From establishment of the Allagash Wilderness Waterway, the cause upon which we were founded in 1959, to passage of the nation's most protective metal mining rules, NRCM has been at the forefront of major victories that have helped keep Maine a special place to live, work, and play.
View a visual timeline of our history.
2023 |
NRCM was instrumental in getting a critically important bill passed that will modernize Maine’s Bottle Redemption Program (Bottle Bill) by simplifying the program and making it more efficient, while incorporating technology advances and investments to expand the use of refillable containers. Lawmakers also helped save jobs and businesses that are critical to the Bottle Bill by passing emergency legislation that immediately increased the handling fee to 5.5 cents. This is up a penny from when the fee was last increased in 2020, with an additional increase to 6 cents per container that became law on September 1. These were top priority bills for NRCM, with our expertise providing insight critical to extensive negotiations that ultimately secured support for the bills. |
2022 |
NRCM worked with our allies from Community Action Works, the Maine Environmental Priorities Coalition, and Don’t Waste ME, an alliance of impacted community residents and tribal citizens to pass LD 1639. Together, we succeeded in closing a loophole that allowed toxic out-of-state waste to be disposed of in Maine’s State-owned landfill located in Old Town. Now facilities must now prioritize recycling more Maine-generated construction and demolition debris materials. |
2022 |
NRCM and our partners in the Environmental Priorities Coalition worked to pass a bill (LD 736) titled An Act To Enhance the Ecological Reserve System to expand the Maine Ecological Reserve System and thereby better protects the state’s natural habitats and resources. The bill was signed into law by Governor Janet Mills on March 29, 2022. Maine's ecological reserves absorb 30% more aboveground carbon than average lands in Maine on a per acre basis and serve as excellent scientific research sites, making them an important part of Maine’s efforts to understand climate change impacts and meet targets of Maine Won’t Wait, Maine’s four-year climate action plan. |
2021 |
NRCM led efforts to pass an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for Packaging law to make companies that produce packaging help pay the costs of recycling these materials. Maine was the first in the nation to sign a bill like this into law, and this law will save taxpayers $16-17.5 million each year. |
2020 |
On August 4, 2020, the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) was signed into law, providing and expanding support for Maine’s outdoor recreation economy by ensuring permanent funding for the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). The GAOA also provides funding for national parks, wildlife refuges, and other federal lands. For years, NRCM has kept the pressure on for support of LWCF, which provides millions of dollars annually for matching grants to states like Maine. The GAOA answers the call. All four members of Maine's Congressional delegation supported this important piece of legislation, which was strongly pushed by NRCM and our members. |
2019 |
On April 30, 2019, Governor Janet Mills signed a first-in-the-nation law to ban polystyrene foam food and drink containers statewide. NRCM had been working with local communities across Maine to help them enact local foam ordinances, and our Sustainable Maine team and members worked hard to enact this statewide ban. The statewide ban will become effective on January 1, 2021. Plastic foam food containers are among the top 10 most commonly littered items in the U.S. and more than 256 million pieces of disposable foam cups, plates, bowls, platters, and trays are used every year in Maine. On June 17, 2019, Governor Mills also signed into law a statewide ban on single-use plastic bags. The law was supposed to go into effect on Earth Day 2020 (April 22), but due to complications related to the COVID-19 pandemic, implementation was postponed. The ban is now scheduled to be effective on July 1, 2021. |
2017 |
In 2017, NRCM led the successful charge to pass legislation to add a five-cent returnable deposit to 50 ml alcohol bottles, known as “nips.” Nip sales had skyrocketed and so did their litter along Maine’s roads and waters. Governor LePage vetoed the bill, and further pushed the liquor commission to reject the deposit, but he failed on both counts. As a result, nips bottles include a deposit as of January 2019, an important addition to Maine’s Bottle Bill, which NRCM helped establish. |
