Distinguished Members of the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry: My name is Beth Della Valle. I am here as President of the Maine Association of Planners to testify in opposition to LDs 17, 1258, and 1534. The Maine Association of Planners, or MAP, is a statewide organization of approximately 100 members, including 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!
Statement by Gordon Mott, North Woods Landowner and Forester
My name is Gordon Mott. I am a land manager and forester. I live in a town that has been under LURC land-use planning, permitting and code enforcement for the 40 years since LURC was established. I have my own small private business managing land parcels located in five counties. I also deal with Planning Read More
Brownie Carson Earns EPA Lifetime Achievement Award and USM Distinguished Achievement Award
NRCM’s Former Executive Director has led battles for clean water, clean air, and the health of Maine’s people, wildlife, and natural areas for 27 years Boston, MA – Today, at historic Faneuil Hall in Boston, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is honoring the lifetime achievements of a champion for the protection of Maine’s air, land, Read More
At Issue: Are Billboards an Unmet Need, or ‘Visual Litter’?
Pro-business and environmental views collide at a hearing on bills that would loosen the 34-year-old ban in Maine. by Rebekah Metzler Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA – Two daughters of the woman who led the effort to enact Maine’s 34-year-old ban on billboards testified Tuesday against proposals that they said would erode her legacy. Read More
Proposal to Lift Maine’s Billboard Ban Sparks Opposition
by A.J. Higgins Maine Public news story A pair of bills has surfaced in the Legislature’s Transportation Committee that would try to help the cash-strapped state DOT find new ways to build and maintain roads. But a provision for billboards in one bill, and the option for business signs in another, created an uproar during public Read More
A Better Plan for Moosehead Lake is Possible
Bangor Daily News op-ed In a victory for democracy, a Maine Superior Court judge recently sent Plum Creek’s massive development proposal for Maine’s Moosehead Lake region back to the Land Use Regulation Commission and provided the opportunity to work on a better plan. Seattle-based Plum Creek, a Real Estate Investment Trust and the largest private Read More
“Protecting the Nature of Maine” Wins New England Emmy Nomination
News Release Protecting the Nature of Maine: 50 Years of the Natural Resources Council of Maine, was nominated for a New England Emmy Award by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in the Outstanding Environmental Program category. The Emmy Awards ceremony will be held on May 14 in Boston. “We are pleased that Read More
A Better Plum Creek Project
Bangor Daily News editorial A Superior Court ruling sending Plum Creek’s controversial Moosehead Lake development project back to regulators offers a fresh opportunity to improve the plan. The Land Use Regulation Commission must ignore the loud and competing voices and help Plum Creek see the need to present a smaller, more environmentally sensitive proposal. Failing Read More
Judge Puts Plum Creek on Hold
A Superior Court ruling faults LURC commissioners and reorders hearings to reopen. by The Associated Press Portland Press Herald news story PORTLAND — A state judge on Thursday put a stop to Plum Creek Timber Co.’s sprawling resort and residential development in the Moosehead Lake region, citing missteps by the regulatory agency that gave approval Read More