State panel rejects proposed mine near Baxter State Park

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • February 14, 2024

The planning and zoning board that oversees Maine’s most rural areas has rejected a proposal from a Canadian company to open a metallic mineral mine about 20 miles east of Mount Katahdin in what would have been the first real test of the state’s strict mining regulations. The Land Use Planning Commission voted 5-2 Wednesday to deny a 374-acre rezoning application from Wolfden LLC of Ontario. Last week, board staff concluded the proposal did not offer enough sustainable economic opportunity to justify the risk to the region’s high-value natural resources.

LUPC decision stops Canadian company’s attempt to mine Maine mountain

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • February 14, 2024

The Maine Land Use Planning Commission denied a Canadian mining company’s rezoning application for a proposed mine on Pickett Mountain in northern Penobscot County. In a 5 to 2 vote on Wednesday, the eight-member commission stopped Wolfden’s attempt to build a metallic mineral mine at the Pickett Mountain site. Rezoning of 374 acres from limited use to industrial use was the first step before the company could apply for a mining permit from the state. Wolfden cannot move forward with the mining project without rezoning approval. The decision apparently ends Wolfden’s stab at opening a mine in Maine after years of attempting to do so.

Opinion: Peace is necessary to give the climate a chance

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • February 14, 2024

Last semester, as a professor of German and European studies, I taught two courses — one on European perspectives on climate change, and another on antisemitism on social media. After the attacks on Oct. 7, I realized that, in comparison to the conflict in Israel-Palestine, the climate crisis seems utterly solvable. And that these crises are, of course, connected. If we invest meaningfully in changing course away from fossil fuels, we also make wars driven by feuds over land and resources less attractive and less profitable. The United States has spent more than $14 trillion on military engagements since 2001. Imagine if we invested those trillions of dollars in a just transition away from fossil fuels instead of continuously feeding the violent terror that then comes back to haunt us. ~ Sabine von Mering, Public Voices Fellow on the Climate Crisis, Yale Program on Climate Change

Plans for new Roux Institute campus on Portland waterfront anticipate sea level rise, storm surge

MAINE PUBLIC • February 14, 2024

The developers of the new Roux Institute campus on the Portland waterfront say their latest plans account for sea level rise, storm surge and other impacts from climate change at the site of the former B&M Baked Bean factory. The former cannery building will be converted to office space. But the developers acknowledged the first floor of the former B&M Baked factory will be vulnerable to flooding, and they said nonessential services, such as indoor bike storage, will be located there. The latest plans for the first phase of the project call for a 238,000-square-foot academic building, a parking garage with 625 spaces and a day care center that would serve 50 children. Neighbors close to the proposed site of the new Roux campus in Portland said they're concerned about traffic and parking in the area, particularly when school lets out in the evenings.

Letter: Mining operation a dangerous proposal

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • February 14, 2024

I am writing in opposition to the Wolfden application to rezone a portion of northern Penobscot County for metal mining. Historically, metal mining is a sad story of severe environmental degradation, including the poisoning of lakes, ponds, streams and rivers, the destruction of critical fish, waterfowl and wading bird habitats, the pollution of deep aquifers and surface water recharge sites and lasting harm to human beings. Metal mine tailings and the handling and disposal of mining wastewater pose immediate and continuing long-lasting environmental threats. I urge all Mainers and the Land Use Planning Commission to join me in opposing this dangerous mining proposal. ~ John Loyd, Harpswell

The next invasive that threatens Maine’s fishery is at the border

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • February 14, 2024

The discovery of mature zebra mussels on the hydroelectric dam in Edmundston, New Brunswick, at Maine’s border where the Madawaska River flows into the St. John has put the state’s biologists on higher alert. Zebra mussels could already be establishing themselves in the St. John River, according to an invasive species biologist at the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. Zebra mussels are filter feeders that very quickly drain nutrients from a body of water, which would endanger some of Maine’s prime fisheries.

