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Jym St. Pierre
Editor, Maine Environmental News

How Do We Save US Forest Service from President Trump’s Restructuring?

UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS • May 15, 2026

The Trump administration’s plan to slash the US Department of Agriculture Forest Service offices, and relocate and consolidate its research and development facilities would potentially abandon generational investments in critical forestry data, samples, and resources. This would leave land managers, firefighters, and decision makers without the crucial information they need to manage climate risks and protect US forests from wildfires growing in frequency and intensity. We can call or email our congresspeople and tell them to protect critical forest management research. We can demand that Congress reverse the gutting of the US Forest Service. 

Cooke Aquaculture: The Cruelty Continues

ANIMAL OUTLOOK • May 15, 2026

In 2019, Animal Outlook released the first-ever undercover investigation of a U.S. fish farm, exposing shocking cruelty at Cooke Aquaculture's salmon hatchery in Bingham, Maine. Years later, we returned to the same facility — and found that little had changed. For several months in late 2025, an Animal Outlook investigator working as a Hatchery Technician documented conditions at the vertically integrated aquaculture operation that houses millions of Atlantic salmon. The footage reveals that previously documented problems persist alongside new potential violations of food safety and environmental protocols. 

Chop and Drop Fisheries Enhancement Training, May 29

MAINE GOVERNMENT NEWS • May 15, 2026

Large wood in freshwater streams provide habitat features which are vital to the survival of native brook trout, Atlantic salmon and other cold water fish species. Adding large wood to stream channels using the “chop and drop” method in conjunction with a timber harvest can create pools, provide cover for juvenile fish and enhance overall stream function. These trainings are an opportunity for Licensed Foresters and Fisheries Biologists to meet the requirements of Maine Forest Service Rule Chapter 25; Standards for Placing Wood Into Stream Channels to Enhance Cold Water Fisheries. This rule seeks to streamline the permitting process for landowners who wish to undertake voluntary wood addition projects in cooperation with state fisheries resource agencies.

Herring Gut Coastal Science Center seeks nominations for 2026 Phyllis Wyeth Visionary Award

PENOBSCOT BAY PILOT • May 15, 2026

The Herring Gut Coastal Science Center will award the Phyllis Wyeth Visionary Award to individuals who have contributed to the field of aquatic science and/or marine trades in a way that exemplifies Herring Gut Coastal Science Center’s vision and the legacy and innovation of founder Phyllis Wyeth. Phyllis Wyeth founded the Herring Gut Learning Center in 1999. Inspired by her mother, Alice du Pont Mills, who was also an environmental activist and lifelong philanthropist, Wyeth led her life with a dedication to the environment and giving back to her community. Wyeth created the Herring Gut Learning Center with the goal of teaching local children about aquaculture and marine conservation and to help preserve Maine’s traditional fishing communities. Wyeth was later awarded the NOAA Fisheries Environmental Hero award in 2002 for her efforts with the organization. The Center was renamed the Herring Gut Coastal Science Center in 2023. Submit your nomination using the form on their website (herringgut.org) by July 1.

Maine Calling: Endangered Species

MAINE PUBLIC • May 15, 2026

On this Endangered Species Day, hear about animals and plants in Maine that are most in danger of extinction, as well as species that are threatened. Since 1973, the U.S. Endangered Species Act has protected these species—from whales to butterflies to beach plum. But recent changes proposed by the Trump administration would remove some of these protections. What does the future hold for vulnerable flora and fauna in Maine? Panelists: Laura Minich Zitske, wildlife ecologist; associate director of conservation, Maine Audubon; Dr. Alexander Fish, wildlife research biologist, population ecologist, ornithologist, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife.

