Good afternoon, Senator Brenner, Representative Gramlich, and members of the ENR Committee. My name is Nick Bennett, and I am the staff scientist for the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM). NRCM is Maine’s largest environmental advocacy group with more than 30,000 members and supporters. I am commenting in support of the Department of Environmental Read More
Mining Pollution
Mining is one of the most dangerous industrial activities, with mining pollution affecting wildlife habitat, clean waters, and public health. Mining metals in deposits with high levels of sulfides, which are common in Maine, is especially dangerous. Mining companies search for metals like copper and zinc in deposits where iron sulfide is present in large quantities. Iron sulfide creates acid when exposed to air and water. This acid kills fish and other aquatic creatures. It also leaches out toxic heavy metals, such as lead and arsenic, that may also be in the mined rock.
Pickett Mountain Mining Proposal Rejected
Decision comes after overwhelming opposition from Wabanaki Tribes, local businesses, and conservation groups Penobscot Nation | Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians | Natural Resources Council of Maine | Conservation Law Foundation | Maine Audubon | Earthjustice News release February 14, 2024 (Brewer, ME) The Land Use Planning Commission (LUPC) has firmly rejected a mining proposal Read More
News & Noteworthy: October—December 2023
We highlight news stories and opinion pieces related to Maine’s land, air, water, and wildlife in our monthly News & Noteworthy. December 2023 NRCM Staff Scientist Nick Bennett and Dan Kusnierz, the water resources program manager for the Penobscot Nation, wrote a strong op-ed about why the proposal for a mine in the Katahdin region Read More
Maine Voices Opposed to Wolfden’s Mining
As the Land Use Planning Commission (LUPC) prepares to make its decision regarding Wolfden Resources’ flawed mining proposal, more than a thousand Mainers, local businesses, Wabanaki tribes, government agencies, and conservation and philanthropic organizations have submitted written testimony opposed to the project because it’s too big of a risk for Maine. The broad range of Read More
News & Noteworthy — July-September 2023
Read these noteworthy news stories and opinion pieces related to Maine’s land, air, water, and wildlife and the work of the Natural Resources Council of Maine. September 28, 2023 Last weekend many of you were at the Common Ground Country Fair in Unity. Thanks to all who stopped by to say hi to us in Read More
Your Questions Answered: Wolfden’s Proposed Pickett Mountain Mine
An untested and underfunded company called Wolfden Resources has submitted a second rezoning petition to the Land Use Planning Commission (LUPC) to allow for the development of a zinc mine near Pickett Mountain in the Katahdin region. The Canada-based exploration and development company focused on metallic mining deposits was forced to withdraw its first application Read More
October 16-17, 2023: Pickett Mountain Mine Public Comment Sessions, Millinocket
Public Comment Sessions: The Katahdin Region is No Place for a Mine An untested and underfunded company, Canada-based Wolfden Resources Corporation, Inc. has proposed building a zinc metal mine at Pickett Mountain, in the shadow of Baxter State Park and the Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument. The Land Use Planning Commission (the LUPC) held Read More
October 23, 2023: Pickett Mountain Mine Public Comment Session, Bangor
Public Comment Session: The Katahdin Region is No Place for a Mine An untested and underfunded company, Canada-based Wolfden Resources Corporation, Inc. has proposed building a zinc metal mine at Pickett Mountain, in the shadow of Baxter State Park and the Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument. The Land Use Planning Commission (the LUPC) held Read More
Stepping Back in Time in Maine’s North Woods: Part 2
Part 2: Big Reed Forest Reserve In honor of the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act, the Natural Resources Council of Maine is partnering with Maine photographer Nathaniel Child on a blog and photography series to bring awareness to some of Maine’s threatened and endangered species and their habitat. This is part two of Read More
