Pearce Brook watershed meetings set

by Staff Pioneer Times
16 years ago

    Editor’s note: This is the first of a two-part series on a water quality project under way for Pearce Brook.
By Sue Young
Special to the Pioneer Times
    Pearce Brook is a special place to many people. According to David Basely, IFW fisheries biologist, as early as the late 1950s or early ’60s, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife designated this stream as “fishing restricted to persons 16 years of age and younger” to provide recreational opportunity for school children living in the area. But Pearce has its problems.  Image   Water quality problems affecting Pearce Brook include:
• Sediment from eroding stream banks, road ditches, sidewalks, driveways, and bridge embankments;
• Conductivity (a measure of pollutant load) exceeds the range of all other tributaries in the Meduxnekeag except Jimmy Brook, and increases dramatically after Pearce flows through its urbanized stretch;
• Bacteria above natural background levels, and commonly exceed state standards — found at high levels in storm drains;
• Dissolved oxygen impairments in the lower watershed;
• Aquatic invertebrates at Class B levels, other tributaries attain a higher standard (Class A); and
• Fuel contamination a historical legacy of over 30 underground gas/fuel storage tanks.
    Did you know? Pearce (“purse”) Brook is named after the Pearce family who farmed the adjacent land before it was developed into a residential/commercial part of town. Many streets are named after members of the Pearce family e.g. Franklin Avenue named after their patriarch. (Source: Leigh Cummings)
    The towns of Houlton and Hodgdon are hosting three public meetings to discuss your issues, concerns and values regarding Pearce Brook and its future. Houlton will host two meetings Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 3 and 5 p.m. at the Town Office on Water Street while Hodgdon will hold a meeting Saturday, Oct. 25 at 10 a.m. in the Town Office on the Hodgdon Mills Road.
    For more information call Wade Hanson, Houlton Community Development Director at 532-7111.