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Worromontogus Lake Association seeks grant to fight pollution in Togus Pond

April 12, 2007 - Members of the Worromontogus Lake Association are asking the city to apply for a grant that would help fight pollution in what is popularly known as Togus Pond.

Initially, the homeowners group had asked that the city consider providing road rebuilding services that would cover the 40% local match required to obtain the federal grant.

But Association president Patten Williams said the owners instead have decided to pick up the local tap of more than $56,000 to qualify for the $85,000 water quality improvement grant. The grant is administered by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.

Most Togus Pond pollution comes from sediment running off the association's private roads, he said.

Williams asked the city councilors Monday to apply for the funds on behalf of the Association, saying only municipalities and certain nonprofit groups can apply. The application is due by June, he said.

Council members agreed to give municipal officials time to look into the program and review possible liability to the city. The council could discuss the request again and a future informational meeting, assistant city manager Raphael St. Pierre said.

He said water quality in Togus Pond is important to the city because of public access and the taxable value of waterfront property.

The association represents about 160 families -- more than half of the property owners on the 650 acre pond, Williams said.

His organization plans to hire the Kennebec County Soil and Water Conservation District to prepare the grant application. The Conservation District received a similar grant several years ago that paid to reduce some pollution around the pond.

Togus Pond is one of about two dozen water bodies around Maine with the highest priorities for non-point source pollution, Williams said.

Earlier at Togus Pond, a project identified and repaired 36 problem pollution areas and prevented 24 tons of sediment and 23 pounds of phosphorus a year from reaching the water, Williams said.

Association officials think the new grant would allow them to continue that effort.

"It's a two-part grant," Williams explained "first, we'll survey the Togus watershed to see where the significant problems are. That would happen this year. In the spring and summer of 2008, we start the work program. Essentially 2007 would be a planning year."


This article appeared in its original form in the Kennebec Journal April 12, 2007.


Lakes: Togus Pond
Regions: Belgrade


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