CAMP ROAD WORKSHOP

Workshops! They don’t sound like fun…but those of you who missed this one missed a lot, including the proverbial free lunch.

Sponsored by the Soil and Water Conservation Districts of Maine and Maine DEP, the meeting was held on Friday, July 23 at the offices of Poland Spring Water Company (courtesy Kristin Tardif). The morning session included speakers from various Conservation Districts and DEP representatives who spoke on a variety of topics: camproad erosion problems including topography, vegetation and design, camproad construction/maintenance, vegetative buffers and regulatory requirements. It sounded like a program designed for pros, but its message was simple and logical. It emphasized practical, cost-effective methods to reduce camproad erosion.

After a delicious lunch provided by Poland Springs Hotel and paid for by Poland Spring Water Company, we went into the field to view first hand the problems discussed in the morning. In this instance, it was to Fernald Road, site of one of our larger Demonstration Projects. Clyde Walton, formerly an engineer with the Department of Transportation and currently a V.P. of the Congress of Lakes Associations, awed us with his wealth of understanding and ability to grasp problems and solve them quickly and sensibly. We walked the length of the road as he pointed out problem areas and solutions.

The group consisted of lay people from different walks of life, all interested in learning more about conservation practices and erosion control. Dave Emmons, Bob Marquis (treasurer of the Fernald Rd. Association) and myself were the only Tripp Lake representatives there, but it was a day well spent.

Fernald Road will receive $1500 from our Association to help with this Demonstration Project. As a result of the technical advice received from Phoebe Hardesty (AVSWCD) and other DEP personnel, the group has recently completed most of the planned reconstruction, using our monies and matching funds.

The Fernald Road Project will be part of our Demonstration Tour planned for next summer. The solutions for its problems may help you solve yours. That’s what this project’s all about!