Statement of Emmie Theberge, Federal Project Director, Natural Resources Council of Maine “The Trump Administration’s proposal to scrap the Clean Water Rule is the wrong move for Maine and for our country. If finalized, this ‘Dirty Water Rule’ would strip safeguards from streams and wetlands across the country. In a state like Maine, it would Read More
Clean Water
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.
EPA to Roll Back Water Protections
Supporters praised Trump for scaling back what they said was federal overreach and ‘never about clean water.’ By Ellen Knickmeyer and John Flesher, Associated Press Portland Press Herald news story WASHINGTON — Cabinet chiefs and Republican lawmakers celebrated alongside farm and business leaders Tuesday as the Trump administration made good on one of its biggest Read More
Estimated Cost of Penobscot River Mercury Cleanup Balloons to More than $240M
By Bill Trotter and Judy Harrison, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story The recommended remediation of the Penobscot River estuary due to mercury pollution from a defunct chemical plant would cost between $246 million and $333 million, according to a report filed Tuesday in federal court in Bangor. That is far higher than a Read More
Let DEP Know You Support Upgrading Our Rivers and Streams
By George Smith Bangor Daily News column Maine’s Department of Environmental Protection has proposed exciting upgrades for more than 400 miles of rivers and streams. Although this is supposed to be something that’s done every three years, this is the first time in almost 10 years that the DEP has proposed to upgrade water quality Read More
South Portland’s Tar Sands Ban Upheld in a ‘David vs. Goliath’ Pipeline Battle
Citing Maine’s ‘home rule authority’ to protect public health, the small city took on Big Oil, which lined up behind a company challenging its tar sands ban. By Sabrina Shankman Inside Climate News news story A federal judge has ruled that the coastal city of South Portland, Maine, did not violate the U.S. Constitution when Read More
Camden Considering Ban on Single-Use Plastic Bags
Select Board to hold public hearing August 21 by Brian P. D. Hannon Free Press news story The Camden Board of Selectmen voted August 7 to hold a public hearing on two container proposals with potential environmental impact. The hearing will be held during the board’s next regular meeting, on Tuesday, August 21, starting at Read More
Water for Wildlife and Your Dream Landscape
August—oh how I love this month in Maine! Fewer bug bites, warm days, and cool nights for perfect sleeping weather. Drifting off to dreamland with the peaceful sound of cricket song and a cool evening breeze through open windows just can’t be beat. It’s been so unbearably hot. Cooler evening temperatures can’t come soon enough, right? Read More
Food Businesses Trending Away from Single-use Plastic Items
by Laurie Schreiber Mainebiz news story Increasing numbers of Maine food businesses and lodgings are putting themselves in the forefront of national and international trends to switch out from petroleum-based items like straws, to-go containers and disposable cups and plates, to eco-friendly compostable versions. The Migis Hotel Group switched from plastic drinking straws to paper Read More
Persuasive 2nd-Grader Prompts Portland to Ban Plastic Straws in City Hall Cafe
The city manager says he’s happy to implement ‘Phoebe’s Rule’ banning plastic straws, and hopes that others will do the same. by Julie Pike, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story Portland has joined the growing backlash against disposable plastic straws by ending their use in the Clock Tower Cafe at City Hall. The move Read More