PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • September 28, 2024
On Nov. 5, South Portland voters will decide whether to spend over $12 million to install four artificial turf athletic fields at South Portland High School, which are blankets of plastic laid down over natural vegetation. Over an 8-12-year lifespan, these fields leach microplastics and other chemicals into local waterways, create a significant “heat island” effect (over 150F), increase runoff and erosion, and increase skin abrasions and foot/ankle injuries in players. The fields are not recyclable, although companies fraudulently say that they are. Old turf fields continue to contaminate our environment in landfills. ~ Karen Talentino, South Portland
Letter: Searsport wind project is about the big picture
PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • September 28, 2024
It saddens me to think about how Maine is, and will continue to be, affected by climate change, which is why I support the offshore wind project in Searsport. With offshore wind, Maine can shift away from fossil fuels that cause harmful greenhouse gas emissions, and move into a sustainable energy source. Bringing offshore wind to Maine will help protect our fragile environments and ensure that Mainers will continue to have the beautiful outdoors to explore and protect. ~ Leah Johnson, Portland
Aroostook farm couple plan to fill void left by loss of Houlton dairy’s milk
BANGOR DAILY NEWS • September 28, 2024
The owners of a small family farm want to fill a void created by the loss of Aroostook County’s only white milk producer and meet what they say is a growing demand for non-traditional dairy products. Starting this fall, longtime partners Adam Dube and Melissa Jandreau want to start constructing a new organic dairy creamery that will produce white and chocolate milks, ice cream and yogurt from their farm in Perham, and then ship those products to County stores and schools.
Only experienced hikers should take on these rugged Maine mountains
BANGOR DAILY NEWS • September 28, 2024
In Baxter State Park, Katahdin and The Brothers are among 40-plus peaks and ridges that you can explore on more than 220 miles of trails. Each summer, my family camps in the park, and I make it my mission to explore different trails. Perhaps someday I’ll have hiked them all. ~ Aislinn Sarnacki
Letter: The cost of climate change
SUN JOURNAL • September 28, 2024
How many more storms, property and lives lost due to climate change, will it take before we are willing to make the necessary changes to try to mitigate the damage? It seems to make sense to pay an upfront cost now to try to minimize the harm that is going to occur later. Let’s try to leave future generations a better planet than we now have. ~ Stan Tetenman, Poland
New bike, pedestrian trail projects will help close the loop around Portland’s peninsula
PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • September 27, 2024
Portland is finalizing designs for two new trails that will nearly complete a route that will allow cyclists and pedestrians to circumnavigate the peninsula. The city’s trail network already covers large swaths of the peninsula’s perimeter, like the Eastern Promenade and the Fore River Parkway, but several gaps leave bikers and pedestrians navigating traffic and dangerous intersections.
New bike, pedestrian trail projects will help close the loop around Portland’s peninsula
PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • September 27, 2024
Portland is finalizing designs for two new trails that will nearly complete a route that will allow cyclists and pedestrians to circumnavigate the peninsula. The city’s trail network already covers large swaths of the peninsula’s perimeter, like the Eastern Promenade and the Fore River Parkway, but several gaps leave bikers and pedestrians navigating traffic and dangerous intersections.
Column: This is why cedar waxwings are special
BANGOR DAILY NEWS • September 27, 2024
Cedar waxwings are special. Cedar waxwings could have been designed by a Renaissance painter. Cedar waxwings are one of the most sociable species on the planet. Bohemian waxwings are slightly larger and grayer than cedar waxwings. They nest farther north. Cedar and Bohemian waxwings will likely invade this winter, and they don’t mind sharing each other’s company. Some flocks of cedar waxwings are already here. ~ Bob Duchesne
Obituary: Irving Gilbert “Gib” Wescott
PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • September 27, 2024
Irving Gilbert “Gib” Wescott- passed away peacefully on Aug. 21, 2024 at age 87. He was proud to donate almost 40 acres of those woods to the Freeport Conservation Trust so that others could enjoy them as he did as a boy.
Woman who drew attention to missing Bangor cats loses own pet to wildlife attack
BANGOR DAILY NEWS • September 27, 2024
Jennifer Delano let her orange tabby cat, Max, outside around 6 a.m. on Friday. Roughly two hours later, a neighbor posted that the body of a cat matching Max’s description was found. At least 21 cats have gone missing in the Fairmount neighborhood since June and only one has returned home. Some residents were certain that wildlife known to be in the area, including coyotes, foxes and fishers, were killing the cats. A police detective assigned to this matter is leading the investigation.
Orland temporarily blocks owner of dams from letting them go
BANGOR DAILY NEWS • September 27, 2024
Orland voters adopted a moratorium Thursday that will temporarily prevent the owner of two local dams — one on Alamoosook Lake and another on Toddy Pond — from disposing of the properties. The temporary measure is similar to another adopted by Bucksport last month, which aims to ensure that a third dam on Silver Lake is not abandoned, removed, transferred to a new owner, or opened up to release all the water held behind it. All three of the dams are owned by subsidiaries of AIM Demolition USA, which bought the former Verso Paper mill in Bucksport in 2015 before dismantling the facility.
