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July 25, 2008
AUGUSTA – Area State Reps. Ed Mazurek, D-Rockland, Dave Miramant, D-Camden, and Hannah Pingree, D-North Haven, announced Thursday that several local communities will receive state grants totaling over $50,000 to fund municipal outreach efforts to improve water quality and protect shellfish stocks. Grants will be distributed to Brooklin, Rockland, Rockport and Vinalhaven to help local homeowners update failed septic systems.
These local communities were among more than 50 municipalities to receive grants to fund discharges of untreated or partially treated sewage flowing into public drinking water supplies, shellfishing areas, or other bodies of water that might result in a public health hazard.
The grants awarded to Rockland and Rockport will be used primarily to assure water quality, while the funds awarded to Brooklin and Vinalhaven will focus on repairing damaged septic systems near shorelines that could harm shellfish – ultimately closing clam flats and similar shellfish operations.
Coastal representatives worked to make sure that water quality was discussed as a part of every environmental policy debate.
Pingree said the grants, which were awarded by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, were made possible through $1 million in funding from voter-approved bond issues.
Grant applications were made available to all Maine communities earlier this year, pending approval of the bond package. Municipalities applied for funding for existing septic system malfunctions on local properties, based on criteria established through DEP’s small community grant program. Town officials will now work with the homeowners to ensure that all necessary repairs are made.
Contact:
Rep. Ed Mazurek, 594-5647
Rep. Dave Miramant, 319-9514
Rep. Hannah Pingree, 287-1430
Amy Saxton, Legislative Aide, 287-1430
Travis Kennedy, Communications Director, 287-1433