Column: Pleasant Lake in Stetson puts the perfect in a June day

MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • June 23, 2024

East of Newport lies the town of Stetson – home of Pleasant Lake and in the early 1900s the home of the largest oxen team in the world. We recently enjoyed a four-hour exploration of the western half of the 3-mile long lake. A winding mile-long channel leads out from the outlet dam into the open lake. On the southern side of the channel sits a 100-acre wooded peninsula known as the Cape. The Hewitt family graciously gifted the land in 2010 to create the Pleasant Lake Preserve. ~ Michael Perry

Editorial: Maine’s PFAS crisis demands change of approach

MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • June 23, 2024

The state of Maine has a duty to mitigate PFAS in the drinking water of the households affected by sludge contamination. Maine has invested about $100 million in its response to PFAS in the past two years. State assistance to people affected has involved providing bottled water to drink; covering payments for new connections to alternative water sources; and the installation and maintenance of often-costly water filtration systems. But far, far more is going to have to be poured into this crisis.

Letter: Wind power key to fighting climate change

MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • June 23, 2024

Our climate is heating up. It’s not just the heat taxing our health and infrastructure; with changing temperatures come extreme storms. I recently watched FEMA make their way up and down my road on the coast, taking stock of the damage from the January storms. A warming climate threatens us all. It drives sea life to new waters, hurts our elders and children, and causes economic damage. Now’s the time to mitigate the damage. Transition to clean, sustainable, offshore wind power – electrical generation by Mainers, for Mainers. Wind power on Sears Island will provide good union jobs to our hard-hit Midcoast while acting as a tool in the fight to control the climate disaster created by fossil fuels. ~ Jennifer Reynolds, Jonesport

As Worcester Holdings sprays pines with pesticide, Addison residents call for moratorium

MAINE MONITOR • June 22, 2024

On June 10, the Columbia Falls-based Worcester Holdings notified nearby Addison residents the company would spray imidacloprid over 190 acres of its forest this summer to control balsam gall midge and woolly adelgid. Residents were alarmed about the threat to wildlife, humans and the environment. Many of the 11,000+ pesticides registered for use in Maine are potentially harmful. Despite Worcester Holdings’ record of violations, the company appears to be following protocol. So are five of the state’s leading conservation organizations. The Nature Conservancy, Maine Coast Heritage Trust, Friends of Acadia, Mount Desert Land & Garden Preserve, and Kennebec Estuary Land Trust have licensed pesticide applicators on staff. “It would be irresponsible if we called ourselves conservation landowners to let invasive plants spread unchecked over the lands we’ve conserved because they greatly diminish ecological value,” said Amanda Devine, director of stewardship for MCHT.

Heat wave gives Maine a sneak peek at summers of the future

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • June 22, 2024

Maine summers are indeed getting hotter. And the state, which has more experience dealing with extreme cold than extreme heat, finds itself unprepared. Portland summers are 2.4 degrees warmer than in 1970, with two additional weeks of abnormally hot weather. Last week’s record-setting heat wave offers a sneak peek at future summers in Maine if we don’t cut the global emissions that are changing the climate. Average summer temperatures would be up to 4 degrees hotter by 2050 and almost 9 degrees hotter by 2100.

Denmark considers tightening regulations on water extraction despite Poland Spring opposition

MAINE MONITOR • June 22, 2024

After years of work, Denmark is on the cusp of major changes to its ordinance that would curtail large-scale water extraction in the town — an industry largely occupied by the bottled water behemoth Poland Spring. The changes, which will be presented at a June 26 town forum, would block future Denmark officials from loosening restrictions on water sources and require more rigorous monitoring from extraction entities on the sources they draw from. They also acknowledge the influence of climate change on drought and groundwater reserves as a reason for protecting local water through regulation.  Denmark, an Oxford County town about 41 miles northwest of Portland, has been a Maine leader in local water extraction regulations, establishing its landmark ordinance in 2005.

