Opinion: Maine needs a climate superfund rooted in justice

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • January 26, 2026

If you break it, you fix it. The climate has been broken, and large fossil fuel companies have been breaking it knowingly for decades. The Maine State Legislature is considering LD 1870 that will require the largest culprits causing climate change-related damage in Maine to pay for repairs and/or adaptations to protect against future damage. This bill is not asking fossil fuel industries to fix the climate system after breaking it, only to clean up the mess their breaking has caused, and to fund protections against further damage. Without LD 1870, those costs will fall to Maine taxpayers. Jan. 27 is Make Polluters Pay Day of Action at the State House. All those concerned about Maine’s growing climate-related damage and about climate justice are urged to attend. ~ Richard Peterson, Ph.D., emeritus professor of environmental studies, University of New England

Maine is using outdated rules to close contaminated compost plant

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • January 26, 2026

State regulators will be using an outdated rule to review a plan to close a heavily contaminated compost plant in central Maine, worrying environmentalists that the area and its surroundings will not be adequately cleaned up. The rule, which was last updated in 2018, requires removal of compost and wastes and reducing soil contamination. It does not cover the cleanup of wetlands and ecosystems near Hawk Ridge Compost Facility in Unity Township that state tests have shown are contaminated with high levels of forever chemicals. State tests also showed that high PFAS levels were detected at least eight miles downstream of Hawk Ridge.

Maine’s school food waste issue should have been solved by now | Letter

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • January 25, 2026

Once again, we see an initiative to reduce food waste in public schools (“Taking a bite out of food waste,” Maine Sunday Telegram, Jan. 18). In my files, I have a response referencing an editorial from 2016 — 10 years ago. It is discouraging that food waste in our schools continues to be an issue. Ten years should be significant time for programs to be implemented and seamlessly working. As a long-time former Maine public school employee (retired in 2019), I witnessed the insidious amount of food being dumped in our schools. My efforts to initiate changes were not supported to any great degree. I hope that this latest effort will, at long last, catch on — to the point of it being unacceptable to waste food. ~ Lucy Webb Hardy, Wells

Here are some of the winter pleasures of Moosehead Lake

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • January 24, 2026

Covering nearly 75,000 acres, Moosehead Lake is the largest lake in Maine, and the largest lake completely within the boundaries of New England. For people like me who struggle to visualize acres, it’s roughly 40 miles long by 10 miles wide. This sprawling body of water, home to more than 80 islands, draws recreationists year round. As do the surrounding mountains. The area is a particularly special place to visit in the winter.

Waterville’s Quarry Road Trails is a hidden gem in central Maine

CENTRAL MAINE • January 25, 2026

The 216-acre Quarry Road Trails are located across the Kennebec River, close to Interstate 95 and Colby College in Waterville. The recreation area offers all sorts of activities, including Nordic (cross country) and alpine (downhill) skiing, as well as snowshoeing, sledding, running, walking, rock-climbing — and canoeing and kayaking on the adjacent Messalonskee Stream. Quarry Road Trails was recently awarded a $249,000 grant from the Maine Trails Program. It is a testament to Waterville’s commitment to community betterment and quality of place. Quarry Road draws about 100,000 visitors a year. They contribute about $2.8 million annually into the region.

Acadia set new record for total visits in 2025

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • January 24, 2026

Acadia National Park saw its busiest year on record in 2025, according to statistics released by the National Park Service this month. The park recorded more than 4 million visits last year. The surge in park visitors has helped strengthen Bar Harbor’s booming tourism industry but has also required park and town officials to cope with crowds.

Column: These birds have mostly disappeared from Maine. What happened?

