To protect an ingredient vital to their product, they oppose having the agency oversee fewer waterways under a Trump administration proposal to restrict the government’s powers. by James Patrick, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story Four Maine breweries have signed on to an effort to fight the Trump administration’s plan to repeal a rule Read More
Federal Issues
Our advocates, members, supporters, and partners work to defend our hard-earned environmental safeguards and to ensure Maine’s elected officials in Washington, DC, stand up for Maine’s environment. Decisions made there have lasting effects on Maine’s clean water, fresh air, healthy forests, thriving wildlife, and on the health of Maine people, our economy, and our way of life.
The Natural Resources Council of Maine identifies and addresses the issues at play in our nation’s capital that have the largest impacts here at home.
Find out the latest on federal issues affecting our state's land, air, water, and wildlife.
Maine’s New Monument Offers Chance for Rustic Adventures
by Patrick Whittle, The Associated Press Boston Globe news story STACYVILLE, Maine (AP) — In a rural corner of Maine that’s so remote even Mainers call it “the willy-wags,” there’s a new place for camping, hiking and birding. But it comes with a dash of political intrigue. Maine’s new Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument Read More
Could Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument Become a Full-fledged National Park?
Boston Globe editorial NEW ENGLAND could finally get its second national park, courtesy of support from the unlikeliest source — the Trump administration. Give credit where it’s due: Trump’s interior secretary, Ryan Zinke, said during a recent visit to Maine that he could support turning a beautiful new national monument in northern Maine, Katahdin Woods Read More
I Hope Zinke’s Visit Showed Him the Importance of the North Woods Monument
By Sheridan Steele, Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News op-ed Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke’s recent visit to Maine to see firsthand our majestic landscapes is a good exercise of his role of chief steward of our nation’s national parks and monuments. But contemplating reduction or elimination of our public land is not. Read More
With Lobsters and Climate, There’s Not a Debate
Fishery experts don’t waste time with politics when their livelihood is threatened by rising temperatures. Portland Press Herald editorial During a week in which much of the world was wondering whether the president of the United States considers climate change a threat, in a Portland hotel conference room full of people who spend their lives Read More
Maine Desperately Needs the Benefits the Monument Can Bring
By Cody McEwen, Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News op-ed The Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument is a focal point in the lives of business owners and residents of the Katahdin region. Now the U.S. Department of the Interior is conducting a review to determine if there was sufficient public input before its Read More
Zinke Might Recommend Katahdin Monument be National Park
By Nick Sambides Jr., BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story TOWNSHIP 2, RANGE 8 ― Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke said Thursday that he might recommend that Maine’s Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument be upgraded to a national park. Asked on the second day of his fact-finding tour of northern Maine if Read More
Interior Secretary Sees No Reason to Reduce Size of “Beautiful” Katahdin National Monument
He visits the 87,500-acre Maine site as part of a federal review, noting it offers public access and jobs but stopping short of affirming the monument designation opposed by Gov. LePage. by Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story Against the backdrop of Mount Katahdin, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, left, talks with Lucas Read More
Visit Should Convince Interior Secretary that Monument is Welcome Addition to Maine, America
Bangor Daily News editorial We are pleased that Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke is visiting the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument and surrounding area as part of his assignment from President Donald Trump to review 27 recently created monuments. It is important for him to meet with area residents firsthand and to spend time exploring Read More