New! TPA Local Grant Program
In keeping with its mission of protecting the quality of our
beautiful local resource, the Board of Directors recently decided to offer
assistance to TPA members wishing to make their watershed properties more
lake-friendly. Our new locally-administered matching grant program will work in
conjunction with the DEP’s LakeSmart
program to help interested members identify and correct issues on their
property which may be detrimental to Taylor Pond’s well-being. Members may
apply for up to $500 in matching grant monies to make the suggested
improvements. Please read the announcement below for more information:
Taylor
Pond Association
LakeSmart
Grants
The Taylor Pond
Association endeavors to support the health and beauty of our precious resource
through a variety of means. To that end, in the spring of 2005 we conducted a
thorough survey of the entire watershed through a federal grant and with the
assistance of the Androscoggin Valley Soil and Water Conservation District. The
final report of the survey, which was distributed in the fall of 2006,
identified many properties that could be improved so as to be in line with
established “best practices” of watershed property maintenance.
Many of the identified
properties -- and others -- can be improved with modest investments of time and
money. The TPA intends to encourage local property owners by offering matching
grants to be used for the purpose of implementing recommended best practices. Qualified
owners will work in conjunction with the Maine DEP’s LakeSmart program to identify problems and solutions.
AVAILABILITY
- Grant applications of up to $500 will be
considered.
- If awarded, TPA funds must be matched by the
applicant.
ELIGIBILITY
- Applicants must be current members of the
Taylor Pond Association.
- The proposed site must be within the Taylor
Pond watershed.
- Applicants must undertake a LakeSmart
evaluation of their property. LakeSmart is a grant-funded lake improvement
program administered by the State of Maine’s Department of Environmental
Protection. For information about this program, go to http://www.maine.gov/dep/blwq/doclake/lakesmart/index.htm.
- Changes to be implemented must conform to
LakeSmart recommendations.
- Any vegetation planted during the project must
be considered noninvasive. For
more information about invasive plant species, visit the website of the
New England Wildflower Society: http://www.newfs.org/FAQ/FAQ8INV.htm.
- A brief written plan must be submitted,
including estimated costs.
APPLICATION GUIDELINES
& PROCEDURES
- Alert the TPA Board of your interest in
applying for a grant. (See contact information below.) A board member will
coordinate LakeSmart evaluations for interested applicants and help you
with the application process.
- Submit a one- to two-paragraph description of
your proposed project, as well as a diagram of the proposed changes, based
on the LakeSmart evaluation of your property.
- Include a breakdown of projected expenses,
delineating both (a) materials to be used, and (b) estimated labor.
(Personal labor may be included, at the rate of $12 per hour.)
- Submit application to: Taylor Pond
Association, c/o Susan Trask, 75 Taywood Rd., Auburn, ME 04210 or via email
at susantrask@adelphia.net.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: July
15, 2007
Applications will be
evaluated as they are submitted, recognizing that many landowners will prefer
to use the month of June to begin their projects. If funds remain, applications after July 15 will
be considered.
PROJECT COMPLETION:
- Upon completion of the project, notify TPA so
that a LakeSmart review can be scheduled.
- Submit receipted bills, records of personal
labor (if a part of original accepted grant), and documentation of the completed
project to TPA.
- TPA will reimburse the matching funds to the
applicant upon review.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Susan Trask
75 Taywood Rd.
Auburn, Maine 04210
susantrask@adelphia.net