Maine gets $10M to install specially-designed heat pumps inside mobile homes

MAINE PUBLIC • February 27, 2024

Maine will receive a $10 million federal grant from the U.S. Energy Department to install specially-designed heat pumps in mobile and manufactured homes. The funds will accelerate a Maine pilot program that has installed and tested whole-home heat pumps inside more than 60 mobile homes so far. The latest grant is expected to pay for heat pump installations in 675 mobile homes.

Study says 2023’s ‘crazy’ Atlantic ocean heat was way hotter than expected

ASSOCIATED PRESS • February 27, 2024

Off the charts “crazy” heat in the North Atlantic ocean and record-smashing Antarctic sea ice lows last year are far more severe than what Earth’s supposed to get with current warming levels. They are more like what happens at twice this amount of warming, a new study said. The study’s main author worries that it’s a “harbinger of what’s coming in the next decades.”

Maine looks to 'unlock full potential' of outdoor recreation economy with new roadmap

WGME-TV13 • February 27, 2024

The state dubbed as Vacationland has a lot to offer for both Mainers and tourists. Whether its hiking or biking, skiing or snowmobiling, state leaders want to take what they call the $3.3 billion industry to the next level. The Office of Outdoor Recreation, joined by Maine Outdoor Brands and the University of Maine, released an Outdoor Recreation Economic Roadmap in hopes of reaching the sector’s “full potential.”

Opinion: Department of Marine Resources must make fishery safer for whales

CENTRAL MAINE • February 27, 2024

Where there is overlap of fishing gear and whale habitat use, there is risk of entanglement. The Department of Marine Resources can make meaningful progress on preventing entanglement. Recent funding sources include:
• $6.9 million for Maine testing of alternative fishing gear that removes vertical fishing line from the water column;
• $100,000 donation from Nature Conservancy of Maine towards an alternative gear lending library;
• $17+ million from the federal omnibus funding bill to place 26 passive acoustic monitors in the Gulf of Maine and increase routine aerial monitoring;
• A new Lobster Innovation Fund, providing stipends to fishermen for testing alternative fishing gear.
The agency can provide a rational, science-informed path forward that works for both fishermen and whales. ~ Bill McWeeny, Brooksville, Maine Coalition for North Atlantic Right Whales

Opinion: Gorham Connector plan threatens river ecosystem, heritage trout

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • February 27, 2024

While proponents tout the toll-road Gorham Connector as promising to shorten commutes and relieve traffic pressure in Greater Portland, there has already been substantial pushback to the concept. Regardless of how much (or for how long) travel-based advantage the new roadway might bring, as proposed it will have pronounced, unambiguously negative effects to the area, including to Red Brook, which occupies one of the few contiguous undeveloped riverine stretches in southern Maine. Red Brook is remarkable for supporting one of the last remaining native populations of brook trout in this part of the state.. ~ C. Ian Stevenson, PhD, an architectural and environmental historian, Peaks Island

Letter: Proposed rule changes for camps are outlandish

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • February 27, 2024

Proposed changes to Department of Health and Human Services Rule 208 concerning youth camps would make it challenging to operate and to continue providing enriching experiences for children. Unfortunately, DHHS and the Maine Center for Disease Control wrote the rules without any input from camp leaders, resulting in a proposal that threatens the camping industry. They must be withdrawn and camp professionals must be included. The Maine Youth Camping Association, the top advocate for campers and camps, backs this push. ~ Alex Toole, Portland

Can-Am Crown sled dog races canceled due to warm temperatures, lack of snow

MAINE PUBLIC • February 26, 2024

The Can-Am Crown sled dog races in Fort Kent this weekend have been canceled because of upcoming rain and warm temperatures in Northern Maine, organizers say.It's the first time in the event's history that there has been a full cancellation of the races, and the only time the issue was a lack of snow. Dennis Cyr, president of the organization, says although there is snow on the trails, there is no coverage on roads the race course crosses over. And the board was concerned about the remaining snow melting this week. "Looks like its going to be rain, and above average, or record breaking temperatures, so what little snow cover we have right now we're probably going to lose," Cyr said.

Maine tribes and Janet Mills close in on deal to avoid another sovereignty veto

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • February 26, 2024

A sweeping sovereignty proposal for Native American tribes in Maine may become narrower as part of a compromise meant to avoid another veto from Gov. Janet Mills, several tribal leaders and representatives said Monday. While not all details are available on the potential tweaks, tribes “are almost at consensus” with Mills and Attorney General Aaron Frey’s office on changes to the 1980 settlement that saw tribes relinquish a claim for more than two-thirds of the state’s land in exchange for becoming regulated like cities and towns, Corey Hinton, a Passamaquoddy attorney, said.

Opinion: Maine’s trails, and the volunteers who maintain them, need help

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • February 26, 2024

Maine has some of the most impressive trails in the nation for hiking, biking, snowmobiling, ATVing and other uses. The potential for the future is boundless. But we need to recognize that trails do not maintain themselves. Like other forms of infrastructure, they need investments. But Maine is not investing in our trails, even as they face disrepair from storm damage and record levels of use. That’s why Maine lawmakers should send the Maine Trails Bond (LD 1156) to the November ballot. If approved by voters, the $30 million bond would address urgent needs on our trails and help realize big ideas that could greatly benefit rural communities. ~ John Raymond, ATV Maine and Northern Timber Cruisers

With end of winter near, Portland has only gotten half the snow of an average year

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • February 26, 2024

From Portland to Caribou, this winter has been marked for its lack of snowfall in Maine. With meteorological winter set to end on Feb. 29, Portland has gotten less than half its average amount of snow for the season. Total snowfall measured 24.1 inches from December to February compared to the historical average of 51 inches for those months.

