Having survived (can I say “enjoyed?”) NRCM’s New Year’s Eve day Polar Bear Dip & Dash and welcoming in the New Year with a sunrise walk with the dog through the Spurwink Marsh, I feel like I am entering 2012 with a good reserve of energy and optimism. Looks like we will all need lots of both. Before Read More
Recalling the Cold Sledgehammer: NRCM’s Polar Dip and Dash
By Jeff Wells I have felt the cold sledgehammer of ice water closing in on my head before—that’s what it felt like to me when I plunged under the icy waters of the Atlantic Ocean at Portland’s East End Beach during the Natural Resources Council of Maine’s (NRCM’s) Polar Plunge in 2009. That was a Read More
Mean Mr. Grinch Thwarted this Holiday Season
On a recent blustery winter day, I found myself skulking and slinking around Portland’s Monument Square dressed as Dr. Seuss’ the Grinch. Sporting a three-piece, pinstriped suit and hauling bags of dirty coal over my shoulder, I spread holiday fear wherever I went. But why, you ask? I have never considered myself a Grinch by Read More
Shiny Patches in Maine’s Streambeds are Bright Sign for Salmon
by Murray Carpenter New York Times news story WASHINGTON COUNTY, Me. – Ernie Atkinson waded up Old Stream on a warm fall afternoon, peering through polarized sunglasses to scan the streambed. Before long, he pointed out a place where the bottom looked different. “You can see how the gravel is a lot cleaner right here–it Read More
New Mercury Safeguards Will Save Lives, Cut Pollution in Maine
NRCM news release December 21, 2011 — Maine health and environment groups are applauding new safeguards that will protect kids and families from dangerous air pollution from mercury and other toxic chemicals that flow here from dirty power plants. The Environmental Protection Agency today announced new standards for power plant emissions that will significantly cut Read More
Coalition Concerned About Impact of LURC Proposal on Maine’s North Woods
Planners, conservationists, and citizens throughout Maine are concerned about the impact of proposed changes to Maine’s Land Use Regulation Commission (LURC) on Maine’s North Woods, and are urging the Legislature to examine the proposal carefully and think long and hard about the importance of Maine’s signature natural resource. “We are pleased that the LURC Reform Read More
Statement on Proposed Restructuring of Maine DEP
by Pete Didisheim, NRCM Advocacy Director We are deeply concerned about the Administration’s announcement to pursue a massive restructuring of Maine’s DEP, and we urge the Legislature to put the brakes on this bad idea. We are aware of no evidence that this proposal will be good for Maine — not for taxpayers, Maine businesses, Read More
Bureaucratic Malpractice: Maine DEP Waives Water Quality Certification for Flagstaff Lake
Maine Loses Ability to Have Any Say in Water Management for Next 25 Years NRCM * AMC * CLF * Maine Rivers * Trout Unlimited PORTLAND, ME – Conservation groups are charging that the deep cuts in, and ongoing reorganization of, personnel at the Maine Department of Environmental Protection have resulted in a clear case of Read More
NRCM Testimony to Maine BEP Regarding Permit by Rule, Moderate Waterfowl and Wading Bird Habitat
I am Tony Owens from Cape Elizabeth. Thank you for taking my testimony. Although my professional career has been that of an emergency physician, my avocation has been that of an outdoorsman. I daily walk and paddle southern Maine’s local wetlands, both salt and fresh water. Casting for striped bass, hunting ducks and geese, or watching Read More