Letter: Chellie Pingree is holding chemical companies accountable

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • May 15, 2026

I’m writing to thank Rep. Chellie Pingree for her bipartisan work on stripping immunity for chemical companies out of the Farm Bill. The Farm Bill had contained a provision that would have shielded chemical companies from lawsuits brought by people who had developed cancer as a result of toxic chemicals. Partnering with congresspersons from across the aisle, Congresswoman Pingree led the fight to prevent this gift to the big chemical companies. ~ Taylor Asen, Falmouth

Can a baby boom save the right whale — and Maine’s lobster industry?

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • May 15, 2026

The North Atlantic right whale has spent much of the last decade teetering on the edge of extinction, having to travel farther for food while dodging ships and fishing gear, but a baby boom is offering the species — and lobstermen trying to avoid them — a glimmer of hope. The species has experienced its most successful calving season since 2009. Twenty-three calves were born over the winter, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. That is enough to stabilize a population that numbers roughly 384 individuals. For Maine’s lobstermen, who are currently facing a 2028 deadline to meet new risk-reduction rules, the successful calving season is a potential regulatory reprieve.

ATVs keep getting bigger. It’s putting Maine’s trail system at risk.

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • May 15, 2026

As the season kicks off, tens of thousands of riders are expected take their all-terrain vehicles out in Maine in the next few months. But as ATV clubs work feverishly to wrap up maintenance on the state’s 6,000 miles of trails, there is sharp division over a new generation of popular off-road vehicles that landowners say threatens to force them to shut off access. Some have already done so. With 80% of Maine’s ATV trail system on private property, that’s a problem.

Column: Pure wolves will likely never return to Maine

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • May 15, 2026

Wolves were commonplace when settlers first came to Maine. A “predator” void was left when these wolves were killed off around the turn of the century. In time, our present day coyote migrated eastward and filled the niche. Biologists believe that our Maine coyote came here via Ontario already “hybridized” with the smaller eastern wolf. What about efforts by activists to get gray wolves introduced to Maine? “If an eastern wolf from Ontario or Quebec finds its way to Maine, it will find itself in a sea of eastern coyotes. Any dispersing eastern wolf would readily hybridize with eastern coyotes, and the offspring would be assimilated into an eastern coyote population that already has a genetic legacy of wolf genes,” said retired U.S Fish and Wildlife biologist Mark McCollough. Which seems to say that a wolf reintroduction initiative in Maine just wouldn’t work. ~ V. Paul Reynolds

Letter: Maine being ruined by roadside trash

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • May 15, 2026

One only needs to drive along Maine’s scenic roads and byways, or almost anywhere in the United States, to see bottles, cans, plastic, and assorted trash strewn along the roadside, either carelessly tossed from vehicles or blown from uncovered truck loads. For a state that proudly markets itself as “Vacationland: The Way Life Should Be,” and depends heavily on tourism, Maine’s leaders seem strangely indifferent to the growing litter problem. If we continue allowing our roadsides to become dumping grounds, Maine may eventually need a new slogan: “Trashland: The Way Landfills Should Be.” ~ Charlie Britton, Southport

5 wild videos taken during the Maine moose rut

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • May 15, 2026

The deadline to apply for the Maine moose lottery is Monday at 11:59 p.m. Eastern. In anticipation of the June 20 lottery drawing, here are five videos captured during last fall’s rut. You’ll want the sound on for these.

What to know about getting around Acadia National Park this spring

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • May 15, 2026

Visitors descending on Acadia National Park this spring will find most trails, roads and amenities open, with a few exceptions. A one-mile stretch of the popular Park Loop Road — a 27-mile scenic drive on the eastern side of Mount Desert Island — will be closed as part of a restoration of the Great Meadow until June 12. Vehicle reservations are needed to drive to the top of Cadillac Mountain from May 20 through Oct. 25. Precipice, Jordan Cliffs, Penobscot East and Valley Cove trails have been closed since March 1 to protect peregrine falcons during their nesting. All of the park’s carriage roads are now open. The new $27 million Acadia Gateway visitor center — located just off Mount Desert Island on Route 3 in Trenton — will open Memorial Day weekend. The Island Explorer shuttle service will begin running three routes Memorial Day weekend for the first time.

