The Pemaquid river has 499 acres of harvestable clam resources that frequently close every summer due to high P90 scores. Initial funding from the U.S. EPA was able to determine point source pollution but was not able to identify a source. Bristol is taking two steps to remedy the water pollution issues in this area. One, they are using the MSRRF grant to do additional water testing to determine the source of pollution. Two, they are introducing Oysters to diversity shellfish resources and provide another way of alleviating water pollution. The movement of oysters will be done through the DMR’s Shellfish Transplant program. Bristol hopes their duel approach of improving the overall health and diversity of shellfish resources in this area can be modeled for other areas in Maine.
Contact
Rachel Bizarro
rbizarro@bristolmaine.org
The Mudflat 