NEW GLOUCESTER — Thirty volunteers and technical staff identified 58 erosion sites in the Sabbathday Lake Watershed in May 2008 that are affecting or have the potential to affect the water quality of the lake.

The report identifies survey findings on town roads, residential areas, private roads and construction and state roads and driveways, said Heather True, of Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District, who addressed the Planning Board on Tuesday.

In 1996 a similar watershed survey identified 75 sites within the 5.33-square-mile watershed that includes areas in Poland, New Gloucester and Raymond.

Members of the Sabbathday Lake Association will work with landowners to find best-management practices to help them ward off storm water from entering the lake. And, efforts to work with the town’s Highway Department will be fielded to the town manager.

Erosion sites on town roads simply require improved road maintenance, whereas others require improving road culvert crossings. Comparing 1996 survey data shows that 61 percent were high-impact, 20 percent medium-impact and 19 percent were considered low.

In 2008, 9 percent of findings were considered high-impact, 33 percent medium-impact and 58 percent, low.
Sabbathday Lake has been classified by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection as moderately unstable.