2017 |
In June 2017, the Maine Legislature voted to override a veto by Governor LePage, thus passing a law to establish the nation’s most protective metal mining rules. NRCM led a six-year campaign and scientific work to ensure this outcome. The bill protects both clean water and Maine taxpayers. The rules ban larger open-pit mines and underwater storage of mine waste, and require mining companies to set aside money to cover the costs of cleaning up or treating any environmental contamination for at least 100 years after a mine’s closure. They also prohibit mines on Maine’s most sensitive areas, including State-owned public lands, in flood plains, and under lakes, rivers, or ponds. |
2016 |
On August 24, 2016, following five years of discussions, feedback, and outreach, NRCM celebrated the establishment of Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. The Monument land, 87,500 acres of forest east of Baxter State Park, was generously donated by Elliotsville Plantation, Inc., a nonprofit founded by Burt’s Bees entrepreneur Roxanne Quimby. The Monument permanently protects 30 miles of rivers and streams, habitat for plants and wildlife, and spectacular views of Katahdin and Maine’s North Woods. NRCM played a central role in the campaign to create the Monument, working with citizens in the Katahdin region and across Maine to conserve this spectacular piece of Maine’s North Woods. |
2016 |
On June 15, NRCM and other members of the Penobscot River Restoration Trust gathered on the banks of the river by the new Howland Dam bypass to celebrate the completion of the to Penobscot River Restoration Project. On the morning of the celebration, the first endangered Atlantic salmon made its way through the Howland bypass. NRCM is proud to be a founding member of the Project. |
2016 |
In 2016, in an unprecedented, ill-conceived, and outrageous move, Governor Paul LePage attacked NRCM by name more than 80 times in nearly two dozen speeches, interviews, and written communications. In March, LePage hung a “wanted” poster featuring an NRCM employee outside his town hall meeting in Bath. Then, in June, in a move reminiscent of something that Joseph McCarthy would have done in the 1950s, LePage tried to intimidate and harass NRCM supporters: LePage spent taxpayer money to have his staff hunt down the addresses of NRCM’s top 200 donors and mail a letter to each of them, as he said “to make donors to the Natural Resources Council of Maine aware of this organization’s true intent.” Members were quick to respond sending letters to chide the Governor and more donations to NRCM. NRCM Executive Director, Lisa Pohlmann, said, “Governor LePage is angry because his misguided attacks on Maine’s waters, air, forests, and wildlife have been broadly rejected through bipartisan votes. NRCM will continue to fight against the governor’s radical anti-environment agenda.” |
2014 |
On July 21, 2014, the South Portland City Council voted 6-1 to pass the Clear Skies Ordinance, which will protect South Portland’s residents and environment from toxic air pollution and other impacts from loading tar sands crude oil onto tanker ships in Casco Bay. NRCM worked closely with the citizen group Protect South Portland and others to protect this community and our state from the threat of tar sands oil. |
2014 |
On June 16, 2014, Portland’s City Council voted 6-3 to ban foam packaging in city stores and restaurants, and to enact a 5-cent fee on disposable shopping bags. This will help keep unnecessary plastic trash from polluting our beaches and ocean habitats. NRCM played a key role in this decision. |
2013 |
On July 22, 2013, NRCM and other members of the Penobscot River Restoration Project gathered on the banks of the river to watch the breaching of the Veazie Dam. NRCM is proud to be a founding member of the Project. |
2013 |
Other legislative victories in 2013 in which NRCM played a lead role were the passage of new rules to phase out BPA in infant formula and baby food packaging, an energy bill that will provide big increases in funding for energy efficiency, a bill that will protect Maine's loon population from toxic lead sinkers, and a paint recycling bill that will help Mainers safely dispose of old and unused paint. |
2013 |
After years of work by NRCM and our partners, the Maine Legislature passed a bill that reopened the St. Croix River to alewives. On June 5, 2013, NRCM and others celebrated this reopening of alewife habitat at the St. Croix River Herring Homecoming, a commemorative event hosted by the Passamaquoddy Tribe. |
