Toxins, Pollution, and Water Quality including information on using caged mussels to test for toxins such as PCBs and dioxin in the Bay & tributaries, sources of Bay pollution, water quality testing in the Bay, & other topics.
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2008 Letters of support for Andro Upgrade proposal
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2009 Lower Androscoggin River Water Monitoring and Upgrade Report
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2010 Letters of support for Andro Upgrade proposal
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2010 Lower Androscoggin River Water Monitoring and Upgrade Report
(pdf 2.53 MB)
Friends of Merrymeeting Bay & Applied Biomonitoring
Jan 28, 2011
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2011/2012 Lower Androscoggin River Water Monitoring and Upgrade Report
(pdf 4.26 MB)
Friends of Merrymeeting Bay & Applied Biomonitoring
Mar 29, 2013
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2021 Lower Androscoggin Macroinvertebrate Sampling Study
(External Link)
Paul C. Leeper
Moody Mountain Environmental
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Androscoggin River Fact Sheet
(External Link)
Androscoggin River Alliance
Feb 24, 2005
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Androscoggin River History Presentation
(pdf 4.49 MB)
Androscoggin River Alliance
2006
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Androscoggin River Upgrade Proposal 2008
Submission Guidelines (web page 24 KB)
FOMB Andro Upgrade Proposal (web page 17 KB)
Dissolved Oxygen Data (web page 96 KB)
Excel file (35 KB)
Fecal Coliform Data (web page 80 KB)
Excel file (44 KB)
2005-2008 Andro Bacteria Minus October Anomalous Flows (web page 139 KB)
Excel file (43 KB)
2008 Water Reclassification Summary with DEP Recommendations (pdf file 150 KB)
BEP Public Hearing Recommendation September 18, 2008 (pdf file 20 KB)
BEP Public Hearing Transcript September 18, 2008 (pdf file 301 KB)
Lewiston Joins Effort to get River Water Quality Elevated October 1, 2008 (web page 4 KB)
Conservation Law Foundation Written Comments October 2, 2008 (pdf file 1.3 MB)
MDEP ReClassification Response to Comments October 29, 2008 (web page 110 KB)
Sun Journal Editorial November 2, 2008 (web page 5 KB)
Times Record Letter November 4, 2008 (web page 6 KB)
FOMB testimony on LD 330. River Reclassification Androscoggin Upgrade February 17, 2009 (web page 17 KB)
Sun Journal Staff Article February 20, 2009 (web page)
Sun Journal Staff Article April 17, 2009 (web page)
Times Record Editorial July 17, 2010 (pdf file 58 KB)
Sun Journal Staff Article August 15, 2010 (pdf file 160 KB)
Times Record - Bill to upgrade Androscoggin River water quality draws scrutiny 2-4-2011 (pdf file 125 KB)
FOMB Press Release on Androscoggin Report 2-7-11 (pdf file 12 KB)
FOMB Testimony for LD 154 Androscoggin Upgrade - 2-8-2011
Lewiston Sun Journal - DEP, business interests align against river reclassification - 2-9-11 (pdf file 56 KB)
Lewiston Sun Journal - C+? B-? Compromise looms in river
reclassification 4-12-2011 (pdf file 22 KB)
Bangor Daily News - Parties at odds over Androscoggin River reclassification 4-12-2011 (pdf file 64 KB)
Times Record - A new class for the Androscoggin? 4-15-2011 (pdf file 60 KB)
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Androscoggin River Upgrade Proposal 2020
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Androscoggin River Upgrade Proposal 2025
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1 Page Summary 2026 Androscoggin River Upgrade 1-13-26
(pdf 373 KB)
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2025_DEP WQS-ChangeProposals_ForPublic_05282025
(pdf 2.83 MB)
Detailed DEP Triennial Proposed Changes
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Androscoggin Upgrade Proposal 2025 Press-Sun Journal and Press Herald 7-2-25
(pdf 316 KB)
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FOMB BEP Triennial Comments and Report Compressed 10-16-25
(pdf 3.34 MB)
Our final testimony and report in support of upgrading the upper lower Androscoggin from Worumbo dam to Gulf Island Pond from Class C to Class B. Report is result of sampling from helicopter for 10 sites on six dates. www.pointofviewhelicopters.com. In depth legal testimony was provided by attorney Scott Sells.
