Quarry Road Master Plan
The Friends of Quarry Road are developing a new master plan that will articulate a unified, multi-season vision for the future of Quarry Road Trails. The master plan will explore opportunities to increase usage in all seasons, grow the Nordic ski operations, re-establish the Alpine skiing operation, and construct physical infrastructure that would enable the area to host large events.
In working towards these goals, the master planning process includes a substantial effort to engage the Waterville and Quarry Road Trails community. All of these inputs, and the resultant plans and analyses, will be distributed to the broader public via this website.
Your participation and continued interest in the project are vital to its success. Stay current on project activities by visiting this website, following Quarry Road Trails on Facebook, or signing up to receive updates by email.
Project News
5/13/25 - Notice of Availability - Draft Environmental Assessment
In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, the Friends of Quarry Road, on behalf of the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC), has completed a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) evaluating the potential environmental impacts of the Quarry Road Trails Parking and Stormwater Improvement Project (the Proposed Action). NEPA requires that federal agencies consider the effects of a proposed action and any reasonable alternatives on the human environment. This Draft EA evaluates the potential impacts that would result from the implementation of the Proposed Action as compared to the No Action alternative.
The Draft EA is available upon request. Please send an email request to nepa@nbrc.gov. The Draft EA will be provided in electronic format unless a hard copy is specifically requested.
Project Title: Quarry Road Trails Parking and Stormwater Improvement Project (Phase A)
Project Proponent: NBRC
Project Location: Waterville, Maine
Purpose of the Proposed Action: The Proposed Action aims to improve public access and stormwater management infrastructure at the Quarry Road Trails recreation area. The project would address seasonal flooding and lack of adequate parking, which currently limit public access and affect the use of the Nordic Stadium for ski events and community recreation.
Project Description: The project would include construction of new paved and pervious parking areas, grading and drainage improvements to the main stadium field, relocation of snowmaking and utility infrastructure, installation of lighting, and relocation or reinstallation of small accessory structures. All work would occur within previously developed and maintained areas of the Quarry Road Trails facility. Construction is expected to take approximately three to four months and would occur during the spring, summer, or fall, avoiding the winter season.
Public Comments: NBRC is accepting comments on this Draft EA from 05/13/2025 through the end of the day of 06/13/2025 Comments should be submitted by email to nepa@nbrc.gov or mailed to The Clark Group LLC, 137 Elm Street, Montpelier, VT 05602.
Date of Posting: 05/13/2025
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4/24/25 - Final Notice and Public Review of a Proposed Activity in a Wetland- Waterville, ME
To: All Interested Agencies, Groups, and Individuals
The Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) is considering whether to fund the following proposed action under its Catalyst Program. NBRC has prepared an 8-Step Decision-Making Process review in compliance with Executive Order (EO) 11990 (Protection of Wetlands), which aims to avoid, to the extent possible, the long- and short-term adverse impacts associated with the destruction or modification of wetlands and to prevent the direct or indirect support of new construction in wetlands where practicable alternatives exist.
The purpose of the proposed action is to construct a new parking area and improve drainage to the field area and related stormwater management system at the Quarry Road Trails recreation area located at 300 Quarry Road in Waterville, Maine. The site work will include the construction of a new parking lot and drop-off area, installation of stormwater infrastructure in the ski meadow and parking area, installation of lighting and associated underground electrical utilities for a primary parking area, improved grading and drainage at the Nordic stadium meadow area, relocation of existing welcome center yurt and associated utilities, and relocation of existing snowmaking lines. This project will enhance public access to the trail system by creating a paved, reliable parking area, and creating a reliable, well-drained Nordic Stadium area for ski and cross-country races.
For the proposed action, wetlands were identified using a wetland delineation based on the 1987 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual. Based on the wetland delineation, a portion of the project is located within a freshwater wetland, and the project warrants an analysis under the 8-Step Decision-Making Process.
The following alternatives to the proposed action were considered as part of the 8-Step Decision-Making Process.
No Action alternative: The No Action alternative would result in no federal funds supporting a new parking area, improvements to drainage in the field area, and stormwater management systems at the Quarry Road Trails recreation area. The No Action alternative would result in no impacts to wetlands but would not address the current public access issues at Quarry Road Trails. Public access to Quarry Road Trails would continue to be limited by the lack of paved parking areas, and participants and spectators would continue to park over a mile away and be bussed to the site. Ski and cross-country races would continue to be inhibited by muddy conditions due to the lack of adequate grading and stormwater infrastructure.
Alternative Location: The applicant considered other municipally owned locations to construct the proposed project. The site selection parameters included proximity of existing recreational facilities, site topography, and existing site conditions conducive for development. Because the City has invested in improvements and infrastructure for recreational use of the Quarry Road Trails facility, it was determined that there were no practicable alternative locations. The applicant further weighed several on-site locations to construct the proposed project while considering factors such as municipal zoning, buildable area, topography, and presence of protected natural resources. These alternative site layouts were rejected due to their impacts on protected natural resources and other site constraints.
Because the Proposed Action is located within wetlands, the applicant has identified actions to minimize and mitigate potential impacts to wetlands. The proposed action development is confined to existing recreational trail development areas at the Quarry Road facility. Impacts are not proposed within a 25-foot riparian stream buffer nor to Wetlands of Special Significance. Stormwater will be managed through a series of best management practices, a stormwater treatment plan, and the installation of stormwater treatment systems designed and strategically placed to intercept and filter runoff and stabilize flow conditions to prevent excessive wetland flooding. Temporary and permanent erosion control measures will be implemented prior to the removal of any on-site vegetation or disturbance of soil during construction and remain in place post-construction until permanent soil stabilization has been substantially achieved. Compensatory mitigation credits will be purchased from the Maine Natural Resource Fund.
It is NBRC’s determination that, due to 1) the identification of sufficient mitigation measures, 2) the lack of practicable alternatives, and 3) the importance of the proposed action to address the needs of the City of Waterville, the importance of the proposed action in the wetland outweighs the requirements of EO 11990 to avoid direct or indirect support of wetland development and reduce the risk of wetland degradation.
Files that document compliance with Steps 1 through 6 of EO 11990 are available for public inspection upon request. Please send an email request to nepa@nbrc.gov. The 8-Step Decision-Making Process materials will be provided in electronic format unless a hard copy is specifically requested.
This notice provides people who may be affected by activities in the wetland and those who have an interest in the protection of the natural environment with an opportunity to express their concerns and provide information. NBRC is accepting comments on this notice for seven days from 4/25/25 through the end of the day of 5/2/25.
Date of Publication: 4/24/25
Project Documents
Proposed Action and Future Development
Help us plan for four seasons of fun in Waterville!
For questions, or to share your thoughts on the plan and the future of Quarry Road Trails, please contact Friends of Quarry Road Facilities Planning Chair at friends@quarryroad.org
