The most comprehensive online source of conservation news and events in Maine and beyond, edited by Jym St. Pierre
MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • November 22, 2024
If your goal is to fill a tag and put venison in the freezer, by all means take the first opportunity to shoot you get. If your goal is to grow as a hunter, at some point you’re going to have to adopt a policy of voluntary restraint. You can’t shoot the big ones if you aren’t willing to pass up the little ones. ~ Bob Humphrey
PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • November 21, 2024
A Maine law meant to help small groups stand up to utility companies has been used for the first time. State regulators on Wednesday ordered Central Maine Power Co. to pay fees incurred by an opponent, Our Power, that attempted to block the $2.5 billion acquisition of CMP’s parent company, Avangrid, by the Spanish energy giant Iberdrola. The Public Utilities Commission authorized Our Power to be reimbursed for attorney’s fees, an expert witness and other costs for opposing the ownership change. On Friday, regulators set the final amount to be reimbursed at $46,958.
NORTHEAST WILDERNESS TRUST • November 21, 2024
Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT) and Northeast Wilderness Trust (NEWT) are partnering to conserve 2,037 acres of forest in the downeast region—linking large blocks of conserved land, contributing to a landscape scale effort to protect and restore watersheds, and enabling public access for hunting, fishing, and quiet recreation. This very special property is set to become the Bold Coast Wilderness Preserve. The forest is home to moose, beaver, grouse, many warblers and other songbirds, snowshoe hare, black bear, coyote, and white-tailed deer, among other species. A bald eagle nesting site has been documented. Salamanders, wood frogs, and other amphibian species thrive in two vernal pools on the property. A primary goal of this conservation partnership will be to allow the land to revert to a more natural state. The longrange plan is for NEWT to acquire and care for the land, with MCHT holding a forever-wild conservation easement.
MAINE ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS • November 21, 2024
Walmart and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) today announced a 10-year, $34.5 million renewal of the historic Acres for America conservation program. This new commitment from Walmart, combined with previous contributions, represents the largest corporate donation to NFWF since the Foundation’s creation by Congress in 1984. This year’s awards include funding for a 13,836-acres forestland conservation easement in the Rangeley Lakes region of Maine to provide habitat for large mammals like moose and deer, federally threatened Canada lynx, two globally rare songbirds, and protection for 31 miles of streams and ponds with important habitat for brook trout and landlocked salmon. The easement will also provide public access for hiking, fishing and hunting, and includes over 25 miles of snowmobile and ATV trails.
UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTSD • November 21, 2024
The House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chair James Comer (R-Ky) has announced plans to investigate the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Environmental Protection Agency’s scientific integrity policies — policies that limit censorship, intimidation and other forms of political interference in the research agencies conduct. This investigation is an attempt to undermine the role of science in decision making, harm public trust in federal scientists, and assist President-elect Donald Trump in his efforts to erode science agencies’ abilities to protect American’s health and safety, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists.
TIMES RECORD • November 21, 2024
Buzz Scott and Matt Louis have recovered 607,000 pounds of marine litter from the Gulf of Maine through multiple cruises for OceansWide, a nonprofit organization focused on removing abandoned fishing traps from the ocean floor. They document every bit of bycatch. These divers are working to tackle the state’s “ghost gear” problem. Abandoned fishing gear threatens wildlife, habitats and the economy by killing fish and crustaceans while damaging sensitive ecosystems, such as seagrass beds. To date, OceansWide has retrieved over 9,200 lobster traps from its site in Gouldsboro and will surpass the 4,000 traps in Boothbay Harbor by the end of the season.
PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • November 21, 2024
The Maine Climate Council will release a new action plan Thursday. Major takeaways:
• Ambitious emission reduction goals are reaffirmed.
• Prioritize the rapid expansion of renewable energy sources.
• Promote the widespread adoption of electric vehicles.
• Use efficiencies in buildings and industries to cut energy consumption.
• Prepare for sea-level rise, extreme weather, and coastal erosion.
• Purchase, protect and restore forests, wetlands and eel grass beds as carbon sinks.
• Address the disproportionate impact of climate change on marginalized communities.
• Create green jobs to spark economic growth through investments.
• Protect more forests, wetlands and working farms from development.
INdepthNH • November 20, 2024
A lawsuit brought against the White Mountain National Forest Service opposing its plan to log and develop recreation opportunities and protect from runoff Lakes Tarleton and Katherine and a tract near Gorham known as the Peabody West project is not being supported by eight New Hampshire conservation organizations and one individual. Standing Trees, whose mission is to see old growth forests return to New England, filed a suit against the federal project. Supporting the USFS are: Society for the Protection of NH Forests, New Hampshire Timberland Owners Association, Appalachian Mountain Club, NH Wildlife Federation, Ruffed Grouse and American Woodcock Society, Audubon Society of New Hampshire, The Nature Conservancy, Society of American Foresters and Charlie Niebling. Zack Porter, executive director of Standing Trees, said the Forest Service is violating the National Environmental Policy Act and its own Forest Plan.
PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • November 20, 2024
A rainy Thursday and Friday will bring some long-awaited moisture back to greater Portland, but it won’t be enough to fully alleviate drought conditions. Portland has been in a dry period since the end of summer, with lower-than-average precipitation recorded for September, October and so far this month. The combination of lower temperatures, shorter days and wetter weather should help lower the fire risk.
PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • November 20, 2024
“The Staggering Costs of New England’s Green Energy Policies,” a report released Tuesday by a Denver-based organization, and signed onto by free-market advocacy groups in New England, says ratepayers’ bills will double, to $4,610 by 2050, as a result of state policies, or “mandates,” to promote green energy. Decarbonization plans calling for construction of offshore and onshore wind, solar arrays, battery storage and transmission projects will cost hundreds of billions of dollars over the next 26 years, the report says. The report recommends states put affordability and reliability of electricity ahead of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
ELLSWORTH AMERICAN • November 20, 2024
Author Karin Tilberg will join the Brooklin Climate Response Committee for a book talk at the Friend Memorial Library on Wednesday, Dec. 11, at 4 p.m. Tilberg’s book, “Loving the North Woods: 25 Years of Historic Conservation in Maine,” chronicles the challenges that led to conservation achievements in the Great North Woods of Maine from 1990 to 2015. Anyone who can’t make it in person is welcome to register for a Zoom link at brooklinmaine.com.
SUN JOURNAL • November 20, 2024
Discarded ashes from a wood stove or fireplace sparked a blaze that scorched about an acre of woods early Wednesday morning in Turner. Turner Fire Rescue was assisted by departments from Buckfield, Canton, Jay, Leeds and Livermore.
TIMES RECORD • November 20, 2024
There is a lot to be learned from looking at the executive summary of the draft of Brunswick’s Climate Action Plan — enough to be able to provide feedback to the Climate Action Committee before the plan is presented to the Town Council on Dec. 16. Brunswick has about 7.6 square miles of water, compared to its total area of 54 square miles. That’s a big chunk, which requires a lot of thought with regard to how it is managed — particularly with changing environmental factors. Interesting statistics: 41% of that watery area is intertidal and 37% is shallow water, with 22% being classified as “deep” water. This is illustrative of the large intersection between land and water, particularly when given the tides that can drastically change where the boundary lies. As such, one of the goals of the plan is to “improve watershed stormwater runoff and coastal bluff management,” ~ Susan Olcott
MAINE MORNING STAR • November 20, 2024
U.S. Sen. Angus King isn’t normally keen on tariffs, but there is one he would welcome under the upcoming pro-tariff administration. “If we can slip in a tariff on carbon intensity, as part of the president’s program, that would be a major achievement,” King said during a panel discussion hosted by the Maine State Chamber of Commerce Wednesday morning that explored international policy on trade, tariffs and carbon emissions. A tariff that taxes imported products based on their carbon footprint would level the playing field between American manufacturers and those in other countries who ignore the environmental impact of their work, King said.
SUN JOURNAL • November 20, 2024
A vehicle fire Tuesday afternoon on Route 202 spread into the woods, onto Central Maine Power property and burned about 4 acres of woods and low brush. Fire crews from 10 towns battled the quick-spreading fire with the help of two Maine Forest Service helicopters, three Maine Forest Service rangers, Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office deputies and one of its drones, and two bulldozers escorted into town by Lewiston police.
PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • November 20, 2024
The federal government says it is concerned with the Tom’s of Maine toothpaste company after the company failed to address its concerns with small levels of bacteria in the company’s water. Tom’s of Maine is based in Sanford and owned by Colgate-Palmolive.
PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • November 20, 2024
The South Portland Comprehensive Plan is designed to be based on community surveys and engagement to understand what the residents of South Portland want for the future of their city. However, PK Realty has exerted disproportionate influence during this process. We remain steadfast in supporting No Yard South as we advocate for safe, reasonable and sustainable development next to Bug Light. Let’s ensure that South Portland’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan reflects the values and vision of its residents, rather than the interests of developers. ~ Barbara Dee, retired education administrator, and Linda Skinner, 30-year South Portland resident
BANGOR DAILY NEWS • November 20, 2024
The gun rights group that filed a lawsuit last week challenging the constitutionality of the Maine law requiring a 72-hour waiting period after purchasing a gun hopes the case makes it all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. If it does, it could set a new precedent for a court that in the past has allowed restrictive gun laws to stand, said David Trahan, executive director of Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine. The lawsuit was filed Nov. 12 by Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine and Gun Owners of Maine, citing a violation of the 2nd Amendment. Maine hunters hope that the waiting period will be repealed. Among them is Ben Dyer, who survived being shot five times during the Lewiston shooting.
BANGOR DAILY NEWS • November 20, 2024
The first leg of an 84-mile mountain bike trail was built near Monson in Piscataquis County over the summer. The Elliotsville Foundation Inc. is building the new trail, which will be open to hiking, biking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing and other nonmotorized types of recreation, according to Lucas St. Clair, foundation president. The trail will cost from $30,000 to $50,000 per mile and could take 10 years to complete if the funding continues to come in, he said.
SUN JOURNAL • November 19, 2024
A second phase of shoreland restoration work is wrapped up for the winter on two adjacent lakefront properties of Sebago Lake at the center of a legal battle between the town of Raymond and Auburn businessman Don Buteau for more than two years. The restoration work is part of a consent agreement between the town and Buteau, his real estate holding company Management Controls LLC, his primary contractor Robert Durant, and Q-Team Tree Service.
