The most comprehensive online source of conservation news and events in Maine and beyond, edited by Jym St. Pierre
NATIONAL PARKS TRAVELER • October 18, 2023
After 18 years of continuous coverage of the U.S. National Park System and the National Park Service, and the issues relating to them —Essential Coverage for Essential Places— National Parks Traveler will go dark after December 31, 2023. NPT been unable to raise the support necessary to hire and retain both the editorial, fundraising, and support staff and services necessary to run an editorially independent nonprofit news operation.
MAINE PUBLIC • October 18, 2023
Maine is the nation's leading lobster producer, but the future health of the state's lobster fishery is at risk. We'll discuss challenges brought on by climate change and other environmental threats, increased regulations tied to right-whale protections, and economic pressures. Panelists: Curt Brown, lobsterman; marine biologist, Ready Seafood; Patrice McCarron, president & executive director, Maine Lobstermen's Association. VIP Caller: Kathy Mills, senior scientist, Gulf of Maine Research Institute.
PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • October 18, 2023
Foreign ownership in the state’s biggest utility figures in two questions on the ballot next month, one that would limit non-U.S. companies from trying to influence Maine elections and another proposing to establish a publicly owned utility. But there’s little consensus on what influence that ownership might hold. Some experts say it doesn't matter anyway because ownership of a regulated utility doesn't translate into governance.
PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • October 18, 2023
All my 70 years of life as a Maine resident, I’ve been confused that expansion, development, more pavement and more jobs and more people equals progress. Who eliminated the state planning office? I’d like to know. If it were still active, would we need, or care, to spend thousands of our dollars on out-of-state “experts”? Ugh. ~ Peter Brown, Freeport [Ed: The Maine State Planning Office was eliminated by Gov. Paul LePage in 2012.]
BANGOR DAILY NEWS • October 17, 2023
Over the past year, electricity costs have become a central point of public discussion in Maine. Driving down those costs is an objective we can deliver. Aroostook County has bountiful wind resources, which offer the potential for affordable, locally sourced energy. However, the area lacks the essential electrical infrastructure to link those resources to the grid. The Aroostook Renewable Gateway is an ambitious infrastructure project poised to deliver up to 1,200 megawatts from Aroostook County to central Maine and New England . LS Power Grid Maine was selected in a competitive bid process as the developer of the project and is honored to bring the vision to life. The Gateway is more than a transmission line; it is the portal to a Maine that draws its energy from its own natural resources. ~ Doug Mulvey, LS Power
BANGOR DAILY NEWS • October 17, 2023
The rooster starts his crowing every day around 4 a.m., from his cage in a driveway in the middle of Old Town. His crows bother neighbors living in nearby houses and apartments. After nearly a year of telling the resident the rooster must go, Old Town filed a lawsuit asking a court to force the owner to remove the animals. Property owner and resident Mona Dougherty is violating an Old Town ordinance that prohibits livestock and poultry in single-family and general residence zoned areas.
BANGOR DAILY NEWS • October 17, 2023
Most folks get excited to spot wildlife while on an outdoor adventure, but not everyone would be thrilled to find themselves in close proximity to a porcupine. Despite what lore around porcupines will tell you, they cannot shoot their quills at you. They can, however, stick you with dozens of quills in an instant if you become too close. If you get quilled by a porcupine then it is important to take immediate action. quickly and safely follow these three steps and seek immediate medical attention.
1. Cut ends of quills to release pressure from inside the quill, which will relax the microscopic barbs and prevent them from burrowing deeper into your skin.
2. Grab the quills individually with pliers or hemostats or even your fingers then twist and pull straight up. The quill should slide out of your skin.
3. Gently wash and disinfect the area and call a doctor. Some experts suggest taking an antihistamine to prevent an allergic reaction but check with your doctor before taking any medicine.
