MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • August 2, 2020
The number of monarch waystations – habitat with milkweed and nectar plants that are vital to the caterpillars and butterflies they become – has nearly doubled in Maine over the past four years.
Maine ski areas prepare for winter season during the pandemic
MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • August 2, 2020
Halfway through the summer of coronavirus, Maine’s ski areas are already planning for the challenges of operating next winter during the pandemic. Managers at the ski areas, large and small, are confident they can offer a safe skiing experience, chiefly because it’s an outdoor sport in which – by the nature of rushing downhill – participants must maintain social distance. Face coverings outside are a given, because skiers and snowboarders typically wear scarves or neck gaiters over their faces to keep warm. But how to provide the necessary indoor amenities – such as restaurant seating, restrooms, changing areas and places for skiers to warm up – remains a question.
Column: Feather colors are all in the eye of the beholder
MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • August 2, 2020
The ruby-throated hummingbird has to be one of the most eagerly awaited spring arrivals for Maine birders. Their small size, aerial antics and general feistiness are all endearing qualities. And how stunning the iridescent red on the throat patch, the gorget, is. ~ Herb Wilson
Column: Trails near Moosehead offer beauty and a glimpse into the past
MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • August 2, 2020
Near Moosehead Lake you have Big Moose, Borestone, Little Spencer – the options seems endless – and maybe you will see a classic fire tower when you reach the top. ~ Carey Kish
Opinion: CMP corridor would forever damage Maine forestlands
SUN JOURNAL • August 2, 2020
The Central Maine Power corridor proposal would be one of the most damaging projects in Maine history. It would forever harm the state’s brook trout habitat and irreparably scar the North Woods — a globally significant forested landscape that draws tourists and supports recreation-based businesses. There is no independent evidence the transmission line would reduce global greenhouse gas emissions, making it irrelevant in our fight against climate change. Mainers across the state overwhelmingly oppose the CMP corridor. They know a bad deal when they see it. ~ Sue Ely, clean energy attorney for the Natural Resources Council of Maine, and Nick Bennett, NRCM staff scientist
Maine CDC Reports 25 More Cases Of COVID-19, Relaxed Outdoor Gathering Restrictions Go Into Effect
MAINE PUBLIC • August 1, 2020
The Maine Center for Disease Control Saturday is reporting 3,937 cases of COVID-19, an increase of 25 cases since Friday. No new deaths were reported Saturday. That number stands at 123. On Wednesday, the state announced that it is loosening restrictions on outdoor gatherings, allowing as many as 100 people to gather in one place, starting Saturday, Aug. 1.
Baxter State Park youth conservation program continues through pandemic
TURNER PUBLISHING • August 1, 2020
With so many programs for youth canceled this year due to COVID-19, Friends of Baxter State Park decided it would make changes necessary to ensure the Baxter Youth Conservation Corps could happen safely this summer. Over the last three years, the program has completed more than 5,524 hours of trail work and provided nearly $100,000 in payroll for the economy of the Katahdin Region. “Most trail work is not very conducive to social distancing,” said Aaron Megquier, executive director of the Friends group. “Our eight conservation fellows are working independently on a range of projects” said Megquier. “They are each spending at least two days per week out exploring in the Park, doing a lot of writing, and taking a ton of photo and video. They are also each completing an independent study related to the Park, on topics ranging from fisheries biology to Native culture.”
Maine bear hunt nears as hunters can now set bait
ASSOCIATED PRESS • August 1, 2020
Maine’s annual fall bear hunt is getting closer as hunters are now able to lay bait for the animals in the woods. It became legal for hunters to set bait starting on Saturday. The hunting season in which it is legal to shoot bears over bait runs from Aug. 31 to Sept. 26. The hunt continues until late November after the bait season is over, but the vast majority of Maine’s bear hunt takes place over bait.
Commentary: We need to keep Maine’s fishermen, restaurants afloat during this crisis
PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • August 1, 2020
Restaurants build close relationships with fishermen and their distributors so they can serve the most sustainable seafood in the world, caught by fishermen in their own community. But with COVID-19’s devastation, we’ve seen many restaurants’ cash drawers sit at $0 for months and seafood sales decline by 80 percent. Independent restaurants have lost more jobs than any other industry, but aside from the 11 million workers they directly employ, over 5 million more workers are employed by industries up and down their supply chains. Restaurants don’t need more short-term loans. They need grants that would help us stay afloat for the entirety of this crisis. ~ Leigh Habegger, Seafood Harvesters of America, and Andrew Taylor, Arlin Smith and Mike Wiley, of Eventide Oyster Co.
MDI hospital warns COVID-19 could be circulating undetected in tourist hot spot
BANGOR DAILY NEWS • July 31, 2020
The hospital closest to the tourist hot spot Acadia National Park is warning that there are likely undetected cases of the coronavirus in the area, which millions of travelers visit each year. Mount Desert Island Hospital said Friday that it’s only recently recorded its first positive test results in several months, and that it’s heard from out-of-state visitors who were tested in their home state but didn’t receive their results — which were positive — until they had arrived in Maine. National delays in coronavirus test processing mean many visitors aren’t receiving results until after their arrival. Those positive results then aren’t recorded in local testing data.