Wildlife biologist seeks input on whether there’s too many deer on Cousins Island

FORECASTER • February 13, 2024

A state deer expert will meet with Yarmouth residents next week to get a handle on the extent of “the deer problem” on Cousins Island. Scott Lindsay, regional biologist for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, said he’s had multiple reports from residents concerned that they are seeing more deer than usual on the island, and the Feb. 21 listening session at 6:30 p.m. at the Log Cabin will help him determine whether he needs to pursue solutions. Deer can damage gardens, increase the potential for exposure to Lyme disease and cause car crashes.

Column: The hunter is not an endangered species in Maine

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • February 13, 2024

All of us who care about and place value on the hunting legacy, wonder about the future of recreational hunting. We glance at the statistics every once in a while looking for a glimpse into the future. In 2002, there were 211,238 licensed hunters in Maine; 20 years later, in 2022, Maine reported 233,443 licensed hunters. Despite the national downward trend in hunting license sales, Maine has the highest number of licensed hunters since 1982. On the national level an increasing number of women have taken up recreational hunting. Here in Maine some rod and gun clubs have programs to introduce youngsters to the challenges and enjoyment of recreational hunting. When it comes to safeguarding, and even nurturing, Maine’s hunting legacy, we in the Pine Tree State are doing something right. ~ V. Paul Reynolds

Maine regulators to vote on Wolfden mine Wednesday

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • February 13, 2024

After a year of extensive analysis, the Maine Land Use Planning Commission is scheduled to make a final decision on the Wolfden Pickett Mountain Mining project on Wednesday morning. Canadian junior mining company Wolfden filed its rezoning application with the LUPC last January. It was their second attempt at getting 374 acres at Pickett Mountain in northern Penobscot County rezoned to allow for a proposed underground metallic mineral mine. Following December deliberations, the LUPC staff, in a 100-page draft final decision, recommended that the commissioners deny the Wolfden application.

Letter: Give utility performance bill time to work

CENTRAL MAINE • February 13, 2024

The PUC is already evaluating utilities in areas many of us ratepayers care about — things like reliability, repair times, billing accuracy and responsiveness. We’ll learn soon enough how the utilities stack up because the PUC will be issuing its first report cards in a few months. A bill before the Maine Legislature’s Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee does nothing more than mess around with a wheel that’s already been invented. It makes sense to me that we first see how the wheel works before we go redesigning it. ~ Ray Hinckley, Manchester

State biologists want you to send them owl vomit

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • February 13, 2024

Maine biologists are asking people to send them owl pellets as part of a national study. When an owl eats its prey, the parts, such as hair and bones, that it cannot digest gather in its gizzard where they are compacted into a pellet. The owl regurgitates or vomits the indigestible pellet. The owl’s diet includes small mammals, birds, amphibians and invertebrates. Researchers hope to learn more about owl numbers, what they eat and the health of the birds and of their prey.

Column: This hike meant packing for extreme conditions

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • February 13, 2024

My son, Adam, and I planned a climb of Burnt Mountain in Carrabassett Valley on Sunday, Jan. 21. Powerful winds and frigid wind chills were forecast. After some deliberation, we decided to pack for extreme conditions and give it a try. Significant consideration was given to how we dressed and what we selected for gear. Each of us carried snowshoes, microspikes, emergency gear, a down-filled parka and pants, a headlight and spare batteries, energy food, plenty of water and additional layers of clothing. We were prepared to survive the night if necessary. Arriving at the pinnacle, we briefly removed our mitts to take a few quick photos. We spent perhaps two minutes embracing the wonderful views before beginning our return. ~ Ron Chase

This historic park off the Maine coast is a joy to visit, even in the dead of winter

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • February 12, 2024

Winter is a quiet time at Roosevelt Campobello International Park. While wandering the park’s many trails and roads, we didn’t see another visitor all morning. Located on Campobello Island, the 2,800-acre park is jointly administered and funded by Canada and the United States. Earlier that morning, we’d reached it by driving across the long, arching bridge that spans from the small Maine town of Lubec to the island. And at the end of the bridge, we showed our passports to cross the border into Canada. In the late 1800s, Franklin Roosevelt’s parents were among the many wealthy families who summered on the island at grand hotels. They loved Campobello so much that they purchased land and built a cottage. One of the Roosevelts’ favorite activities was picnicking. So it’s fitting that the park features some of the most stunning picnic spots I’ve ever seen.