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FOMB BEP Triennial Review Androscoggin Upgrade -Legal Analysis-Scott Sells 10-22-2
(pdf 340 KB)
Excellent legal analysis of reclassification statutes and proposal by attorney Scott Sells
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FOMB DEP Triennial Comments Final 6-29-25 Compressed
(pdf 4.23 MB)
Initial comments on upgrade proposal from Worumbo dam to Gulf Island Pond.
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FOMB Helo Sampling Upper Lower Andro 2024-2025 with pH
(xlsx 25 KB)
This spreadsheet contains all sampling data from single test flight in August, 2024 and all seven sampling flights in 2025. We used a helicopter with amphibious floats (Point of View Helicopter Services) enabling us to sample an extensive longitudinal profile of 10 sites along the river reach from Worumbo dam in Lisbon Falls (site A1) into Gulf Island Pond (site A9). Despite the numbers: A1-A9, there were 10 sites but we called one BR because it was the only one with a recognized name which we thought was Benner Rips (just above I-95). As it turns out, the actual name may be Dresser Rips!
Six of our sampling flights were planned initially and funded by FOMB and the Merrymeeting Bay Chapter of Trout Unlimited. Because we wanted to focus on worst case conditions-meaning low flow and high temperatures, we planned one flight in June, two each in July and August and one in September. Because we had record drought conditions and they extended over a month beyond our early September “final” sampling, we conducted a seventh sampling flight in early October.
With over 200 samples conducted of dissolved oxygen (DO) in mg/l, DO in % saturation and E. coli, Class B criteria were met at all times during the period regulated by DEP which is May 15-September 30. During this period, wastewater treatment plants are required to chlorinate and then de-chlorinate their discharges. Historically, the thought was before and after these dates, colder water and air temperatures minimize growth of harmful E. coli bacteria. With increased warming however we see an extended range of warmer temperatures with more use of the rivers and so new DEP discharge permits will have an extended treatment period from April 15-October 31. Unfortunately DEP has had a 4-year backlog of expired permits and they are only just now beginning to catch up. Our October sampling which showed sky-high bacteria loading from the Lewiston-Auburn wastewater plant (LAWPCA) because we were sampling outside of the treatment range the plant continues to operate under until the new permit is actually issued.
Numerical excursions beyond Class B limits are shown in red. The only E.coli exceedances (above a geometric mean of 64mpn [most probable number]) were in October and don’t compromise Class B attainment as currently regulated. Class B minimums for DO are 7mg/l or 75% saturation whichever is higher. We had one DO reading of 6.7mg/l in the Deer Rips impoundment as a result of anoxic water coming in from deep in Gulf Island Pond through the turbines but the same sample showed a DO saturation of over 75% so this still met the Class B attainment criteria. All DO readings from all ten stations at all seven samplings easily met Class B requirements.
Aquatic life standards, not in this spreadsheet but the third major DEP criteria after DO and E.coli bacteria, we measured back in 2021. Of the six sites we deployed rock baskets in (these get colonized by benthic macroinvertebrates, analyzed for species and abundance and then fed into a model to determine classification), four were between Worumbo and Lewiston Falls (two were below Worumbo). All three of the sites in free-flowing water met the Class B criteria while the fourth, in the upper Worumbo impoundment modeled at Class C but still meets the Class B qualification because of a statutory exemption for hydropower impoundments recognizing their unique nature. Numerical details on this sampling can be found in our 10/16./26 Triennial Comments to the BEP on this page and the sampling project and techniques in our Summer 2021 newsletter.