2013 |
NRCM worked with residents of Waterford, Casco, Otisfield, and Harrison to help protect their communities from the threat of tar sands oil. All four towns passed resolutions opposing a tar sands pipeline in Maine. |
2012 |
June 11, 2012, Great Works Dam on the Penobscot River was breached as part of the Penobscot River Restoration Project, co-founded by NRCM. |
2012 |
April - NRCM installed 52 solar “photovoltaic” panels to help power its Augusta headquarters. |
2011 |
On January 20, 2011, NRCM sponsored the Roundtable on Maine People and the Environment at which 29 speakers presented to Governor LePage their views on why a clean and healthy environment is important for their job, our economy, the quality of life of Maine people, and our state’s future. |
2011-2012 |
Lawmakers introduced more proposals to rollback environmental protections than ever before. With leadership from NRCM, the Legislature turned down most of the 50 environmental rollback bills that NRCM blasted during our March 2011 news conference, and we succeeded in protecting clean energy, waterfowl habitat, toxics, and many other policies. |
2011 |
Lisa Pohlmann is appointed as executive director by NRCM’s board of directors, taking over from Brownie Carson, who retires after 26 years of extraordinary leadership at NRCM. |
2010 |
A new chapter begins for Maine’s Penobscot River with the Penobscot River Restoration Trust (PRRT) taking ownership of the Veazie, Great Works, and Howland dams, a monumental accomplishment toward the restoration of severely depleted native sea-run fisheries. The agreement also maintains hydropower production and offers new community and economic benefits throughout the watershed. The Veazie and Great Works dams will be removed, and a fish bypass will be built around the Howland dam to open up nearly 2,000 miles of river habitat. NRCM is a leading member of the Penobscot River Restoration Trust. |
2010 |
Leadership from NRCM helped ensure passage of the Product Stewardship Bill, a first-in-the-nation program to systematically review and recommend products for manufacturer-financed collection and recycling programs so that toxic waste does not end up in landfills. The measure builds on the success of the 2004 e-waste law. |
2009 |
NRCM wins support to expand Maine’s successful e-waste law to include desktop printers, video game consoles, and digital picture frames. |
2009 |
NRCM leads efforts resulting in a bill limiting the amount of mercury allowed in compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) and requires manufacturers to help pay for statewide collection and recycling of the bulbs, ensuring toxic mercury does not end up in landfills and leach into our environment and drinking water supplies. |
2009 |
NRCM and its partners in the Land Bond Coalition secure $7.5 million to protect the nature of Maine. LMF funding provides funding for the State to purchase wildlife habitat, working farms and waterfronts, and other areas through the Land for Maine’s Future program. |
2008 |
NRCM advocates for energy efficient building codes and pushes for the Legislature to pass a bill requiring new residential homes to meet energy efficient standards. |
2008 |
NRCM along with coalition members and concerned activists leads efforts to pass a bill to protect children from toxic chemicals in toys and consumer products and overcome more than two dozen out-of-state lobbyists. Maine will now take a big step forward in protecting our children’s health and will systematically identify and eliminate toxic chemicals in consumer products. |
2008 |
After more than five years of legal battles by NRCM and our partners, the Fort Halifax Dam at the mouth of the Sebasticook River in Winslow is finally removed on July 17, 2008. Now, this section of the river flows freely again and native sea-run fish – striped bass, salmon, sturgeon, and shad – can return to waters they have not seen in a century. |
2007 |
NRCM works with coalition partners to pass legislation that bans the toxic chemical “Deca” from being used as a flame retardant in furniture, electronics and other products. Deca can permanently damage brain and reproductive systems and cause learning disabilities in children. |
2007 |
NRCM works diligently to pass the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative that authorizes Maine’s participation in a 10-state cap-and-trade program to reduce global warming pollution from fossil fuel-fired power plants. RGGI can save electricity customers 5 to 15 percent on electric bills, generate an “energy fund” worth up to $30 million to help Mainers save money through energy efficiency, and provide energy-saving opportunities for everyone from dairy farmers to high-tech companies. |