Moody Beach public access dispute heading to Maine Supreme Court

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • February 12, 2024

A ruling by a lower court justice on the matter of allowing public access at Moody Beach in Wells is heading to the Maine Supreme Judicial Court and possibly the U.S. Supreme Court, says an attorney representing the plaintiffs who want to be able to walk and recreate on the York County beach. Benjamin Ford of the Portland law firm Archipelago said in an interview Monday that the plaintiffs will appeal to the state’s highest court Superior Court Justice John O’Neil Jr.’s Feb. 9 ruling that denied Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey’s motion for summary judgment and which dismissed the plaintiffs’ motion asserting their right to walk on intertidal lands.

Brunswick lawmaker proposes property tax relief bill

TIMES RECORD • February 12, 2024

Rep. Dan Ankeles said he was inspired to introduce L.D. 2162 after some Brunswick homeowners faced steep property tax hikes last year due to a revaluation that was later delayed. Soaring home values in recent years have resulted in property tax hikes for homeowners across the state. “Rising home values in towns all over Maine are causing big disruptions in how we typically spread our property tax burden, and it’s hitting some Mainers harder than others,” Ankeles said. “For both Maine’s fishing families and for those who own mobile homes, the sharp increase in property taxes due to rising home values and the rising costs of education and local government puts them at risk of losing their homes and their livelihoods.”

Maine Superior Court rules against attorney general and advocates for public beach access

MAINE PUBLIC • February 12, 2024

A Superior Court justice has ruled against Maine's attorney general and others in a case seeking to establish public access rights to the intertidal zone on Maine beaches. Beachfront property owners' rights extend to the low tide line. State Attorney General Aaron Frey asked the court to grant the public unfettered rights to walk along the intertidal zone on Maine beaches. Another motion from the public asked the court to modernize allowable uses of the intertidal zone, which current law lists as "fishing, fowling, and navigation." Maine and Massachusetts are the only two states in which the intertidal zone is not considered public land.

$6.5 million awarded to 6 Maine businesses for electric grid updates

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • February 12, 2024

Six businesses across the state will share $6.5 million in grant funding from the Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan to support upgrades to the electrical grid. The awards Monday are the latest investment from the state’s allocation of nearly $1 billion in federal American Rescue Plan funds.
• $4 million to Kingfish Maine of Jonesport to build a recirculating aquaculture facility to produce 8,500 metric tons of Yellowtail Kingfish annually
• $1,336,892 to Tanbark Molded Fiber Products of Saco to produce sustainable packaging from Maine pulp
• $993,608 to Maine Plywood USA to open a production facility in Bingham
• $55,000 to Five Pillars Butchery of Unity to construct a halal-certified slaughter and processing facility
• $47,500 to Heiwa Tofu of Rockport for small batch organic tofu
• 42,500 to the Holy Donut of Arundel for craft doughnuts made from Maine-grown potatoes

Letter: New mine could be a bad deal for Maine

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • February 12, 2024

The proposed Wolfden Resources mine project could take away from the natural beauty of the area and could have a negative impact on local wildlife. It would be a bad deal for Maine. We should be doing everything possible to preserve our land. ~ Benjamin Bucklin, Searsport

Why Sears Island is the likely site of Maine’s offshore wind port

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • February 12, 2024

Maine is closing in on picking the location of a large offshore wind port, a move that will be a milestone in reaching state climate goals but will accelerate a thorny political debate over the state’s energy future. An unusual alliance of conservation groups, conservatives and progressives has opposed using the 941-acre island for the wind base. But all signs point to the state choosing Sears Island in Searsport. The state has already noted fewer hurdles regarding costs and construction than nearby Mack Point. Gov. Janet Mills, a Democrat, announced the deepwater port plan in 2021 as a key part of reaching Maine’s goal of 100 percent renewable energy by 2040.