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Belgrade considers buffer-zone, phosphorus and pesticide measures as volunteers push education and workshops
Summary
At the March 19 joint meeting volunteers discussed Belgrade planning-board proposals on buffer zones, a phosphorus and pesticide ban, notice-to-abutter requirements, and regional education efforts including workshops, a local fact book and planned conferences.
Belgrade Natural Resources Council members and Rome water-quality volunteers used their March 19 joint meeting to compare local ordinance efforts, outreach plans and regional models for coordinated lake protection.
Chris Bradley summarized three ordinance efforts in Belgrade: a phosphorus and pesticide ban that received planning-board approval and awaits select-board consideration; a proposal to require notice to abutters when building permits are issued; and a prioritized buffer-zone ordinance tied to building permits. Meeting participants said the planning board is hesitant to require property owners to alter private lots, while the select board has signaled more support for water-quality improvements.
Attendees discussed incentive-based alternatives, including a potential tax program to encourage buffer creation (modeled on tree-growth tax reductions) and using LakeSmart designation as a carrot. Regional governance examples — a Cobbossee watershed district with taxing power and the Saco River Corridor model with a shared code-enforcement officer — were raised as templates for intermunicipal coordination.
The group also prioritized outreach and education: creating a local fact book to complement Maine Lakes' statewide Lake Book; hosting gravel workshops and inviting road associations to annual meetings; and seeking 319-grant opportunities. Cynthia Estheimer's February minutes were approved and the group set a next meeting for April 8 at 4:00.
Participants were asked to compile updated contact lists for road associations and other local groups to broaden outreach and to consider encouraging formation of similar committees in neighboring towns to strengthen regional advocacy.