2006 |
NRCM releases comprehensive analysis and mapping depicting the impact of rising sea levels due to global warming on Maine’s coastline. |
2005-2008 |
NRCM works with concerned citizens statewide who oppose Plum Creek’s massive development proposal for Moosehead Lake. More than 5,000 comments are submitted to the Land Use Regulation Commission in opposition to the development, and hundreds of citizens attend the four public hearings to voice objections and express their love of this beautiful region. |
2005 |
As a member of the Land Bond Coalition, NRCM works hard to secure $10 million to enable the State to purchase more wildlife habitat, working farms, and other areas through the Land for Maine’s Future program. These beautiful and unique natural areas are what make Maine so special. |
2004 |
NRCM leads efforts to pass Maine’s electronic waste (e-waste) law, with overwhelming support in both the House and the Senate. This bill protects Maine people from the toxic substances found in electronics by ensuring safe disposal of them. It also saves taxpayers money by requiring manufacturers to pay for end-of-life disposal of electronic products. |
2003 |
In response to a campaign by NRCM, Maine’s Legislature enacts the first law in the nation setting goals to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other global warming greenhouse gases at the state level. The law also requires Maine to develop a Climate Action Plan. |
2002 |
To reduce toxic pollution that threatens public health and the environment, NRCM helped lead the effort to pass a first-in-the-nation bill requiring carmakers to pay to collect harmful mercury-containing switches from junked cars before scrapping them. Maine’s car mercury switch law was challenged in court by the carmakers, but the law prevailed. As a result, the law has prevented as much as 90 pounds of mercury from getting into our environment each year. |
2002 |
To protect Maine’s precious watersheds, NRCM helps pass a bill requiring major users of water from Maine rivers such as ski areas to report on their annual water withdrawals from public waters. The bill also directs the Board of Environmental Protection to identify those watersheds most at risk and to set standards to help protect aquatic life. |
2000 |
NRCM successfully leads efforts resulting in legislation that requires the recycling of mercury-containing products. Products containing mercury must be labeled to alert consumers to the need to recycle and the bill calls for a household hazardous waste program that serves as an educational program. |
2000 |
NRCM and the Georges River Tidewater Association sue the Warren sewage treatment plant to stop it from polluting the St. George River estuary, in violation of its wastewater discharge license. The estuary is home to rich commercial shellfish beds. To settle the lawsuit, the plant pays $200,000 in attorneys' fees and agrees to change its practices to reduce its pollution. |
2000-2001 |
Working with local residents, NRCM helps ensure clean up of Wyman Station power plant in Yarmouth. Together, we gather 2,500 petition signatures, and 200 people attend the hearing in Augusta. In 2001, the Board of Environmental Protection votes unanimously to develop a clean-up plan for Maine’s most polluting power plant – one that had violated its pollution permit 348 times in 7 years. |
1999 |
After a decade of work, NRCM and its coalition partners achieve removal of the Edwards Dam, restoring 17 miles of the Kennebec River. The coalition convinces FERC to rule for the first time ever that the value of a free-flowing river exceeds its value as a hydro-electric facility. The news is heard around the world. |
1994-1998 |
NRCM co-sponsors Maine Forest Biodiversity Project. |
1994 |
NRCM succeeds in efforts to create Surface Water Ambient Toxics and effluent toxic programs. |
1993 |
NRCM joins with local residents to halt a proposed coal-burning plant in Bucksport, saving Acadia National Park from increased air pollution. |
1991 |
NRCM works with concerned citizens to develop state mining regulations in the face of intense lobbying pressure by multinational mining companies interested in developing several large copper, nickel and cobalt deposits in Maine. The resulting rules place a strong emphasis on ensuring that mining activities do not pollute waterways and groundwater. |
1991 |
NRCM-led ballot initiative creates Maine’s Sensible Transportation Policy Act, requiring the DOT to consider alternatives to road expansions, including the widening of the Maine Turnpike. |
