Somerset County Success Stories
(Skowhegan Field Office)

“Building Profitable, Living Soil Systems”

Somerset County SWCD hosted a meeting in January to discuss “Building Profitable, Living Soil Systems.”  Mark Fulford, an independent consultant from Munroe, spoke on this subject to approximately 20 people at the Skowhegan Community Center .  Mark laid out the factors that negatively affect soil life as well as farming practices that encourage soil life and build soil health.  Mark comes from a farming family and has experience with nursery stock, orchards and diversified farming. 

“It was just an introduction,” stated Jeff McCabe of the Somerset County SWCD.  “It just scratched the surface of soil.  We hope to have similar workshops in the future.”

Wildlife Habitat Project Completed and Employee Recognized

The Natural Resources Conservation Service District Conservationist in Somerset County was recognized by the Sebasticook River Watershed Association for his success in coordinating the partnership efforts for the White's Pond Black Tern Nesting Habitat Restoration Project.  White's Pond, located in Palmyra and a part of the Sebasticook River Watershed, is a 149-acre pond.

The dam was first constructed in the 1800's, and the United States Army Corps of Engineers restored the structure during the 1970's.  Around 1999 it was determined that the dam was seriously degraded, threatening Black Tern habitat in areas behind the dam.  The Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife identified the northern end of the pond as significant wildlife habitat, which was being threatened by the fluctuating water levels. 

Federal, state and local agencies and organizations--such as the Town, the Soil and Water Conservation District, the Maine Department of Marine Resources, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and the Natural Resources Conservation Service--partnered to restore and enhance the 95 acres of Black Tern (endangered species) nesting habitat.  The Natural Resources Conservation Service provided financial and technical assistance through the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program. 

Construction of the dam insures a more constant water level in the pond, which is essential for the nesting habitat of the Black Tern.  Fish passage was also provided in the dam to allow for upstream and downstream migration of various fish species.

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