Environment

On Stevens Brook Pond

| Joanne Cole, NGX | A recent bright, cold morning – before the rains and thaw – brought Jaime Wallace and Matt LaPierre to the Stevens Brook pond on Gloucester […]

Jaime Wallace, left, and Matt LaPierre

| Joanne Cole, NGX |

A recent bright, cold morning – before the rains and thaw – brought Jaime Wallace and Matt LaPierre to the Stevens Brook pond on Gloucester Hill Road. Vigilant passersby inquired whether they were ice fishing and if so, whether they had licenses.

In fact, Wallace and LaPierre were taking sediment samples, a preliminary step in the Stevens Brook project that includes major culvert, dam, and road deck work. Last month the town accepted a bid of $715,555 from Shaw Brothers of Gorham as general contractor, subject to voters’ approval of funding at town meeting. Wallace and LaPierre work for Wright-Pierce environmental engineering of Topsham, which is providing engineering, technical oversight, and other project-related services to the town. 

Stevens Brook

The project includes dredging and disposal, and Wallace and LaPierre were on the pond to collect sediment samples. Wallace, a project engineer, explained that the samples will be tested for PCBs and other contaminants. Lab results go to DEP. If contaminants exceed allowable limits, DEP performs a risk assessment that determines where the dredged materials will ultimately be placed.  

After taking twelve samples from across the pond, Wallace and LaPierre packed up, leaving nothing but tracks.

Photos: Joanne Cole