Opinion: Maine’s updated ‘bottle bill’ is bad for consumers

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • July 30, 2025

Maine has long been a national leader in environmental stewardship, and our bottle bill, first enacted in 1976, has been one of our proudest accomplishments. It’s helped reduce litter, encourage recycling and set a strong precedent for responsible policy. But even the best-intended laws can have unintended consequences. We’re seeing that play out in real time now. The latest revision to Maine’s bottle bill, which took effect July 1, 2025, expands redemption requirements to include all direct-to-consumer (DTC) wine shipments. In just the past month, all three small wineries where we hold memberships have stopped shipping to Maine. These are small, family-run vineyards that rely heavily on DTC sales to stay afloat. They also happen to be among the most environmentally responsible producers I’ve encountered. We’ve created a system that punishes the very producers who are often the most environmentally conscious. ~ Paul Richardson, Yarmouth

Trump EPA moves to repeal finding that allows climate regulation

ASSOCIATED PRESS • July 27, 2025

President Donald Trump’s administration on Tuesday proposed revoking a scientific finding that has long been the central basis for U.S. action to regulate greenhouse gas emissions and fight climate change. The proposed Environmental Protection Agency rule would rescind a 2009 declaration that determined that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases endanger public health and welfare. The “endangerment finding” is the legal underpinning of a host of climate regulations under the Clean Air Act for motor vehicles, power plants and other pollution sources that are heating the planet.

Sappi finishes Skowhegan mill’s $500 million paper machine overhaul

MORNING SENTINEL • July 29, 2025

The multiyear, $500 million effort to convert and expand a paper machine at the Somerset Mill in Skowhegan is complete, Sappi North America announced Tuesday. Sappi, a Boston-headquartered subsidiary of a large international company based in South Africa, said it is now delivering customers commercial product manufactured on Paper Machine No. 2 at the Skowhegan mill on Waterville Road. Production is expected to ramp up to volume in 2026. The effort to overhaul the machine, which was announced in 2022 and dubbed Project Elevate, doubled its production capacity and made the Skowhegan facility a top production site of high-performance solid bleached sulfate paperboard, which is used for packaging across several industries.

Penobscot elder ‘Butch’ Phillips dies at 85

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • July 29, 2025

Reuben Elliot “Butch” Phillips, a Penobscot elder, artist, culture-bearer and the former lieutenant governor of the tribe, died Sunday at the age of 85. In the 1970s, Philips was one of the Penobscot representatives on the team that negotiated the Maine Indian Land Claims Settlement of 1980. The legislation was viewed by many as the only way for tribes to secure limited compensation for stolen land. It also subjected tribal nations to state government control and excepted them from the sovereignty all other federally recognized tribes have. Its impacts have shaped the work of Maulian Bryant, who served as Penobscot tribal ambassador before she became executive director of the Wabanaki Alliance in January. Bryant’s work today is largely dedicated to unraveling many of the restrictions imposed by the settlement act. Conversations with her great-uncle caused her to shift her thinking. “I never wanted those tribal leaders to feel ashamed or that they did a bad thing, because it was a historic thing and there were good things for the tribe and they were between a rock and a hard place,” she said.

Maine lakes, ponds at risk as invasive bladderwort plant moves in

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • July 28, 2025

An invasive aquatic plant first identified in southern Maine two years ago is now confirmed across southern and western parts of the state, and officials and local groups are taking steps to keep it from spreading farther. Swollen bladderwort, which forms dense mats on the water’s surface and can change ecosystems and hinder recreation, has been found on eight Maine waterbodies, including Tilton Pond in Fayette, where it was discovered two years ago and has since worsened, making it harder to swim and boat. aAboater using Tilton Pond’s now-closed public launch was likely to blame for the infestation. Keeping the plant from hurting more waterbodies in Maine will take diligence.

Paddlers in birch bark canoes honor Wabanaki culture on Moosehead Lake

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • July 29, 2025

It was with uncanny ease that the first few birch bark canoes glided into view, cutting the wind-riffled surface of Moosehead Lake. Their paddlers directed the boats in loose courses around one another with short, confident strokes as the fleet grew from three to 10. Soon, a flotilla of 15 boats had gathered about 50 feet offshore. To observe a gathering of 15 birch bark canoes, like that one that took place at the Greenville Junction Wharf as part of the Thoreau-Wabanaki Trail Festival, is exceedingly rare.

