Good environmental news at the federal level has been scarce, but it does happen occasionally. The resignation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) chief Scott Pruitt is welcomed news. The crushing weight of Pruitt’s ethics scandals aside, Pruitt’s close ties with polluting industries and his failure to support existing laws like the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act proved he was unfit to lead the EPA. Although his acting replacement, Andrew Wheeler, is a former coal industry lobbyist, Pruitt stepping down does suggest that, under enough pressure, we can win these battles. Maine people joined with others across the country calling for Pruitt’s resignation. Thank you for taking the time to contact our Congressional delegation. Now, we need to be diligent in keeping the pressure on our delegation to oppose Wheeler as Pruitt’s permanent replacement. With Pruitt gone, we have a chance at a clean start for the EPA, and we should start with a nominee who believes in the EPA’s mission to protect our health and environment.
I am also pleased to report that we did have another major win earlier this year: restored funding for the EPA. Despite calls by the Trump Administration to slash EPA’s 2018 budget by more than 30 percent (levels not seen since the 1970s), Congress ultimately passed a budget that maintained funding levels for all EPA program areas that were of strong concern to us here in Maine. The federal budget also provided additional funds to clean up drinking water, toxic waste sites, beaches, and lakes. This victory would not have happened without your help. Thank you for speaking out to Maine’s Congressional delegation against this attack on Maine’s environment.
Unfortunately, we are now facing the same fight for the 2019 budget. So we are asking you once again to contact Congress today. Many outrageous proposals are still pending; we will need to keep doing our part to ensure they never come to pass. You can help by visiting regional offices, and calling Maine’s federal representatives.
One major threat that still looms is offshore oil drilling. Most East Coast governors, legislators, and state Congressional delegations have resolved to block the Trump Administration’s attempts to drill off their coasts. Imagine the harm that oil slicks would do to our tourism and fishing industries, and the legendary coast of Maine. Whales, seals, seabirds, and other marine wildlife are at risk as long as the Administration’s proposal stands. Senators Collins and King, Representatives Pingree and Poliquin, and the entire Maine Legislature have publicly declared their opposition to this reckless scheme.
The magnitude of this threat is so large that we invited a few of our members, staff, and board members to share their love of their favorite coastal places in our Explore Maine insert in our summer newsletter. Maine would not be Maine, for residents and visitors alike, without these beautiful places that we enjoy.
Every day, NRCM helps make connections between our coasts, our clean water and air, the Maine economy, and the important safeguards that support them.
Celebrate the bright spots and don’t give up the struggle: These are our mantras as we continue working together to protect the Maine we love.
—Lisa Pohlmann, NRCM CEO
Originally published in Spring 2018 edition of Maine Environment newsletter
Dear Lisa,
I would be interested in NRCM’s position on the Nordic Aquafarms’ project in Belfast, Me. There is a lot of conflicting information out there on where your agency stands on this. I’ve heard, hopefully not correctly, that this is not within your purview. It is hard to separate truth from fiction on much of the information out there. It would seem that this project would be of utmost importance going forward
I would greatly appreciate some clarification on this.
Sincerely,
Meg Gaunce
Hello Meg,
Thanks for your note. We have not taken a position on the Nordic Aquafarm proposal, and will not be weighing in until there is a permit application. At that time, we will review it and decide if we want to provide testimony to the DEP, as we did in the Whole Oceans proposal in Bucksport.
We are approached about many local issues throughout the year, and, have been approached by quite a few people about the Aqaufarm proposal. Although we have been actively working with towns around the state on plastics reductions, we generally do not get involved in many other local issues, and need to keep our focus on what is moving at the state and federal policy levels.
All the best,
Lisa
Dear Lisa,
That is what I heard but I hope you will weigh in more heavily as this progresses to permitting because there is something that just feels off to a lot of us. Belfast has been poorly used in the past and we are keeping many eyes on this project. This “ local” issue will not stay “ local”. It has the potential to become of statewide importance rather quickly down the road. Just as water runs where it will, this could spread out into a state concern. I know you will keep a watchful eye on it.
Sincerely,
Meg Gaunce
In February 2019 you wrote, “We have not taken a position on the Nordic Aquafarm proposal, and will not be weighing in until there is a permit application. At that time, we will review it and decide if we want to provide testimony to the DEP, as we did in the Whole Oceans proposal in Bucksport.” We are well past the permit application(s) but have not heard from NRCM in the Nordic Aquafarms matter.
Thank you for letting us know what you think, even if the decision was and continues to be that you will not offer substantive comment.
Thanks.
Hi Steve,
In response to your inquiry, I am providing an update. There are NRCM members on both sides of the Nordic Aquafarm debate and we have decided not to get further engaged. The Bucksport pulp mill had larger discharges into the water and we think it is unlikely that the fish farm facilities in Bucksport and Belfast will have negative impact comparable to the former Bucksport pulp mill, even in combination. In addition, we are engaged in numerous other significant issues right now that have precluded our ability to get deeply involved in the Nordic Aquafarm issue. NRCM simply can’t fight every fight. Finally, we also believe that the local opponents have a great deal of power in their ranks, and if this is going to be stopped, they have the capacity to do so.
Lisa Pohlmann, NRCM CEO