisting of:


• A shoreline survey, which identifies pollution sources that may impact water quality. The program evaluates sewage treatment plants, onsite sewage systems, animal farms, drainage ways, and wildlife;
• Marine water sampling to determine fecal coliform bacterial levels in the marine water; and
• Analysis of how weather conditions, tides, currents, and other factors may affect the distribution of pollutants in the area.

Each commercially harvested growing area is assigned a "classification" according to the results of its evaluation. A growing area may be classified as one of these:


• Approved
• Conditionally Approved
• Restricted
• Conditionally Restricted
• Prohibited.


The completion of a sanitary survey is of paramount importance in making the distinction between acceptable and unacceptable growing areas, and is the key to accurate growing area classification as approved, conditionally approved, restricted, conditionally restricted, or prohibited. Under the NSSP Model Ordinance, a sanitary survey is required for each growing area prior to its approval by the state as a source of shellfish for human consumption or as a source for shellfish to be used in a depuration or relay operation.


Keeping the sanitary survey current consists primarily of routinely evaluating major pollution sources, collecting water quality data from sampling stations under the selected NSSP water quality monitoring strategy (systematic random sampling), and analyzing the data to assure that the classification continues to represent current sanitary conditions in the growing area. The sanitary survey must be repeated fully every 12 years. When a written sanitary survey report is not completed, the area must be placed in the closed status.


** Please note that the western Maine (BBH) report schedule for growing areas WA-WH are not following a 12 year schedule until after 2011. In an effort to even out workloads, the report schedule for those areas has been staggered so that all the major reports (sanitary surveys and triennial reports) are not due the same year.


***Also note that in Growing Area WZ the reports are separated by Vinalhaven (V) and North Haven (N).


The sanitary quality of each growing area must be reviewed as often as is necessary to ensure that the classification is appropriate. Certain sanitary survey components are required by the Model Ordinance to be updated annually and triennially (every third year).


The growing area classification and the supporting data from the sanitary survey shall be reviewed at least every three years.


The growing area classification and the supporting data from the sanitary survey shall be reviewed at least every three years as part of a triennial re-evaluation. The triennial report must include the following:

  • A review of all the components that are required for an annual review;
  • Documentation of any new pollution sources and an evaluation of their effect on the growing area;
  • Reevaluation of all pollution sources, including the sources previously identified in the sanitary survey, as necessary to fully evaluate any changes in the sanitary conditions of the growing area;
  • A comprehensive report which analyzes the sanitary survey data and makes a determination that the existing growing area classification is correct or needs to be revised; and
  • If the triennial reevaluation determines that conditions have changed based on the information and data collected during the triennial review and that the growing area classification in incorrect, immediate action shall be initiated to reclassify the area.


The triennial reevaluation often includes the inspection of wastewater treatment plants or the collection of additional effluent samples to determine their impact on the growing area. The results of hydrodynamic studies, the collection of additional pollution source tracing samples (streams, pipes, etc.) and the results of additional field work as part of an investigation to determine the actual impact of pollution sources.


When a written triennial reevaluation report is not completed, the DMR must place the growing area in the closed status.


On an annual basis, the sanitary survey must be updated (annual report) to reflect any changes in the conditions in the growing area. The annual report must include the following:

  • Field observations of the pollution sources identified in the sanitary survey or subsequent triennial report; this may be completed by doing a drive-through survey, observations made during sample collection runs or through information from other sources (codes enforcement, licensed plumbing inspectors, treatment plant operators, other state agencies, etc.);
  • A review, at a minimum, of the past year’s water quality sample results by adding the year’s sample results to the data base collected under the requirements of the NSSP and under the systematic random sampling regime;
  • A review of available inspection reports and effluent samples collected from pollution sources;
  • A review of available performance standards for various types of discharges (OBD’s, wastewater treatment plants, combined sewer overflows, etc.) that impact the growing area; and
  • A report which documents the findings in the annual reevaluation.


If the annual reevaluation determines that conditions have changed based on the information and data collected during the annual review and that the growing area classification is incorrect, immediate action shall be initiated to reclassify the area.

Select the link for the Boothbay Harbor lab's 12 year schedule for reports (pdf)

Select the link for the Lamoine lab's 12 year schedule for reports (pdf)

red dye from failing septic system

 

 

The photo illustrates a malfunctioning septic system which was dye tested by ME DEP during shoreline survey work in May 2008. The red dye on the ground is where the malfunction was suspected. After flushing the dye in the toilet, the water came out of the ground and into the growing area waters; the red dye in the water in the background. The malfunction was found in an area that was previously approved for shellfish harvest.

