Opinion: This is a make-or-break year for the environment

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • March 13, 2024

President Biden has led the largest climate investment in U.S. history for CO2 and methane reduction, renewable energy, electrification, R&D and carbon monitoring. Donald Trump, is a champion of the oil industry. House Republicans are proposing to cut the Environmental Protection Agency’s budget enough to cripple the agency. They have suggested slashing the EPA administrator’s salary to $1. Trump will dismember EPA, build new roads through Alaska’s old growth stands in Tsongas National Forest, resurrect the Keystone pipeline for carbon-laden tar sands, and open up new oil drilling along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. American credibility around the world will sink while greenhouse emissions will soar, condemning us to decades of regrettable consequences. It’s a make-or-break year environmentally. ~ Jake Plante, author, “Reflections on the Environmental Movement and the Role of Governance”

This New England mountain trek is among my favorites

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • March 13, 2024

South Moat Mountain near Conway, New Hampshire, is one of my favorite mountain hikes. The 2,749 foot peak is particularly beautiful during winter. I included it in my book, “Mountains for Mortals — New England,” a mountain guidebook that features what I consider to be the 30 finest and most scenic mountain hikes in New England. The views were phenomenal. To the east was picturesque Mount Cranmore, with Mount Kearsarge slightly north. Moat Ridge extended north over Middle and North Peaks pointing toward the towering Presidential Range that was unfortunately enveloped in clouds.

Lewiston, Auburn to use federal funding toward riverfront improvements

SUN JOURNAL • March 12, 2024

Officials on both sides of the Androscoggin River will make improvements and bolster pedestrian access to riverfront areas after learning they will receive federal funding for the long-planned projects. Projects to improve the Simard-Payne Memorial Park area in Lewiston and extend Auburn’s Riverwalk received $3.9 million each in a congressional spending bill. Auburn’s Riverwalk expansion will extend the existing Riverwalk from Bonney Park along the Androscoggin River west and then south along the Little Androscoggin River to Washington Street.

Surry lobster dock destroyed by Sunday storm

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • March 12, 2024

Two months after many wooden piers along Maine’s coast were severely damaged or destroyed by a pair of storms, another storm has brought some additional destruction. Perry’s Lobster Shack in Surry, which functions as a lobster buying pier for local fishermen and as a seasonal takeout restaurant, was destroyed Sunday when it was submerged by storm surge in Union River Bay. The loss of the pier is the latest setback for working waterfront properties along the Maine coast, which are struggling to stay in business despite the impacts of climate change and sea level rise.

South Portland wildlife lecture series explores coexisting with coyotes

SOUTH PORTLAND SENTRY • March 12, 2024

As coyotes prepare for breeding season, residents are invited to learn more about these adaptable creatures and how to coexist with them. The Wildlife & Ecology Lecture Series at South Portland Public Library will host “Coexisting with Coyotes” on Thursday, March 14th at 6:00 pm. Presenters for the event include Sydney Raftery, City of South Portland Park Ranger; Maggie Maxwell, City of South Portland Animal Control Officer; and Geri Vistein, Maine Carnivore Conservation Biologist.

Baxter State Park officials warn eclipse-watchers of park closures, poor weather

MAINE PUBLIC • March 12, 2024

While many areas of Maine are actively seeking to draw crowds for the solar eclipse on April 8, officials at Baxter State Park are urging visitors to be cautious and consider other venues. Director Kevin Adam says much of the park will be closed, as is typical in the spring. He says campgrounds are closed, as are the roads through the park and trails on Katahdin. Unpredictable spring weather could mean several feet of snow or deep mud during the eclipse, Adam says. He says visitors should check out events and areas in the surrounding towns that will be better options for watching the eclipse.

Bath Climate Conversations: Demystifying Renewable Electricity Options, March 13

Are you interested in renewable energy, but you don’t know where to start?  Are you overwhelmed with the options and flyers that you get in the mail?  Come learn about different options for supporting renewable energy – whether it is installing it on your home, through a community solar subscription, or purchasing from a utility-provided renewable energy option.  You will leave this session empowered to decide which option is best for you and how to take the next step and support clean, renewable energy. This program part of a continuing series of Bath Climate Conversations focused on learning, discussing, and connecting around ways to sustain and support our vibrant town as climate change occurs. Hosted by Bath Climate Action Commission and the Patten Free Library in Bath and presented in person and on Zoom, March 13, 5:30 pm.. 