Maine panel seeks help for National Guard members exposed to harmful chemicals

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • February 26, 2024

Thousands trained for two weeks at a time at the Gagetown military base in New Brunswick, Canada. Decades later, they learned that the Canadian and American governments used Agent Orange near the base in the 1960s to control foliage growth and prevent forest fires. Dozens of National Guard soldiers contracted cancer or a serious respiratory disease – about 30% of one 110-member battery. A 10-member Gagetown Harmful Chemical Commission, which was formed by the Maine Legislature last year, is requesting that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs allow National Guard members who served at Gagetown and were exposed to Agent Orange or other harmful chemicals have access to Veterans Affairs medical care. Currently, National Guard members do not qualify.

Climate change is taxing Maine’s winter recreation

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • February 26, 2024

It’s getting more difficult to find enough winter in Maine for traditional activities. Longtime ice fishermen, snowmobilers, skiers, skaters and others who rely on winters to be cold and snowy are feeling the strain of a warming Maine. People from other states who traditionally come to Maine for snowmobiling and ice fishing trips are moving up their normal dates or relocating their vacations to new parts of the state, hoping to catch some winter. Some are canceling their visits, leaving vacancies at lodges that normally are booked solid.

Letter: Trail bond can preserve natural landscapes and support local economies

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • February 26, 2024

The Maine Trail Bond is essential for meeting the increasing demand for trails across our state. Maine’s trails are experiencing record levels of use, and many need repair due to extreme weather impacts. By investing in trail development and maintenance, we can ensure that our trails remain accessible and enjoyable for generations to come. Moreover, trails play a vital role in supporting Maine’s economy, especially in rural communities. We urge our fellow Mainers to support the Maine Trail Bond (LD 1156). ~ Phoebe Redfield, Woodie Wheaton Land Trust, Forest City Township

Mills proposes exempting all Maine nonprofits from sales tax

MAINE MONITOR • February 25, 2024

Gov. Janet Mills has proposed extending a sales tax exemption to all nonprofits operating in Maine, which state officials say will address inequities among organizations seeking exemptions and simplify the process, but will cost the state about $10 million annually. Mills said that extending the exemption to all nonprofits “eliminates the need for the Legislature to pass a new statutory exemption for every nonprofit seeking tax-exempt status and is consistent with the treatment of nonprofits in most other sales tax states.” Maine is among only 17 states and the only one in New England without a blanket exemption for nonprofits. The move would make more than 5,200 organizations newly eligible for sales tax exemption.

Letter: Accelerate transition to zero-emission trucks and cars

MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • February 25, 2024

I’m accelerating my support of the Advanced Clean Cars II program. Thirteen other states have already sped past us by starting this initiative. Let’s make sure we, too, join the parade of zero-emission trucks and cars. Fans will be waving their flags! ~ Mariana Tupper, Falmouth

Column: Golden eagles come to Maine, but they are not easy to find

MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • February 25, 2024

A dozen bird species are listed on the Maine endangered species list. Of these twelve, the golden eagle is certainly among the least encountered. Larger than a bald eagle, the best time of year see one in Maine is in March or the Fall in the western mountains. Sometimes, these eagles are seen in winter or summer, but those days are transient. Erynn Call, a wildlife biologist at the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, is directing the Maine Golden Eagle Study in collaboration with the Eastern Golden Eagle Working Group and Conservation Science Global. It is a citizen-science project so you can help in several ways. IFW’s web page on the Maine Golden Eagle Study has a very useful link with many photos on how to separate golden eagles from bald eagles. ~ Herb Wilson

Letter: Take action now to counter climate change

MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • February 25, 2024

The climate is changing. Winters are getting steadily warmer; this year is the warmest on record. It is devastating to think about next year being just as bad, unfathomable to realize it will continue to get worse. I am only a privileged teenager complaining about skiing disappearing. People can ignore me. But they cannot ignore the 12,000 lives taken in 2023 because of climate change. We cannot condone a dystopian future by lazily ignoring the problem. We have a solution: support carbon fees and dividends. Check out Citizens’ Climate Lobby for ideas. ~ Thea Dugas, Portland

Letter: I support wind energy, but not at the expense of Sears Island

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • February 25, 2024

It is disgraceful that our governor, has chosen our state’s beloved Sears Island for the proposed offshore wind port project. The ecological and economic impact on this region will be detrimental. My family and I have spent decades going to Sears Island. This project could destroy this beautiful place that has been here for millennia, a place that has such historical indigenous value. We cannot allow this to happen especially when there are other options available.  ~ Marilyn Rozelle, Milo

Column: Deciphering the Downeast deer yard

SUN JOURNAL • February 24, 2024

As Maine works at restoring its declining deer numbers in the north woods, identifying and protecting historic deer wintering areas has taken on a new urgency. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife now has dedicated funding that is legally earmarked to actually purchase known deer yards, so that the yards can be protected in perpetuity. This acquisition of deer yards is a work in progress. How many historic deer yards do we have? According to MDIF&W spokesman Ryan Robicheau, that figure is about 350,000 acres, or 2% of all forestland in the state. ~ V. Paul Reynolds

“Waiting For the Light: A Few Decades and Now Endless Possibilities,” Mar 26

BOWDOIN COLLEGE • February 24, 2024

Professor Collin Roesler discusses her research on optical oceanography and the changing composition and services of phytoplankton communities. At Bowdoin College, Visual Arts Center, Kresge Auditorium, March 26, 7:30 pm.