Committee endorses extending timeline for lawsuits over PFAS pollution
PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • July 31, 2020
There are growing concerns nationwide about pollution from the family of industrial chemicals known as PFAS that have been widely used in manufacturing of many consumer products as well as in some firefighting foams. Some types of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances have been linked to cancer, reproductive issues, low birth weight, high cholesterol and other health effects. On Friday, members of the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee voted to support a bill, L.D. 2160, that would give landowners six years to file civil lawsuits after the discovery of PFAS contamination.
White shark spotted off Bailey Island
WGME • July 31, 2020
The Maine Department of Marine Resources has confirmed a white shark sighting Friday at Pond Island Ledges, which is off Bailey Island. The town of Harpswell advises that anyone swimming should be extra cautious, and consider only wading out into ankle-deep water. The town also recommends that kayakers avoid the area.
Opinion: The case for local ownership of Maine power delivery
TIMES RECORD • July 31, 2020
I strongly support LD 1646, “An Act To Restore Local Ownership and Control of Maine’s Power Delivery Systems”, also known as The Consumer Owned Utility Bill. It is high time for Mainers to have access to locally-generated, locally-controlled electricity supply, because it makes sense. ~ Janet Lynch, Pownal
Promoting Real Maine Foods and Products, A Fresh Look for Maine’s Agricultural Community
MAINE GOVERNMENT NEWS • July 31, 2020
Formerly known throughout the state as “get real. get Maine!,” the “Real Maine” brand promotes Maine farms, agricultural businesses, and farm products. Consumers will see the logo on foods in farmers’ markets, farm stands, and grocery stores, as well as at agricultural events throughout Maine, New England and nationally. “Real Maine” is the foundation of an increased marketing and advertising initiative led by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry to generate a broader awareness and interest in farms, agricultural events, Maine-sourced foods, and other farm products.
Column: Riding the Narrow Gauge
TIMES RECORD • July 31, 2020
One of the most unique bike trails in Maine is the historic Narrow Gauge Pathway in Carrabassett Valley. The trail follows the former Kingfield and Dead River Railroad bed used to convey logs to a sawmill situated in Bigelow at the northern terminus of the railway in the early 20th century. Two-foot narrow gauge tracks were chosen instead of the standard size because they were easier to build and less expensive. An added benefit, the smaller locomotives were able to operate more efficiently in the rugged mountainous terrain. Passengers and freight were also transported on the once-bustling train system. Disuse resulted in the discontinuance of the railroad in 1927. The town of Carrabassett Valley constructed the pathway in 2001.
Bureau of Parks and Lands updates water access restrictions at Popham Beach and Reid State Parks
MAINE GOVERNMENT NEWS • July 31, 2020
Earlier this week, in response to the fatal shark attack near Bailey Island, water activity restrictions took effect at Maine's coastal State Parks with beaches. Today, the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands is limiting water access at Popham Beach State Park and Reid State Park restricted to waist-deep water access (the lagoon at Reid State Park remains open). Ferry Beach State Park and Crescent Beach State Park remain restricted to waist-deep water access. All other coastal Maine State Parks are allowing regular water activity.
Moving untreated firewood can spread pests, say forestry officials
THE COUNTY • July 31, 2020
The public is reminded about the risk of spreading tree-killing invasive species while moving firewood. New infestations of invasive pests or diseases pose a serious threat to Maine’s landscapes, trees, agriculture, forests, wildlife and the environment. Harmful invasive species, some of which are invisible to the naked eye, can hide in or on firewood, said state officials. While most cannot move far on their own, these pests and diseases can be carried long distances on travelers’ firewood and start new infestations. Native tree species and planted fruit trees and shrubs lack defenses against these new pests and diseases. Infestations can destroy entire forests, lower property values, and cost millions of dollars to manage.
Hiking the Appalachian Trail during the pandemic
FRANKLIN JOURNAL • July 31, 2020
21 year old Farmington native Brooklynn Winters, also known as “Bear Bait,” has been hiking the Appalachian Trail since May 12. After planning for a year, Winters almost canceled her hike entirely due to the pandemic and pressure from friends and family members. After hiking the AT for two months, she was able to get her daily average up to 20 miles. Winters has completed just under 600 miles so far, but starting late and taking time off for a family emergency will prevent her from completing the trail this year. After studying industrial design at the Rhode Island School of Design in Providence this fall and winter, Winters plans on picking up where she left off on the AT.
Opinion: No reason to celebrate
SUN JOURNAL • July 31, 2020
More hunters stalking Maine’s wildlife with crossbows is no reason to celebrate (“Outdoors in Maine: Highlighting changes in crossbow rules,” by V. Paul Reynolds, Sun Journal, July 26). A member of the Maine Bowhunters Association found that for every deer killed outright by a bowhunter, one more was only wounded and escaped to suffer and die slowly of its injuries. A study by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department determined that the “wound rate” for bowhunting exceeds 50%. Add this to the long list of ways that hunters hurt animals, which includes tearing animal families apart, orphaning young and hitting “non-target” species. ~ Michelle Kretzer, The PETA Foundation, Virginia
Letter: Crisis offers chance for climate innovations
PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • July 31, 2020
The global coronavirus pandemic ought to be enough to occupy our thoughts at this moment in time, but regretfully, we must not forget that there is a second global crisis that, in the long run, may prove to be even more difficult to confront. I am referring to the climate crisis. This reminds me of a recent article about ATVs (“ATV sales riding high as Mainers long to get outdoors”). Unless such vehicles are fully electric, their use does us more harm than good, analogous to people not wearing masks to fight COVID-19. ~ Joseph Hardy, Wells