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LAWPCA MEPDES-permit 2016
(pdf 4.40 MB)
Lewiston-Auburn 2016 expired MEPDES permit they are still operating under in 2025. DEP has had trouble hiring and keeping permit writers and there is a tremendous backlog. The old permits require disinfection from May 1-Septemeber 30 and the new ones expand this from April 15-October 31. DEP has authority under current permit to require year-round disinfection.
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TR Staff Memo 8-21-25
(pdf 902 KB)
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TR_DEP-PubComm_MayJune2025 Compressed
(pdf 22.04 MB)
Public Comments on various Triennial upgrade and other proposals.
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TR_DEP-PubComm_RTCs_final_08212025
(pdf 660 KB)
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TR_DEP-WQS-Proposals
(pdf 83 KB)
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Androscoggin River Volunteer River Monitoring Program
Maine DEP and Friends of Merrymeeting Bay
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Belted Kingfishers (Ceryle alcyon)
(pdf 828 KB)
as indicators of
methyl mercury availability in aquatic systems (1997-2003)
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Casco Bay Plan 1996
(pdf 9.61 MB)
Toxic Pollution is in Chapter 5
Oct 1, 1996
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Case for Caution revisited:
(pdf 767 KB)
Health and Environmental Impacts of Application of Sewage Sludges to Agricultural Land (pdf file 750 KB)
Ellen Z. Harrison, retired Director, and Murray McBride, Director,
Cornell Waste Management Institute, Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences, Rice Hall,
Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. (cwmi.css.cornell.edu)
Sep 1, 2008
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Chemical Recycling
(pdf 3.09 MB)
A Dangerous Deception.
Beyond Plastics - Benington College
Oct 1, 2023
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Circular Claims Fall Flat
(pdf 811 KB)
Comprehensive U.S. Survey of Plastics Recyclability
Feb 18, 2020
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Circular Claims Fall Flat Again
(pdf 1.70 MB)
Final Update Report 2022
Greenpeace Report
Oct 1, 2022
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E. coli Monitoring - Effective Techniques
and Test Kits for Volunteers
(pdf 499 KB)
Dr. Lois Wolfson
Michigan State University
Michigan Clean Water Corps Conference
Oct 16, 2007
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FOMB/DEP Volunteer River Monitoring Program:
Friends of Merrymeeting Bay (FOMB)- {counties: Androscoggin, Sagadahoc, Cumberland}
- Sampling and Analysis Plan (SAP)
- Appendices specific to FOMB
- Common [Core] Appendices
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Appendix A: Data Quality Objectives (VRMP QAPP-Table 3a).
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Appendix B: Frequency of Precision Measurements (VRMP QAPP-Table 3c).
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Appendix C: standard operating procedures (SOPs)
(Note: SOPs are located on a separate webpage. An individual group's Sampling and Analysis Plan specifies which particular SOPs apply to the group. If you would like to get back to this page, click the "Back" arrow or button on your Internet browser.)
- Appendix D (coversheet): Field data sheets and IDEXX bacteria lab sheets.
- Appendix D-A-1 [field datasheet - Tier 1] [not specific to any particular volunteer group]
- Appendix D-A-2 [field datasheet - Tier 2] [not specific to any particular volunteer group]
- Appendix D-B [D. O. depth profile datasheet]
- Appendix D-C [IDEXX Colilert datasheet]
- Appendix E: Sample Holding Times and Preservation (VRMP QAPP-Table 3d).
- Appendix F: Site Location Form
- Appendix H: Sampling Position Requirements (VRMP QAPP-Table 4a).
- Appendix I: Maintenance, Testing and Inspection Procedures (VRMP QAPP-Table 5a).
- Appendix J: Data Management Overview (VRMP QAPP-Section 5.10).
