Maine environmental orgs call on Congress to fight for a green recovery

MAINE BEACON (Maine People's Alliance) • August 7, 2020

The Natural Resources Council of Maine and Maine Climate Voters together delivered a letter calling for climate-friendly solutions to the economic and health crises brought on by the coronavirus pandemic to Maine’s congressional delegation Tuesday. So far, Sen. Susan Collins, Rep. Chellie Pingree and Rep. Jared Golden have acknowledged the letter and its contents, though none have committed to its demands. The letter calls upon the politicians to pursue four goals to promote a green recovery, including accelerating the state’s transition to renewable energy sources and investing in electric public transportation. 

More than 75 percent of Maine is in moderate drought, and it’s severe in The County

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • August 7, 2020

With the latest drought monitor released on Thursday, nearly 90 percent of Maine is experiencing abnormally dry conditions. Over 75 percent is in a moderate drought. Parts of Aroostook County have entered a severe drought.

Changes, work set for Hallowell’s temporary downtown pocket park

KENNEBEC JOURNAL • August 7, 2020

In July, the Hallowell City Council approved a test-run of a park on city land which is now used as a parking lot. The project is being pushed by Vision Hallowell, a nonprofit group that promotes downtown. Initial plans for the park called for it to be about 30 feet by 40 feet. In a new plan, that has been reduced to about 10 feet by 40 feet. 

Gideon unveils climate policies in her bid for U.S. Senate

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • August 7, 2020

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Sara Gideon pledged to push for the U.S. to rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement, and to support legislation to create a national “Conservation Corps” and aim for net-zero greenhouse gas emission by 2050. Gideon unveiled her eight-point climate agenda Friday as part of her campaign against Republican Sen. Susan Collins, who is seeking a fifth term. But the Collins campaign dismissed Gideon’s agenda, saying the plan “looks remarkably similar to Senator Collins’ record of accomplishment” on energy and climate issues.

Two foxes attack Woolwich man

TIMES RECORD • August 7, 2020

Two foxes attacked and bit a Woolwich man doing working in his backyard on Nequasset Pines Road Thursday. James Collins, 79, said he was weed wacking when he was knocked to the ground by two young foxes. Collins estimated they were about five or six months old. Collins said he struck one fox several times until it ran away. He was able to get to his back steps, where the second fox charged at him. Collins said he struck the fox multiple times with a cane until both animals ran away toward a brook beyond his backyard, where he believes their den is located. He was bitten several times on his arms and legs and received medical treatment for rabies.

Opinion: The conservation movement is under attack

THE HILL • August 7, 2020

Scientists around the world agree that we are in the midst of the sixth great extinction and face losing 1 million species in the near future. The good news, however, is that their loss is preventable thanks to the incredible, life-saving works being done by the world’s leading zoological institutions. The best zoological ilnsstitutions are committed to building a better world for animals. For example, Mystic Aquarium is a partner of numerous cooperate organizations, including the Marine Mammals of Maine (MMoME). During an Unusual Mortality Event that impacted harbor seals along the coasts of Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts, Mystic Aquarium worked hand-in-hand with MMoME to rescue, rehabilitate and release at-risk seals. ~ Robin R. Ganzert,, American Humane

State asks for public’s help checking trees for invasive species during August

SUN JOURNAL • August 7, 2020

During August, the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry and the US Department of Agriculture are asking the public to take a couple of minutes to check trees in their communities and forests for invasive insects. August is the peak time of year to see adult wood-boring insects, and the activity of other invasive pests is also visible. State officials urge the public to be especially aware of four invasive species during their tree checks: Asian longhorn beetle, Emerald ash borer, Oak wilt disease and Spotted lanternfly.

These new Katahdin-area mountain bike trails are top notch

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • August 7, 2020

The Hammond Ridge Trail System is an expanding trail network for mountain biking, cross-country skiing and hiking located just outside Millinocket on Black Cat Mountain and Hammond Ridge. The trail network was constructed by Katahdin Area Trails, a nonprofit organization that was founded in 2014 to bolster the economy of the Katahdin region through the development of sustainable, world-class mountain biking and cross-country ski trails and facilities. The end goal is to develop at least 75 miles of mountain biking trails and 30 miles of cross-country ski trails in the area.

Editorial: Tourism-related COVID cases in Bar Harbor area warrant close scrutiny

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • August 7, 2020

We know that measures such as physical distancing, face coverings, ventilation and cleanliness can keep the virus from spreading. Making those small sacrifices can help everyone, out-of-state tourists and Mainers alike, enjoy the summer to the extent possible, without jeopardizing Maine’s status as one of the safest places to be in terms of COVID-19 – and putting at risk months of hard work.