Maine fishermen take plea deal for herring dealing scheme

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • March 12, 2024

Five Maine fishermen and one fisherman from New Hampshire took a plea deal on Monday ending their trial on charges of catching and selling millions of pounds of unreported Atlantic herring, the Courier-Gazette reported. Glenn Robbins, 76, of Eliot; Ethan Chase, 46, of Portsmouth, N.H.; Neil Herrick, 48, of Rockland; Stephen Little, 58, of Warren; Jason Parent, 51, of Owls Head were indicted in January 2022 on 35 counts of conspiracy, fraud and falsifying fishing records, according to court records. Also indicted was Western Sea, Inc., the business that owns the Rockland-based vessel used to catch the fish. The defendants could receive sentences of up to a year in prison, fines of up to $100,000, and up to one year of supervised release.

Pentagon tries to dodge PFAS lawsuits over a product it helped invent

GRIST • March 12, 2024

The United States government said it is immune to 27 lawsuits filed by local and state governments, businesses, and property owners over the military’s role in contaminating the country with deadly PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals.” The lawsuits are a small fraction of the thousands of cases brought by plaintiffs all over the country against a slew of entities that manufactured, sold, and used a product called aqueous film-forming foam, or AFFF — an ultra-effective fire suppressant that leached into drinking water supplies and soil across the U.S. over the course of decades.

Editorial: Maine lawmakers should support outdoor recreation, send trail bond to voters

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • March 12, 2024

Maine has a long tradition of outdoor recreation. Hunting, fishing, hiking, paddling, skiing, snowmobiling, biking and other outdoor pursuits are part of the state’s brand. Increasingly, these activities draw people to Maine, both to visit and to live. These activities are also a vital part of the state’s economy. Outdoor recreation contributes $3 billion a year to the state’s economy and supports 41,000 jobs. Trails are an essential part of this equation. For the first time, Maine lawmakers have the opportunity to show support for a significant state investment in recreational trails. Lawmakers should pass LD 1156, a bond for $30 million for trails. Two-thirds support is needed to put the bond on the ballot, where Maine people will ultimately decide whether to support these investments in trails and outdoor recreation.

Maine PUC launches new series of discussions to hear Mainers' utility concerns

WGME-TV13 • March 12, 2024

On Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Double Tree hotel in South Portland, the Maine Public Utilities Commission will host the first in a series of coffee and conversation forums to hear general concerns Mainers have with their utilities. Commission chair Phillip Bartlett says in recent years the PUC has "heard from utility consumers more than ever,” adding customers want to know how utilities are being held accountable. Some other concerns customers can discuss include cost, reliability, and environmental impact.

Opinion: Maine lobstermen will not be scapegoated over right whale

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • March 12, 2024

New England fishermen are bracing themselves for another salvo of regulation and activist pressure after the tragic entanglement death of a right whale that washed ashore on Martha’s Vineyard. Regulators and out-of-state agitators are together impugning one of the most sustainable fisheries in the world for right whale deaths. Their claims are baseless and contradicted by their own data. As agencies and NGOs ponder next steps, they might consider the fighting spirit this last year has showcased among fishermen. While the domestic fishing industry faces many challenges – I haven’t even mentioned the threat posed by offshore wind development – fishermen notched important victories last year. We are resolved to protect our communities our maritime heritage, and our culture of stewardship against all comers. ~ Dustin Delano, New England Fishermen’s Stewardship Association

Opinion: With sea levels rising, Mainers need to rise up

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • March 12, 2024

As coastal communities throughout Maine ramp up their climate action planning in the coming months, addressing the increasing threat of sea level rise is a clear priority. These local efforts reflect the failure of state-level legislation to meet their demand, which has caused individual towns, with limited resources, to feel as if they must pick up the pieces. Legislators have been too focused on rebuilding efforts in response to past storms, and have failed to take into account the need to create protective measures. There are countless ways to take the offensive instead of continuing to play defense. Beyond the fear lies a reminder that climate change is not a mere inconvenience. For many, it is an existential threat. ~ Eden Zumbrun, Bowdoin College sophomore majoring in environmental studies and government & legal studies