MAINE PUBLIC • October 17, 2023
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced plans to clean up a contaminated, former mill property in Windham. The Keddy Mill complex in Windham has been on the EPA's list of Superfund sites since 2014 after studies found PCBs, heavy metals, petroleum products and other contaminants. The property, which is located in the Little Falls area of the Presumpscot River, had been the site of multiple mills beginning in the mid-1700s. But environmental officials believe much of the contamination stems from the 1960s and 1970s when the Keddy Mill Company made steel products at the site. The EPA will demolish the dilapidated mill structures on the 7-acre site, remove contaminated soils, treat the groundwater, restore a portion of the Presumpscot River, and set up ongoing monitoring of environmental conditions.
BANGOR DAILY NEWS • October 17, 2023
There is a pox on wild turkeys in Maine. It’s a virus that can make the meat of the game bird unsafe to eat and that can spread to domestic poultry. Cases of avian — or turkey — pox are tracked closely by state wildlife officials. Most recently a case was reported in a wild turkey carcass found in the Sebago area. Since each case could mean the harvested bird is unsafe to eat, officials want hunters to know that just because they shot an infected bird, they aren’t stuck with it. Kelsey Sullivan, biologist with Maine IF&W, said, “We understand they don’t want to eat an unhealthy bird, so they can then go out and take another bird.”
PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • October 17, 2023
The Conservation Law Foundation weighed in Tuesday against a ballot measure to replace Central Maine Power and Versant with a publicly owned utility, saying it’s “not the answer” to Maine’s power company failings. In a posting on CLF’s website, senior attorney Phelps Turner said the two investor-owned utilities “have performance, reliability and customer service problems” that customers are, “understandably, fed up with. However, voting yes on the referendum to create Pine Tree Power is not the answer.” Several other environmental groups support the controversial initiative, including the Sierra Club, Natural Resources Council of Maine, Maine Youth for Climate Justice, and Maine Climate Action Now.
PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • October 17, 2023
When I arrived early for the Pine Tree Power rally at the First Parish Church in Portland last Saturday, Bill McKibben’s warming smile radiated energy from across the pews in the belly of the high-ceilinged space. I’ve followed Bill McKibben’s writings and activism since 1989 when he was among the first to write about the consequences to our planet of burning fossil fuels, “The End of Nature.” He is one of the smartest, most dedicated, well-informed persons in the world on the topic of the climate emergency. McKibben believes the Pine Tree Power question is the most important question on the ballot anywhere in the country. I know there is risk on both sides of this question. I rely on trust in good people to point me toward the best decision. Who do you trust? ~ Kathleen Sullivan, Freeport
BANGOR DAILY NEWS • October 17, 2023
The idea of using batteries to “end electric outages”, as proposed by Green Mountain Power in Vermont ( in the BDN on Oct. 13) is like many “green” ideas: very expensive and highly impractical. Batteries will do nothing to fix downed poles and broken wires causing outages; the damage will be just as great as ever. Those who have batteries will be less desperate for repairs, but the article says the batteries will provide power for only two to 48 hours. Over $1,000 per year could be added to each household’s already existing electric bill. Batteries may have a place in the energy mix, but they’ll never end electric outages. Gas or propane generators are cheaper and run as long as needed. ~ Lawrence E. Merril, Bangor
PISCATAQUIS OBSERVER • October 16, 2023
On Nov. 1 the Moosehead Lake Region Economic Development Corporation will bring together leading experts on our regional economy to discuss new ideas and initiatives with businesses and community members. The event will be held at the Blair Hill Inn in Greenville and will run from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and includes a buffet lunch. The morning session will focus on boosting the winter economy. The afternoon is dedicated to several breakout sessions.
BANGOR DAILY NEWS • October 16, 2023
Much of the information supplied in a Canadian junior mining company’s rezoning application for a mining project near Pickett Mountain in northern Penobscot County is speculative, according to testimony on the first day of Maine Land Use Planning Commission public hearings on the proposal. Monday’s testimony and cross-examination regarding Wolfden’s application to change the zoning from a general management and protection area to a planned development area, zeroed in on the company’s financial stability, the actual composition of the mine, and the company’s ability to operate a mine.