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • January 24, 2026

I’ve seen a lot of evening grosbeaks in my life, but my latest sighting was a doozy. On a coastal road near Passamaquoddy Bay, there was a tree with so many birds in the branches, no more could fit. It was standing room only. The adjacent tree was equally full. Just down the road, a third tree had barely enough room to squeeze in a few more. It’s been 60 years since I’ve seen so many evening grosbeaks gathered in one place. It was a commonplace sight in my boyhood. Then they mostly disappeared from our state. What happened? I’m inclined to believe that they followed successive outbreaks of spruce budworm across Canada. ~ Bob Duchesne

Many Americans don’t think Maine is actually a state

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • January 24, 2026

It sounds absurd, but it’s shockingly common: Many people all across the country do not know that Maine is a part of the United States and not, in fact, a part of Canada. It’s also not a made up fantasyland, as some TikTokers have suggested. Although if we wanted to stop too many people from coming here, it might not be a bad strategy to promote the idea that Maine, like Middle-earth and Westeros, isn’t actually a real place. To be fair, thinking Maine is a part of Canada isn’t entirely out of left field. We’re way up in the upper right corner of the map. Maine shares not just a long border with both Quebec and New Brunswick, but also many cultural touchstones, in food, music, language and more.

Trails in Readfield offer opportunity to explore the beauty of this small town

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • January 24, 2026

The Readfield Trails Committee was established in 2006. Its members devote from 150 to 300 hours annually to working on the more than 10 miles of trails in town, in collaboration with the Readfield Conservation Commission. The latter is responsible for the Readfield Town Forest and the Torsey Lake/Echo Lake trails, while the Trails Committee takes care of the rest of the 10-mile total. In addition, the Kennebec Land Trust has 10 miles of trails in town, bringing the tally to some 20 miles overall, not only for hiking, but for skiing and snowshoeing as well. ~ Carey Kish

Belgrade Lakes' North Pond to be treated for severe algal bloom

MAINE PUBLIC • January 24, 2026

The Seven Lakes Alliance and the North Pond Association in the Belgrade Lakes region have received a $2.35 million grant from the Department of the Interior to fight algal blooms in North Pond. North Pond is one of seven lakes in the interconnected Belgrade Lakes chain. This will be the second lake in the region the alliance will treat for algal blooms, which have plagued lakes in the area for several years.

Letter: Portland cold storage facility was a mistake

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • January 24, 2026

One year after the grand opening of a cold-storage warehouse on Portland’s waterfront, it’s clear the project — promoted aggressively by city officials and by contributions to this opinion section — was misguided. Portland’s last significant parcel of land zoned for the working waterfront — six state-owned acres — is now home to a storage facility that lies mostly empty. The only frozen product featured in a promotional video for this waterfront warehouse? Ice cream. All the empty pallet racks would have come as no surprise if city and state staffers had focused on thoughtful research and dialogue with industry leaders. ~ S. Mark McCain, Portland

The outlook for 6 forest pests and diseases in Maine

MAINE MONITOR • January 23, 2026

A combination of deep freezes and control measures have knocked back some prominent Maine forest pests and diseases over the past couple of years, providing relief to Maine trees after years of growing infestations. But state officials warn that this trend may not continue as new outbreaks spread, winters warm from climate change and drought conditions hamper tree defenses. “Everything we do is impacted by these climate conditions, so drought doesn’t help anything in the forest health world,” said Mike Parisio, entomologist for the Maine Forest Service.

Opinion: Maine can revitalize its ATV trails as a path out of rural economic stagnation

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • January 23, 2026

Maine faces a quiet economic depression. Rural areas, especially in the north, have seen stagnant per-capita GDP since the early 2000s, while Portland surges ahead. Job growth lags the national average, wages struggle against rising costs for housing, energy, and healthcare, and rural depopulation continues. Overall job growth is predicted to remain under 1% annually. Corporate incentives haven’t fixed the urban-rural divide, they’ve widened it. The fix doesn’t require flashy industries or soul-crushing development. Maine’s strongest asset is its 6,000-plus miles of interconnected ATV trails — one of the East Coast’s largest networks. This isn’t just recreation; it’s a proven economic engine. ~ Mandy Parker, Danforth

Maine’s beloved ‘Lobster Lady’ dies at 105

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • January 23, 2026

The Rockland woman who captured the world’s imagination as Maine’s lobstering centenarian died Wednesday, having become a beloved symbol of active aging and Maine’s maritime grit after fishing until she was 102. Virginia “Lobster Lady” Oliver died at Pen Bay Hospital in Rockport at the age of 105, according to Wayne Gray of Rockland, a family friend who made Oliver famous after creating a short film about her for the Rockland Historical Society in 2019.

