By Nick Bennett, Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News op-ed This year, the Maine Legislature rejected weak regulations that would have allowed mining companies to pollute our waters and shift massive cleanup costs to Maine taxpayers. A recent mine disaster in Canada shows that lawmakers made the right decision. The disaster occurred when the Read More
Maine Environmental News
Maine environmental news often comes quickly and with little warning. Stay up to date on Maine environment news.
From issues such as climate change, healthy waters, Maine forests and wildlife, and sustainability—and environmental policy that could impact them—you’ll find NRCM’s up-to-the-minute news releases to see our perspective on the most pressing issues facing Maine’s land, air, waters, and wildlife. This includes findings relating to our role as Maine’s watchdog of activities of state environmental agencies—we stand ready to blow the whistle when regulations are not enforced.
You can also find our news “round up,” News & Noteworthy, which puts the spotlight on media stories that do a particularly good job capturing current news about Maine's environment. We hope you find this part of our website helpful and informative!
Report: Climate Change Threatens Outdoor Recreation, Mainers’ Health
by Jackie Farwell, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story PORTLAND, Maine — Climate change has exacerbated populations of ticks, mosquitoes and other pests that threaten health and outdoor recreation, according to a national report released in Portland on Tuesday. Shorter winters and warmer summers have allowed problematic bugs — along with poison ivy and Read More
Report: Climate Change Threatens America’s Cherished Outdoor Experience
Stressful Weather Conditions Exacerbate Pests and Threaten Health in Maine News release by NRCM and NWF Climate change is creating favorable conditions for many bothersome pests – from ticks to poison ivy and jellyfish to mosquitoes– increasing their numbers and expanding their ranges, according to a new report released in Portland today by health, wildlife, Read More
Quarter-mile Section All that Separates Androscoggin River from Improved Water-quality Standard
by Bonnie Washuk, Staff Writer Sun Journal news story LEWISTON — On a recent August afternoon, outdoorswoman and Bates College retiree Judith Marden was on the Androscoggin River, in Gulf Island Pond, learning to paddleboard. “I’m not very good at it,” the 69-year-old said with a laugh. The first time Marden tried “I fell off Read More
EPA Official Praises Maine, Other New England States for Climate Protection
By Kevin Miller, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story New England’s market-based approach to reducing carbon dioxide emissions shows that states can fight climate change while still improving their economies, the region’s top environmental officials said Wednesday. Curt Spalding, Environmental Protection Agency administrator for New England, suggested that Maine and most other northeastern states Read More
Mainers Urge Support for EPA’s Carbon Pollution Standards for Power Plants
NRCM News Release Portland, ME – During a “citizen hearing” today in Portland, local health experts, marine fisheries experts, clean energy leaders and conservation advocates, highlighted the public health and economic benefits of the EPA’s new carbon pollution standards for power plants, and urged Maine’s elected leaders, including Senators Collins and King to pledge support Read More
Setting Rivers Free: As Dams are Torn Down, Nature is Quickly Recovering
By Doug Struck, Contributor Christian Science Monitor cover story BENTON FALLS, Maine — “Look underneath you,” commands Nate Gray, a burly biologist for the state of Maine. He reaches down to the grate floor of a steel cage perched on a dam straddling the Sebasticook River, and pulls back a board revealing the roiling river Read More
Public Input Enhanced in Maine’s New Dam Law
Legislation to give sportsmen and waterfront property owners a greater say in relicensing passes in response to DEP having missed deadlines in 2013. By Dennis Hoey, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story A new law that takes effect Friday will ensure increased public input, greater legislative oversight and more transparency whenever a dam has Read More
Bowdoin Biologist Investigates Tadpole Die-off
Nat Wheelwright says 200,000 died in less than a day last year. ‘It was like a nuclear bomb went off.’ by Chelsea Diana, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story More than 200,000 wood frog tadpoles died within 21 hours last year at a pond in Nat Wheelwright’s backyard in Brunswick, in what may be Read More
