OXFORD — The Hogan and Whitney Pond Association reports that one of the volunteer organization’s major restoration projects slated for 2024 has been completed.

With a grant from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, and matching funds provided by property owner Modern America Campgrounds, the association facilitated erosion control improvements along access points and shoreline at Two Lakes Camping Area on the eastern side of Hogan Pond.

Modern America Campgrounds purchased Two Lakes less than a year ago but had already signaled support for the HWPA’s mission, confirming it would provide $10,000 to match the amount granted by Maine DEP.

After storms that brought flooding and washouts last December and January, and then again in April, the restoration phase planned for Two Lakes came together at a critical time.

According to HWPA Board Vice President Bruce Wilson, by the time heavy rains hit Oxford Hills last spring washouts created a shoulder-height channel on the access road to Hogan Pond.

“The weather created even more problems than anyone could have anticipated,” Wilson told the Advertiser Democrat. “A handful of RVs set up on waterfront sites were cut off and could not be moved.

“We had to change the engineering work order, which added more than $5,000 of expense, which Modern America Campgrounds covered.”

HWPA’s conservation projects have been developed with the assistance of Jennifer Jespersen of Ecological Instincts in Manchester, who is a consulting project coordinator with the Oxford County Soil & Water Conservation District.

Jespersen’s role is to provide hands-on technical assistance to landowners participating in erosion control projects, and oversee cost share agreements and funding between stakeholders.

The beach access road was rebuilt, with ditching reinforced by a riprap system. Crib steps were installed at the campground’s boat ramp to help prevent future erosion of the shoreline. Plunge pools were also added to the property to help slow the flow of water toward the ponds during future storm events

Two Lakes joins 10 other properties that have completed improvements within the Hogan and Whitney ponds watershed, all part of the same DEP grant program.

The total grant was for $133,000 and requires that half that amount be matched through local fundraising.

Of the $133,000, $30,000 is being allocated to fix Rabbit Valley Road, which has washed out repeatedly over the last several years and has been a major contributor to erosion impacting both Hogan and Whitney ponds.

The town of Oxford is targeting a complete rebuild of Rabbit Valley Road next year, after receiving $1.6 million in Recover & Resilience grant funding last August.