Peat As A Commercial Resource 



Peat is mined at several bogs in Maine for use as a soil conditioner and as 

 horticultural material. Two types of peat are harvested commercially, sphag- 

 num peat and peat humus. 



Sphagnum moss peat contains a minimum of 67% fiber by weight, has a low ash 

 content (<10%), and has a minimum water-holding capacity of 800% by weight. 

 It is the principal material mined from Maine bogs. 



Peat humus is decomposed moss peat, has a low water-holding capacity and a 

 medium-to-high nitrogen content. Minor amounts of this material are mined at 

 some operations that normally extract moss peat. 



Recent interest in energy resources has spawned interest in Maine peat as a 

 source of energy, either by direct burning or conversion to gas. Recent tests 

 by the U.S. Bureau of Mines indicate that some Maine bogs may yield peat 

 which, when dried and burned, will release up to 9000 BTU/lb (personal commu- 

 nication from W. A. Anderson, Maine Geological Survey, Augusta, ME.; March, 

 1979). 



Over 31 million short tons of commercial peat resources have been surveyed 

 within the coastal counties from Cumberland to Washington Counties (atlas map 

 3). More reserves exist but are unsurveyed. 



PALUSTRINE MANAGEMENT 



In Maine there are limited direct Federal and State controls over palustrine 

 wetland areas. These are discussed in chapter 3. This section describes 

 habitat management programs in palustrine wetlands in coastal Maine. 



MDIFW owns and manages some palustrine wetland areas in coastal Maine. 

 Wetlands under MDIFW ownership are ensured protection. MDIFW protects and 

 manages beaver populations for production. Beaver management is indirectly 

 related to wetland management as beavers, by impounding streams, create pro- 

 ductive wetland areas. An estimated 1000 active beaver flowages exist in the 

 wildlife management units that encompass the characterization area (Hunt and 

 Boettger 1975). Hodgdon and Hunt (1966) noted that increases in waterfowl 

 numbers in Maine coincided with beaver increases. Ruffed grouse and woodcock 

 feed in the small openings in the woods created by beavers. 



MDIFW and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Moosehorn National Wildlife 

 Refuge) have been involved in marsh management programs in Maine intended to 

 improve habitat for waterfowl. These experimental programs have managed spe- 

 cific local areas comprising a very small percentage of palustrine wetlands in 

 coastal Maine. Small marshes were created and various management techniques 

 (drawdown, water level reduction, water level control, plant control, 

 fertilization, fire, and waterfowl food plantings) were applied. A study 

 evaluating the small wetland construction program of the MDIFW was conducted 

 by Spencer (1963). Fefer (1977) evaluated the palustrine wetland management 

 program at Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge. Detailed studies documenting 

 management techniques and their effects in coastal Maine are lacking. 



8-30 



