By Samantha Paradis, Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News op-ed On a spring day, my dad and I left Frenchville bright and early to travel to Allagash to brook fish. During the drive, I admired the beauty of the St. John River Valley as I waited to reach our favorite brook along the Allagash 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.
Support of LD 159, An Act to Prohibit the Mining of Massive Sulfide Ore Deposits on State Lands, as Amended
Senator Davis, Representative Dunphy, and members of the Committee on Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry: My name is Nick Bennett, and I am the Staff Scientist for the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM). I reside in Hallowell. I am testifying in support of LD 159 as amended. Metal mining in sulfide ores is one of Read More
Mining is Not Maine’s Future
We won’t get ahead by putting our natural resources at risk. by George Smith Central Maine newspaper column Brook trout are more valuable than gold. That was the substance of my testimony on a slew of bills that would govern mining in Maine. Some would make it easier to mine here, some would make it Read More
Strong Opposition to Mining in Maine — But It Still Might Be Allowed
by George Smith Bangor Daily News column “God does not come back and rebuild these mountains.” That was the testimony of a Maine tribal leader, in a 6-hour public hearing by the legislature’s Environment and Natural Resources Committee on mining bills. Many strong statements were delivered yesterday afternoon at the hearing. One of the strongest Read More
Dozens Fight Back Over Maine’s Proposed Mining Rules
By Anthony Brino, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story Dozens of Mainers showed up in Augusta on the first day of spring with a familiar message for members of the Legislature: open pit metal mining is too risky for Maine. More than 40 citizens, plus additional representatives from environmental groups, voiced their opposition to Read More
Opposition to LD 395 and LD 160 and in Support of LD 820
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. I reside in Hallowell. I am testifying in opposition to LD 395 and LD 160 and in support of LD 820. Testimony in Opposition Read More
Mines Have Wrecked Spectacular Sport Fisheries
By George Smith Bangor Daily News column Macauley Lord said it best at a State House press conference outlining key environmental issues for this legislative session. Speaking about his concern over mining in Maine, Macauley said, “I can tell you that Maine has some of the best places to fish in the world. We have Read More
Maine Environmental Board Endorses Contentious Mining Regulations
The Maine Board of Environmental Protection endorsed a major rewrite of mining regulations on Thursday, setting the stage for another legislative debate over the contentious issue.
Maine BEP Provisionally Adopts Controversial Mining Rules Despite Overwhelming Citizen Opposition
Record Shows Opponents Outnumber Proponents: 441-2 News release Augusta, Maine – Today the Maine Board of Environmental Protection (BEP) voted unanimously to provisionally adopt weak rules that would govern metal mining in Maine. Because metal mining poses such a serious threat to water quality, these rules were opposed 441-2 by Maine scientists, business people, conservation groups, Read More
