UMaine Cooperative Extension Receives Funding for Beach Monitoring Project

Contact: Keri Lindberg, (207) 832-0343

The University of Maine Cooperative Extension has received funding from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection through funds distributed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to continue the Maine Healthy Beaches Program, an effort to monitor water quality and protect public health on Maine’s coastal beaches.

Maine is granted $256,000 annually.  The Maine DEP manages the program, and UMaine’s Cooperative Extension is granted $188,912 to coordinate the program.  The unique partnership involves municipalities, state parks, the University of Maine Cooperative Extension/Sea Grant, Maine Department of Environmental Protection, state and federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, and citizen volunteers.

Beaches are monitored using quality assured methods and the monitoring effort established through this program helps ensure Maine’s coastal beaches are safe and healthy places to recreate.

“This program is very important and protects public health and water resources,” says Keri Lindberg, statewide coordinator. “Healthy Beaches is committed to building local level capacity to find and fix pollution sources. Harmful bacteria impacts beaches and shellfish growing areas, both of which are integral components of the Maine economy and way of life.”

In 2009, 26 municipalities and state parks participated in the MHB program by routinely monitoring 60 beach management areas from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

The MHB Program has developed field, database and laboratory protocols to ensure the quality of the data collected. Routine monitoring data is used to notify the public of water quality conditions and to identify potential pollution problems. Sanitary surveys and special studies are implemented in coastal watersheds for beaches with chronic bacteria issues.