Costs

The major costs associated with these recommendations are related to the watershed approach to water management (1) and the proposed Ground Water Committee (2). The resources needed for the Maine Geological Survey to carry out the tasks outlined in these recommendations are the following:

• 1.5 FTE Hydrogeologists - $122,000 (existing funds)
  • Staff to Ground Water Committee
  • Data compilation
  • Aquifer investigations
  • Assistance to towns
• Operating funds - $100,000 (new funds)
  • Aquifer investigations
  • Matching grants to towns in watersheds at risk for studies
  • Some of these funds will be directed to the private sector through contracts.

With this existing staff and new operating funds, realistically one "watershed-at-risk" could be investigated each year. From the 90-percent threshold map presented on page 9, 11 years of funding at this level would be required. More funds over a longer period would be required for the watersheds identified in the 80-percent threshold map (page 8).

Sources

Hydrogeologists - the Maine Geological Survey will redirect 1.5 FTE hydrogeologists from lower priority aquifer mapping to investigate aquifer characteristics in select watersheds.

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Introduction   Meetings   Issues   Tabled Items   Risk Analysis   Recommendations   Costs   Appendices

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Last updated on February 5, 2007