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
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.
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
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
NRCM Statement on Unanimous Maine Senate Vote for New Protective Mining Law for Maine
Statement of Nick Bennett, Staff Scientist, Natural Resources Council of Maine “NRCM is grateful for today’s unanimous vote in the Maine Senate for a mining bill that will protect Maine’s clean water and taxpayers from the risks of irresponsible mining. “This strong bipartisan bill is the culmination of five years of effort by lawmakers and Read More
Maine Senate Unanimously Votes to Ban Open-pit Mining
By Anthony Brino, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story The Maine Senate has passed a bipartisan metal mining bill that would ban open pit mines and wastewater impoundments, although some environmental advocates fear it does not go far enough. LD 820, An Act To Protect Maine’s Clean Water and Taxpayers from Mining Pollution, passed Read More
Bill to Restrict Mineral Mining Headed for Maine Senate
Sen. Brownie Carson says his bill would be ‘the most protective piece of mining legislation I believe that can be found anywhere.’ by the Associated Press Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — Leading environmental groups and state environmental regulators are working together on a bill they say would create strict regulations for mining Maine’s Read More
Once Again, the River Runs Wild
The now-undammed Penobscot River has brought bounty to my backyard. by Robert Klose Christian Science Monitor news story MAY 3, 2017 —Until recently, my home was snuggled neatly between two dams along the banks of the Penobscot River here in central Maine. The behavior of the river was therefore a function of the human forces Read More
LD 1350, Amend Law Regarding Recreational Gold Prospecting
Senator Saviello, Representative Tucker, 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, which is Maine’s largest environmental advocacy group with over 20,000 members and supporters. I am testifying in opposition to LD 1350. Motorized gold dredging Read More
Lawmakers Back Bill to Overhaul Maine’s Mining Regulations
The long-sought compromise, which has the support of several major environmental organizations, would ban open-pit mines and prohibit mining on state-owned public lands and under lakes. by Kevin Miller, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — A legislative committee gave near-unanimous support Wednesday to a proposed overhaul of Maine’s mining regulations that has Read More
