April 28
Please join us for the Long Island Shoreline Erosion Webinar, at 6pm, Monday, May 18, on Zoom. Topics include how to address shoreline erosion and nature-based, and hybrid shoreline stabilization approaches, including native plantings. The session will also include insights from recent site visits and assessments conducted by a ShoreCorps Steward using the state’s OURSHORE framework.
April 6
Septic System Resources for Island Residents – here’s the link
Septic System Basics for Island & Coastal Homeowners 2026
Join us for a riveting online presentation by local experts on …
Septic Systems!
Recorded Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/7UVNmhD9j0TKLo58DXqfdO9mLXKWR7SDaf6c_kiZTGL3G4qRaqc-YS7XWzqs69T9.s-coIgZlc0y6eSz3
Passcode: hCZ^Y5DF
Topics include:
· How Septic Systems Work
· Challenges with septic systems on the coast of Maine
· Maintenance and operational considerations for seasonal septic systems
· Special Requirements in the Shoreland Zone, and new requirements for septic systems in Maine
· The ins and outs of septic system inspections
· Requirements for ADUs
Speakers:
Alex Pugh, Senior Hydrogeologist, Maine Drinking Water Program
Alex has worked for the State of Maine for over 30 years as a hydrogeologist with the Maine DEP and the Maine Drinking Water program. Currently he is responsible for managing the Water Protection Section and the Subsurface Wastewater Unit at Maine Drinking Water Program, which is part of Maine CDC.
Brent Lawson, State Site Evaluator/State Plumbing Inspector
Brent has over 25 years of experience with the State of Maine and wastewater management. In his position, he oversees the Local Plumbing Inspectors and the Site evaluators, does site visits, assist municipalities and Local Plumbing Inspectors, and administers the Site Evaluator exam.
Questions? Contact Darsey Trudo, Long Island’s Resiliency Fellow at dtrudo@gpcog.org
2025
Groundwater project site explainer
The Groundwater Sustainability Project conducted from 2024-2025 revealed on-going water quality challenges on the island. Since most of the water withdrawn from our bedrock aquifer goes back into the ground through onsite wastewater disposal systems, it’s critical that these systems are properly sited, constructed, and maintained. The following links share resources for understanding Long Island’s water supply and properly taking care of wastewater disposal systems.
Long Island Groundwater Sustainability Study 2024-25 Resources:
State shares drought impact information
September 23, 2025
Unfortunately, dry periods are becoming more frequent in Maine, with some parts of the state experiencing unusually dry or drought conditions almost annually. Long Island and much of Maine are currently experiencing a Flash Drought, which typically happens during the warm seasons. About half of the state is classified as having severe drought conditions – including all of Cumberland County.
Read more about the September 2025 Maine Drought Information here
Groundwater Sustainability Forum: Community Voices and Next Steps
October 1, 2025
On August 28th, the Long Island Community Resilience Team hosted a Groundwater Sustainability Forum to share the final results of the 18‑month Groundwater Sustainability Study and gather input from residents on next steps.
The study, led by hydrologist Carol White of C.A. White and supported by Resilience Fellows Emma Morgan and Brian Wilcenski, created a well and septic database, examined groundwater conditions, and developed recommendations to address vulnerabilities…….
Click here to read more about the Forum
Join us to learn final results of the Groundwater Sustainability Study
August 28, 2025
Save the date: 6:30pm, Thursday, August 28 at the Community Center. The Resilience Team will hold a community forum to discuss overall results of the island’s Groundwater Sustainability Study with insights, observations and recommended actions.
The study has been going on for over 18 months. We have collected data on wells and septic systems, tested water samples at residences and public buildings across the island, and studied the island’s soil and geology. The information and analysis has helped generate new data sets and maps which will be very helpful in informing decisions where groundwater may play a role moving forward.
We will soon have a full report outlining findings, conclusions and recommendations. The August 28 forum will include a facilitated community discussion to prioritize and begin to act on the recommendations. We will hear from hydrologist Carol White of C.A. White and Associates and engage in conversation facilitated by Julia Maine of FB Environmental.
