How to Get the Shoreline Vegetated Buffer Cost-Share Program

What you get

The Acton Wakefield Watersheds Alliance reimburses lakefront homeowners 50% of the cost of any vegetated buffer, no-mow natural or planted native, with a $500 minimum and $1,000 maximum reimbursement per property (so a $1,000 project receives $500, and a project costing $2,000 or more receives the $1,000 maximum). One reimbursement per property; a homeowner cannot claim both the no-mow and planted-buffer options on the same property. Only two of the program's five eligible lakes are in Maine: Wilson Lake (fully within Acton, ME) and the Maine portion of Great East Lake (also in Acton, ME); the other three eligible lakes (Horn Pond, Lovell Lake, Lake Ivanhoe/Round Pond) are New Hampshire-only (Jon Balanoff, AWWA, confirmed by email, September 8, 2026).

• Residential: 50% cost-share for any vegetated buffer, no-mow natural or planted native, minimum $500 and maximum $1,000 per property (a $1,000 project receives $500, not $1,000)

Are you eligible?

• Be a Acton Wakefield Watersheds Alliance customer
• Property located in: Acton
• Lakefront property on Wilson Lake or the Maine portion of Great East Lake, in Acton, ME
• Buffer added or improved within 50 feet of the water's edge
• Native (local) shrubs, trees, and plants required for planting projects
• Property not for sale or in foreclosure; owner current on mortgage/loan
• Homeowner responsible for ongoing planting upkeep