The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Clean Water Act Section 319 grant program (319) funds work to reduce watershed erosion to improve water quality.
Administered in Maine by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the 319 program funds projects in watersheds that have EPA-approved management or protection plans. All lakes in the Belgrade Lakes watershed have EPA-approved plans.
319 funding is available to homeowners, road associations, businesses, and towns for erosion control projects that improve water quality. Since 2018, 7 Lakes Alliance has received 319 grant funding of $1,380,000 resulting in over $3.5 million in erosion control and water quality improvement projects throughout the Belgrade Lakes watershed.
Road Improvement Projects
As of March 2026, 7 Lakes Alliance has 319 funding available for projects on Messalonskee Lake and Long Pond. Funding can be used for road improvement projects that reduce erosion and run-off to the lakes. Funding cannot be used for routine road maintenance. Typical projects involve installing ditching, upgrading culverts, and other major road improvements that add drainage capacity and that stabilize roads.
Road Management Plans
Grant funds can also be used for Road Management Plans to assess road problems and provide technical advice. The plans are an important tool in capital budgeting and in contracting and are used to plan many road improvement projects. Plans are provided by Kennebec County Soil & Water Conservation District.
Technical Assistance
Technical assistance for erosion problems is available to homeowners, road associations, businesses and towns, and is provided by 7 Lakes Alliance, Kennebec County Soil & Water Conservation District, and Maine DEP.
Gravel Road Workshops
7 Lakes Alliance holds an annual Gravel Road Workshop, geared towards road associations, homeowners, towns, and contractors.
Workshop partners include Kennebec County Soil & Water Conservation District, Maine DEP, Maine Department of Transportation, Maine Association for Road Associations, Friends of Cobbossee, and 30 Mile River Watershed Association.
Funding
Project funding is available through 7 Lakes Alliance and provided through a Cost-Share Agreement. Depending on the size of the project, up to 50% of project costs can be covered in the agreement.
If you have a road in need of improvement, email the erosion control team to see if your project qualifies for funding. Contact 7 Lakes Alliance for more information.