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
Metal Mining Pollution
Maine cannot afford any mining disasters. NRCM works to ensure that Maine state government enforces Maine's metal mining law if any companies decide to develop mines here. If any mining companies move beyond exploration and apply for a mining permit, NRCM works hard to ensure compliance with Maine’s strict mining law and rules, the toughest protections against mining pollution in the U.S.
Mining Bald Mountain Poses High Risks
DEP Failed to Reveal the Risks to Lawmakers and the Public NRCM produced an investigative report showing that documents in the possession of Maine’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), but not disclosed to Maine lawmakers or released to the public, reveal that an open-pit mine at Bald Mountain in Aroostook County is likely to pollute 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
NRCM Testimony on Draft Chapter 200 Metallic Mineral Mining Rules
Chairman Foley and Members of the Board of Environmental Protection: My name is Nick Bennett. I am the Staff Scientist for the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) and I reside in Hallowell. I am testifying in opposition to the draft Chapter 200 Metallic Mineral Mining Rules. NRCM believes these draft rules will not protect Read More
Mining Bald Mountain Poses High Risks
DEP Failed to Reveal the Risks to Lawmakers and the Public NRCM Press Release The Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) today released an investigative report showing that documents in the possession of Maine’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), but not disclosed to Maine lawmakers or released to the public, reveal that an open-pit mine Read More
Draft of New Maine Mining Rules Raises Concerns
by North Cairn, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story The state Department of Environmental Protection, working with an out-of-state contractor, has proposed new mining rules that already are sparking controversy. The department released a 78-page draft late Friday and posted it on its website. When asked for comment on Monday, several legislators, Board of Read More
