BANGOR DAILY NEWS • October 3, 2022
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection on Monday directed the owners of the controversial hydropower corridor project to clear temporary crane mats and previously cut trees. A condition of the original permit limits the length of time the crane mats can remain in place to 18 months. The mats have to be removed by NECEC Transmission LLC, the Central Maine Power affiliate running the project, before the ground freezes. The company also must remove trees cut before project construction was suspended or chip and spread them. No new vegetation can be cut as long as the license for the project is suspended. The removal of the matting and felled trees does not constitute restarting of construction.