- Appendix K: Criteria used to Review/Validate Data (VRMP QAPP-Table 6).
- Appendix L: IDEXX Lab QA-QC Steps (from VRMP QAPP Appendix 11).
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Freshwater Mussels & Testing for Toxins
(Internal Page)
(For basic info on freshwater mussels,
see also above section on fish & wildlife)
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Friends of Merrymeeting Bay Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Program and Data
(Internal Page)
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In Harms Way Breast Feeding Fact Sheet
(pdf 132 KB)
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In Harms Way Breast Feeding Fact Sheet-Health Care Providers
(pdf 125 KB)
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In Harms Way-Environment Fact Sheet
(pdf 183 KB)
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In Harms Way-Greater Boston Physicians for Social Responsibility-1998
(pdf 2.25 MB)
In 1998 GBPSR launched the project In Harm’s Way: Toxic Threats to Child Development to address this important issue. A 140 page, fully referenced, peer reviewed report, addressing the links between toxic chemicals in our environment and learning, behavioral and developmental disabilities in children.
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In Harms Way-Health Care Provider Fact Sheet
(pdf 145 KB)
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In Harms Way-Provider Training Slide Show
(pdf 1.37 MB)
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Integrating Ambient and Compliance Monitoring in the Kennebec River Basin
(pdf 149 KB)
Paper presented at the National Water Quality Monitoring Council Conference
Keith Robinson & David Courtemanch, U.s. Geological Survey
Jul 9, 1998
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Introduction to Bacteria Monitoring of Surface water
for Volunteers
(pdf 389 KB)
Stacey Moulds
Alliance for the
Chesapeake Bay
Feb 7, 2004
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Maine Biological and
Nutrient Criteria
(pdf 2.34 MB)
Tom Daniellson and
Dave Courtemanch
Maine DEP
Feb 27, 2008
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Maine DEP Dioxin Monitoring Report
(pdf 1.93 MB)
Date: 2000
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MDEP Surface Water Ambient Toxics Monitoring Report 2021-2022, pub April 2023
(pdf 5.21 MB)
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Mind Disrupted Biomonitoring Report From Alaska
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NMI Studys - Real Estate Benefits of Clean Rivers
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PAN Pesticide Ecotoxicity Study Index for Aquatic Organisms
(External Link)
PesticideInfo.org
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PFAS (perfluoroalkyl substances) Research and Analysis Info
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PFAS Briefing Maine Legislature Environment & Natural Resources Committee
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Physicians for Social Responsibility - Hazardous Chemicals In Healthcare
(pdf 2.01 MB)
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Reducing Environmental Cancer Risk: What We Can Do Now
(pdf 7.63 MB)
President's Cancer Panel Report
Apr 1, 2010
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Sediment Reports
(Internal Page)
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Smoke Gets in Your Lungs: Outdoor Wood Boilers in New York State
(pdf 764 KB)
Office of the Attorney General of New York State, Environmental Protection Bureau
Aug 1, 2005
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State Legislation for Secure Medicine Return:
(pdf 1.38 MB)
A Comparison of Maine and Washington
Ann Pistell, Maine Department of
Environmental Protection
Cheri Grasso, Local Hazardous Waste
Management Program in King County
Oct 1, 2009
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Stockholm Report on Persistent Organic Pollutants in the Arctic
(pdf 703 KB)
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Surface Water Ambient Toxics Monitoring Program (SWAT)
(External Link)
Maine's Surface Water Ambient Toxics (SWAT) monitoring program was established in 1993
(38 MRSA §420-B) to determine the nature, scope and severity of toxic contamination in the
surface waters and fisheries of the State.
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Towards Ending Plastic Pollution by 2040
(pdf 5.12 MB)
Nordic Council of Ministers
Dec 9, 2023
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Treating Contaminants of Emerging Concern
(pdf 5.75 MB)
A Literature Review Database | Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products
US EPA
Aug 1, 2010
