Stopping Nitrogen Pollution

Friends of Casco Bay is working to reduce the emerging threat of nitrogen pollution in Maine's coastal waters.

Our advocacy efforts helped win passage of a state law to kick-start the process of establishing limits on nitrogen pollution in Casco Bay. This is a critical first step towarding tackling this problem.

Friends of Casco Bay persuaded our partner, Waterkeeper Alliance, to focus national attention on nitrogen pollution by devoting an entire issue of Waterkeeper Magazine to "Slime: Nutrient pollution turning our waters toxic green." Friends of Casco Bay staff members wrote the lead article.

The "Rise of Slime"

These footprints are Casco BAYKEEPER Joe Payne’s. This picture was taken in Mussel Cove in Falmouth and shows algae smothering a mudflat. More and more of our coast is beginning to be covered by this “rise of slime.”

What Friends of Casco Bay is Doing to Stop the Rise of Slime

The threat of nitrogen pollution in Maine’s waters is not theoretical. Friends of Casco Bay has collected many water samples in the Bay that show nitrogen at levels of concern, according to EPA and NOAA guidelines. Negative impacts include a “rise of slime” seen in increased algae smothering clamflats, increased numbers of jellyfish, red tides, and murky waters choking out eelgrass beds.

To combat the problem, we are:

-Collecting more water quality data from sites where nitrogen enters the Bay.

-Keeping pressure on municipalities to remove combined sewer overflows (CSOs), which mix stormwater with raw sewage. Both stormwater and sewage contain nitrogen, which can lead to nitrogen pollution.

-Making sure large passenger ships comply with Casco Bay's newly designated No Discharge Zone, which prohibits discharging treated and non-treated sewage into the Bay.

-Supporting the implementation of legislation passed in 2007 to establish nutrient standards for Maine's coastal waters.

Help Fund our Work to Combat Nitrogen Pollution

Support Friends of Casco Bay's work to stop the "rise of slime" caused by nitrogen pollution. To donate, click on the button below, and write "Nitrogen" in the designation box once you get to the billing page. Thank you for your support.