Bill calls for transparency in climate policy costs but critics say it ignores price of inaction

MAINE MORNING STAR • February 24, 2025

While there is general agreement around the need to be transparent about how much Maine’s climate policies are costing consumers and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, a Republican proposal to collect such data is being panned as redundant while omitting key details. Sponsored by House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham (R-Winter Harbor), LD 495, proposes that the Maine Department of Environmental Protection be required to produce two estimates when adopting any new rules designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions: one on the adverse climate effects that would be prevented by reducing emissions and another on associated costs that will fall to consumers. 

Sheepscot salmon show a rare resurgence in Maine

TIMES RECORD • February 24, 2025

Promising signs in local streambeds signal hope for an Atlantic salmon rebound. With continued restoration efforts, that is. A recent survey of redds (nests) conducted by the Department of Marine Resources and the Maine Coast Heritage Trust revealed a higher-than-expected count in the Sheepscot River, which starts between Georgetown and Southport, winding its way 66 miles north to Montville. For the past two decades, counting redds has largely revealed grim news. By 2000, the population had dropped so significantly that the species was declared federally endangered. Since then, runs have only gradually improved. Melissa Cote, Midcoast Conservancy Sheepscot River Watershed manager, said, “The Sheepscot salmon population is potentially the most resilient in Maine when it comes to climate change.”

UMaine’s School of Forest Resources reflections on termination of Forest Service employees

MAINE (ORONO) CAMPUS • February 24, 2025

The United States Forest Service (USFS) is terminating approximately 3,400 employees. Rose Ambroff, Assistant Professor of Forest Soils at the University of Maine, addressed concerns about how these layoffs could affect forest management nationwide and what they mean for Maine’s forestry industry and conservation efforts. “Terminating thousands of USFS employees will negatively impact the health of our forests and the livelihoods that depend on them. Federal funding for forestry research is such a large proportion of available funding that it will be difficult to replace.” The reduction in workforce creates uncertainty for UMaine students, particularly those studying forestry, as they face questions about their future career prospects.

Proponents moving full steam ahead with passenger rail expansion efforts in Maine

MAINE MORNING STAR • February 24, 2025

Though not enough lawmakers were on board with a proposal last session to study a potential passenger rail line from Portland to Bangor, proponents are back at it arguing that now is the time to explore the possibility of expanding passenger rail in Maine. An emergency proposal from Rep. Tavis Hasenfus (D-Readfield), LD 487, is seen as the first step in the expansion. It seeks to direct the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority to apply for federal funding to identify a potential passenger rail corridor from Portland through Auburn, Lewiston, Waterville, Bangor and ending in Orono.

Opinion: Coyote killing contests have no place in Maine

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • February 24, 2025

We have trapped coyotes, snared them, increased the hunting seasons on them, used hounds, allowed night hunting, baiting, bounties, calling devices and, worst of all, we have used killing contests. The result? We have more coyotes today than ever. Despite every piece of legislation imaginable and countless studies, programs and methods, 50-plus years later we continue to hear the same hollow arguments. It is time to rethink this endless, ineffective, inhumane cycle and focus instead on living with this important component of nature’s ecosystem. Coyote killing derbies only serve to perpetuate a culture of violence and send a message that wild animals have little intrinsic value and are disposable. Contact your state legislators and ask them to support “An Act to Prohibit Coyote Killing Contests,” which have no place in modern civilized society. ~ Robert Fisk Jr., Maine Friends of Animals

Cats aren’t the only domestic animals that disappear

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • February 24, 2025

Cheryl Curtis was at home last week when the Jersey steer she spent nearly $3,000 raising to feed her family this winter disappeared from her barn. A horse went missing from another farm in Somerset County the same week, also a suspected theft. Though there’s only so much farmers can do to prevent losses, knowing how to respond if their animals go missing can increase the chances of finding them. Livestock with valuable genetics can be stolen for resale. For that reason, keep an eye on local farm auctions, social media and online listings such as Craigslist.