Photo: Phil Garwood, ME DEP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Important Information

  • 2006 Reports will be added to the website as they are finalized.

  • This website was last updated May 14, 2008

Growing Area Inventory as of May 14, 2008
Reports are in PDF file format

Links to Growing Areas Below
 
 
growing area WY growing area EK

 

Select a year to view the report

GROWING AREA WA: Piscataqua River [Maine/New Hampshire border, Piscataqua River to Sisters Point, Kittery, including the Isle of Shoals]

Annual Reports: 2006 (2,292 KB)

Triennial Reports (every three years): Coming soon

Sanitary Survey reports (every 12 years): Coming soon

 

GROWING AREA WB: York River [Sisters Point, Kittery to East Point, York]

Annual Reports: Coming soon

Triennial Reports (every three years): Coming soon

Sanitary Survey reports (every 12 years): Coming soon

 

GROWING AREA WC: Cape Neddick [East Point, York to Bald Head, York]

Annual Reports: 2006 (796 KB)

Triennial Reports (every three years): Coming soon

Sanitary Survey reports (every 12 years): Coming soon

 

GROWING AREA WD: Wells [Bald Head, York to Cape Arundel, Kennebunkport]

Annual Reports: Coming soon

Triennial Reports (every three years): Coming soon

Sanitary Survey reports (every 12 years): Coming soon

Miscellaneous:

 

GROWING AREA WE: Cape Porpoise [Cape Arundel, Kennebunkport to Timber Point (including Timber Island), Kennebunkport]

Annual Reports: Coming soon

Triennial Reports (every three years): Coming soon

Sanitary Survey reports (every 12 years): Coming soon

 

GROWING AREA WF: Fortunes Rocks [Timber Point, Kennebunkport to East Point, Fletcher Neck, Biddeford]

Annual Reports: 2006 (612 KB)

Triennial Reports (every three years): Coming soon

Sanitary Survey reports (every 12 years): Coming soon


GROWING AREA WG: Saco Bay [East Point to the lookout tower, Prout’s Neck, Scarborough (including Stratton Island)]

Annual Reports: 2006 (1,199 KB)

Triennial Reports (every three years): Coming soon

Sanitary Survey reports (every 12 years): Coming soon

 

GROWING AREA WH: Spurwick River [Lookout Tower, Prout’s Neck to McKenney Point, Cape Elizabeth]

Annual Reports: 2006 (909 KB)

Triennial Reports (every three years): Coming soon

Sanitary Survey reports (every 12 years): Coming soon

 

GROWING AREA WI: Casco Bay [McKenney Point, Cape Elizabeth to Stockbridge Point, Freeport (including Mosher, Upper Green, Stockman and Bates Islands)]

Annual Reports: Coming soon

Triennial Reports (every three years): Coming soon

Sanitary Survey reports (every 12 years): Coming soon

 

GROWING AREA WJ: Maquoit Bay [Stockbridge Point to Potts Point, South Harpswell (including Haskell, Great Mark and Little Mark Islands and Drunkers Ledge)]

Annual Reports: 2006 (1,261 kb)

Triennial Reports (every three years): Coming soon

Sanitary Survey reports (every 12 years): Coming soon

Miscellaneous:

 

GROWING AREA WK: Quahog Bay [Potts Point to Fort Point, Cundy’s Harbor (including Long Reach, Sebascodegan)]

Annual Reports: Coming soon

Triennial Reports (every three years): Coming soon

Sanitary Survey reports (every 12 years): Coming soon

 

GROWING AREA WL: New Meadows River [Fort Point, Cundy’s Harbor to Small Point, Phippsburg (including Buttermilk and Doughty Coves)]

Annual Reports: Coming soon

Triennial Reports (every three years): Coming soon

Sanitary Survey reports (every 12 years): Coming soon

 

GROWING AREA WM: Kennebec River [Small Point, Phippsburg to east of Indian Point, Georgetown through Salter Island (including Fuller Rock); Rte. 127 bridge; Upper Hells Gate]

Annual Reports: Coming soon

Triennial Reports (every three years): Coming soon

Sanitary Survey reports (every 12 years): Coming soon

 

GROWING AREA WN: Sheepscot River [Indian Point, Georgetown through Salter Island; Rte. 127 bridge; Upper Hells Gate; Townsend Gut at Oak Point; Cape Newagen (including Cape Island, Southport)]

