Column: Life is better on the Kancamagus — where the phone doesn’t work

SUN JOURNAL • July 16, 2024

Every step along the Kancamagus Highway that weaves through the White Mountains of New Hampshire seems jampacked with beauty and mystery a million years in the making. More mountains, more distance and more of that sweet song of nature. I was feeling like Henry David Thoreau all drunk on nature, but man, there was so much more to see. It occurred to me that I don’t get out into real nature nearly often enough. And all at once I seemed to have full understanding of all you fine people who head out into the wilderness every chance you get. But alas, it was the end of the weekend and obligations at work wouldn’t afford me any more time in the mountains. We headed for home again and the very minute we rolled back into Lewiston, instead of that ancient corner of my brain lighting up, it was my revived phone. I’d rather be back on the Kancamagus. ~ Mark LaFlamme

Letter: Newest beach case is not about walking

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • July 16, 2024

In a recent opinion piece in Working Waterfront, Richard Qualey argued that the Maine intertidal zone between high and low tide should be universally accessible to the public. Focusing attention on beach access is a distraction from the plaintiffs’ desire to have unfettered commercial access to Maine’s underwater rockweed forest, an essential habitat for hundreds of small animals and numerous marine species that are the basis of our fisheries. The law, which has held since 1647, is that the intertidal zone is privately owned but subject to public trust rights to fishing, fowling, and navigating. Rather than supporting Maine’s fishing industry, commercial extraction of this seaweed severely alters the nursery formed by the rockweed forest that is a habitat for many of Maine’s commercial fisheries. I hope the Maine Judicial Supreme Court declines to overturn a unanimous decision the court made only five years ago, for the good of Maine’s commercial fisheries and all the statewide economic activity that our fisheries generate. ~ David Porter, The Blue Hill Peninsula Rockweed Forum, Brooklin

"As Far As One Can See" At Katahdin Woods And Waters National Monument

NATIONAL PARKS TRAVELER • July 16, 2024

As a relatively new national monument, resources that attract visitors to Katahdin Woods and Waters and educate them on how to safely navigate it are minimal. To bolster accessibility to and excitement for the monument, the Elliotsville Foundation launched the development of a new visitors’ center — one with unique architecture that harmonizes with the landscape and showcases its rich history. After five years of planning, fundraising, and construction, the Tekαkαpimək Contact Station will be finished and open later this year.

Biddeford pilots technology to reduce impact on climate change

BIDDEFORD-SACO-OOB COURIER • January 16, 2023

In 2022, Biddeford became the first municipality in Maine to implement DiriGoH20, a system developed by Maine-based engineering and manufacturing company, Maine Manufacturing Partners. The device is used at the Biddeford Pool clean water facility, and is powered by wastewater. During the treatment process, DiriGoH20 produces a naturally occurring disinfectant and generates clean hydrogen gas, which can be harnessed and used to offset energy costs at the plant. The natural chemicals can replace the use of harsh chemicals like chlorine in the water treatment process.

Father and daughter help rescue porpoise in Lowell’s Cove

HARPSWELL ANCHOR • July 16, 2024

A porpoise had gotten stuck in the net of a fish weir when Edward and Georgeann Ackworth spotted it and called on their radio to the emergency channel. Marine Mammals of Maine contacted the Maine Marine Patrol, which was able to reach the fisherman who owns the fish weir. Fisherman Rob Bernat arrived in his skiff and cut the porpoise free. “He literally just sliced (the nets) right open with no concern about his own gear,” Harpswell Harbor Master Paul Plummer said. “He just ripped them open and got that porpoise free, which was really, really cool to see.”

