By Ellie Fellers,Special to the Sun Journal

NEW GLOUCESTER – Several local committees are seeking town support for a summer youth program to protect Sabbathday Lake and the Royal River.

Youth Conservation Steering Committee member Lori Fowler said this week that she learned selectmen recently cut a request for $2,000 to $1,250.

She said she plans to ask them to reconsider.

“We need to convince selectmen it’s worth the time and money,” said Abigail Lumsden, chairwoman of the Environmental Resource Committee, which requested the money.

The Royal River Watershed Youth Conservation Corps has done dozens of projects in recent years to keep storm water from running into the lake.

The state says the lake is moderately unstable and vulnerable to decline from future population growth.

After a watershed survey in 1996, the Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District and Maine’s Department of Environmental Protection used $151,583 in federal grants to do more than 300 projects on roads, bankings, trails, steps and culverts to prevent runoff into the lake.

Last summer, five local high school students and a crew leader and technical director completed more than 20 erosion and pollution control projects in the Royal River watershed. They planted 149 trees and kept more than 18 tons of soil out of the water.

New Gloucester Fairgrounds Chairman Cliff Andrews said his committee hopes to get technical assistance for a proposed boat launch and nature trails at the Royal River access off Bald Hill Road.

Other towns being asked to contribute $2,000 each are Pownal, Gray and Yarmouth.

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