Meetings to discuss watersheds

    Watershed residents, town officials, and land managers in the Christina Reservoir and Prestile Stream watersheds (from Christina Reservoir to the Mars Hill Dam), Everett Brook (Fort Fairfield) and Dudley Brook (Castle Hill and Chapman) watersheds are encouraged to play an important role in helping improve the water quality of these impaired waterbodies  by attending important watershed planning meetings on: Thursday, Oct. 30, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Central Aroostook Snowmobile Club, 81 West Ridge Road, Mars Hill; and Thursday, Oct. 30, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Presque Isle Inn and Convention Center, 116 Main St., Presque Isle.
    The watershed management plan is an important document that identifies the cause of water quality problems, outlines potential solutions and gives estimated costs for fixing the problems. The plan includes an educational component for public outreach, a monitoring plan for determining if water quality is improving as a result of the solutions and a schedule for getting it all done. These plans are the first step in getting federal and state funding for watershed improvement projects.
    The watershed planning meeting will begin with a discussion of these impairments, followed by a guided brainstorming session for landowners and residents. Refreshments will be served at both meetings.  
    RSVP: Jennifer Jespersen at 215-8506, or via e-mail, jenj@fbenvironmental.com. Log onto www.fbenvironmental.com to learn more about the water quality of these streams.