By Edward Reiner, Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News op-ed For 13 years I was a lobsterman from Cliff Island. Lobstermen are close observers of the natural world. When you climb into your boat each morning you are a witness to wildness and beauty. But that is half the story. We have worry and Read More
Waters
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 has been working on clean water issues since we were founded in 1959 to protect the Allagash.
NRCM continues to advocate for clean and healthy waters across Maine. Read more news & blogs about our work to protect Maine's beautiful rivers, lakes, and streams.
Maine House Overwhelmingly Backs Banning Microbeads
The tiny plastic pellets are in many personal care products but they are not biodegradable and they pass through wastewater treatment filters. By Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA – The Maine House voted overwhelmingly Tuesday in support of a bill that would ban the sale of soap, toothpaste and other Read More
Majority of Mainers Oppose Weakened Mining Rules
NRCM just completed an analysis showing that Maine people, particularly from Aroostook County, overwhelming spoke out in opposition to the mining rules that were considered during a legislative hearing last week. Those who testified or submitted comments in opposition to the proposed rules at last week’s public hearing outnumbered those in support by 129 to Read More
Overwhelming Opposition to Mining Rules Demonstrated at Public Hearing
NRCM news release On February 25, 2015, the Environment and Natural Resources Committee held a public hearing on mining rules (LD 146) which demonstrated that Maine people from all parts of the state oppose weak mining rules. Twenty-four people from Aroostook County testified in person or submitted comments in opposition to the rules. Not a Read More
Controversial Mining Rules Draw Crowd in Augusta
Opponents contend that the Maine DEP’s proposals would not protect the environment but supporters say the rules would strengthen, not weaken, existing regulations. By Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA – The fight over mining returned to the State House on Wednesday as dozens of people urged lawmakers to once again Read More
Irving Aims to Open Gold and Copper Mine in Maine
Tough environmental rules mean it would be the first metal mine in 40 years By Connell Smith CBC News news story JD Irving Ltd wants to build a gold and copper mine in northern Maine. The company has set up a subsidiary, Aroostook Resources, to pursue the project on Irving-owned land at Bald Mountain. President Read More
DEP’s Mining Plan Draws Strong Opposition at Public Hearing
By Mal Leary MPBN news story AUGUSTA, Maine – A renewed effort to overhaul Maine’s mining regulations is re-igniting a fierce debate in Augusta, where lawmakers are considering the Department of Environmental Protection’s plan. A crowd of mostly opponents filled two legislative hearing rooms for a public hearing on Wednesday. But first, there was a Read More
NRCM Testimony in Opposition to LD 146, Resolve, Regarding Legislative Review of Chapter 200: Metallic Mineral Exploration, Advanced Exploration and Mining, a Major Substantive Rule of the DEP
Senator Saviello, Representative Welsh, 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 146. NRCM believes these proposed rules will not protect Maine’s environment or Maine Read More
Maine Digs In to Review Mining Rules in Fight Over Remote Mountain
Canadian conglomerate faces off against environmentalists, tourism industry; compromise appears possible by Jon Kamp Wall Street Journal news story Closely held Irving, the state’s largest landowner, was the main driver behind a 2012 law that directed state regulators to replace 1991 mining rules, lawmakers say. The law’s proponents, including Republican Gov. Paul LePage, blame the Read More