Editorial: Seeing Maine as the perfect place to quarantine

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • August 6, 2020

Maine’s tourism industry needs more than longer stays from well-heeled travelers to make up for the coronavirus-related downturn. But there is value in recognizing — and marketing — Maine’s centuries-old appeal as a place of refuge and personal restoration.

Acadia Center Gateway Project Recieves $9 M Grant

MAINE PUBLIC • August 6, 2020

A project designed to establish a full-service intermodal transit hub serving Acadia National Park and nearby communities has received $9 million from the Federal Transit Administration. The money will help pay for the second and final phase of the Acadia Center Gateway project in Trenton, not far from the airport. David MacDonald, CEO of Friends of Acadia, says phase one of the project, which was completed in 2012, included a storage and maintenance facility for the fare free Island Explorer shuttle bus system which was put in place to reduce traffic congestion and pollution in the region. MacDonald says phase two will allow the creation of a welcome center where visitors will be able to get information and buy a park pass.

Maine lawmakers endorse sovereignty bid in historic win for tribes, but obstacles remain

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • August 6, 2020

Tribes won a historic victory on Thursday when a Maine legislative panel endorsed a sweeping sovereignty effort, but it could be a hollow one with lawmakers squabbling over the terms of a return to Augusta and looming special-interest opposition. On Thursday, the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee endorsed the package while splitting it into three different bills as a way to make the issues more palatable for lawmakers. They include one bill allowing tribes to conduct gaming on their lands; one on taxation, land acquisition and criminal jurisdiction; and a third touching on fishing, hunting and other rights.

Maine Conservation Voters Action Fund announces legislative endorsements

MAINE CONSERVATION VOTERS • August 6 2020

On Thursday, the Maine Conservation Voters Action Fund announced its early round of endorsements for Maine legislative candidates for this year's general election.

Trump's pitch to Maine lobstermen falls flat

THE HILL • August 6, 2020

President Trump was beaming when he traveled to Maine two months ago to tell lobstermen he was reversing protections for some 5,000 miles of ocean territory in a bid to open it to fishing. “You’re going to go fishing in that area now that you haven’t seen for a long time,” Trump said. But the area Trump aims to reopen is 130 miles southeast of Cape Cod — far beyond the reach of Maine’s day-boat lobstermen. “This doesn’t help the Maine fisherman at all,” Leroy Weed, 79, who has had a lobster license since he was 10 years old, said of Trump’s reversal of protections for the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument. Most of Maine’s lobstering takes place within 3 miles of shore. Trump’s pronouncement in June marked his latest overture to an industry that has been hit hard by tariffs in his trade war with China. After the tariffs hit, Maine lobster trade with China dropped 48 percent.

$1,500 of fishing gear stolen from boats at Winthrop marina

KENNEBEC JOURNAL • August 6, 2020

About $1,500 worth of fishing gear was stolen from boats at Lakeside Lodge & Marina sometime overnight Sunday, police said. According to a Facebook post by Lakeside, the theft happened after 9 p.m. Sunday from one row of boats by the cottages.

New York Attorney General Moves To Dissolve The NRA After Fraud Investigation

NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO • August 6, 2020

The attorney general of New York took action Thursday to dissolve the National Rifle Association following an 18-month investigation that found evidence the powerful gun rights group is "fraught with fraud and abuse." The suit alleges that top NRA executives misused charitable funds for personal gain, awarded contracts to friends and family members, and provided contracts to former employees to ensure loyalty.

Opinion: The death of the Unity College dream

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • August 6, 2020

The coronavirus has affected colleges since spring 2020. It’s curious why Unity College, in such a short time, has opted to go fully online, lay off faculty, potentially sell its campus and significantly take from the community that built it. How did Unity use its $822,158 allocation from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act? Online education has not lived up to its potential. Why has Unity opted for a model that dismisses the importance and positive effects of socialization and experiential learning? This was not the dream of the Unity founders. As founding students, this is not our Unity. ~ Mark Alter, the first graduate of Unity College in 1969, is a professor of educational psychology at New York University. Michael Allen is president and CEO of Maine-ly Red Wing Inc. Richard Saltzberg is president and CEO of Charles River Publishing. Both graduated from Unity College in 1970.

A cruise line rejected by Bar Harbor wants to make stops in Bucksport

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • August 6, 2020

Having been turned away from making stops in Bar Harbor this year, American Cruise Lines has approached the town of Bucksport to seek the town’s blessing in making three stops in the riverside town this fall.