We are thrilled about President Obama’s decision to establish a new national monument in Maine on land east of Baxter State Park. We can think of no better way to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service than with the addition of the wonderful Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. We are delighted 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!
State’s Warming Waters Create Both Reasons to Change and Opportunities
The success of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative shows we can be green and create good jobs. By George Lapointe and Tom Tietenberg Portland Press Herald op-ed We know that the threat of climate disruption to Maine is real, in part because we are experiencing early warning signs. The science is also clear that the Read More
Roxanne Quimby Transfers 87,000 Acres Planned for National Monument to US Government
By Nick Sambides Jr., BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story BANGOR, Maine — The company owned by Roxanne Quimby’s family transferred more than 87,000 acres to the federal government on Tuesday, strongly indicating President Barack Obama soon will designate a North Woods national monument. Susan F. Bulay, Penobscot County register of deeds, confirmed the Read More
I Used to Oppose a Big Park in the North Woods. Now, I See a National Monument Can Work.
By Bucky Owen, Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News op-ed I can envision a small national monument east of Baxter State Park centered around three rivers: the East Branch of the Penobscot, the Seboeis and the Wassataquoik, all special places in Maine. The name is one I came up with, but the idea of Read More
Puffin Chicks In Gulf Of Maine’s Largest Colony Starve To Death At Record Rate
By Colin Woodard, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story Machias Seal Island, home of the largest puffin colony in the Gulf of Maine, has had the worst breeding season ever recorded, with the vast majority of chicks starving to death in their burrows. The disaster followed a sudden drop in the puffins’ food supply Read More
16-year Penobscot River Restoration Project Reaches the Finish Line
by James McCarthy Mainebiz news story For the first time since the 1800s, nearly 1,000 miles of habitat along the Penobscot River are accessible to Atlantic salmon and 10 other fish species that spend part of their lives at sea but return to fresh water for spawning. The final step making that possible — a Read More
Maine Looks Again at Overhauling Mining Regulations
By Kevin Miller, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story The Maine Department of Environmental Protection is once again proposing a major rewrite of the state’s metallic mining regulations, reviving a controversial issue that failed twice in the Legislature during the past two years. DEP officials said the proposed rules are needed to address inconsistencies Read More
Quimby Gives 100 Acres to Acadia on Centennial
By Dick Broom, staff writer Mount Desert Islander news story ACADIA NAT’L PARK — Philanthropist Roxanne Quimby’s land conservation foundation, Elliotsville Plantation Inc., is donating 13 parcels of land totaling 100 acres on Mount Desert Island to Acadia National Park just in time to help the park celebrate its centennial. Five of the parcels are Read More
Poliquin Puts Fate of National Monument in Hands of Utah Lawmakers
By David Jenkins, Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News op-ed U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin often frames his primary concern about the possible establishment of a national monument in the Katahdin region as one of process and that the decision is locally driven. Too bad his actions suggest otherwise. Poliquin has shown utter contempt for Read More