1990 |
NRCM leads efforts to encourage the federal government’s designation of the Caribou-Speckled Wilderness. After many years, 12,000 acres of the White Mountain National Forest in western Maine was set aside as the Caribou Speckled Wilderness Area. Logging, road construction and other disturbances are forbidden in this area. |
1989 |
NRCM assists with drafting and passage of toxic use reduction law to protect workers and communities from hazardous chemicals. |
1989 |
NRCM secures passage of landmark recycling law, reducing the state’s waste stream by more than 25 percent. |
1988 |
NRCM efforts succeed in creating a dioxin monitoring program for Maine. |
1988 |
In response to runaway development and land speculation, NRCM wrote and spearheaded the fight for the Growth Management Law which helps towns to protect rural character, natural resources and wildlife habitat while preventing haphazard development sprawl. |
1986 |
NRCM leads coalition effort to preserve the West Branch of the Penobscot River, defeating the “Big A” dam. The dam would have drowned one of the most scenic stretches in Maine and the nation’s finest landlocked salmon fishery. |
1984 |
NRCM is catalyst for Maine’s first toxic waste cleanup bond issue, supported by Legislature and citizens. |
1984 |
Brownie Carson becomes NRCM's executive director. |
1983 |
NRCM fights a ten-year battle to keep a major oil refinery from being built in Eastport, an inappropriate site that would have been treacherous for navigation by supertankers. The refinery proposal was dropped and Cobscook Bay was saved. |
1983 |
Brownie Carson joins NRCM as staff attorney and advocate at the State House. |
1983 |
NRCM helps pass the Maine Rivers Act, protecting 1,100 miles of Maine’s outstanding rivers from development. |
1979 |
State referendum to continue Bottle Bill passes with 84% of the vote. NRCM takes bill opponents to court for deceptive advertising. |
1977 |
NRCM's work with Maine people results in billboard ban to keep our highways scenic. The bill went into effect on January 1, 1978. |
1977 |
NRCM activities motivate 50,000 voters to sign petition against Dickey–Lincoln Dam Project, which would have flooded the headwaters of the magnificent St. John River. |
1976 |
NRCM worked hard to secure passage of a “Bottle Bill” in the Maine Legislature. In November 1976, the voters of Maine approved a referendum measure creating one of the first statewide bottle redemption laws in the country. Today, it is estimated that more than 90% of all eligible containers are redeemed and recycled, all thanks to the success of the “Bottle Bill” and the “conservation ethic” of the people of Maine. |
1976 |
Bigelow Mountain Preserve referendum passes with strong support from NRCM. |
1974 |
New England’s first Critical Areas Bill becomes law, growing from NRCM’s Natural Areas project. Maine becomes the first New England state to designate natural areas. |
1973 |
NRCM intervened to stop a proposed New England Energy Company oil refinery in Sanford. The NRCM board passed a resolution regarding this refinery that stated, in part, "The environment of Maine's coastal zone is considered by [NRCM] to be incompatible with the development of superports, oil refineries, large tank farms, or other large oil-related facilities." (Resolution of the Natural Resources Council of Maine: The NEECo. Oil Terminal/Refinery Proposal, as reprinted in the October, 1974 Maine Environment newsletter.) |
1971-1972 |
NRCM works to help create Conservation Commissions: In 1971, the Council urged towns to organize conservation commissions. By 1972, 100 towns had established conservation commissions. |
1970 |
NRCM works to end the spraying of DDT in our forests, a practice that almost wiped out Maine’s Bald Eagles. |
1969 |
With critical support from NRCM, the Town of Trenton opposes plans for a nuclear reactor and aluminum smelter, next door to Acadia National Park. |
1966 |
Maine voters pass $1.5 million bond for the Allagash; voting 2:1 in favor. |
1966 |
NRCM leads campaign to create the Allagash Wilderness Waterway to preserve the wild Allagash River. As a result, it is now protected forever from dams and development. |
1962 |
NRCM releases the Allagash Report, providing a key evaluation of the Allagash area. |
1960 |
NRCM holds its first annual meeting, focusing on the Allagash, pesticides and pollution. |
1959 |
The Natural Resources Council of Maine is founded and incorporates as Maine’s first statewide environmental advocacy organization on June 25, 1959. |
