Summertime in the Belgrades
June 2, 2006Vol. 8, No. 2

Summertime in the Belgrades

June 2
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Winthrop's Wash Station:
A Reminder and a Prototype

Boat wash station at Norcross Point Boat Launch on Maranacook Lake.

The recent unveiling and dedication of a pilot "Boat Wash Station" at the Norcross Point public boat launch facility, located on Maranacook Lake in Winthrop, adds another line of defense to the battle against invasive aquatic plants and another avenue of hope to prevent further infestations in Maine's lakes.

The Wash Station on Maranacook (which to date does not have invasives), is the result of a two-year, $30,000 grant provided by L.L. Bean to the Friends of the Cobbossee Watershed, the five-year old, 4500-member organization dedicated to protecting and improving the 28 lakes and streams that compose the Cobbossee Watershed.

In addition to the Maranacook Wash Station, the L.L. Bean grant has funded the development and publication of a 24-page "how-to" guidebook, "Maine's Safety Net," to assist others with the planning and construction process of building a wash station. And, the grant provides additional funds to be awarded as "seed grants" to construct additional wash station units throughout the state of Maine through a grant process administered by the Friends.

Man washing boat.

Although other wash stations already are in use in the state, including five in the Bridgton area, developed under the auspices of that region's Lakes Environmental Association, dating to 2003 and one at the Sebago Lake State Park, the Maranacook Lake dedication is significant in its extensive cooperative effort of supporters. State government officials, the Maine B.A.S.S. Federation, environmental groups, lake associations, private businesses, state and local agencies, the Town of Winthrop, interested individuals and L.L. Bean were all present and enthusiastic.

It also is significant in that Maranacook Lake is the project that launched the L.L. Bean initiative that will provide a template for constructing future stations. Standards for every aspect of construction from site selection to signage are covered in the L.L. Bean-funded booklet, including the five essential steps of:

  1. Selecting a Location
  2. Funding
  3. Permits & Approvals
  4. Construction
  5. Operation & Maintenance

Boat Wash sign. Key among those at the presentation were the three Commissioners — "the Governor's team" — of the Department of Conservation Patrick McGowan, the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Dan Martin, and the Department of Environmental Protection David Littell, Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Paul Jacques, L.L. Bean Vice President of Public Affairs John Oliver, President of Friends of the Cobbossee Watershed Jay Snider, Executive Director of the Friends Bob Moore, President of the Maine B.A.S.S. Federation John Blais, and representatives from all the businesses who helped in the construction: D.R. Struck Landscape/Nursery, Sylvester Excavation, Lloyd Bryant Plumbing & Heating, Jon Knowles Custom Sheds & more, Winthrop Electric, and A.E. Hodsdon Consulting Engineers.

Throughout the addresses, the demonstration, and the awards at the Boat Wash Station dedication, the words of Jay Snider best summarized the feelings and outlook of both participants and audience, that this latest initiative demonstrates the passion, the vision, and the commitment that so many feel about Maine's lakes.

For additional information contact Bob Moore, Executive Director, Friends of the Cobbossee Watershed, 621-4100, mail@watershedfriends.com, www.watershedfriends.com.


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