The Maine ski town being overtaken by pricey vacation homes

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • February 24, 2025

Newry, which is known for the Sunday River ski resort, is not a typical small town. It has long had local builders putting up fancy vacation homes for sale. But the luxury housing market boomed during the pandemic, raising prices for homes that once were in the $500,000 range as well as demand for them on small plots on or near the mountain. It is leading to some concern in the western Maine town. It will hold a public meeting Wednesday to consider writing an ordinance that would regulate vacations rentals, although town officials have already decided against capping them as some other popular Maine tourist towns including Kennebunkport and Bar Harbor have done in recent years.

A Bangor neighborhood is frightened by coyote sightings

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • February 24, 2025

A state wildlife biologist says the best way for residents in a Bangor neighborhood to get rid of their coyotes is to remove food sources, not trap or hunt them. Residents in Bangor’s Fairmount neighborhood, near the Bangor Municipal Golf Course, are afraid because coyotes have been spotted in the residential area several times in recent months. Now, they’re considering how to rid themselves of the animals. Additionally, Keel Kemper, a regional wildlife biologist with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, said neighbors shouldn’t let their pets, including cats, outside alone, especially at night. “If you’re scared, you can carry a whistle. It’s very easy to scare off a coyote.”

Future economic development in Maine: Are there limiting factors?

TIMES RECORD • February 23, 2025

Should the California fires tragedy be a “wake-up call” for Maine to closely examine our own plans to prepare for: record-setting hottest years, more strong variability in precipitation, more violent hurricanes, torrential rains and enhanced coastal/inland flooding Yes. One solution: implementation of efficient and widespread public transportation systems, further reducing our carbon footprint. Additionally, designing future communities, where housing/markets/shops/services are within close proximity/walking distance, thereby reducing use of personal vehicles. Further, new strategies to improve/manage traffic/pedestrian flow patterns would aid in reducing greenhouse gases. Lastly, carbon capture and sequestration technologies, intended to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from large industrial sources, could be introduced state-wide. ~ Dr. John M. Mishler, former Professor of Basic Life Sciences; and Sigrid R.E. Fischer-Mishler, former medical/radiological technologist; they live in Harpswell

Trump has some Canadians rethinking their Maine vacation plans

MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • February 23, 2025

Thousands of Maine business owners who have been snared in recent political tensions between the U.S. and Canada and are bracing for the potential impacts of President Donald Trump’s threat to levy 25% tariffs on Canadian goods, as well as his insulting statements about their Canada. Maine’s tourist economy is particularly at risk because it depends on people feeling good about how and where they spend their fun money. In 2023, 781,400 Canadians visited Maine and spent $464 million while they were here. The Maine Tourism Association, which represents over 1,600 member businesses, has received a rash of calls and emails from Canadians with questions and concerns about their 2025 travel plans, said CEO Tony Cameron. “Some voiced their intent to cancel.” Now, 56% of Canadians say they will not travel to the U.S. or have canceled plans to do so.

Biggest ever Skijor Skowhegan meshes Scandinavian sport with economic impact

KENNEBEC JOURNAL • February 22, 2025

Skijoring began in Scandinavia, usually with dogs or reindeer instead of horses, and the sport made its way to the U.S. as early as 1915. Maine is now a hub for the sport on the East Coast. Main Street Skowhegan, the town’s major economic development nonprofit, brought skijoring to Maine seven years ago at Eaton Mountain. The popularity of Skijor Skowhegan has skyrocketed. Thousands of spectators braved the cold and wind Saturday to watch the festivities, hovering right around record attendance.

Regulators move forward with compensation rules for solar on farmland

MAINE MONITOR • February 21, 2025

Maine environmental regulators moved one step closer on Thursday to implementing rules that would force solar developers to pay for impacts to high-value agricultural land. The Board of Environmental Protection, which is developing the rules in concert with the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, voted to schedule a public hearing on the proposed rule and post it for public comment. A date for a public hearing has not yet been set. The substance of the rules, which include what counts as high-value agricultural land and defining compensation tiers, is being developed by DACF. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection has been tasked with putting a dollar amount on the tiers once they are finalized and collecting the money, which will be set aside for mitigation or farmland conservation, similar to the way the state collects fees for impacts to wetlands. 