Column: The solar farm paradox

SUN JOURNAL • June 22, 2024

So far there are a reported 3,185 solar panel farms in Maine, with a lot more on the way. A new law is supposed to require new solar developers to either provide “compensatory land” equal to the size of the developed solar field or contribute money to a state compensation fund for habitat preservation. The rush to solar farms and renewable energy poses a paradox as we destroy habitat and wildlife in our earnest effort to manage our carbon footprint. This debate is not over. ~ V. Paul Reynolds

Opinion: Misguided rate increases ignore Maine ratepayers, clean energy developers

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • June 22, 2024

This week, the Maine Public Utilities Commission announced new rate hikes to subsidize Gov. Janet Mills’ green energy transition. The new rates will have consumers paying an extra $15.50 a month to keep the lights on. With many Mainers already stocking up on winter heating oil and interest rates reaching the highest levels in a decade, the rate hikes could not have come at a worse time. Maine’s climate action plan earmarks billions of dollars for clean transportation, clean energy, climate resilience and other schemes like developing “climate-friendly building materials.” This most recent rate increase will go directly to pay the $179.3 million owed to solar developers – a 47% increase from the previous year. Instead of subsidizing solar power and burying ratepayers under crushing costs, Maine needs cheap, reliable sources of energy. ~ Roy Mathews

Letter: Clear the blockage on Presumpscot River

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • June 22, 2024

Over 20 big trees are interlocked tightly blocking the entire Presumpscot River; there is no clearing even at the shores. Anyone getting too close can become pinned against the strainer by the current and drown. This river blockage should be cleared right away before someone is hurt, or worse. ~ John Picone, South Portland

Maine town needs $2M to remove a giant mound of toxic carpets

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • June 22, 2024

For nearly three decades, more than 25,000 tons of carpet waste has sat on the site of an abandoned rifle range in Warren. The town wants to get rid of the carpets so it can finally develop there, but without financial help, town officials have their hands tied. It’s a carpet wasteland. And the town’s only financial hope of cleaning it up — an application for $2 million in federal Brownfields cleanup funds — was denied in May.

Petition for a recount of the Dresden mineral extraction moratorium vote falls short

KENNEBEC JOURNAL • June 21, 2024

The temporary ban, which was approved by a one-vote margin at Dresden's municipal election earlier this month, prompted gravel pit owner Heather Beasley to challenge the results and seek a recount. The ordinance limits expansion of mining and quarrying and halts any new gravel or quarry pit applications for 180 days so the town can create a new ordinance to manage quarrying and gravel pits. “This is my business, my livelihood, I’m the fourth generation of women that has owned this gravel pit,” Beasley said. “This has been our business since 1915.” Beasley said she will continue to fight the moratorium.

Fly-fishing is largely safe despite recent Kennebec River fatality, says expert

MORNING SENTINEL • June 21, 2024

The death of a fly fisherman on Father’s Day on the Kennebec River in Embden was an uncommon incident for a generally safe sport, according to officials and experts.The death of a fly fisherman on Father’s Day on the Kennebec River in Embden was an uncommon incident for a generally safe sport, according to officials and experts. James Wescott, 56, of Fremont, New Hampshire, was fly-fishing on the Kennebec River on Sunday when he lost his footing while trying to walk to a gravel bar in the river. He fell into the river and died after being swept downstream. It is important to wear a wader your size and a wading belt that is properly tightened around the waist to slow water from entering the legs of waders.

Maine asks judge to dismiss EV lawsuit that claims state is failing to reach climate goals

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • June 21, 2024

Maine officials asked a state judge Friday to dismiss a lawsuit by environmentalists accusing the state of failing to meet targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by not adopting a policy to boost the sales of electric vehicles. The Department of Environmental Protection is not required by law to adopt a policy expanding electric vehicle use and its “alleged failure or refusal” to adopt the policy is discretionary and not subject to judicial review, the state said in its response to an April 22 lawsuit by the Conservation Law Foundation, Sierra Club and Maine Youth Action. Emily K. Green, senior attorney for CLF, said in a statement that the state “would be better served by spending its time and resources to implement our climate law.

