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Overview
The Long Creek Watershed Management Plan (July 2009) is a locally supported plan that was developed through a two-year stakeholder process that involved South Portland, Portland, Westbrook, Scarborough, Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District, DEP, EPA, Conservation Law Foundation, local nonprofits and small and large businesses. 

The goal now is to implement this first in the nation effort to address stormwater impacts through a collaborative structure with public entities and private businesses.  Plan implementation will include restoration of stream banks and stream channels and installation of structural retrofits in priority locations selected for environmental and cost effectiveness.

Causes of water quality & habitat impairment
Water quality problems can be linked to a range of land use activities, including activities associated with development.  Generally, impairment is linked to the amount of "impervious surface" -- pavement and roof-tops -- in the watershed.   When it rains, oil, grease, and silt are washed off impervious surfaces into streams.  Instead of seeping through the ground, water runs off rapidly, leading to high volume during storms, and low volume later. Temperature is raised where streams are not shaded, and where run-off is warmer than it would be if it seeped through unpaved ground.