Commentary: With global heating, expect inferno seasons in the American West

KENNEBEC JOURNAL • September 21, 2020

More than 3.1 million acres have burned in California this year far exceeding the previous record set in 2018, when 1.7 million acres burned. These raging fires are the direct result of climate change. Heat waves and fires will continue to worsen as long as humanity continues to burn fossil fuels. Throughout the world, hurricanes, floods, lightning storms and snowstorms will continue getting worse. Ice sheets and glaciers are melting, and sea-level rise will inundate many coastal cities. As climate scientists we are terrified but we take hope in two facts. First, this is a problem entirely of human making, which means we can solve it if we choose. Second, the grassroots climate movement has gotten so strong that climate is rapidly becoming the deciding factor in major elections around the world. ~ Peter Kalmus, author of “Being the Change: Live Well and Spark a Climate Revolution” and Natasha Stavros, fire ecologist

New coastal park system conserves more than 13 miles of Down East coastline

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • September 21, 2020

Cobscook Shores, a new system of parks scattered along the coast of eastern Maine, will celebrate its grand opening on Memorial Day 2021. A number of the properties, however, are already open to the public. Covering more than 13.5 miles of Down East coastline, the parklands currently consist of 14 separate properties scattered from Whiting to Lubec. These separate preserves feature about 8 miles of trails, as well as boat launches, picnic areas, campsites and other amenities for recreationists. The $11 million project was funded by the Butler Conservation Fund, a private family foundation. The foundation also recently spent $26 million building Penobscot River Trails, a state-of-the-art system of trails for cross-country skiing, biking and walking near Millinocket. Built to the design standards of a national park, Cobscook Shores, like its sister project Penobscot River Trails in Grindstone, is intended to offer an alternative to the state’s heavily trafficked recreational destinations.

How Maine’s US Senate candidates differ on climate change and the environment

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • September 21, 2020

The effects of climate change are already broadly felt in Maine and across the U.S., from stronger hurricanes, to out-of-control wildfires, to warming in the Gulf of Maine that is pushing seafood central to the state’s economy to other waters. The four candidates — Republican Sen. Susan Collins, Democratic House Speaker Sara Gideon and independents Lisa Savage and Max Linn — all favor relatively strong environmental regulation in some ways, though they have different ideas about scope and details of climate policies.

Search on for missing York woman who overturned canoe

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • September 20, 2020

A York woman is missing after she and her two friends overturned their canoe at Flagstaff Lake, according to Maine game wardens. Wardens have been searching for the woman since Saturday night in and around Flagstaff Lake in Dead River Township. “After the canoe flipped, the occupants, who were not wearing life jackets, grabbed their life jackets and began to swim to shore. The two men and the dog made it to shore, and started looking across the lake, but could not see or find the woman. The two men who were already hypothermic started hiking out a road to find help. After an hour’s walk, they were able to get help and call 911” on Saturday evening,” the warden service said.

New Effort Would Preserve More Than 100 Acres Of Undeveloped Maine Land

MAINE PUBLIC • September 20, 2020

A land conservation organization is launching an effort to preserve more than 100 acres of land in a region of Maine that is under increasing pressure from the real estate market. "What we're doing here is trying to preserve the traditional access that people have had to undeveloped islands in Casco Bay," says Keith Fletcher, project manager with Maine Coast Heritage Trust. Fletcher says the organization has been given a rare option to purchase three small islands in Harpswell: Little Whaleboat, Nate and Tuck. 

Maine Conservation Coalition Awarded $8M To Preserve Forestland In Sebago Lake Watershed

MAINE PUBLIC • September 20, 2020

Sebago Clean Waters, a coalition of nine Maine conservation organizations, has been awarded $8 million from USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service to preserve forestland in the Sebago Lake watershed, the largest source of drinking water in greater Portland. The Portland Water District will manage the funds to support land stewardship, aquatic invasive control, stream connectivity and landowner outreach. Paul Hunt, the environmental manager for the Portland Water District, said the grant will offer vital help with forest conservation. “Over the last of the subsequent 20 years, we've conserved 6,000 acres of forest. And this grant will allow us to conserve 10,000 in the next five years.” Currently, only 11 percent of the forests in the watershed are protected. 

Juniper Ridge Landfill Megadump Part 1

SUNLIGHT MEDIA COLLECTIVE • September 20, 2020

Over the years, the lack of definitions and protections in Maine's solid waste management rules have made local communities increasingly vulnerable to the possibilities of groundwater and river pollution, including those surrounding the state owned, privately run Juniper Ridge Landfill in Old Town.

Column: We cared about climate change too late

SUN JOURNAL • September 20, 2020

Climate change activists have been warning for years about bigger natural disasters and more extreme weather. Now we are there. A freak summer snowstorm blankets Denver, a huge chunk of the arctic ice shelf breaks off Greenland, a record-setting hurricane season has storms pummeling the Americas like a boxer working a speed bag, California is burning and yet, where is any sense of urgency? Of national mission? We give a damn too late. That’s because Americans live strung between reality and its alternative, where magical thinking is common and facts-denial the law. Now the bill comes due, payable in currency of ashes and fevers, blackened homes, congested lungs, and death. And the payments have only just begun. ~ Leonard Pitts Jr.