The report will include output from the community discussions on August 28th and will be publically available. We envision more community outreach and discussions going forward on this important topic.
This forum follows our June 30 initial groundwater forum that was attended by more than 30 community members. We learned about Long Island’s aquifer, the importance of septic system care, and head some preliminary findings from Carol White and former Resilience Fellow Bryan Wilcinski.
Please Contact: Janice Avignon at jeavignon@gmail.com
This forum is hosted by Long Island’s Community Resilience Team. The Groundwater Sustainability Study is funded by a Community Action Grant made possible through Long Island’s participation in Maine’s Community Resilience Partnership. The work was completed in large part by GPCOG/AmeriCorps Resilience Corps Fellows Emma Morgan and Brian Wilcenski and by hydrologist Carol White. Thanks to the Greater Portland Council of Governments, the Island Institute, CA White and Associates for the partnership and expertise through the process. We are grateful for all the volunteers from Long Island who joined in the work along the way.
In case you missed it or want to review the materials, here they are:
For more information, please contact Janice Avignon at jeavignon@gmail.com
Anchored In Action: Strengthening Our Island Community, Together
August 3rd, 2025
We had an excellent turnout for the workshop last month where seasonal and year-round residents came together to talk about addressing the challenges of coastal and community resilience on Long Island.
The goals of the workshop were to provide a status update on the resilience related priorities that were laid out in the 2022 Town of Long Island Comprehensive Plan, to discuss whether or not these priorities have changed and to help participants identify how they can get involved in resilience work.
The session was planned by the Long Island Community Resilience Team in partnership with the inter-island Calling Your Bluff group. Facilitation for the workshop was provided by Julia Maine and Bina Skordas of FB Environmental, with funding from a Maine Coastal Communities Grant.
Coastal resilience is the ability to withstand, adapt to, and recover from natural hazards like storms, flooding, erosion, wildfires and sea-level rise while maintaining essential functions and services.
Community resilience is the capacity to withstand and recover from various stresses and shocks while maintaining essential social services, economic stability, affordable housing, and equitable access to resources that support well-being. It emerged in the discussion that coastal resilience and community resilience are interdependent.
The Comprehensive Plan laid out six top priorities and four of them were related to coastal resilience: preserve and protect the groundwater supply, protect and manage natural resource, maintain access to the working waterfront, and build resilience and self-sufficiency to cope with climate impacts.
As the participants discussed these priorities and the progress that has been made to address them, (i.e., the Water Sustainability Study, the Ponces Wharf repairs, and the Wildfire Vulnerability Study), it became evident that community resilience priorities were also of the utmost importance.
For example, the need for affordable housing is linked to the crisis we face in keeping our school open, addressing the staffing on the Fire and Rescue service and generally filling the numerous jobs and volunteer roles that keep the town functioning smoothly.
Workshop participants shared with one another the ways in which they serve the community. People talked about their work in the town government and town committees, the Fire and Safety service, the Transfer Station, the Island School, the Recreation Department, the Wellness Center, the Long Island Civic Association, the Library, the Community Garden, the Gift Shop, the island churches, pickle ball court fundraising and many other causes.
Even though most of the folks in the room were already actively involved in volunteering, everyone wanted to find out how they could help with urgent initiatives related to resilience. The Community Resilience Team will be following up with workshop participants to offer to match them with volunteer opportunities soon.
It was truly astounding to observe how generous people are with their time and talent on this Island. As the meeting came to a close, the need to show appreciation for the hard work that volunteers and staff do was emphasized. All of us can be part of this gratitude practice: simply take notice of the ways your neighbors and friends sustain our island way of life and say thank you!
If you would like to get involved in helping our community thrive, please contact Jane Oldfield-Spearman at janeellen.os@gmail.com or another member of the Community Resilience Team – Linda McCann and Janice Avignon.
