As the BEP gets ready for its meeting, public response is running strongly against the proposed changes. by North Cairn, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story The state Board of Environmental Protection will meet Thursday to continue reviewing more than 1,000 pages of public comment against changes proposed by the Department of Environmental Protection Read More
State House Watch
Working for legislation to protect Maine’s environment is an essential part of NRCM’s mission for the people of Maine. During the legislative session, we are at the Maine State House, just a block from our office, to work for new safeguards and also to defend existing legislation that protects Maine’s land, air, water, and wildlife.
Change of Heart? Maine Gov. Convenes Climate Change Group
by Susan Sharon MPBN news story Gov. Paul LePage, who has previously referred to global warming as “a scam,” and who has said he’s not convinced that human activities are a significant contributor to greenhouse gases, is now asking the Department of Environmental Protection and other state agencies to take steps — albeit small ones Read More
Bald Mountain Open-pit Proposal Shows Need for Strong Mining Rules
The rules that Maine has drafted will protect neither our environment nor our taxpayers. by Nick Bennett, NRCM Staff Scientist and Watersheds Project Director Portland Press Herald op-ed AUGUSTA — In his Nov. 6 Maine Voices column, Walter Anderson missed the mark on the mining issues facing Maine (“Maine should take lead in crafting modern Read More
Maine Legislators Try to End Missed Dam Deadlines
A bill would tighten oversight of the DEP when it comes to dam relicensing to keep the state from losing its say on water levels. by Colin Woodard Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — Lawmakers want to impose firmer oversight of the Department of Environmental Protection’s handling of dam relicensing after the state missed Read More
Repeal Mining Law; Don’t Mine Bald Mountain
by Jody Spear Bangor Daily News op-ed It pays to take notes at public hearings held by state regulatory boards. Scribes who stayed for the entire day were able to fill volumes on Oct. 17, when dozens of people came before the Board of Environmental Protection to register concerns about new rules proposed expressly to Read More
Many Testify Against Revising Maine Mining Rules
But those who speak in support of easing the standards say the changes would create jobs. by North Cairn, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — A proposal to rewrite state regulations to streamline the permitting process for open-pit mining met with skepticism and impassioned opposition from scores of people who turned out Read More
Controversial Mining Rules Under Debate at Heavily Attended Hearing in Augusta
By Christopher Cousins, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story AUGUSTA, Maine — A bid by the state’s largest landholder to relaunch the state’s mining industry in Aroostook County squared off Thursday against concerns that mining’s dark past in Maine could return in the form of environmental damage that may never be reversed. But proponents Read More
Maine Board Hears Arguments on Proposed New Mining Rules
by A.J. Higgins Maine Public news story More than 150 people turned out for a hearing in Augusta today on proposed mining rules developed by the state Department of Environmental Protection. Some favor a planned mine for northern Maine under the rules currently written. Others want any future operations to be more heavily regulated. As Read More
Maine Lakes at Risk from LePage Administration
Report Documents Damage to DEP’s Lake Protection Efforts NRCM Press Release The Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) today released an investigative report documenting damage caused to the State of Maine’s lake protection efforts under the Administration of Governor LePage. Although Maine’s lakes are among our state’s most valuable natural resources, the NRCM report finds Read More