MAINE PUBLIC • October 16, 2023
Critics of the Pine Tree Power campaign say the transition to a statewide public electric utility is impractical. But it has been done elsewhere. Nationwide, nearly 50 million Americans are served by public power, and a number of municipal and cooperative power systems are sprinkled across Maine. The state of Nebraska has had a public power system in place for more than 70 years, which evolved from the rural electrification movement. And Nebraska is similar to Maine in some ways.
MAINE PUBLIC • October 16, 2023
Hearings on the rezoning of a proposed mining site in Northern Penobscot County began this morning in Millinocket. Canada-based Wolfden Resources is asking the Land Use Planning Commission to rezone an area of Pickett Mountain to allow for metallic mineral mining. Attorney Juliet Browne representing Wolfden, said at the opening of the hearing that the company is prepared to meet Maine's high standards for mines. But numerous local groups are arguing the project is a threat to Maine's natural resources and tourism industry.
MAINE PUBLIC • October 16, 2023
Harmful cyanobacteria blooms have become an increasing threat in New Hampshire’s lakes and ponds, as climate change warms up the state’s water and air. But researchers at the University of New Hampshire have developed a new, faster way to check for those toxic algae using drones. Cyanobacteria is a blue-green algae that can be toxic to humans and pets. To keep swimmers safe, officials with the state’s Department of Environmental Services go from lake to lake, gathering samples and testing for the bacteria. But now, scientists say they can use drones with special cameras to fly over the lakes to do the same work more than four times faster, and with high accuracy.
MAINE PUBLIC • October 16, 2023
"Lately we've been catching around 20 to 30 blue crabs in total per week between our 12 traps, which is way more blue crabs than we've caught in the past," said Laura Crane, a research associate for the Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve. "It's one of the many species that is expanding their range into the Gulf of Maine because conditions are changing, and that the Gulf of Maine is warming faster than 99% of the rest of the world's oceans. Blue crabs are taking advantage of that," said Jessie Batchelder, a fisheries project manager for the environmental research non-profit Manomet, which also studying blue crabs. Others are studying how blue crabs and other range-expanding species might affect the Gulf of Maine ecosystem. Blue crabs are aggressive competitors, said marine scientist Helen Cheng. She recalls watching a blue crab voraciously consume a baby lobster in an experiment tank. "If that’s a snapshot of what we may end up seeing in the Gulf of Maine, that’s very concerning, especially if they can target smaller lobsters," said Cheng, a graduate fellow for the Wells Reserve.
BANGOR DAILY NEWS • October 16, 2023
The current owners of our electric grid, CMP and Versant Power, have been unable to meet our renewable energy needs. But I believe Pine Tree Power can and will meet our needs, if voters support it in November. Pine Tree Power can save ratepayers billions through lower financing rates and by not having to pay profits to shareholders. As a nonprofit, Pine Tree Power would have no shareholder obligations. This can free up excess revenue to be used to lower rates, or reinvest in the grid. Please vote yes for Pine Tree Power in November. I believe it’s our best chance for a robust, reliable and affordable electric grid that will serve Maine’s current and future needs. ~ Susan Inches, author, teacher and environmental advocate, North Yarmouth
MAINE PUBLIC • October 16, 2023
Nearly 100 opponents of a power line that would connect southern Aroostook County to central Maine rallied in Augusta Saturday afternoon. The 1,200-megawatt power line would run from Glenwood Plantation to Coopers Mills, sending electricity south from a 1,000-megawatt wind farm that's proposed for Aroostook County. The Public Utilities Commission accepted LS Power's bid to build the project last year, and it won legislative approval in June. But critics say the 150-foot-tall powerline would cross many farms, woodlots, wetlands, and other environmentally sensitive areas. They'd rather see it follow existing powerline corridors, or highways. Or buried underground.
