The most comprehensive online source of conservation news and events in Maine and beyond, edited by Jym St. Pierre
KENNEBEC JOURNAL • August 12, 2020
I’m disappointed that most people aren’t able or willing to travel now, but I’m very thankful that my wife Linda and I were able to enjoy so many wonderful trips. We visited all 50 states. Linda and I loved our national parks. We also enjoyed trips to Montreal and Quebec city. But some of our most memorable trips were to Europe and Costa Rica. ~ George Smith
PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • August 12, 2020
Maine rivers – and the fish swimming in them – have always been at the heart of our state’s identity. Today, whole communities and economies revolve around our rivers and our fisheries, relying on the health of a dozen species that travel back and forth between the river and the sea. There’s good news. Restoring the Penobscot River in 2016 increased access to over 2,000 miles of fish habitat; in the following years, river herring numbers grew from a few hundred to nearly 3 million and continue to climb. Thanks to efforts in local communities, the past few years have also brought valuable river restoration along the Sebasticook, Sheepscot, Damariscotta and other coastal rivers. Support restoration of our vital rivers. After all, their health is our health. ~ Molly Payne Wynne and Joshua Royte, The Nature Conservancy in Maine
BANGOR DAILY NEWS • August 11, 2020
Spending time outdoors is a useful way to fight cabin fever, something many of us are dealing with right now as our lives have changed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Being outside reduces the transmission of the virus because of the constant movement of air, and it is often easier to socially distance than it is indoors. However, more time outdoors is not so pleasant for the nearly 19 million Americans who suffer from allergic rhinitis, commonly known as hay fever. There are multiple reasons for this constellation of symptoms — runny nose, itchy eyes and sneezing — to progress. One of those reasons is most certainly climate change.
BANGOR DAILY NEWS • August 11, 2020
An overwhelming majority of Maine voters are concerned about the impacts of climate change, but just how concerned they are largely breaks down along party lines, according to a new poll. The poll of Maine voters found that 95 percent of those supporting Democrat Joe Biden in November say they are very or somewhat concerned about climate change, compared with only 53 percent of those supporting President Donald Trump’s re-election.
THE COUNTY • August 11, 2020
Angie Wotton, district manager of the Southern Aroostook Soil and Water Conservation District has been awarded Maine’s Golden Apple Award. The award was created to recognize individuals dedicated to the intellectual and emotional growth of Maine’s children and young adults. Wotton has worked with the local schools for many years to increase Maine youths exposure to agriculture and where their food comes from.
PISCATAQUIS OBSERVER • August 11, 2020
The Maine Forest Service has entered into an administrative settlement agreement with S.D.R. Logging, Inc., based in Sebec. The settlement resolves violations of Maine’s rules governing timber harvesting activities in shoreland areas. SDR agreed to pay a $3,000 civil penalty for the violation, of which $2,400.00 is being directed to the Community Forest Fund as a Supplemental Environmental Project that will be used to support urban and community forestry programs in Somerset County. SDR also agreed to institute staff training to reduce the risk of future violations.
TIMES RECORD • August 11, 2020
The Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority is deciding what to do with 144 acres on the west side of the former Navy base. The parcel, which includes land formerly part of the town commons, was originally part of a roughly 275-acre area given to Bowdoin College for educational purposes in 2006. But instead, the college made an outright purchase of about 13 acres last year. The Navy conveyed the remaining land back to the redevelopment authority. The remaining 144 acres, situated between Harpswell Road and the Brunswick Executive Airport, are now available again. The Brunswick Topsham Land Trust hopes some of the land can be secured for recreation and conservation, as the land contains “valuable wetland, stream and vernal pool habitat” and has the opportunity to broaden the current recreational opportunities in town. To weigh in on how to use the land, fill out a survey before Aug. 21.
PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • August 11, 2020
Maine’s lobster industry is threatened by “a perfect storm” as it faces a crippling lack of demand because of both the pandemic and the China trade war, and a cascade of impacts from government-mandated restrictions seeking to protect the endangered right whale. Regulators would be better served to enact effective management measures in Canada rather than targeting Maine, where right whales are rare and the lobster fishery has a stellar track record for whale protection. Giving to the Maine Lobstermen’s Association Legal Defense Fund will mitigate the impact of right-whale rules and protect thousands of other businesses. ~ Larry Barker, Machias Savings Bank
PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • August 11, 2020
Solar development, combined with investments in other forms of renewable energy and other strategies, is essential to meeting Maine’s greenhouse-gas emission reduction requirements of at least 45 percent by 2030 and at least 80 percent by 2050 – among the most ambitious in the country. The Maine Climate Council must create a plan that ensures Maine people and communities are resilient to the impacts of climate change. That includes the landscapes, natural resources and wildlife that are essential to our way of life and economy. We will not get ahead of our climate crisis if we simply replace forests and farms with renewable energy. There is plenty of land in Maine for us to welcome enough renewable-energy projects to meet our emission reduction goals, while protecting the natural landscapes. ~ Eliza Donoghue, Maine Audubon
PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • August 11, 2020
Portland Water District trustees have claimed that the reversal of the Portland-Montreal pipeline does not represent a serious threat to our precious, pristine drinking water. In last month’s water bill, a glossy insert touted the efforts of the water district to protect the Sebago Lake watershed. It never mentioned the fact that the pipeline reversal is the single biggest threat. Portland Pipe Line Corp. recently applied for the renewal of its permit to operate the pipeline and its tank farm. If either the federal appeals court or the state supreme court rules in their favor, the oil will be flowing and Portland Water District trustees will be asking us to believe that a spill will never happen. It’s time for them to publicly oppose the pipeline. ~ Tom Mikulka, Ph.D., Cape Elizabeth
BANGOR DAILY NEWS • August 11, 2020
After the fatal great white shark attack that occurred off the coast of Maine in July, some people may be questioning their knowledge of the Maine ocean and its many inhabitants. A place known for its lobsters and humpback whales, Maine isn’t thought of as a territory for sharks. Yet it’s home to eight different shark species: spiny dogfish, blue shark, basking shark, shortfin mako, porbeagle shark, thresher shark, sand tiger shark, and great white shark.
