Feds may let Maine lobstermen fish in restricted area — if they use ropeless gear

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • August 8, 2025

Federal regulators are considering a rule that would allow Maine lobstermen to fish in an area that closes seasonally to protect endangered North Atlantic right whales. The catch? Fishermen would need use experimental ropeless fishing gear to do so. The restricted area is a 967-square-mile stretch of the Gulf of Maine that runs from the New Hampshire border to Midcoast Maine. It’s closed to fishing each year from Oct. 1 to Jan. 31 because officials say it is a hot spot for the whales.

Letter: Hope Ave parcel should become a conservation property

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • August 8, 2025

Portland Planning can finally close the Hope Avenue permit application, initiated over two years ago by Miami-based developer GenX Capital Partners, since the parcel is going into foreclosure. Throughout this years-long saga, GenX botched a development in Saco and had an unfinished condo complex foreclosed in Cumberland. And, in the two-plus years that the Hope Ave permit has been active, GenX neglected to pay its property tax, damaged the Presumpscot River Preserve, refused to pay the ensuing fine and failed to appear at any of its court hearings, forcing Portland to issue a motion for contempt of court. Portland should designate this parcel for conservation to protect the delicate and beautiful Presumpscot River and adjacent preserve. ~ Emily-Anne Garland, Scarborough

Bald eagle dies after becoming entangled with another eagle during a fight in Bar Harbor

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • August 7, 2025

A bald eagle found injured along the roadside in Bar Harbor on Wednesday has died. The eagle was fighting with another bald eagle when they became interlocked and came down on the road. One of the bald eagles died from a severe spinal injury. The other eagle suffered a severe fracture and was brought to a veterinarian in Greater Bangor to determine whether the bird can be treated.

As farming innovation collides with fishing tradition, Harpswell brings both sides to the table

HARPSWELL ANCHOR • February 7, 2025

Created in May 2024, the town’s Aquaculture Working Group set out to examine how Maine’s aquaculture licensing process works, assess its impact on Harpswell and gather public feedback on the growing number of seafood farms in local waters. The group’s efforts culminated in the creation of a new map of local commercial fishing areas, which it urged state officials to use when evaluating applications for aquaculture leases to help avoid conflicts with fishermen.

Seeing more bats in Maine? Here’s why.

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • August 7, 2025

The 2010s were a tough decade for bats in Maine and across much of the United States and Canada as a disease called white-nose syndrome spread quickly, decimating populations as it went. First identified in Maine in Oxford County in 2010 or 2011, the syndrome led to an estimated 97% decline in the number of bats here: A survey that counted 790 bats in 2010 found just 27 by 2016. But according to Corey Stearns, a biologist with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, but bat populations have been rebounding in recent years as well, bringing back a species that was as much a part of Maine summer nights as peepers and lightning bugs.

Finalists Selected for New England Leopold Conservation Award

SAND COUNTY FOUNDATION • August 7, 2025

Fnalists have been selected for the 2025 New England Leopold Conservation Award. The award honors farmers and forestland owners who go above and beyond in their management of soil health, water quality and wildlife habitat on working land. Named in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, this award recognizes landowners who inspire others with their dedication to environmental improvement. The finalists include: Appalachian Mountain Club’s Maine Woods Initiative. Since 2003, this effort has conserved 114.000 acres of forestland straddling the Appalachian Trail in the 100 Mile Wilderness Area of Piscataquis County, Maine. AMC has removed barriers to fish passage, reopening 147 miles of rivers and streams for wild, native brook trout and the endangered Atlantic salmon. Its goal is to create a new economic model for forestland ownership. 

Maine's Solar for All program again at risk

MAINE PUBLIC • August 7, 2025

Maine efforts to help low-income people hook up solar power could be at risk through the Trump administration’s reported plans to end grants that fund the program. It's the latest round of uncertainty for Maine's Solar for All plans. This winter, the administration temporarily cut the state's access to its $62 million grant before restoring the funding. Now the Environmental Protection Agency is contemplating ending the program for good.

