A rare polar bear showed up on the shores of Iceland. Police shot it

ASSOCIATED PRESS • September 21, 2024

A rare polar bear that was spotted outside a cottage in a remote village in Iceland was shot by police after being considered a threat, authorities said Friday. The bear, a protected species in Iceland, was killed Thursday afternoon in the northwest of Iceland after police consulted the Environment Agency, which declined to have the animal relocated. The cottage owner, who was alone, was frightened. Other summer residents in the area had gone home. She stayed. “She knew the danger,” said police Chief Helgi Jensson. Polar bears are not native to Iceland but occasionally come ashore after traveling on ice floes from Greenland. A task force that studied the issue concluded that killing vagrant bears was the most appropriate response.

How to avoid common dangers that can ruin a Maine hike

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • September 21, 2024

Poison ivy, which can cause a person to develop an itchy rash, is recognizable by its three leaves growing side by side. The middle leaf is on a longer stem than the leaves to either side. Also on the list of things I avoid in the Maine wilderness are porcupines. Porcupines are shy creatures, but it’s a real problem if your dog decides to wrestle with one. That’s one of the many reasons I keep any dog I’m caring for on leash. Number three on my steer-clear-of list, and by far the most dangerous, is the deer tick, a pest that carries a cocktail of diseases. Lastly, biting flies such as mosquitoes and black flies have spoiled my hikes multiple times — but only because I wasn’t prepared. Insect repellent is my number one defense against these pests.

Bobcat found near Bangor neighborhood didn’t kill all the missing cats, experts say

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • September 20, 2024

Wildlife experts say a bobcat found dead near a Bangor neighborhood where roughly 20 pet cats have gone missing in recent months may have played a role but likely wasn’t solely to blame for the disappearances. Trisha Bruen, Bangor’s animal control officer, said a vehicle struck and killed the female bobcat on Buck Street near the horse barn entrance to Bass Park on Thursday.

Developer wants to divide Maine blueberry barren into house lots

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • September 20, 2024

A developer’s plans to divide a scenic blueberry barren in Blue Hill into nine house lots has met a backlash from people who want the property to remain as it is. Opponents have formed a group called Save the Blueberry Barrens in an attempt to prevent houses from being built on the 32-acre property, which abuts Route 172 and overlooks tidal Salt Pond. The scenic site has drawn wildlife, hunters and landscape painters over many years, becoming a place that area residents feel a connection with and want to preserve, critics say.

Column: This adventure of finding birds rare to Maine offshore is in my top 5 experiences

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • September 20, 2024

Maine has great birding wherever you go, but to fully appreciate everything our state has to offer, get offshore. That’s what a boatload of birders from 16 states did last Sunday, coming from as far away as Alaska. Maine Audubon enjoyed stunning weather and glassy seas for its annual trip into the Gulf of Maine. Participants watched northern gannets, Atlantic puffins, Wilson’s storm-petrels, red-necked phalaropes, lesser black-backed gulls. Several land birds whizzed by the boat, including a northern waterthrush, mourning warbler, yellow-bellied flycatcher or scarlet tanager .I’ve taken this trip multiple times over the years, but this was the first time I’ve seen long-tailed jaegers. ~ Bob Duchesne

A new tech startup incubator puts climate center stage

MAINE PUBLIC • September 20, 2024

This week Northeastern University’s Roux Institute launched its new ClimateTech Incubator at the Portland Campus. The incubator was seed-funded in part by the Maine Governor's Energy Office. Director Dan Burgess said the hope is that the investment will help spur green job growth in the state. The Governor has set a goal to see 30,000 clean energy jobs created by 2030. The accelerator brings a dozen climate and environment-focused start-ups to the Portland-based program, where they'll have access to prototyping spaces, mentorship opportunities, investors, and academic and business help.