Canadian wildfire smoke is lingering in Maine. Here’s what you should know before heading outside.

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • July 28, 2025

More smoke from Canadian wildfires is expected to make its way through Maine this week, keeping air quality down across the state. Maine could hover in that “moderate” category for much of this week. When air quality levels are in the “moderate” range, people sensitive to the effects — such as older adults, young children or people with asthma — are advised to limit prolonged or heavy exertion outside. The number of wildfires in the U.S. so far this year is higher than normal — nearly 40,000 as of July 28 — but the amount of land those fires are covering is below the 10-year average to this point, with just over 3 million acres burned so far. Canada, on the other hand, has seen worse wildfires than usual — much worse. More than 3,300 Canadian wildfires have burned through nearly 14.5 million acres of land this year as of July 23. That’s over double the 10-year average.

Ellsworth hires 1st head of new parks and rec department

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • July 28, 2025

Ellsworth has hired its first-ever parks and rec director who will oversee the city’s parks and public lands, facilities and planned events. Roddy Ehrlenbach, a local high school graduate who has worked for Sugarloaf ski resort in western Maine for more than 20 years, is expected to start his new position with the city Monday, Aug. 4.

Scarborough piece of the Eastern Trail project breaks ground

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • July 29, 2025

Past and present leaders of the Eastern Trail Alliance and Eastern Trail Management District as well as town officials joined a much-awaited ground breaking ceremony Monday for the Close the Gap project of the Eastern Trail. Three weeks ago, construction began on the 1.6-mile section between Wainwright Athletic Complex and the Nonesuch River crossing, a $7 million project more than two decades in the making. Once completed, the trail will allow 16 miles of uninterrupted, off-road passage between downtown Saco and Bug Light Park in South Portland. Ryan Sommer, president of the ETMD, said, “It transforms how we move, how we connect and how we experience Maine’s natural beauty.”

Lyme disease and anaplasmosis cases surging in Maine

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • July 28, 2025

Lyme disease cases are on pace to break records this year, as reported cases of the tick-borne disease have already reached nearly 2,000 in Maine. Through July 28, the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention had reported 1,875 cases of Lyme disease, which is 20% higher than the same January-July time period in 2024, when there were 1,561 reported cases. Cases of anaplasmosis, the second-most common tick-borne disease that’s also transmitted by the  deer tick, are also skyrocketing, with 890 cases reported so far in 2025, according to the Maine CDC. That’s 36% ahead of last year, when there were 655 by the end of July. Scientists, including researchers at MaineHealth, are currently testing the effectiveness of a proposed Lyme vaccine.

Bath gives Maine company Garbage to Garden its first waste-collection contract

TIMES RECORD • July 28, 2025

A Maine company known for collecting and composting food scraps is ramping up its efforts, taking on waste collection in Bath and plans to compete to take on trash contracts for other towns. Garbage to Garden this month started collecting solid waste and recycling in Bath. The goal is to take over solid waste disposal for more cities and towns, according to Tyler Frank, founder and president of Garbage to Garden “We service a lot of other communities, but only in the sense that we pick up food waste from households that subscribe,” Frank said. “This is our first trash-and-recycle contract, and we certainly don’t expect it to be the last. We think this is the beginning of a whole new avenue of our business.”

Crop conditions are looking good ahead of Maine Wild Blueberry Weekend

MAINE PUBLIC • July 28, 2025

Conditions are ripe for a productive blueberry harvest this year, according to the Maine Wild Blueberry Commission. But like other agricultural organizations in the state, the group is reeling from the sudden loss of federal funding. The USDA has cancelled a $15.5 million grant for irrigation infrastructure to mitigate drought impacts. Wild Blueberry Weekend celebrations are August 2 and 3.

New law allows Baxter State Park to sell 228-acre Harpswell property

HARPSWELL ANCHOR • July 28, 2025

Baxter State Park encompasses more than 200,000 acres of wilderness in northern Maine, far from coastal Harpswell. Since 1973, Harpswell has been home to a little bit of Baxter in the form of the Austin Cary Lot on Great Island. That could soon change — on June 9, Maine Gov. Janet Mills signed a bill allowing Baxter State Park to sell the 228-acre property between Route 24 and Long Reach. “The property must be used for the primary purposes of sustainable forestry or wildlife management,” the law states. “The property may be used for other scientific and educational uses that are related to these primary purposes and must allow for public recreational use that is compatible with these primary purposes.” The property consists of 180 acres of woodland, 34 acres of salt marsh, and 13.5 acres of freshwater wetland. The lot adjoins the Harpswell Heritage Land Trust’s 95-acre Long Reach Preserve, and together, they constitute the largest undeveloped area of wildlife habitat in Harpswell.