Groundwater Community Forum
June 30 2025
Groundwater Community Forum: June 30th from 6:15 – 7:30 PM. Please note that the date listed in the June LICA newsletter has been updated: The Groundwater Community Forum has been moved from June 23rd to June 30th from 6:15-7:30 PM at the Community Center.
Have you ever wondered how septic systems work? What steps can you take to keep yours in tip-top shape? Why does septic system maintenance matter?
Come get answers to all your questions about wastewater at the Groundwater Community Forum organized by the Community Resilience Team on June 30th from 6:15–7:30 PM at the Community Center. Hydrogeologist Carol White from C.A. White & Associates will be there to answer your questions and provide steps you can take to protect the health of our community and groundwater resources.
We will also be sharing some preliminary results from the Groundwater Sustainability Study and discussing what they mean for the health of our water supply.
Join the community conversation at
Anchored in Action workshop
State shares drought impact information
September 23, 2025
Unfortunately, dry periods are becoming more frequent in Maine, with some parts of the state experiencing unusually dry or drought conditions almost annually. Long Island and much of Maine are currently experiencing a Flash Drought, which typically happens during the warm seasons. About half of the state is classified as having severe drought conditions – including all of Cumberland County.
Read more about the September 2025 Maine Drought Information here
Long Island Groundwater
Sustainability Study 2024-25
Ground Water Quality Presentation
Septicsmart kitchen postcard
Locating Your Well and Septic System –
Sept. 23, 2025
State shares drought impact information
Unfortunately, dry periods are becoming more frequent in Maine, with some parts of the state experiencing unusually dry or drought conditions almost annually. Long Island and much of Maine are currently experiencing a Flash Drought, which typically happens during the warm seasons. About half of the state is classified as having severe drought conditions – including all of Cumberland County.
SEPTEMBER 2025 MAINE DROUGHT INFORMATION
Groundwater Sustainability Forum: Community Voices and Next Steps
Island residents learn about the groundwater study
On August 28th, the Long Island Community Resilience Team hosted a Groundwater Sustainability Forum to share the final results of the 18‑month Groundwater Sustainability Study and gather input from residents on next steps.
The study, led by hydrologist Carol White of C.A. White and supported by Resilience Fellows Emma Morgan and Brian Wilcenski, created a well and septic database, examined groundwater conditions, and developed recommendations to address vulnerabilities.
Groundwater Sustainability Forum Information
AUG. 28, 2025
Join us to learn final results of the Groundwater Sustainability Study
Save the date: 6:30pm, Thursday, August 28 at the Community Center. The Resilence Team will hold a community forum to discuss overall results of the island’s Groundwater Sustainability Study with insights, observations and recommended actions.
The study has been going on for over 18 months. We have collected data on wells and septic systems, tested water samples at residences and public buildings across the island, and studied the island’s soil and geology. The information and analysis has helped generate new data sets and maps which will be very helpful in informing decisions where groundwater may play a role moving forward.
We will soon have a full report outlining findings, conclusions and recommendations. The August 28 forum will include a facilitated community discussion to prioritize and begin to act on the recommendations. We will hear from hydrologist Carol White of C.A. White and Associates and engage in conversation facilitated by Julia Maine of FB Environmental.
The report will include output from the community discussions on August 28th and will be publically available. We envision more community outreach and discussions going forward on this important topic.
This forum follows our June 30 initial groundwater forum that was attended by more than 30 community members. We learned about Long Island’s aquifer, the importance of septic system care, and head some preliminary findings from Carol White and former Resilience Fellow Bryan Wilcinski.
Please Contact: Janice Avignon at jeavignon@gmail.com
This forum is hosted by Long Island’s Community Resilience Team. The Groundwater Sustainability Study is funded by a Community Action Grant made possible through Long Island’s participation in Maine’s Community Resilience Partnership. The work was completed in large part by GPCOG/AmeriCorps Resilience Corps Fellows Emma Morgan and Brian Wilcenski and by hydrologist Carol White. Thanks to the Greater Portland Council of Governments, the Island Institute, CA White and Associates for the partnership and expertise through the process. We are grateful for all the volunteers from Long Island who joined in the work along the way.