Maine’s outdoor recreation industry is ripe for growth, leaders say

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • January 22, 2026

Industry leaders say Maine is off to a strong start on a plan to grow the state’s outdoor recreation economy by 10% in 10 years. The Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation, Maine Outdoor Brands and other partners launched the plan a year ago to establish the sector as a pillar of the state’s economy. More than 400 government officials, policymakers, educators, business owners, nonprofit workers and outdoor enthusiasts have gathered in Portland this week for an annual summit to talk about how to meet their goals despite economic and logistical challenges.

Opinion: Maine housing policy can accommodate both growth and conservation

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • January 23, 2026

Maine Audubon and GrowSmart Maine advocate for land use policies that support communities where people and wildlife can thrive. We advocate for balance, clarity and impact in local, state and national land use policies. This includes local zoning, through which residents decide where they do and don’t want different types of development and how much. Our organizations support streamlining state environmental review for denser development when we build in smart places. Local zoning and thoughtful siting are some of the best ways to avoid impacts to wildlife habitat and the cost of sprawl. Growth and conservation can coexist — and they must — but we have to be smart about it. ~ Nancy Smith, GrowSmart Maine, and Francesca Gundrum, Maine Audubon

Opinion: Maine’s future depends on a fully funded NOAA

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • January 22, 2026

In Maine, the ocean isn’t just beautiful scenery — it’s  where we work, where we raise families, and where our history is anchored. It’s the lobster boat heading out before dawn and the clammer watching the flats. From Kittery to Eastport, the Gulf of Maine shapes our economy and our way of life. That’s why I was glad to see Congress overwhelmingly pass a bipartisan funding package this month that avoids the worst of the president’s proposed cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). But this budget only gets us through September. As Congress turns to the next budget, it should continue to keep NOAA strong. NOAA is an evidence-driven agency with real-world impact that helps people make good decisions in the face of uncertainty. ~ Tom Allen, former Maine congressman

‘Ocean’ film screening: A Journey with David Attenborough

BOOTHBAY REGISTER • January 22, 2026

The Boothbay Region Climate Action Team (BRCAT) cordially invites everyone to attend a complimentary screening of the acclaimed film, “Ocean” with David Attenborough at the Harbor Theater. This special event is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 7 beginning at 2 p.m. The film, featuring the renowned David Attenborough, will take viewers on an extraordinary exploration, demonstrating that “there is nowhere more vital for our survival, more full of life, wonder, or surprise, than the ocean.”

Guided winter activities to show off Rangeley-area conservation lands

RANGELEY HIGHLANDER • January 22, 2026

Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust is planning a series of free, guided outdoor activities throughout February and March on conservation lands across the Rangeley region. Fresh Tracks Winter Event Series is designed to encourage year-round use of conserved properties while offering opportunities for outdoor recreation, environmental education and community connection. All programs are open to the public, with advance registration required for some events.

Details of $1 billion Oxford County ‘water battery’ shared with Rumford group

SUN JOURNAL • January 22, 2026

Representatives from a company developing a $1 billion pumped storage hydropower project in Oxford County were featured speakers at a recent meeting of the River Valley Rotary Club. Western Maine Energy Storage plans to build an upper and lower reservoir, each 100 acres. The two reservoirs will be connected by a pipe. A powerhouse sitting just above the lower reservoir will generate electricity whenever water flows down from the upper reservoir and passes through a turbine. That electricity can then be passed on to the grid. The two artificial reservoirs will help store and generate 500 megawatts of on-demand power, stabilizing the grid by using excess renewable energy to pump water up and releasing it during peak demand. The purpose is to provide on-demand, firm renewable energy, balancing intermittent wind and solar power.