Topsham creating new energy and sustainability committee

TIMES RECORD • September 20, 2020

After a group of residents helped the town secure a solar power purchase agreement earlier this year, Topsham selectmen agreed to create a permanent energy committee to tackle energy conservation projects going forward. The energy committee, as envisioned by Topsham Solar Advocates, will research and recommend energy policies and projects to selectmen to save the town money and to conserve energy. The committee also could evaluate energy conservation practices with residents, schools and businesses and spread public education about renewable energy.

Frost, drought create exceptional season in Maine

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • September 20, 2020

An unusual September weather pattern is threatening Maine with fire and frost, cutting short the growing season while placing the entire state in “high” danger of wildfires, the Maine Forest Service says.

Lakes regions businesses report solid summers, lodging businesses make some gains

KENNEBEC JOURNAL • September 20, 2020

Some businesses in the Winthrop and Belgrade lakes regions are reporting strong summer seasons, attributing their success to swift adaptation and supportive communities. The story is a bit different for some lodging businesses, which struggled with restrictions in May but have recovered from a difficult start to summer.

Two more petitions on rural development submitted in Richmond

KENNEBEC JOURNAL • September 20, 2020

Two more citizens’ petitions proposing changes to Richmond’s land use ordinance have been submitted to town officials and are expected to be added to the warrant on which residents will vote Nov. 3. Corey Munsey, who helped with the drive to collect signatures on the latest petitions, said, “Our whole position all along is that the people who wrote the comprehensive plan and the people who wrote the original ordinances were pretty clear that they put things thing there in terms of not having development after development after development out in the agricultural land.”

Winds push California fire into Mojave Desert

ASSOCIATED PRESS • September 19, 2020

Strong winds pushed a wildfire burning for nearly two weeks in mountains northeast of Los Angeles onto the desert floor and spread it rapidly in several directions, causing it to explode in size and destroy homes, officials said Saturday. More than 7,900 wildfires have burned more than 5,468 square miles in California this year.

Late summer boost helps some Maine tourism businesses stay afloat

MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • September 20, 2020

Maine’s sprawling tourism industry has survived one of the slowest and most surreal summers in living memory. A late rush of out-of-state tourists provided a needed boost, but whether it was enough to keep businesses afloat during the lean winter months remains to be seen.

Column: Squirrel hunt provides low-key chance to enjoy a quiet day, hone skills

MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • September 20, 2020

Squirrels are far more numerous than deer, offering ample opportunity to hone marksmanship and woodsmanship skills. And when a successful hunt is completed, you won’t need any help dragging your daily bag out of the woods. ~ Bob Humphrey

Column: Hummingbirds appreciate some late-season nourishment

MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • September 20, 2020

Q: When do hummers typically head to South America? A: While most ruby-throated hummingbirds will leave by the end of September, I always recommend people keep their hummingbird feeders up as late as possible. Lingering migrants will appreciate the easy meal. ~ Doug Hitchcox

Column: There’s plenty of room to roam at Vernon Walker

MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • September 20, 2020

In the northwest corner of York County are a couple of mountains that don’t get much attention beyond the local hiking community. Perhaps that’s because rather than formal trails on the mountains in Newfield, there’s only a network of old forest roads and jeep tracks. Abbott Mountain (1,078 feet) and Knox Mountain (830 feet) are both part of the Vernon S. Walker Wildlife Management Area, a 5,617-acre chunk of upland forests and wetlands that are devoted primarily to critter habitat. You’ll find lots of room to roam at Vernon Walker and plenty of reward for your efforts. ~ Carey Kish

Letter: Sharing the path – bikers and walkers can do better

MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • September 20, 2020

When I’m on a bicycle, on a bike-walk path, I let pedestrians know when I’m about to pass them. I make it a point to slow down. But here’s the thing: A majority of walkers completely block the path. All the time! Another issue is pedestrians with ear buds. I know bicyclists as a whole can do better, but walkers can, too. ~ Thomas Cross, Gorham

Column: Catching up with grouse as season approaches

SUN JOURNAL • September 19, 2020

When it comes to popularity with Maine hunters, the grouse has no peer, whether its in the pan or in the puckerbrush. No doubt it is the grouse’s incredible wariness, speed and unpredictability that make it such a popular and sought after game bird. Grouse fly at 900 feet per second. This means that when you shoulder that 20 gauge, the target is moving downrange at 70 feet per second. And studies show that it takes you .030 of a second from the time you see the bird until you can squeeze the trigger. ~ V. Paul Reynolds

Nordic acquiring 2 Danish kingfish companies amid plans for massive Maine salmon farm

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • September 19, 2020

Nordic Aquaculture has reached an agreement with Denmark-based Sustainable Seafood Invest to acquire controlling interest in two of its kingfish operations, the company said this week. It comes as the land-based fish farm conglomerate prepares to launch bi-coastal operations in the U.S., with a controversial $500-million indoor salmon farm in Belfast that’s pending final approval from planners and another facility in the works for California. Nordic Aquafarms, the only land-based producer of two high-value species, yellowtail kingfish and salmon, is also actively eyeing the Asian fish-farming market.