Clean, healthy waterways are vital to our day-to-day lives. They help ensure safe drinking water, suitable habitat for fish and other wildlife, and recreational opportunities that make Maine a special place to live, work, and visit. NRCM is working hard to protect and restore Maine’s lakes, rivers, and streams, now and for generations to come.
But Maine's waterways face huge challenges. For decades, paper companies and other mills along Maine's rivers have treated these great waterways as their own private dumping grounds. The pollution they discharge prevents our native fish from thriving and impairs the quality of life for the people who live in those communities.
Pollution is one issue, dams are another. Dams continue to choke waterways across the state. While some dams are strategically located to minimize damage to fisheries and generate significant amounts of renewable electricity, other dams are obsolete or destroy fisheries resources that are worth far more than the small amount of power they generate.
One such dam was the Edwards Dam. NRCM’s work with coalition partners to remove the Edwards Dam from the Kennebec has become a national model for success. Now, NRCM and our partners in the Penobscot River Restoration Trust are working to restore this vital watershed for the wildlife and people of Maine.
NRCM has served as the voice of Maine people by advocating for clean and healthy waterways. Find out more about the issues we work on and how you can get involved to ensure clean and healthy waters for Maine.
NRCM Testimony in Opposition to LD 146, Resolve, Regarding Legislative Review of Chapter 200: Metallic Mineral Exploration, Advanced Exploration and Mining, a Major Substantive Rule of the DEP
Senator Saviello, Representative Welsh, and members of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee: My name is Nick Bennett, and I am the staff scientist for the Natural Resources Council of Maine. I reside in Hallowell. I am testifying in opposition to LD 146. NRCM believes these proposed rules will not protect Maine’s environment or Maine Read More
Maine Digs In to Review Mining Rules in Fight Over Remote Mountain
Canadian conglomerate faces off against environmentalists, tourism industry; compromise appears possible by Jon Kamp Wall Street Journal news story Closely held Irving, the state’s largest landowner, was the main driver behind a 2012 law that directed state regulators to replace 1991 mining rules, lawmakers say. The law’s proponents, including Republican Gov. Paul LePage, blame the Read More
LePage Joins Governor Coalition That’s Working to Expand Offshore Drilling
The group’s first member from the Northeast says the state could benefit from more natural gas exploration, and some ask: Is he eyeing the Gulf of Maine? By Steve Mistler. Portland Press Herald Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage has joined a coalition of governors supporting offshore drilling and exploration for Read More
EPA Decision: Maine Water Quality Standards Inadequate for Tribal Waters
By Susan Sharon MPBN news story AUGUSTA, Maine – In a decision that is being welcomed as “historic” by Maine Indian tribes, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has asked the state of Maine to revise some water quality standards for tribal waters. The decision comes during ongoing litigation brought by the state against the EPA. Read More
Bill to Ban Microbeads in Maine Backed by Both Sides
In a rare alignment, manufacturers and environmentalists join to help the measure sail easily through committee. By Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story A bill that would ban soaps, shampoos and other consumer products containing tiny plastic “microbeads” in Maine sailed through a legislative committee Wednesday after manufacturers and environmentalists made a Read More
Support of LD 85, An Act to Prohibit Synthetic Plastic Microbeads in Personal Care Products and Over-the-counter Drugs
Senator Saviello, Representative Welsh, and members of the Joint Standing Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, my name is Sarah Lakeman and I am the Sustainable Maine Policy Advocate for the Natural Resources Council of Maine. I appreciate this opportunity to testify in support of LD 85. There is a strong case for phasing out Read More
Land Deal Protects Nearly 5,800 Acres in Franklin County
The deal, which was finalized recently between The Trust for Public Land and Linkletter Timberlands, provides public access for recreation – including on two ITS snowmobile trails – while maintaining the land as a working forest. By Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story A conservation group has finalized a land deal to Read More
A National Park Would Permanently Protect an Area Sacred to the Penobscot Nation
By Kirk Francis, Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News news story The Penobscot River is the heart of the cultural identity of the Penobscot Nation. We have been the caretakers of this great watershed since time immemorial, and we consider that responsibility to be a very serious priority for our tribe. The people of Read More
Irving Files Plan with Land Use Commission to Rezone 51,000 Acres Around Fish River Chain
by Don Eno, Reporter St. John Valley Times news story ST. JOHN VALLEY, Maine – More than 51,000 acres of land around the Fish River Chain of Lakes in the St. John Valley could be rezoned if the Maine Land Use Planning Commission approves a plan submitted Wednesday, Dec. 24, by J.D. Irving subsidiaries – Read More
Banner photo: Allagash Wilderness Waterway by Sam Horine