Annual Reports: Coming soon

Triennial Reports (every three years): Coming soon

Sanitary Survey reports (every 12 years): Coming soon

 

GROWING AREA WP: Boothbay Harbor [Cape Newagen, Southport (including The Cuckholds); Townsend Gut at Oak Point; to Linekin Neck, east of Ocean Point]

Annual Reports: 2006 (758 kb)

Triennial Reports (every three years): Coming soon

Sanitary Survey reports (every 12 years): Coming soon

 

GROWING AREA WQ: Damariscotta River [Linekin Neck, east of Ocean Point, Rte. 96; the Gut, So. Bristol; Southeast tip of Rutherford Island, So. Bristol (including Turnip and Thrumpcap Islands)]

Annual Reports: Coming soon

Triennial Reports (every three years): 2006 (2 MB)

Sanitary Survey reports (every 12 years): Coming soon

 

GROWING AREA WR: Johns Bay [Southeast tip of Rutherford Island to Pemaquid Point]

Annual Reports: Coming soon

Triennial Reports (every three years): Coming soon

Sanitary Survey reports (every 12 years): Coming soon

 

GROWING AREA WS: Muscongus Bay [Pemaquid Point to Martin Point, Friendship]

Annual Reports: 2006 (2,423 KB)

Triennial Reports (every three years): Coming soon

Sanitary Survey reports (every 12 years): Coming soon

 

GROWING AREA WT: Meduncook River [Martin Point, Friendship; across Pleasant Point Gut; southeast tip of Gay Is, Cushing (including Monhegan Is)]

Annual Reports: 2006 (592 kb)

Triennial Reports (every three years): Coming soon

Sanitary Survey reports (every 12 years): Coming soon

 

GROWING AREA WU: St. George River [Southeastern tip of Gay Is, Cushing; across Pleasant Point Gut to Marshall Point, St. George (including Hart Is)]

Annual Reports: 2006 (3,580 kb)

Triennial Reports (every three years): Coming soon

Sanitary Survey reports (every 12 years): Coming soon

 

GROWING AREA WV: Spruce Head [Marshall Point, St. George to Owls Head]

Annual Reports: Coming soon

Triennial Reports (every three years): Coming soon

Sanitary Survey reports (every 12 years): Coming soon

 

GROWING AREA WW: Western Penobscot Bay [Owls Head to Squaw Head, Cape Jellison]

Annual Reports: Coming soon

Triennial Reports (every three years): Coming soon

Sanitary Survey reports (every 12 years): Coming soon

 

GROWING AREA WX: Penobscot River [Squaw Head, Cape Jellison to Dice Head, Castine]

Annual Reports: Coming soon

Triennial Reports (every three years): Coming soon

Sanitary Survey reports (every 12 years): Coming soon

 

GROWING AREA WY: Islesboro [Islesboro (including the islands from Seven Hundred Acre Island south to Mark Island)]

Annual Reports: Coming soon

Triennial Reports (every three years): Coming soon

Sanitary Survey reports (every 12 years): Coming soon

 

GROWING AREA WZ: Fox Islands [North Haven, Vinalhaven and vicinity (including Oak and Sheep Is to the north and Matinicus Is to the south)]

Annual Reports: Coming soon

Triennial Reports (every three years): Coming soon

Sanitary Survey reports (every 12 years): Coming soon

 

GROWING AREA EA: Bagaduce River [Dice Head, Castine to Head of the Cape, Cape Rosier]

Annual Reports: Coming soon

Triennial Reports (every three years): Coming soon

Sanitary Survey reports (every 12 years): Coming soon


GROWING AREA EB: North Eggemoggin Reach [Head of the Cape, Cape Rosier to Naskeag Point, Brooklin; Brookville and Brooklin Shores to the middle of the reach]

 Annual Reports: Coming soon

Triennial Reports (every three years): Coming soon

Sanitary Survey reports (every 12 years): Coming soon

 

GROWING AREA EC: Deer Isle [Deer Isle and surrounding islands within Hancock Co; to the middle of the Eggemoggin Reach]

Annual Reports: 2006 (3,019 kb)

Triennial Reports (every three years): Coming soon

Sanitary Survey reports (every 12 years): Coming soon

 

GROWING AREA ED: Isle au Haut [Isle au Haut and surrounding islands in Knox County]

Annual Reports: Coming soon

Triennial Reports (every three years): 2006 (311 kb)

Sanitary Survey reports (every 12 years): Coming soon

 