If you missed it or want to review the materials, here they are:
VIDEO OF THE JUNE 30TH MEETING
GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY SLIDES
For more information, please contact Janice Avignon at jeavignon@gmail.com
August 3, 2025
Summarizing the July 30 event
Anchored In Action: Strengthening Our Island Community, Together
Jane Oldfield-Spearman
We had an excellent turnout for the workshop last month where seasonal and year-round residents came together to talk about addressing the challenges of coastal and community resilience on Long Island.
The goals of the workshop were to provide a status update on the resilience related priorities that were laid out in the 2022 Town of Long Island Comprehensive Plan, to discuss whether or not these priorities have changed and to help participants identify how they can get involved in resilience work.
The session was planned by the Long Island Community Resilience Team in partnership with the inter-island Calling Your Bluff group. Facilitation for the workshop was provided by Julia Maine and Bina Skordas of FB Environmental, with funding from a Maine Coastal Communities Grant.
Coastal resilience is the ability to withstand, adapt to, and recover from natural hazards like storms, flooding, erosion, wildfires and sea-level rise while maintaining essential functions and services.
Community resilience is the capacity to withstand and recover from various stresses and shocks while maintaining essential social services, economic stability, affordable housing, and equitable access to resources that support well-being. It emerged in the discussion that coastal resilience and community resilience are interdependent.
The Comprehensive Plan laid out six top priorities and four of them were related to coastal resilience: preserve and protect the groundwater supply, protect and manage natural resource, maintain access to the working waterfront, and build resilience and self-sufficiency to cope with climate impacts.
As the participants discussed these priorities and the progress that has been made to address them, (i.e., the Water Sustainability Study, the Ponces Wharf repairs, and the Wildfire Vulnerability Study), it became evident that community resilience priorities were also of the utmost importance.
For example, the need for affordable housing is linked to the crisis we face in keeping our school open, addressing the staffing on the Fire and Rescue service and generally filling the numerous jobs and volunteer roles that keep the town functioning smoothly.
Workshop participants shared with one another the ways in which they serve the community. People talked about their work in the town government and town committees, the Fire and Safety service, the Transfer Station, the Island School, the Recreation Department, the Wellness Center, the Long Island Civic Association, the Library, the Community Garden, the Gift Shop, the island churches, pickle ball court fundraising and many other causes.
Even though most of the folks in the room were already actively involved in volunteering, everyone wanted to find out how they could help with urgent initiatives related to resilience. The Community Resilience Team will be following up with workshop participants to offer to match them with volunteer opportunities soon.
It was truly astounding to observe how generous people are with their time and talent on this Island. As the meeting came to a close, the need to show appreciation for the hard work that volunteers and staff do was emphasized. All of us can be part of this gratitude practice: simply take notice of the ways your neighbors and friends sustain our island way of life and say thank you!
If you would like to get involved in helping our community thrive, please contact Jane Oldfield-Spearman at janeellen.os@gmail.com or another member of the Community Resilience Team – Linda McCann and Janice Avignon.
June 30
Groundwater Community Forum
Groundwater Community Forum: June 30th from 6:15 – 7:30 PM. Please note that the date listed in the June LICA newsletter has been updated: The Groundwater Community Forum has been moved from June 23rd to June 30th from 6:15-7:30 PM at the Community Center.
Have you ever wondered how septic systems work? What steps can you take to keep yours in tip-top shape? Why does septic system maintenance matter?
Come get answers to all your questions about wastewater at the Groundwater Community Forum organized by the Community Resilience Team on June 30th from 6:15–7:30 PM at the Community Center. Hydrogeologist Carol White from C.A. White & Associates will be there to answer your questions and provide steps you can take to protect the health of our community and groundwater resources.
We will also be sharing some preliminary results from the Groundwater Sustainability Study and discussing what they mean for the health of our water supply.
July 15
Last Updated on April 28, 2026 by The LIME Website Team