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
Forests and Wildlife
NRCM works to protect Maine’s natural areas and wild, undeveloped character, particularly in the North Woods. We support responsible land development and sustainable forest practices that protect sensitive ecosystems and wildlife. We work for increased public ownership of Maine lands, so future generations will know the Maine we love today.
Protection of Maine’s natural, remote areas was one of the issues for which NRCM was founded in 1959. More than 60 years later, much progress has been made but major threats to Maine’s land and water resources continue.
Read news & blogs about our work to protect Maine's forests and wildlife.
Gov. Paul LePage to Testify Against National Monument
by Michael Shepherd Bangor Daily News news story printed on sunjournal.com Gov. Paul LePage is planning another trip to Washington, D.C. This time, it’s about the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. The Republican governor told WGAN on Thursday he’s going in April or May to testify before a congressional committee that former President Barack Obama Read More
Support of LD 922, An Act Directing the Commissioner of Marine Resources To Investigate the Conditions of Sheepscot Pond Related to a Management Plan for Anadromous Fish
Senator Maker, Representative Kumiega, and members of the Marine Resources Committee: My name is Nick Bennett, and I am the Staff Scientist for the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM). NRCM is Maine’s largest environmental advocacy group with more than 20,000 members and supporters. I am testifying in support of LD 922, which would reopen Read More
Strong Opposition to Mining in Maine – But It Still Might Be Allowed
by George Smith Bangor Daily News column “God does not come back and rebuild these mountains.” That was the testimony of a Maine tribal leader, in a 6-hour public hearing by the legislature’s Environment and Natural Resources Committee on mining bills. Many strong statements were delivered yesterday afternoon at the hearing. One of the strongest Read More
Town Bans Single-use Plastic Bags
Brunswick Town Council conducts vote on Monday by Juliette Laaka, Times Record Staff Times Record news story The Brunswick Town Council voted Monday to ban single-use plastic bags, with the measure set to be enacted Sept. 1. All councilors barring John Perreault were in favor of the ordinance, proposed by Councilors Steve Walker and Kathy Read More
Trump’s Proposed NOAA Cuts Imperil Wells Reserve in Maine
The president wants to end the funding that covers 70% of the operating costs for the wildlife sites used by the public, researchers, and educators. by Colin Woodard, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story The Wells Reserve at Laudholm could become a casualty of a Trump administration plan to slash the budget of the 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
If America’s Public Lands Were a Business, the GOP Would be Bungling the Balance Sheet
by Yvon Chouinard Bangor Daily News reprint of LA Times op-ed American politicians have always been obsessed with running government “like a business.” They promise to make bureaucracies leaner and let the free market fix all our problems. Well, if America’s public lands were a business, shareholders would be shocked by the gross negligence of Read More
