FORT FAIRFIELD, Maine – Friends of Monson Pond is excited to announce the award of a $39,166 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under its Water Quality Management Planning program. This funding will support the development of a comprehensive Watershed-Based Management Plan for Monson Pond, aimed at guiding restoration efforts over the next decade.
“Like a lot of good things, Monson Pond is easy to take for granted—until we realize it has changed, and not for the better,” said Steve Towle, president of Friends of Monson Pond. “This plan is about answering the big questions: What happened? How do we fix it? And who’s going to do the work? It’s not just in the hands of FOMP; it’s up to all of us in the community to come together to protect Monson Pond for safe boating, fishing, swimming and clean water for years to come.”
The grant, administered by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, is part of a multi-year initiative to address critical water quality concerns. Monson Pond, a 160-acre lake in Aroostook County, serves as a backup drinking water source for Fort Fairfield and is a vital ecological and recreational resource.
Dan Foster, coordinator for the project, emphasized the role of collaboration in the successful grant application. “The many stakeholders involved were a major reason for securing this funding,” Foster noted. “The Town of Fort Fairfield’s willingness to be the applicant and actively participate in the process, DEP’s extensive involvement in helping to define the environmental concerns and managing the watershed survey, and the Fort Fairfield Utilities District’s work in securing equipment to measure water quality all contributed significantly.”
Foster also highlighted support from organizations such as Lake Stewards of Maine, which provided funding and training for volunteers to conduct water quality testing, and future contributions from the Central Aroostook Soil & Water Conservation District and the University of Maine Extension Service as the project moves forward. “These agencies all recognize the value that Monson Pond represents to our area and are committed to ensuring its long-term viability,” he added.
“Monson Pond is a recreational gem in our community that is accessible to all,” explained Fort Fairfield Town ManagerTim Goff. “While Aroostook County has abundant opportunities for fishing, swimming and kayaking, many are located far away from the more urban center of central Aroostook County. Monson Pond is only four miles from our downtown and it is easy to access from our public boat landing. But beyond the recreational opportunities Monson Pond provides, the watershed is also very important for the wildlife it supports and is the head waters for our public drinking water supply, so the work being done by FOMP is vital for our community.”
Monson Pond has experienced persistent challenges with phosphorus enrichment and nuisance algal blooms. The WBMP will build on prior research and data, including Maine DEP’s 2006 Phosphorus Control Action Plan and Total Maximum Daily Load report.
Kirsten Thompson, environmental specialist with the Bureau of Water Quality says the DEP is happy to support FOMP and the town of Fort Fairfield in the development of a watershed-based plan through the 604b grant process. “Through the documentation of non-point source pollution, soil loss, runoff, and other waterbody stressors in the Monson pond watershed, we look forward to identifying sources of nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, and others) and developing ways to mitigate them to preserve and improve the water quality of the pond. Monson pond supports a healthy community of native Maine water plants, water fowl, and fish and serves as the backup water supply for Fort Fairfield; reducing non-point source pollution inputs to the pond will maintain this resource for both human and ecological benefit. Grants for projects are funded with monies provided to DEP by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under Section 319(h) or Section 604(b) of the Clean Water Act.”
FOMP encourages community members to get involved in the project by attending informational sessions, volunteering for water quality monitoring, and supporting ongoing conservation efforts. For updates on the project’s progress, upcoming events, and ways to contribute, visit monsonpond.org, which currently redirects to FOMP’s Facebook page.
For more information or to learn how you can help, please contact FOMP at info@monsonpond.org.
Friends of Monson Pond is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and preserving the natural beauty and ecological health of Monson Pond in Fort Fairfield. Through community engagement, environmental education, and hands-on conservation efforts, FOMP works to ensure the sustainability of the pond for future generations. Our initiatives include watershed management, water quality monitoring, and promoting responsible stewardship. Contributions to FOMP are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. For more information, visit https://www.monsonpond.org or contact us at info@monsonpond.org.
Funding for this project, in part, was provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under Section 604b of the Clean Water Act. The funding is administered by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection in partnership with EPA. EPA does not endorse any commercial products or services mentioned.