DEP, Coast Guard respond after houseboat swamps

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • July 27, 2025

State and federal agencies responded Friday after a houseboat swamped earlier in the week as it was being towed to shore for repairs. The boat was being towed on Tuesday by a lobster boat when it swamped. The owner works as a sternman for the lobster boat owner. DEP staff and the Coast Guard arrived on site early Friday. Sorbent and hard containment booms were placed around the boat to contain any fuel leaking from the vessel.

Editorial: Beach season in Maine may look different next year

MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • July 27, 2025

It’s high summer in Maine and so we find ourselves thinking about how a verdict from the state’s highest court, expected later this year, could bring considerable change to public beach access in our state. Can we recreate and walk on beaches or can't we? Stay tuned.

Opinion: On two weeks of being a barred owl paparrazo

MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • July 27, 2025

After the annual mowing of our field, a barred owl has taken up residence, tree by tree, on the perimeter. He’s in my ancient apple tree, perfectly blended with the gray bark, shoulder-high, and close to the trunk. Incognito. Discreet. I am not worthy of his excessive attention. He merits mine. By the time you realize an owl is looking at you, awaiting your attention, many minutes have passed. How many? Only the owl knows for sure. But it’s a sure thing that he saw you first and nonchalantly awaited your discovery of his gaze. ~ Todd R. Nelson, Penobscot

Opinion: Maine’s solar farms need greater security, protection

MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • July 27, 2025

Maine has made more progress in thinking about its energy future and taking direct action toward specific goals than most states. And in spite of federal interference and lack of support, Maine continues to work with Canada and other Northeastern states to coordinate grid improvements. But I am increasingly concerned that the Maine Energy Plan focuses so much on how to make our electrical supply “green” that it does not adequately consider how to keep it protected. Existing physical security for Maine’s vast electric power infrastructure, designed for a less informed, more law-abiding society that no longer exists, and at a time when the electricity supply system was not so essential for the functioning of everything, is now inadequate. All of the good work will be wasted if the transmission lines, substations, distribution lines and sources of electricity are not physically secure. ~ Peter Ryner, research faculty member and planning consultant, Windham

Smoke brings unhealthy air to Maine, DEP issues advisory

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • July 26, 2025

A plume of smoke from Canadian wildfires moved into Maine early Saturday, bringing with it unhealthy air quality due to a higher-than-expected level of particle pollution. The smoke is expected to continue moving across the state throughout the day, lowering particle levels, but air quality will remain a health concern for much of Saturday, according to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, which issued air quality advisories overnight. The advisories remain in effect until 11 p.m. Saturday.

Letter: Maine can benefit from ‘shaving’ peak power

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • July 26, 2025

When summer heat hits New England, our regional demand for electricity spikes — especially during late afternoons when air conditioners and heat pumps are blasting. This surge is called peak power demand, and it puts a strain on the grid. “Shaving” peak power means reducing electricity use during these critical hours to ease that strain. By shaving peak power, Mainers can protect our environment, lower electric bills and strengthen our regional grid — helping us all stay cool without overheating the planet. We can also get involved in a local group working to cut our costs and reduce our emissions. For me, that group is Our Power, where I’m proud to be on the team. To learn more, please visit ourpowermaine.org, sign up for our email list and look for us on social media. ~ Seth Berry, Bowdoinham

Column: There’s more to harvesting Maine’s wild native fish than ethics

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • July 26, 2025

In a recent column, V. Paul Reynolds defended harvesting wild native brook trout while challenging those who practice catch-and-release. He invoked ethics and spoke for the Native Fish Coalition. I am the executive director for Native Fish Coalition, and here is my response. Ethics is personal. We are not opposed to the sustainable harvest of wild native fish. We are, however, opposed to harvest that results in noticeable decreases in population size, geographic distribution or age/size-class distribution — all of which can negatively impact populations and lead to calls for stocking. I admire every wild native brook trout I catch. I simply choose to release them. Practicing zero-harvest and encouraging others to do so doesn’t undermine conservation — it promotes it as a personal choice. Reynolds’ misrepresentation of Native Fish Coalition only serves to pit sportsmen against sportsmen. ~ Bob Mallard