New footbridge improves access to Squirrel Point in Arrowsic

TIMES RECORD • August 6, 2025

Public access to Squirrel Point Light and Bald Head Preserve in Arrowsic has been secured thanks to a custom-designed footbridge installed in July. The new structure, designed, built and installed by Modern Edge Metal Fabrication of Georgetown, replaces a wooden bridge that was rapidly deteriorating due to frequent flooding by ever-increasing high tides and storms. The footpath, which winds through coastal wetlands and forest, leads to two significant sites along the Kennebec River: The Nature Conservancy of Maine’s 296-acre Bald Head Preserve and Squirrel Point Light, a lighthouse built in 1898 that is being restored for the benefit of the community under the direction of the volunteer-run Citizens for Squirrel Point.

Rockland library to host retired UMaine professor for climate talk

TIMES RECORD • August 6, 2025

Rockland Public Library will present UMaine Professor Emeritus Ivan Fernandez to speak on Rockland’s forests as a lens on Maine’s changing climate at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 14. This program is free and open to all. This presentation will focus on the changing climate and implications for Rockland’s forests both as treasured natural resources and climate solutions.

Maine could lose $62M low-income solar grant under EPA proposal

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • August 6, 2025

A proposal to cut billions in federal grants designed to help low-income communities install solar energy projects could claw back over $60 million awarded to Maine and impede the state’s clean energy transition. The Environmental Protection Agency is reportedly moving to terminate the $7 billion “Solar for All” grant program and is already drafting termination letters to 60 recipients, including the state of Maine.

Former state worker and environmental advocate launches independent run for Maine governor

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • August 6, 2025

John Glowa Sr., a former state worker and environmental advocate from South China, announced an independent run for governor Wednesday, adding his name to an already sizable slate of candidates for 2026. Glowa, 71, worked for the state for nearly 30 years before retiring in 2016. He worked primarily in the Maine Department of Environmental Protection on enforcement of water quality laws. “I will be the peoples’ governor,” Glowa said. “The people have the power if they choose to use it. Maine’s government has failed us, and the two major parties aren’t solving our problems.” Glowa has not previously held elected office.

Richmond author’s book focuses on how kids can heal in nature

TIMES RECORD • August 5, 2025

A Richmond-based author has published a children’s book about the healing power of nature and how kids can use it to cope with challenging feelings. Author and illustrator Evelyn Dean released “My Earth Journey” last week through environmentally focused 12 Willows Press, a Maine-based publishing house, with plans to have a book launch from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 13, at the Enterprise Grange in Richmond. The plot of “My Earth Journey” revolves around a young girl losing her best friend and finding the tools to help her through.

Federal data suggests Maine had the highest electricity hike last year. The picture is not so clear.

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • August 5, 2025

New federal data shows that Maine had the biggest increase in residential electricity prices in the country over the last year. But state officials are criticizing the report, saying the numbers overstate what people pay here, though they acknowledge bills have climbed. The data, published by the U.S. Energy Information Administration, shows that the price of a kilowatt-hour in Maine went up an eye-popping 36% from May 2024 to the same month this year. Maine officials say that while electricity rates are up since last year, the climb has been more gradual than the 36% hike shown by revenue changes.

Maine’s forest product industry feeling the effects of Trump’s tariffs on Canada

MAINE MORNING STAR • August 4, 2025

The Maine State Chamber of Commerce has been following the Trump administration’s actions on tariffs since the start of the year, said President and Chief Executive Officer Patrick Woodcock. Woodcock said Monday that some individual companies and industries are already seeing a “dramatic impact.” In Maine, “our forest products industry is the one that is most affected with these specific industry, sector-level tariffs,” Woodcock said. The state imports 2.3 million tons of wood products annually, most of which comes from Canada. Prices for softwood lumber were nearly 17% higher than they were a year ago. On Thursday — one day before the deadline Trump set for reaching trade agreements with dozens of countries — he issued an executive order raising the tariff rate on goods imported from Canada to 35%. 

