Good afternoon Senator Davis, Representative Martin, and members of the State and Local Government Committee. My name is Cathy Johnson. I am a resident of Alna and the Forests and Wildlife Project Director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine. I am here today on behalf of the 20,000 members and supporters of the Natural Read More
North Woods Protection & LUPC
The 10.4-million-acre Maine North Woods, which makes up nearly half of the entire state, is the largest remaining undeveloped forest in the eastern United States. The region is at risk of being lost forever, as rapid changes in ownership have brought unprecedented pressures – from development to heavy logging.
Support of LD 901, An Act to Amend the Laws Governing the Determination of a Wind Energy Development’s Effect on the Scenic Character of Maine’s Special Places
Good afternoon Senator Saviello, Representative Tucker, and members of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee. My name is Eliza Donoghue and I am the Forests and Wildlife Policy Advocate for the Natural Resources Council of Maine. I am here today on behalf of NRCM’s 20,000 members and supporters in support of LD 901, “An Act Read More
LePage Plan to Outsource State Park Jobs Questioned
A lawmaker says outsourcing workers because of poor equipment is like eliminating a state trooper whose cruiser is dying. by Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — LePage administration proposals to outsource two dozen state park jobs and eliminate conservation-related positions received a chilly reception from some lawmakers and advocacy groups Read More
Opposition to 2018-19 Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Biennial Budget
Good afternoon Senator Hamper, Representative Gattine, and Members of the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee, and Senator Davis, Representative Dunphy, and Members of the Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry Committee. My name is Eliza Donoghue. I am here today on behalf of the 19,000 members and supporters of the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) to Read More
Opposition to LD 519, An Act To Clarify Occupancy for Tents, Campers, Trailers and Other Devices used for Camping in Unorganized Townships
Good afternoon Senator Davis, Representative Dunphy, and members of the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee. My name is Cathy Johnson. I am a resident of Alna and the Forests and Wildlife Project Director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine. I am here today on behalf of the 16,000 members and supporters of the Natural Read More
Opposition to LD 549, An Act to Recognize Preexisting Uses
Good afternoon Senator Davis, Representative Dunphy, and members of the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee. My name is Cathy Johnson. I am a resident of Alna and the Forests and Wildlife Project Director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine. I am here today on behalf of the 16,000 members and supporters of the Natural Read More
How Would LePage’s Plan to Outsource Park Jobs Affect Visitors?
Conservation advocates believe replacing the current staff would hurt the visitor experience, but the state says the change comes with benefits. by Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — Conservation advocates are raising concerns about Gov. Paul LePage’s proposal to outsource two dozen jobs at Maine’s state parks and to eliminate Read More
The Irvings’ Invasion of Maine
by Bruce Livesey, National Observer news story Reprinted with permission in the Lewiston Sun Journal This is one part in a six-part series titled “The House of Irving” by investigative reporter Bruce Livesey of the Vancouver-based National Observer. The series examines the powerful role the Irving family plays in the business, politics and media of Read More
Plan for Development in the UT Through Zoning, Not Weakened Standards
By The BDN Editorial Board Bangor Daily News editorial Land owners, developers and residents of the state’s Unorganized Territory have long complained that it is too hard to subdivide land and build houses there. Currently, the Land Use Planning Commission is considering easing a longtime restriction on subdivisions throughout the entire 10 million acres of Read More