Auburn filmmaker on a mission to introduce Maine’s lumberjills to the world
SUN JOURNAL • September 27, 2024
Breanna Wing, an Auburn-raised filmmaker, is working on a film about lumberjills, women involved in the timber sports industry. “A lot of the lumberjills are redefining society, with how they have navigated societal perceptions, their physical power, identity and family responsibilities,” Wing said. “They challenge gender norms. We want the kids to get excited, to get outdoors, get active, and get healthy,” she said. “A lot of timber sports do that.”
The carbon market’s quest to overcome its last big hurdle
WASHINGTON POST • September 27, 2024
In theory, a carbon credit is a certificate representing a one-ton drop in greenhouse gas emissions tied to projects such as a wind farm or a tree-planting scheme. They’re bought by companies to compensate for the pollution they produce somewhere else in the world. But, when it comes to the laws that underpin financial markets, the answer to that question isn’t yet clear. Until it’s solved, banks and investors are unlikely to allocate anywhere near the billions of dollars that proponents expect to flow to carbon credits.
Drinking water testing to continue at Brunswick properties for one year in wake of foam spill
MAINE PUBLIC • September 27, 2024
Drinking water at more than 30 properties in Brunswick has been tested in the wake of last month's spill of firefighting foam at the former naval airbase. State regulators say all the samples fall below Maine's interim drinking water standards for PFAS. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection said the drinking water will be tested once every three months for the next year. The next tests are scheduled for December. Most PFAS concentrations continue to decline in the watershed near the spill, but the DEP said they have not returned to pre-spill levels.
Appeal over denial of Saco development goes to state’s high court
FORECASTER • September 27, 2024
The legal fight over a proposed 332-unit mixed residential development in Saco, the Lincoln Village development, will continue up to Maine’s highest court. In mid-September, the developer filed a notice of appeal after a Maine Superior Court justice ruled for the city of Saco in August. In October 2023, the Saco Planning Board rejected the development on final approval, finding that it did not meet requirements on five criteria: traffic; sewage disposal; aesthetic, cultural and natural values; conformity with local ordinances and plans; and impact on adjoining municipality.
Opinion: Prioritizing local agriculture
PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • September 27, 2024
Supporting locally-sourced food helps keep food accessible and affordable and protect our local and global environment. Creating more Maine markets for Maine producers and increasing access to Maine food is one of our “Maine Won’t Wait” climate action goals. As your state senator, I am committed to continuing our efforts to support Maine’s farmers and build a food system that benefits all Mainers. ~ Sen. Henry Ingwersen
Why We Need Strong Endangered Species Act Protections for Maine Wildlife
NATURAL RESOURCES COUNCIL OF MAINE • September 26, 2024
Maine’s natural beauty is defined by its forests, coastlines, rivers, and wildlife, all of which play an important role in the state’s ecological health and economy. However, many species that call Maine home are facing significant threats from habitat loss, pollution, and climate change. The Endangered Species Act (ESA), passed in 1973, is one of the most effective legal tools we have to protect threatened and endangered species across the United States. In Maine, the ESA is especially important for several species, such as the Atlantic salmon, Canada lynx, Furbish lousewort, and Piping Plover. If we value these amazing plant and animal species, we need to defend the ESA against attempts to weaken these common-sense protections and push for opportunities to strengthen this bedrock environmental law for future generations.
Outlook sunny at offshore wind conference
MAINE PUBLIC • September 26, 2024
The American Floating Offshore Wind Technical Summit (Afloat) is taking place in Portland this week. Stakeholders, investors and developers from all over the world are discussing the future of floating wind power in the U.S. and, specifically, the Gulf of Maine. Former President Trump has said on the campaign trail he'd like to put a stop to any offshore wind projects on his first day in office, if elected. Whether he'd be able to do that, either through executive order, as he claims, or through the federal court system, as some experts warn, is uncertain. But several attendees at the summit on Tuesday said they're not worried about having to slow down nascent projects.
UMaine research delves into climate needs of vulnerable people
MAINE PUBLIC • September 26, 2024
Maine should do a better job engaging low income and disadvantaged people in planning for climate change, according to a new University of Maine study. Poverty concerns should be at the heart of the state's climate strategies, said researchers from the Senator George J. Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions. Many Maine residents struggle with getting basic needs such as food, shelter and jobs, according to the report. Those necessities "are not being met, and the connection between energy/climate solutions and meeting basic needs is not clear," study authors said in a report delivered to the Maine Climate Council.
Island Explorer gets 10 millionth passenger
MAINE PUBLIC • September 26, 2024
The Island Explorer bus service at Acadia National Park hit a new milestone yesterday with its 10 millionth passenger. Beth Gearhart, from Chambersburg, Pennsylvania was the 10 millionth passenger. An Acadia first-timer, she took the bus from her hotel to Sand Beach to go hiking, and on her return trip was informed she was the notable rider. This is the Island Explorer's 25th operating season, and in that time, it's estimated that the service has eliminated more than 3.6 million private vehicle trips in the park and has prevented the release over 33,000 tons of greenhouse gases and 51 tons of smog-causing pollutants.