Opinion: Maine Legislature bucked national trends to protect wildlife

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • August 4, 2025

These are challenging times for conservationists who are dealing with a federal government and Congress emboldened to weaken federal environmental laws and slash funding and staffing at natural resource agencies. Thankfully, there remains a strong will to protect Maine’s environment in our state legislature. LD 497 protected significant vernal pools. LD 1868 moved up the timeline to transition to 100 percent renewable energy by the year 2040. LD 1543 establishd the Maine Green Schools Network to help promote environmental, outdoor and climate learning programs. LD 56 and LD 69 would have weakened or eliminated Maine’s single-use plastic bag ban, but failed to pass. LD 1340 created a Municipal Stream Crossing Fund. There are many more wins to celebrate — including funding for the Lake Water Quality Restoration and Protection Fund; establishing a Department of Energy Resources; and requiring a state study of the impacts of neonicotinoids on people and pollinators in Maine. ~ Ches Gundrum, Maine Audubon

Letter: Unsafe drinking water in Wiscasset must be addressed

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • August 5, 2025

Our residents at Whippoorwill Hill Mobile Home Park in Wiscasset are experiencing ongoing difficulties and dangers caused by unsafe drinking water, overflowing septic fields, water drainage problems. Our park’s drinking water, according to tests from Maine’s Department of Health and Human Services, contains a uranium level that exceeds the maximum contaminant level and “can cause cancer.” A local official warned me that a judge will likely ignore the existence of such a high uranium level. Judges in Lincoln County tend to satisfy the interests of landlords at the expense of the renters. ~ Tom Kurtz, Wiscasset

Recent Maine fishing deaths lead to new focus on safety training, remembrance

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • August 5, 2025

In the wake of several recent fishing deaths in Maine, the state and nonprofit groups have been expanding their efforts to train and protect commercial fishermen. A new nonprofit was recently started to help prevent accidents, and lawmakers recently created a commercial safety fund. Last month, the state’s first Commercial Fishing Remembrance Day was held to commemorate those who have died at sea. At a safety training Monday in Bucksport for commercial fishermen, lobstermen from across the state said they aren’t typically worried about their safety at work but had learned new things about preparing for and surviving emergencies.

Particle size matters: why wildfire smoke is so harmful

MAINE PUBLIC • August 4, 2025

Maine's air quality continues to suffer from lingering Canadian wildfire smoke. We asked health experts why exposure to smoky air is so harmful to our health. Wildfire smoke contains a cocktail of toxic pollutants. But Dr. Neelu Tummala, an ear, nose and throat specialist based in New York City, said the biggest threat is what's called "PM 2.5" — the fine particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in size. "The size matters because when people breathe in these particles, they're small enough to bypass the upper airway and travel down into the lungs," said Dr. Tummala. And eventually, they enter into the bloodstream. Dr. Tummala said these foreign particles can end up triggering the immune system and causing inflammation, which is especially risky for children, seniors, and those with underlying heart and respiratory conditions.

Canadian wildfires cause hazy days

SUN JOURNAL • August 4, 2025

Smoke from Canadian wildfires made the sky over the Androscoggin River between Auburn and Lewiston on Monday appear as a blue-gray haze. The entire state was under an air quality alert issued by the National Weather Service, with particle pollution in the “unhealthy for sensitive groups” range.

All-Persons Trail nears completion in Rumford Community Forest

SUN JOURNAL • August 4, 2025

Work on an all-access looped trail in the Rumford Community Forest is nearing completion, according to Travis Dustin, lands coordinator for Inland Woods + Trails. The half-mile trail, called the All-Persons or Universal Trail, is built to accommodate wheelchairs, strollers and people using walkers and crutches. “This trail actually crosses a bunch of different habitats. We’re going to have a marshland area, where the stream coming down Scotty’s Brook pretty much starts along the trail, so everyone can see that,” Dustin said.