Embrace your Wild Side – Unleashing your Inner Hunter

MORNING SENTINEL • September 20, 2024

Join us for a wide-ranging discussion featuring guests Judy Camuso, commissioner of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, and Erin Merrill, award-winning writer, about the role of hunting in conservation, different paths to becoming involved in or supporting conservation, and current goals for making the outdoors a welcoming space for everyone on Tuesday, November 12 at 7 p.m. at Greene Block + Studios.

Outdoor Explorers course, Brunswick

MAINE ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS • September 20, 2024

Teens to Trails together with Parks and Rec designed a course called Outdoor Explorers for kids who want to take charge of their own adventures! Each week we'll dive into the woods, streams, and trails around Brunswick Junior High School, exploring whatever sparks our interest. From mastering maps and compasses to tracking animal footprints, watching the clouds roll by, and letting our imaginations run free. The course is led by students from BHS and Bowdoin College. Join us on Tuesdays from Sept 24 – Oct 29. Grades 6-8.

Opinion: Behold the beautiful promise of the Presumpscot River

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • September 20, 2024

Over a 25-mile and 270-foot drop, the Presumpscot River, before being dammed, boasted an astonishing 13 to 18 historic falls. A vibrant churning flow would greatly enhance the river’s, and Casco Bay’s health, and the health and wellness of all those individuals and communities that engage with it. It would also, in a meaningful and substantive way, honor the Wabanaki that called it home. As is occurring with other far larger rivers, it is time we look to the future instead of being shackled to a past that has long abused the river. ~ Michael Shaughnessy, Friends of the Presumpscot River

Letter: Stay informed on Falmouth pesticide ordinance

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • September 20, 2024

As presently written, the proposed pesticide, herbicide and fertilizer ordinance in Falmouth targets homeowners who either employ professionals or apply synthetic products themselves to maintain their lawns and gardens. The only allowable products would be fully organic, which would be extremely costly, labor intensive and ineffective in controlling most weeds and grubs. Violations to the mandate would result in fines of up to $250 for the first offense and $1,000 for subsequent offenses. Take a few minutes to learn more about the proposed ordinance that will affect us all. ~ Scott and Alice Hamilton, Falmouth

Letter: Offshore wind farm proposals ignore Maine’s fishing heritage

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • September 20, 2024

Offshore wind farms are displacing fishermen from traditional fishing grounds. Is this about environment or just transfer of government money to private hands in disguise? Who gave the governor and outside interests the right to change how we earn a livelihood, affect our heritage, our Maine – “the way life should be”? ~ Dale Witham, Bremen

Climate leaders take a journey through Casco Bay

TIMES RECORD • September 19, 2024

On Sept. 12, 15 climate leaders launched their sea kayaks off East End Beach, paddling for three days across Casco Bay and then biking back for three days. The COBALT bioregional learning journey was meant to show who’s doing what and where regarding coastal resilience — to map out local climate actions and form new, collective solutions. Glenn Page, the founder of COBALT (Collaborative for Bioregional Action Learning and Transformation), explained that the concept refers to all the interconnected systems relevant to a specific area, such as food, energy, waste, water, health care and education. As a bioregional journey, the aim is to integrate Indigenous wisdom with Western science and expressions of art, poetry and music. 

Opinion: Expanding Maine’s landfill is the only viable option to avoid a crisis — for now

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • September 19, 2024

Maine has no comprehensive waste management plan. The lack of a roadmap leaves Maine’s wastewater facilities in limbo as they grapple with defining short-term solutions to managing daily operations, and long-term solutions for developing a statewide plan. These policies have left our community at large facing unanswerable questions and difficult decisions. The Maine Water Environment Association supports the capacity expansion at the state-run landfill, Juniper Ridge, and the repeal or suspension of further legislation that limit Maine’s ability to stabilize the landfill so it can continue to accept biosolids. While it is contrary to what any state would “want” to do, it is necessary, otherwise we will be faced with public health and environmental crises to manage. ~ Theresa Tucker, Maine Water Environment Association

State agriculture agency recalls Rainbow Farm eggs following salmonella outbreak

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • September 19, 2024

The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry is recalling eggs from Rainbow Farm after at least five people got sick after eating them. The eggs were sold at Rainbow Farm’s Orland location, via the online retailer FarmDrop, and at the Bar Harbor, Blue Hill, Northeast Harbor and Stonington farmers markets.