BANGOR DAILY NEWS • August 11, 2020
The Maine tourism industry has carried the great state of Maine for many, many years. Billions in tax revenues have gone into the general fund and the industry has generated more than 100,000 jobs. Currently, Maine tourism still leads the state in both of these categories. Gov. Janet Mills can step up and help the tourism industry of Maine. There are federal funds to help businesses at this time that Mills has not utilized. Please thank her for the health of Mainers and ask her to help the health of her largest revenue producer for Maine. ~ Vaughn Stinson, Former CEO, Maine Tourism Association
BANGOR DAILY NEWS • August 10, 2020
About a month after pitching the idea of visiting Bucksport three times this fall, American Cruise Lineshas reversed its decision, with the company saying that it has canceled all Maine stops this year. No cruise ships have carried passengers in Maine this year, and the industry has effectively come to a halt worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic because of concerns over how the disease can spread among the tight quarters of passenger ships.
PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • August 10, 2020
A fuel spill caused by a fishing boat coming ashore prompted the town of Falmouth to close a section of beach near Town Landing on Monday morning. The state, which will conduct a series of water-quality tests, recommended that the beach remain closed for several tide cycles before it can safely be reopened.
BANGOR DAILY NEWS • August 10, 2020
The Passamaquoddy Tribe at Sipayik has tried for years to get a new source of water for the district serving the Down East reservation and the city of Eastport as it has struggled with fluctuating water quality. The state says the water is safe, but a prevailing distrust of the water remains. The water treatment facility has seen $14.9 million worth of upgrades funded by a state revolving fund over the last 22 years. Currently, the water is within federal environmental regulatory limits. But the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency plans to conduct a feasibility study early next year to consider alternatives,
NATIONAL FISHERMAN • August 10, 2020
Vessel speed limits must be mandatory offshore when endangered northern right whales are present, because ship strikes are a leading cause of deaths in the whale population now down to only around 400 animals, ocean conservation groups say in an appeal to the U.S. government.
BANGOR DAILY NEWS • August 10, 2020
Blueberries and tourism are both indelible parts of Maine’s identity and economy. Both are also an avenue for potential COVID-19 transmission here in vacationland. Blueberry workers who test positive — along with their close contacts — have been provided a safe place to quarantine at an undisclosed location in Bangor. As of Tuesday, roughly 50 recently arriving agricultural workers were staying at that location. This appears to be model collaboration between an industry in the state, with both public health, worker safety and economic resilience in mind. Visitors and workers traveling to Maine have the potential to bring COVID-19 with them. No matter the circumstances, proactively managing the risks is essential.
BANGOR DAILY NEWS • August 10, 2020
Sean Cabaniss is the latest member of his family to reel in the winning muskie in the annual Fort Kent International Muskie Derby, with a 46-inch fish weighing 22.31 pounds. Cabaniss, 25, caught the tournament winner on the St. John River in the Madawaska area of northern Maine on Friday. Sean Cabaniss shared the family’s plans for the $2,000 winning muskie. “We’ll eat it; nothing goes to waste,” he said.
BANGOR DAILY NEWS • August 10, 2020
White, silky and seemingly appearing out of nowhere webs are starting to cover leaves and even entire branches of trees around the state. But while it might look like something out of a scary spider movie, in this case the real web builders are quite benign. The insect responsible for the large webs is the fall webworm. And there’s good news: they pose no real danger to trees, humans or pets. “The fall webworms are on the march,” according to James Dill, pest management specialist with University of Maine Cooperative Extension. “There is no reason to panic if you see them on your trees,” he said. “You may see some brown leaves and your tree may look ugly, but it will be fine.”
PENOBSCOT BAY PILOT • August 10, 2020
The Maine Community Foundation has launched the Conservation for All and the Maine Land Protection grant programs to support organizations and projects in Maine dedicated to helping Maine people access and connect to the outdoors. In 2018, MaineCF received a bequest which made it possible to reexamine and redesign its grantmaking approach to land conservation. The two new funds replace the Fund for Maine Land Conservation, which awarded nearly 200 grants totaling $889,768 since its start in the early 1990s. The Conservation for All grant program provides general support grants to organizations and projects that build strong connections between people in Maine and our land and water. MaineCF will host an information session o, Sept. 14 at noon .