Volunteers keep Acadia’s carriage roads ready for skiers

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • February 22, 2025

About half a dozen regular volunteers help keep nine of Acadia National Park’s historic carriage roads groomed for cross-country skiers, allowing visitors to glide past Jordan Pond and Frenchman Bay, said Nikki Burtis, stewardship manager with Friends of Acadia. Now supported by Friends of Acadia, volunteers have been caring for the trails since the 1980s. Initially, they used homemade groomers — like cinderblocks and box springs towed behind snowmobiles — to flatten the snowpack, Burtis said. But these days, crews have access to a small fleet of snowmobiles and specialized equipment.

Maine Farmland Trust 2024 Annual Impact Report

MAINE FARMLAND TRUST • February 22, 2025

In 2024, we accomplished: 
1,720+ acres of farmland protected with agricultural conservation easements across 12 farms
885+ acres of Maine’s best agricultural soils protected
545 acres with an Option to Purchase at Agricultural Value across 5 farms
‍366 acres of farmland remained in agriculture through 6 links to new farmers
40+ farmland protection projects in process for 2025 and beyond

Drilling in National Parks? Trump's Environmental Gutting Continues

MSN • February 22, 2025

On the very first day of his presidency, Donald Trump made it clear that his administration would prioritize industrial development over environmental conservation. Through a series of executive orders, he dismantled existing climate and conservation policies that had been put in place to protect public lands. These orders primarily focused on opening up these lands for drilling and mining activities, which marked a significant shift from the previous administration's priorities. The swift actions taken on inauguration day were a harbinger of the administration's intent to reshape America's environmental landscape. Public lands that were once protected were suddenly at risk of being exploited for their natural resources. The executive orders sparked immediate concern among environmentalists who feared the long-term impacts on biodiversity and ecosystems.

National Parks cutting hours, limiting services as Trump layoffs reduce staffing

USA TODAY • February 22, 2025

National Parks across the country are cutting hours, cancelling tours, closing visitor centers and warning of other cutbacks following Trump administration cuts to the federal workforce. Advocates say the cuts will hurt park users: the American public. Interior Secretary "Doug Burgum is already leaving a path of destruction across America’s parks and public lands," said Aaron Weiss, the deputy director of a public lands advocacy group. "These terminations are foolish, heartless, and do nothing to make the government more efficient.” Ashley Korenblat, who runs a cycling business, said, "We've spent millions and millions and millions of dollars marketing America's National Parks to the world and now we're just throwing away that money."

Part of L.L.Bean flagship store torn down as part of $50M renovations

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • February 22, 2025

The $50 million makeover of L.L.Bean’s flagship store and campus accelerated this week with the demolition of an exterior portion of the building on Main Street in Freeport. The flagship store’s renovation is expected to provide a more accessible and immersive customer experience, including a new first-floor entrance and grand staircase and a larger indoor trout pond with multiple tiers and more viewpoints for better fish watching. The project is on track to be completed by fall 2026.

Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians acquires 1,327 acres

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • February 22, 2025

The land along the North Branch of the Meduxnekeag River in Monticello has been returned to the Maliseet people following a two-year combined effort by the tribe and several conservancy groups, First Light Learning Journey, The Nature Conservancy and the Conservation Fund. The acquisition of 1,327 acres abutting tribally owned Wilderness Pines Campground is part of a larger effort in Maine to restore access and ownership of tribal lands to the Wabanaki people.

Maine is at an impasse with towns that pass aquaculture restrictions

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • February 21, 2025

Towns up and down Maine’s coast have grappled for more than a decade with the changes that come with a growing aquaculture industry. In the last several years, some have gone further, considering local ordinances meant to restrict state-issued leases for large aquaculture projects in their waters. It has brought to the forefront tensions between traditional uses of Maine’s coast and the growth of aquaculture, an industry that has grown by about 2 percent annually for the last two decades and brings in more than $85 million in sales each year. It has also highlighted disagreements about which entity — the state or the municipality — has the authority over those uses, creating an ongoing impasse.