Letter: Legislators should support Maine Trails Bond

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • February 12, 2024

It’s time to invest in a stronger economy, better climate resilience and improved public health for Maine. That’s why I believe our Legislature should pass the Maine Trails Bond this session. The Maine Trails Bond would provide $30 million over four years in competitive grant funding to towns, organizations and clubs. ~ Jon Kachmar, Portland Trails, Portland

Houlton eclipse celebration will include cairn with thousands of stones

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • March 12, 2024

Dave Hutchinson woke up one January morning with the idea of creating a large eclipse rock on the lawn of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Houlton. Much like ancient stone cairns found in forests as trail markers or as spiritual markers of deaths, profound events or an individual’s sacred journey, the eclipse rock creates a sacred space for attendees, he said. Everyone is invited to leave a stone at the rock during their visit for the April 5 to 8 Eclipse weekend. And with a projected 40,000 visitors for the total solar eclipse on April 8, they could end up with a pretty big cairn.

There are glimmers of Atlantic salmon success in Maine

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • March 12, 2024

Fishing the Penobscot River, I had a memorable Atlantic salmon fishing experience within eye shot of downtown Bangor. Imagine that? Will those days ever return? It is not beyond the realm of possibility. According to a recent news report, “The last wild Atlantic salmon that return to U.S. rivers have had their most productive year in more than a decade, raising hopes they may be weathering myriad ecological threats. Officials counted more than 1,500 of the salmon in the Penobscot River, which is home to the country’s largest run of Atlantic salmon. Since dam removals and restoration of the Penobscot’s River’s water quality, the return of, not only the salmon, but other species as well is a stunning demonstration of nature’s incredible capacity to recover from environmental degradation if given a chance.

Meet the venomous Maine spider that comes out in the winter

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • March 12, 2024

Arachnophobes may have thought snow- or ice-covered terrain in the state were safe spaces away from spiders. They are wrong. Turns out there is a rather large spider native to Maine that hangs out next to water and is not above taking a stroll across the ice or snow in the winter when temperatures rise above freezing. This is the fishing spider, also known as eight-legged anglers. It’s possible, albeit startling, to spot these large, native spiders on a frozen Maine lake or pond midwinter.

Letter: Zoos seem to care more about profit than animals

SUN JOURNAL • March 11, 2024

The behavior of captive animals is not what one would see in the wild. Animals can have mental health problems. Zoos can’t provide the same space that animals have in the wild. Zoos choose baby animals and leave parents in the wild, also controlling their mating. The animals should be left in the place that they were found. Zoos seem to only put the animals through more stress and put them in a place of bad mental health more than they do any good. It seems like some zoos only care about the profit more than they care about the animals. ~ Faith Hanson, Spruce Mountain High School, Jay, class of 2027

Camden finds herbicide on public beach after neighbors illegally used it

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • March 11, 2024

Arthur and Amelia Bond, who own a home at 1 Metcalf Road, have already paid more than $200,000 in fines and other fees in connection with their unauthorized use of the herbicide, tebuthiuron, on trees belonging to them and a neighbor in 2021. They’ve entered legal settlements  with the state, the town and their neighbor, and contaminated soil has already been removed from the two private residences. But since the Bonds live so close to Laite Memorial Beach & Park, town officials also hired an engineering firm to test in December whether the herbicide had spread into its soil and groundwater. The results showed trace amounts of tebuthiuron were present in the park. “It was very deliberate and malicious,” said Town Manager Audra Caler. The Maine Board of Pesticides Control is doing its own testing at the Camden beach. Under previous agreements, the Bonds are expected to pay for all state and local remediation efforts.

Rural Maine town grapples with how dam removal could alter its identity

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • March 11, 2024

Sandy Perkins and her husband, David, live in their dream retirement home along the Piscataquis River, where they can watch kingfishers and loons dive and bald eagles soar overhead. But their property could forever change if residents vote in June to remove the Mayo Mill dam downstream. The town committee tasked with finding a solution to the aging dam and connected facilities says leaving it untouched is not an option. Whether the town decides to remove or restore it, both are expensive undertakings. Dover-Foxcroft residents are grappling with questions about how removing the dam could reshape the town, whose history is deeply intertwined with the river.