New England public advocates file lawsuit over transmission project

MAINE MORNING STAR • May 14, 2026

Public advocates in several New England states have sued to block a $360 million transmission project through New Hampshire’s White Mountains. The proposed project, called X-178, would reconstruct 49 miles of transmission facilities, including replacing 580 poles. The Maine Office of the Public Advocate joined its counterparts in New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, and Rhode Island to sue Eversource Energy Service Company, arguing the company mischaracterized the project as necessary to repair “damaged or destroyed” facilities. Maine Public Advocate Heather Sanborn said Eversource is “shoehorning” a large rebuild of transmission assets to avoid stakeholder concerns. “That will directly cost Mainers more money.”

There will be a controlled burn in the UMaine forest next week

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • May 14, 2026

There will be a controlled burn in the University of Maine forest in Old Town next week. The university, along with the Maine Forest Service, will be conducting a controlled burn in a portion of the Dwight B. DeMeritt Forest off the dirt portion of College Avenue Extension. The 2,000-acre forest was acquired by the university in 1939 by lease and then deed in 1955. It has more than 15 miles of trails open to walkers, joggers, runners, cyclists and horseback riders, and snowshoers and skiers in the winter.

Letter: Maine needs to wise up about radon risk

CENTRAL MAINE • May 14, 2026

It is sad that the state of Maine does not mandate radon testing in school buildings. In the recent report on the subject, school committees and towns seem to be worried more about the cost of remediation than the effect on the young lives that are potentially being adversely affected. Radon gas can pass through solid concrete as well as cracks and penetrations. It has a greater effect on young people than it does on adults. Every town and city in Maine should be concerned and act. ~ Jonathan Hedman, Gray

Fisherman found dead near Down East island

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • May 14, 2026

A fisherman died Monday after his boat overturned near an island Down East, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. Officials say a pair of fishermen departed on a 17-foot skiff from a marina on Beals Island, located off the coast of Jonesport in Washington County. They were expected to come back from their trip to Crumple Island around 3 p.m. but did not return. A Coast Guard crew found the fishermen near Crumple Island around 5:30 p.m. One of the fishermen was unresponsive, while the other told authorities a rogue wave had capsized their boat.

Portland kayak business finds new home after Custom House Wharf fire

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • May 14, 2026

When the massive fire on Custom House Wharf in December destroyed Nanuq Kayaks, friends and fellow paddling enthusiasts told owner Harley Lewin they would help him move boats and gear out of the rubble. There was barely anything left to carry. “What happened was a catastrophe,” Lewin said. On Wednesday, Lewin stood on the floor of 200 Anderson St. in Portland, the new home of his business in East Bayside. The industrial space is different from the shop’s former home on the wharf, where wood-paneled walls and sleek boats lent a clubhouse feel, he said, but he’s glad to be there.

Earthquake shook the ocean floor off midcoast Maine town

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • May 14, 2026

An earthquake shook the ocean floor off South Bristol on Tuesday afternoon. The magnitude 1.8 temblor shook the ground at a depth of nearly 6 miles about 5.6 miles east-southeast of the Lincoln County town about 2:42 p.m., the U.S. Geological Survey confirmed this week. Since 1997, there have been more than 170 recorded earthquakes in the state.

Column: With Platner, best to focus on the message, not just the messenger

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • May 14, 2026

I’ve heard only one clunker from Platner’s campaign, the energy plan released last week. It relies on repealing the federal gasoline tax and attempting to replace it with a “windfall profits tax” on oil producers, with more money from a proposed “billionaires tax.” This would be a policy disaster. The problem with the federal gas tax is not that we have it, but that it’s inadequate to maintain existing infrastructure, let alone build climate-friendly replacements. It should be increased, not abolished. ~ Douglas Rooks