Brunswick airport managers issued violation notice over fire-suppression system inspections

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • September 19, 2024

The Brunswick Fire Department issued a notice of violation Thursday to the agency that manages the Brunswick Executive Airport for failing to comply with requirements regarding its fire suppression systems. Fire suppression systems in airport Hangars 5 and 6 were found deficient in a pair of July 2023 inspections, and airport officials have not submitted documentation indicating the proper repairs have been made, Joshua Shean, deputy chief of the fire department’s fire prevention division, wrote in the notice. The same kind of suppression system was in use in Hangar 4, where 1,450 gallons of aqueous film-forming foam concentrate mixed with 50,000 gallons of water to create an accidental discharge that was released into the surrounding area last month. That foam contained high concentrations of toxic PFAS chemicals.

PFAS fund takes first steps to buy contaminated property

MAINE PUBLIC • September 19, 2024

State officials are taking the first steps to purchase PFAS contaminated property — a concept that has been discussed for years as the scale of contamination has been discovered. For the first time, the PFAS Fund is considering inquiries to purchase four contaminated properties around the state. An advisory panel will assess the properties, looking at factors like the extent of contamination and magnitude of financial loss. They will also look at potential future uses for the land, ideally returning them to agricultural production, but also considering research purposes, or conservation and recreation. It's just one of the fund's programs to support farmers affected by PFAS contamination. The fund also offers to replace the income of impacted farmers and has awarded more than $2 million since March.

Debate over Yard South housing development heats up in South Portland

MAINE PUBLIC • September 19, 2024

South Portland residents are voicing concerns about a 30 acre, 1,000-unit housing development at the site of the former shipyard next to Bug Light Park. They packed a meeting Wednesday night, which was organized by a group that's opposed to the zoning changes that would eventually allow for the development. The proposal calls for mixed-use apartment buildings that range in size from five stories, to 12 or 13 stories. Developers PK Realty Management said the entire project, which includes construction of retail space and a hotel, could take 15-to-20 years to build.

Scarborough delays vote to oppose Gorham Connector

MAINE PUBLIC • September 19, 2024

Scarborough officials have narrowly voted to delay withdrawing the town’s support for a controversial toll highway planned west of Portland. Despite a town hall packed with opponents of the Gorham Connector, a resolution against the four-lane roadway failed on a procedural vote Wednesday night. A majority of the seven member council wanted to vote on the resolution immediately after officials from the Maine Turnpike Authority and Maine Department of Transportation presented updates regarding the development. But there wasn’t a super majority on the seven member council needed to suspend meeting rules and add the resolution to the meeting agenda.

Juniper Ridge landfill gets one step closer to expansion

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • September 19, 2024

Juniper Ridge Landfill will likely be allowed to apply for an expansion, despite concerns about the health of people living nearby. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection released a draft of its public benefit determination Sept. 13 that says an expansion will help meet the capacity needs of the state, meets the requirements to divert recyclables from the landfill and is not inconsistent with ensuring there is environmental justice. The draft is open to public comments until 5 p.m. Sept. 27. The Maine DEP must decide if the expansion will have a substantial public benefit before it can accept an application to expand a waste facility.

Maine will consider historic $30 million bond to repair and restore trails

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • September 19, 2024

Maine voters will have a chance to weigh in this November on a $30 million bond to maintain, expand and improve recreational trails around the state. Question 4 is one of five statewide referendums on the ballot this year. If approved, it would provide the Bureau of Parks and Lands within the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry with the funds to distribute through a grant process over a four-year period. Advocates have called the bond – the first of its kind in Maine – a historic opportunity, and it’s backed by a broad coalition of supporters who say it is especially needed to boost the rural economy and repair damage from storms last winter that have taken a toll on Maine trails.