The District, partnering with the Town of Brunswick, is wrapping up our first year of the Mare Brook Watershed Restoration Project. This two-year project is part of the 10 year watershed management plan to improve the water quality of Mare Brook, which isn’t meeting state standards for aquatic macroinvertebrates or stream habitat conditions.

Project #1: We replaced a failing undersized culvert at the Thornton Oaks Retirement Community’s walking trail where it crosses Mare Brook. The culvert was replaced with a pedestrian footbridge. We’re grateful for the amazing community support from Ray Labbe and Son’s for providing discounted services to remove the old culvert, Hammond Lumber Company for providing discounted bridge materials, and Thornton Oaks Retirement Community staff that helped build and install the footbridge to match our awarded Clean Water Act Section 319 grant funds.

Project #2: The Town of Brunswick’s Public Works Department upgraded two outfalls off MacMillan Drive that direct stormwater into Mare Brook. These two outfalls needed their failing concrete footings removed to reduce erosion washing into Mare Brook. The Town removed these footings and stabilized drainage on both sides of the road with stone riprap and plants.

Stay tuned for additional projects in 2024 on Richards Drive and Sparwell Lane to upgrade tributary stream crossing culverts!

These projects are funded in part by the US Environmental Protection Agency and administered by the Maine Department of Environmental through a Clean Water Act Section 319 grant. This 319 grant is co-managed by the Town of Brunswick and the District.