Maine saw nearly 100 heat-related emergency visits during heat wave

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • June 21, 2024

Between June 16 and June 20, heat-related illnesses prompted around 78 emergency room visits. Since the beginning of the year, Maine has recorded at least 131 emergency room visits prompted by heat illnesses. People over the age of 65 are several times more likely to die from heat-related illnesses and cardiovascular issues than their younger counterparts.

Sanford wood pellet manufacturer fined for repeated environmental violations, excess emissions

MAINE MONITOR • June 21, 2024

State officials voted Thursday morning to fine the operators of a Sanford wood pellet manufacturing facility $151,550 for a string of violations dating back to 2020. The violations – which include failing to meet testing deadlines, exceeding emissions requirements and failing to keep sufficient records — were ongoing even as the facility was awarded $600,000 in state funds in 2022. The money has not yet been distributed. The plant, operated by T&D Wood Energy LLC and formerly included Player Design, Inc., has been the subject of several complaints made to the state Department of Environmental Protection over the years, DEP staff said at a Thursday meeting.

Ocearch

MAINE ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS • June 21, 2024

OCEARCH is a data-centric organization built to help scientists collect previously unattainable data in the ocean while open sourcing our research and explorations. Open sourcing and inclusion at every level, and in real-time, allows the world to participate in our projects while being aware of the developing science. One of the programs is tracking white sharks along the U.S. East Coast, including Maine.

Opinion: If you can’t drink the water at school, what hope is there?

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • June 21, 2024

There’s arsenic in the drinking water at our elementary school. If we have any credibility as a society responsible for the health and welfare of those not yet old enough to advocate for themselves, we need to make fixing that our top priority. Not destroying even more of our natural environment. ~ Heather Chase, Lyman

What does it mean to live in one of Maine’s nuisance bear hotspots

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • June 21, 2024

The hottest spot in the state for nuisance black bears is from Presque Isle to Van Buren, followed closely by central Penobscot County, just south of Bangor, according to the state. A nuisance bear is one that has become comfortable with people and the easy food opportunities they offer and won’t stay away. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife receives an average of 500 complaints a year about nuisance bears, mostly related to bird feeders and garbage. Maine has the largest bear population in the eastern United States, estimated to be from 24,000 to 36,000 animals, concentrated in the northern and central parts of the state. The state has a helpful Living with Black Bears website with more tips.

You can learn a lot in Bangor City Forest about where birds live

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • June 21, 2024

Birds are picky. They know exactly what they like. They will keep choosing to nest in the same area year after year. I am reminded of that whenever I walk into Bangor City Forest. There are 65 native tree species in Maine. Of those, 51 are hardwood and 14 are softwood. Each provides unique food resources to birds, whether it’s the seeds they produce or the insects that inhabit them. Bangor City Forest is the perfect place to discover what birds really want. Bird behavior is fascinating. ~ Bob Duchesne

Waterville native produces film about Donn Fendler’s ‘Lost on a Mountain in Maine’ experience

MORNING SENTINEL • June 21, 2024

Ryan Cook has come a long way from making movies as a 6-year-old in his native Waterville to soon launching the world premiere of his film, “Lost on a Mountain in Maine,” July 13 at the Waterville Opera House. Cook is one of the producers of the feature film, being screened as part of the upcoming Maine International Film Festival. It is the story of Donn Fendler, who in 1939 at age 12, got lost on Mount Katahdin while hiking with his family. He endured nine days in the wilderness while search parties scoured the terrain, lost 20 pounds and eventually made his way out of the woods to safety. The film, Cook said, is an adventure film and a family movie that incorporates the book’s story as well as interviews and recordings with Fendler.