Opinion: In a world of climate doom, incredible progress is being made

TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY • July 16, 2024

The temptation to give in to climate doomerism can be strong, especially when we see new climate disasters every day and our political atmosphere feels almost as heated as our planet. While there is still much that needs to be done, we have been making incredible progress toward a clean energy future. It’s clear to me that our organizing, advocacy and activism have driven this progress. Our movement is succeeding — and we need to keep at it. Even though organizing, activism and advocacy work can be a hard grind, there’s no substitute for building people power. This work is what has made our movement successful and it’s the work that we must continue to invest in. ~ Flora Cardoni, PennEnvironment

Opinion: A Trump victory will be a climate catastrophe

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • July 16, 2024

The climate crisis is here and it is now. Two imperatives should be top of mind when we cast votes for President and Congress: first, we must ramp up the worldwide commitment to cut greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate destruction; second, the U.S. must be a leader. Recall the Biden Administration’s accomplishments. The Infrastructure Act and Inflation Reduction Act are inducing hundreds of billions of private investments – and creating thousands of high paying jobs – in renewable energy, battery storage, carbon capture, and electrical infrastructure. The United States rejoined the UN’s Paris Climate Agreement and has led in forging an ambitious methane reduction strategy and ramping-up clean energy assistance to low-income countries. Trump’s first term, in contrast, is remembered for global warming denial, coal industry support and “drill, drill, drill” cheerleading for oil and gas exploration. Trump pulled the U.S. out of the Paris Agreement. By defeating Trumpism, we can sustain climate progress – and hope for coming generations. ~ David Vail, professor of economics emeritus, Bowdoin College

Injured hiker rescued from Chick Hill in Clifton

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • July 16, 2024

An injured hiker was rescued from Chick Hill on Monday night. Rescuers were called to the mountain in Clifton about 7:30 p.m., according to the Eddington Fire Department. The hiker was stuck near the base of the Chick Hill cliffs with an ankle injury and couldn’t walk out.

Bangor pedestrian path gets funding 3 years after it was approved

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • July 16, 2024

Bangor is getting closer to adding a pedestrian and bicycle pathway along 14th Street Extension, three years after the project was first developed. The 0.38-mile path will run along 14th Street Extension, beginning at Ohio Street and connect with the existing Kenduskeag Stream Trail. From there, pedestrians can follow the trail into downtown Bangor. The city has seen nine vehicle crashes involving pedestrians, one of which was fatal, so far this year. Statewide, more than 90 crashes involving pedestrians have happened this year, five of which were fatal. The idea for the pathway came from the Bicycle Coalition of Maine and Maine DOT’s Heads Up! Pedestrian Safety Initiative.

This invasive plant’s root system makes it hard to eliminate

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • July 16, 2024

Plants that conveniently fill out an ornamental garden can cause big headaches down the line, in part because of what makes them so successful at growing in your yard. One of those plants that could take over your garden is Bishop’s Weed, also known as goutweed or ground elder. The low-lying, quick-spreading plant widespread throughout Maine was sold by nurseries as a ground cover for years before it was classified as severely invasive. Bishop’s weed may irritate some people’s skin.

Midcoast scientists team up to save marsh habitats

TIMES RECORD • July 15, 2024

The project director for the Kennebec Estuary Land Trust told those at a community gathering on July 10 that rising sea levels are threatening vulnerable species. “Sea level rise may drown marshes if protection methods aren’t taken quickly,” Ruth Indrick told those meeting at the Bath Freight Shed. “That’s where conservation comes into play.” KELT has observed lush stretches of cordgrass disappearing each year, slowly diminishing Maine’s salt marshes. The intertidal zone is crucial for nursing fish species, filtering pollutants and shielding the coast from flooding. It’s also home to the saltmarsh sparrow, a species the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife recently listed as endangered.

Workforce agencies plan to train 300 clean energy workers

MAINE PUBLIC • July 15, 2024

A new program from southern Maine workforce development agencies plans to train hundreds of new workers for the clean energy industry. Green Jobs for ME is managed by the Coastal Counties Workforce Inc. and operated by Goodwill Northern New England. It is funded with a $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor. Goodwill's senior director of workforce services David Wurm said the program will target people who are underrepresented in construction and engineering occupations. The groups plan to train more than 300 workers over the five year program.

What Maine can learn from Wabanaki environmental wisdom

TIMES RECORD • July 15, 2024

Wabanaki people have developed their understanding of the environment through close observance of the changing landscape over time. As such, state and local land trusts have turned to Indigenous wisdom, looking to integrate ancient methods of stewardship into decision-making. Maulian (Dana) Bryant, tribal ambassador for the Penobscot Nation, was recently appointed co-chairperson of the Maine Climate Council Subcommittee on Equity, a new role she said focuses on incorporating Indigenous knowledge into state plans. 

