With your help, we have an incredible opportunity in 2026 to pass a major lake funding bill that will allocate $2 million each year to lake protection.

There will be a bill before the legislature this session to allocate $2 million per year to the Lake Water Quality Protection and Restoration Fund, housed with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The fund is set up to support projects related to water quality, including watershed surveys, erosion mitigation, alum treatments, research, lake education, and more. There is also potential for matching grants for communities and lake associations.

The bill would not pull money from the general fund; instead, funding would come from unclaimed bottle deposits, currently estimated to be between $10-$17 million dollars annually, the majority of which now remain with the bottling industry. This is public money that should be put to public use related to the environment. 

The opposition from industry lobbyists will be fierce.

We need YOU to speak up for this important bill!

Maine Lakes, 30 Mile and other members of the Lake Protection Coalition are hosting interactive advocacy training focused on messaging related to this bill and strategies to ensure success. 

Help this bill succeed by joining one of these upcoming online trainings: 

When: January 21st, 6:00 PM

Where: Leeds Town Office, 8 Community Drive

Join 30 Mile, the Town of Leeds, and ALIC for a forum related to the algal blooms on Androscoggin Lake. We will discuss the lake’s conditions, factors triggering the algal blooms., the work currently being done, and future plans to identify solutions. This presentation will address similar topics to the Wayne Presents! Androscoggin Lake Algal Bloom Forum, whose Q&A can be found here. Additional updates will include the newly formed Advisory Committee, hiring of lake science experts and engineers, and fundraising needs.

Now $23!



Pick up your 30 Mile Calendar in the office (or order online).

Experience the stunning beauty of the watershed year-round while supporting 30 Mile by purchasing our annual watershed calendar. Each month features a different image from the watershed, including winning photos from last year's photo contest.

Calendar size: The closed calendar measures 12.25 by 9.25 inches

Calendar price: $28 $23

As winter weather persists, road salt is often a necessity for municipalities and homeowners to ensure safe travels, whether it’s driving to the store, or walking to your mailbox. Salt lowers water’s freezing point, accelerates the melting process, and clears our roads and walkways faster. But what is its impact on the water quality of lakes, ponds, and streams?

Snow melt and stormwater runoff wash the salt into nearby waterways. Salt can also seep into groundwater or accumulate along roadsides and in soils, to later be transported to waterways during future storms, long after the winter season has passed. 

Saltier conditions can affect the entire lake ecosystem. Aquatic organisms, such as dragonflies, mayflies and stoneflies (all great food sources for fish!), frogs, and native plants, can all be harmed by an increase in salt content. These conditions can be a stressor for organisms throughout the entire year, not just in the winter, as salt continues to move through groundwater and is carried by runoff. Additionally, some studies have indicated that the salinization of water (which increases water density), could affect the lakes mixing, which plays a crucial role in the oxygen levels at lower depths of our waterbodies. 

Salt persists with little to no degradation, making it extremely difficult to remove. The best solution is reducing our use and preventing risks of contamination. So, what can you do to help?

1. Shovel: Clear snow early and often. Less snow and ice means less need for salt!

2. Scatter: Use salt sparingly, spreading it with plenty of space between the grains. You only need a 12 oz mug’s worth to salt an entire 20 foot driveway.

3. Sweep: After things have melted and cleared, sweep up the extra salt to be reused for later storms and prevent it from washing away.

4. Switch: Remember, with temperatures 15 degrees F or lower, salt will be ineffective. This is the time to switch to sand or another deicer. 

Interested in learning more? The last week of January is Winter Salt Week. Hosted by Salt Wise, this organization is offering a free webinar series that you can register for here.

You can also request a free Salt Watch Kit to test your local waterways and add your findings to the national database!

Photo: Gregory Rec/Portland Portland Press Herald via Getty Images

Working septic systems are crucial for protecting water quality and preventing pollution. Ignoring maintenance can lead to costly repairs and harm to our lakes and ponds.

Septic systems are underground wastewater treatment structures that keep you, your neighbors and your lake safe from the chemicals, bacteria, viruses and nutrients in your household waste. Maintaining your septic system is relatively easy and inexpensive and will help your system work properly for decades, avoiding replacement costs of $10,000 to $25,000 or more.

Below are a few items from EPA’s SepticSmart quick tips to follow every day:

Think at the sink

Don’t dispose of fats, oils, or greases down the drain. This can clog your pipes and damage your septic system over time, requiring additional maintenance. Instead, collect waste in an airtight container, and then discard the food waste into the compost or trash bin. Skip the garbage disposal! Homes with garbage disposals average 30% more solids and grease generation than homes without them. Garbage disposals require additional septic tank capacity and/or more frequent pumping. 

Protect it and inspect it

Inspections by a certified professional are recommended every 3-5 years for most systems. These inspections determine how well sewage is flowing through the tank and how often it needs to be pumped. They can also check for leaks and other issues during the visit. You can find a certified septic inspector through the Maine DEP list here. 

Don't overload the commode

Human waste and toilet paper are the only things to be flushed! Paper towels, diapers, and baby wipes (even those advertised “flushable”) should never be flushed. Flushing these items can shorten the life of your system. Harsh chemicals from drain cleaners and some cleaning products can also harm your septic system and should be used sparingly. 

Pump your tank

How often you pump your tank depends on your system's capacity. Generally, it is best to pump your system every 3-5 years, but speak with your servicer about what schedule works best for your system and your household needs.

For more information about septic systems and what you can do to protect the lake and your wallet, click here.

To learn more about other work 30 Mile is doing in regards to septic systems, click here.

Support 30 Mile! Your gift today will make a difference in protecting our lakes from phosphorus pollution, invasive species, and other threats. Find the giving level that works for you.