PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The Central Aroostook Soil and Water Conservation District and the State Soil Scientist will offer a soils and natural resources workshop from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 15.
The workshop is designed for anyone interested in soils and natural resources, but may be of particular interest to soil scientists, wetland scientists, site evaluators, engineers, foresters, contractors and code enforcement officers.
Continuing education credits will be offered for site evaluators, contractors in erosion and sediment control and septic system installation and Code Enforcement Officers. Licensed Forester credits are pending.
Check-in will be at the Central Aroostook SWCD office in Presque Isle from 8 to 8:30 a.m. Facilitators will discuss the day’s agenda and logistics before heading out into the field.
Carpooling is recommended because of expected limited parking at some of the sites located beside the road. At each site, participants will be instructed to observe a feature or features and come to some conclusion, which will be discussed. After the participant discussion, regulators from the Department of Environmental Protection, Army Corps of Engineers, Land Use Planning Commission, Maine Forest Service and the State Septic System Program will offer their perspectives and answer questions.
Participants should bring their own lunch. Discussions will continue over a short lunch break.
Though the workshop sites have not yet been selected, they will include stream identification, vernal pool identification, flood plain soils, where to begin measuring from for setbacks in the shoreland zone, hydric soil determinations and septic system suitability determinations.
The cost of the workshop is $25. Registrations will be accepted on the day of the workshop but participants are encouraged to pre-register for planning purposes. Send checks to the Central Aroostook SWCD, to Hollie Umphrey, CASWCD, 753 Main St., Suite 3, Presque Isle, ME 04769.
For more information, contact Dave Rocque at 287-2666 or david.rocque@maine.gov.
