Study results, goals to be discussed at a public meeting on Dec. 10

LEWISTON — Since the 1940s, community learning surrounding the Androscoggin River has been an integral part of a Bates College education. This fall, junior and senior environmental studies majors at Bates College are in the midst of a “capstone” course, which challenges them to apply the skills and knowledge they have developed in past courses to environmental issues within the Lewiston-Auburn community.

Groups of students chose community projects, which vary in their overseeing associations, overall execution and ultimate goals. However, a common theme among each project is apparent: a desire to study and enhance a relationship with the Androscoggin River and the communities surrounding it.

One of these groups has partnered with the Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments to work towards the restoration of Hart Brook, a Class B stream in Lewiston which flows into the Androscoggin. Although the Androscoggin River has made promising improvements in the past several decades, Hart Brook remains in dire condition. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection has classified Hart Brook as “urban impaired” because of its failure to meet the state’s standard for dissolved oxygen levels, which are necessary for supporting aquatic life.

The upper portion of the stream was channelized with concrete, which has for the most part deteriorated. The largest source of pollution in Hart Brook is stormwater runoff, which sends sediment, minerals, oils and other pollutants into the stream during a storm. There is a high concentration of industrial properties near Hart Brook, each contributing a large amount of paved land area. Because rainwater cannot infiltrate the soil, it runs off of impervious pavement, directly into the stream.

According to a 2011 data report, “The brook originates in the area of Pond Road, meanders through the Valley Section neighborhoods, the Industrial Park, the Goff Brook neighborhoods, crosses under I-95 and then follows River Road to its discharge point in the Androscoggin River. The brook is approximately 3.7 miles long and its watershed encompasses approximately 2200 acres, including residential, commercial, industrial and undeveloped land.”

In recent years, concerned community members have attended meetings and taken action to mitigate the effects of stormwater runoff. These students hope that the water quality data will be influential in changing community perceptions of the brook and improving stormwater management practices of industries surrounding brook.

The task of restoring a watershed is daunting, but the students have proposed an attainable and realistic set of goals and are continuing to monitor the water quality of Hart Brook. This information, along with the results of a survey of residents and workers in the watershed, will be presented publicly from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 10, in the Couture Room on the first floor of the Lewiston Public Library. Cider and cookies will be provided.

If interested in taking the survey, controlling stormwater runoff or if you have any questions, contact Hartbrookstudy@gmail.com or call AVCOG at 783-9186.

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