As Trump administration reviews 27 national monuments, conservationists fear a federally mandated effort to strip public lands of environmental protections by Edward Helmore The Guardian news story A decision by the Republican governor of Maine, Paul LePage, to ban signs to Katahdin Woods and Waters, a national monument designated by Barack Obama, has been described 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!
Gulf of Maine Will Become Too Warm for Many Key Fish, Report Says
Cod and haddock will see prime habitat areas vanish this century, but lobsters will find new spaces to grow. by Colin Woodard, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story A new study by federal fisheries scientists predicts the warming of the Gulf of Maine will cause a dramatic contraction of suitably cool habitat for a Read More
‘Everything Changed’ — Millinocket-Area Businesses Tout Benefits of National Monument
By A.J. Higgins Maine Public news story The Trump administration has vowed to review some of the national monument designations carried out in the Obama years, which could include Maine’s Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. Gov. Paul LePage says the monument, and its potential to become a national park, pose a real threat to Read More
Legislative Panel Unanimously Rejects Pesticides Bill Proposed by LePage
The proposal, which mirrored model legislation promoted by the American Legislative Exchange Council, would have prohibited local restrictions stricter than the state’s. by Kevin Miller, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — A legislative committee has voted unanimously to reject a bill that would have prohibited Maine cities and towns from adopting pesticides Read More
Maine House Approves Strict Mining Rules
The margin of victory suggests the bill could have enough support to override a potential veto by Gov. Paul LePage. by Kevin Miller, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — A bill proposing some of the nation’s strictest environmental regulations for mining operations passed the Maine House on Thursday after a lengthy debate Read More
Mining Rule Compromise Sailing for Passage after Maine House Vote
By Michael Shepherd, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story AUGUSTA, Maine — A compromise bill that would allow mining in Maine with strict environmental protections sailed easily through the state House of Representatives on Thursday, putting it on a smooth path toward final passage in the Legislature. It could end the five-year struggle over Read More
Lewiston Liquor Bottler Warns Ending “Nips” Sales Would Have “Drastic Impact” on Company
A letter from the Sazerac Co. CEO suggests Gov. LePage’s threat to end sales of 50-milliliter bottles – not a proposed 5-cent bottle deposit – would harm his company and the state. by Kevin Miller, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA – The head of a Lewiston liquor bottler withdrew his support for Read More
LePage Threatens to Veto Deposit on “Nips,” Remove Them from Maine Stores
The governor responds to a bill, likely headed for his desk, that would add the miniature liquor bottles to the state’s bottle deposit bill to reduce littering. by Kevin Miller, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage vowed Tuesday to veto a bipartisan bill that would impose a 5-cent deposit Read More
Trump’s Fight against Environmental Protection is a Threat to Maine’s Economy and Health
By Sharon S. Tisher and Harold W. Borns Jr., Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News op-ed Last month, the planet passed an unfortunate milestone. The Mauna Loa Observatory recorded for the first time a reading of more than 410 parts per million of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide hasn’t been at this Read More