BANGOR DAILY NEWS • January 9, 2026
A man who moved to Maine with dreams of opening an animal sanctuary is being sued by the state for damaging a stream and clearing vegetation without permission. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection is suing Robert Altieri for three violations of the state’s laws to protect natural resources that he allegedly committed when he started work to build a home in Milford. Altieri built a driveway across and in Otter Stream and cleared land without permits or approval from the Maine DEP. The property had wetlands and habitat for “high value” inland waterfowl and wading birds. He dreamed of opening an animal sanctuary mainly wanted to help dogs but was interested in helping “horses, cows, tigers, whatever.”