Meeting to address Birch Stream area

BANGOR – The city, Bangor International Airport and the Maine Air National Guard will hold a meeting this week regarding Birch Stream.

The purpose of the session – set for 5 p.m. Thursday, June 28, at University College of Bangor’s College Center on Texas Avenue – is to gather public comment as part of the development of a watershed management plan aimed at improving the stream’s water quality.

According to an announcement issued by the city, the state Department of Environmental Protection has submitted a report to the federal Environmental Protection Agency documenting the findings of recent water quality studies conducted of the stream and surrounding areas.

The biggest problem facing the stream is storm-water runoff from multiple sources, DEP has found.

Birch Stream came under scrutiny in 2003, when DEP began investigating the contamination of the stream by a deicing agent the airport was using on military and commercial aircraft. Neighborhood residents of Griffin Park housing complex complained that the propylene glycol antifreeze used in the de-icer caused headaches and other ailments.

Since then, BIA and the Air Guard have installed a de-icer collection system, which diverts the fluid from the stream to the city’s wastewater treatment facility.

They also have teamed up to clean debris from the section of the stream located behind the Airport Mall.

The meeting will include a description of DEP’s findings and a look at possible regulatory and financial ramifications for the city and businesses, institutions and residences located within the Birch Stream watershed.

Those who attend also will be briefed on possible sources of pollutants present in the watershed and steps other communities have taken to restore water quality.

Participants are asked to bring their ideas regarding the development of a comprehensive watershed management plan for Birch Stream.

The Birch Stream watershed includes all properties that drain directly or indirectly into the stream, including: the airport and Air Guard base; Union Street, from Vermont Avenue to the high point beyond Penobscot Job Corps; Maine Avenue north of Dunning Street to the high point just beyond University College; Ohio Street, from Sunbury Village to Bolling Drive; Griffin Road, from Ohio Street to the airport; all of New Capehart; and land adjacent to Birch Stream, from Ohio Street to the Kenduskeag Stream.

For information, contact Wendy Warren, the city’s environmental coordinator, at 992-4255.