erosion control beehwoods 1Most sites identified were located along the shoreline or at nearby residential areas and roads. About 194 of the 299 sites were within 250 feet of the shoreline.

TLEA and the Androscoggin Soil and Water Conservation District developed a Protection Plan that allows us to submit applications for funding through the 319 Federal Grant program, which is part of the Clean Water Act. These grant funds will be used to support large scale erosion projects by towns or road associations, smaller projects by individual landowners, our Youth Conservation Corp. which works directly with property owners, as well as educational/outreach programs and workshops for road associations.

The larger scale projects for 2025 included road improvements in the Beechwoods area (5 sites), ditch and culvert work at the Loop Road and William’s Way area of Otisfield, and the rebuilding of a walking trail at the Agassiz Village summer camp. The grant should provide over $20,000 of matching funds for these projects.

Individual landowners can apply now for residential matching grants (RMG’s) for projects to address low and medium erosion impact sites.

Landowners will pay expenses initially but can receive up to $750 as a 50% match from the grant. For those who are interested in applying for residential matching grants, requests can be submitted to Emma Lorusso at the Androscoggin Valley SWCD at projectdirector@androscogginswcd.org, Each request should include the landowner’s name and address, as well as the sector/site# and description of the erosion issue, which can be found in the 2023 Watershed Survey Report.

For questions or more information, contact Paul Cain at: tleawatershed2023@gmail.com.

For as long as the grant money is available, landowners who agree to address erosion control sites through our YCC program at sites that qualify will only have to pay for materials.