GROWING AREA EE: Swans Island [Swans Island and vicinity north to Pond Is, east to Gott Is, south to Frenchboro, Long Is and south to Marshall Is]

Annual Reports: Coming soon

Triennial Reports (every three years): Coming soon

Sanitary Survey reports (every 12 years): Coming soon


GROWING AREA EF: Western Blue Hill Bay [Naskeag Pt, Brooklin to Burnt Pt, Newbury Neck, Surry (including Long, Tinker, Bar, Trumpet and Ship Is)]

Annual Reports: Coming soon

Triennial Reports (every three years): Coming soon

Sanitary Survey reports (every 12 years): Coming soon

 

GROWING AREA EG: Eastern Blue Hill Bay [Burnt Point, Newbury Neck; the causeway at Mount Desert Island Narrows to the eastern point forming Bennett Cove, Southwest Harbor]

Annual Reports: 2006 (876 kb)

Triennial Reports (every three years): Coming soon

Sanitary Survey reports (every 12 years): Coming soon

 

GROWING AREA EH: Southeast Mount Desert Island [Eastern Point forming Bennett Cove, Southwest Harbor to Great Head, Bar Harbor (including the Cranberry Isles]

Annual Reports: Coming soon

Triennial Reports (every three years): Coming soon

Sanitary Survey reports (every 12 years): Coming soon

 

GROWING AREA EI: Frenchman Bay [Great Head, Bar Harbor; the causeway at Mt. Desert Island Narrows; to Schoodic Point]

Annual Reports: Coming soon

Triennial Reports (every three years): Coming soon

Sanitary Survey reports (every 12 years): Coming soon

 

GROWING AREA EJ: Gouldsboro Bay [Schoodic Point to Dyer Point]

Annual Reports: Coming soon

Triennial Reports (every three years): Coming soon

Sanitary Survey reports (every 12 years): Coming soon

 

GROWING AREA EK: Dyer Bay [Dyer Point to Petit Manan Point]

Annual Reports: Coming soon

Triennial Reports (every three years): Coming soon

Sanitary Survey reports (every 12 years): Coming soon

 

GROWING AREA EL: Narraguagus Bay [Petit Manan Point to Willard Point, Ripley Neck (including Hog and Bar Islands)]

Annual Reports: Coming soon

Triennial Reports (every three years): Coming soon

Sanitary Survey reports (every 12 years): Coming soon

 

GROWING AREA EM: Pleasant Bay [Willard Point, Ripley Neck to Cape Split, South Addison]

Annual Reports: Coming soon

Triennial Reports (every three years): Coming soon

Sanitary Survey reports (every 12 years): Coming soon

 

GROWING AREA EN: Jonesport – Beals Island [Cape Split, Addison to Henry Point, Jonesport (including Head Harbor Island)]

Annual Reports: Coming soon

Triennial Reports (every three years): Coming soon

Sanitary Survey reports (every 12 years): Coming soon

 

GROWING AREA EP: Englishman Bay [Henry Point, Jonesport to Sea Wall Point, Roque Bluffs]

Annual Reports: Coming soon

Triennial Reports (every three years): Coming soon

Sanitary Survey reports (every 12 years): Coming soon

 

GROWING AREA EQ: Little Kennebec River [Sea Wall Point, Roque Bluffs to Point of Main, Machiasport (including Hicky Island, Shag Ledge, and Scabby Ledge)]

Annual Reports: Coming soon

Triennial Reports (every three years): Coming soon

Sanitary Survey reports (every 12 years): Coming soon

 

GROWING AREA ER: Machias Bay [Point of Main, Machiasport (including Foster and Ram Island to Cape Wash, Cutler)]

Annual Reports: Coming soon

Triennial Reports (every three years): 2006 (4,421 kb)

Sanitary Survey reports (every 12 years): Coming soon

 

GROWING AREA ES: Cutler [Cape Wash, Cutler to Mowry Point, Lubec]

Annual Reports: Coming soon

Triennial Reports (every three years): Coming soon

Sanitary Survey reports (every 12 years): Coming soon

 

GROWING AREA ET: Cobscook Bay [Mowry Point, Lubec to Shackford Head, Eastport]

Annual Reports: Coming soon

Triennial Reports (every three years): Coming soon

Sanitary Survey reports (every 12 years): Coming soon

 

GROWING AREA EU: St. Croix River [Shackford Head, Eastport to Calais]

Annual Reports: Coming soon

Triennial Reports (every three years): Coming soon

Sanitary Survey reports (every 12 years): Coming soon

 

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