Offshore wind port siting raises new conflicts for coastal Mainers, environmental activists

MAINE MONITOR • July 14, 2024

Conservationists have celebrated over the decades as plans for a coal plant and a liquefied natural gas terminal on Sears Island came and went without success. This latest proposal presents a new kind of conflict. Rather than pitting townspeople against a corporate polluter, this development would support clean energy and be integral to the state’s plan for cutting climate emissions. Coastal residents concerned for both climate change and ecological preservation are conflicted over the planned location of a facility that advocates say will help launch Maine’s offshore wind industry.

Column: Baxter trail crew members do right on Dudley, and so much more

MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • July 14, 2024

More than 220 miles of foot trails crisscross the wild country of Baxter State Park, Gov. Percival Baxter’s enduring legacy. These winding, scenic paths offer myriad ways for day hikers and backpackers to explore the park’s 209,644-acre expanse.. A small but dedicated seasonal trail crew, several full-time staff, plus volunteers and contractors, work hard to ensure that the park’s trail system and related infrastructure is well-maintained and safe for the hiking public, while also protecting the natural resources. When it came time to dedicate the latest Maine Mountain Guide that was an easy call: “This 12th edition is dedicated to the trail maintainers and trail builders throughout Maine, and in particular to the incredible BSP trail crew, who over the past 10 years has accomplished three enormous relocation projects. Absolutely amazing work. Thank you!” ~ Carey Kish

Column: Why plant American chestnut seedlings that are almost certainly doomed?

MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • July 14, 2024

By the end of this summer, the Maine Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation will have planted almost 100 new wild chestnut tree seedlings at 10 locations around Maine. So, if the trees are all going to die, what’s the point in planting them? It’s all about genetics. The idea is that some of the trees will survive at least long enough to produce chestnuts, which are the seeds that can be planted to create a new generation of trees. Those trees would be genetically diverse, so scientists hope that at least one will have a magic formula that makes it immune to the chestnut blight. “Over the past 25 years, (the Maine chapter) has planted over 65,000 chestnut trees and produced many thousands of nuts and seedlings for others to plant.” Maine is the ideal spot for this chestnut-planting effort, as it has more surviving American chestnuts than any other state. ~ Tom Atwell

Column: Here are 12 of the top birding spots in Maine

MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • July 14, 2024

I have compiled my top dozen birding sites in southern and central Maine:
• Evergreen Cemetery
• Scarborough Marsh
• Biddeford Pool
• Marginal Way, Ogunquit
• Laudholm Farm
• Kennebunk Plains
• Brownfield Bog
• Reid State Park
• Sabattus Lake
• Viles Arboretum
• Messalonskee Lake
• Waterville Trails
~ Herb Wilson

Nestle shifted critical recycling goal and revealed scale of plastics problem

BLOOMBERG • July 13, 2024

When Nestle SA tweaked its plastic packaging goals in 2022, few noticed. The shift in language on the website of the world’s largest food maker pledged to mostly use plastic “designed for” recycling by 2025 rather than only use “recyclable” or reusable packaging by next year – its original commitment. The subtle rewording, highlighted publicly here for the first time, might seem like semantics. But the difference amounts to 280,000 metric tons of additional non-recyclable plastic waste a year. It’s a fresh indication that the efforts to curb the use of virgin plastics – including a key pledge made by dozens of companies since 2018 to make all such packaging recyclable, reusable or compostable – are failing.

EPA recommends states monitor fish for 12 PFAS chemicals

MAINE PUBLIC • July 12, 2024

The Environmental Protection Agency is recommending that states monitor fish for 12 different PFAS chemicals. The EPA announced the new guidelines, adding five PFAS chemicals to its "contaminants to monitor for advisories" list, and seven to its "contaminants to monitor to watch" list. The "to watch" list is a new addition, meant for chemicals that are found in the edible tissue of fish that could be a concern for human health, but does not have an oral toxicity measure from a federal agency. Maine has already issued consumption advisories for 16 bodies of water throughout the state because of high levels of PFAS.