Lucas St. Clair says a Trump administration official suggested the National Monument designation won’t be reviewed, but an Interior Department spokeswoman says it could be. by Kevin Miller, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story Questions swirled Thursday about whether the Trump administration plans to review Maine’s Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument after the Read More
Aroostook Valley Trail
For half a century, freight and passenger cars ran a regular service through this rural region. The last freight service ended by 1960 and the rail lines were abandoned for decades. Community members saw the conversion of these rail beds into multi-use trails as a means to meet the recreational and fitness needs of local residents, lure 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
Maine Monument’s Future in Doubt after Trump Orders Review
By Nick Sambides Jr., BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story With a smiling Gov. Paul LePage looking on, President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order telling the U.S. Department of the Interior to review at least two dozen national monuments created by presidential decree — likely including Maine’s Katahdin Woods and Waters Read More
LePage Joins Trump for Signing of Order to Review Designations of National Monuments
Trump’s order seeks to review national monument designations but it’s not clear if it will affect Maine’s Katahdin Woods and Water National Monument. by Scott Thistle, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story Gov. Paul LePage joined President Trump in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday for a ceremony where Trump signed an executive order to review Read More
Beech Hill
A short walk up Beech Hill rewards one with panoramic views of the Midcoast, stretching from the Georges River Valley out to Monhegan Island and east to Mount Desert Island. Generations of local residents have frequented Beech Hill–enjoying family hikes and picnics, blueberry-picking, and quiet reflection in an inspiring setting. This cherished community landmark is Read More
Mining Bill Clears Major Hurdle, Divides Environmental Activists
By Anthony Brino, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story A mining reform bill backed by the Natural Resources Council of Maine received the greenlight from a key committee Wednesday, but the action also opened up a rift among environmental advocates, with some arguing that the state should ban large-scale metal mining outright. The Maine Read More
Environmentalists Vow to Fight Trump on Maine Monument
By David Abel, staff writer Boston Globe news story President Trump on Wednesday will issue a sweeping executive order to review as many as 40 national monument designations made by his three predecessors, an unprecedented move that could curtail or rescind their protected status. It was unclear which areas would come under review, but the Read More
Birch Point State Park Addition
A grant from the Land for Maine’s Future program allowed the Maine Department of Conservation to acquire land needed to complete public ownership of the beach, protecting the site’s natural character by buffering it from development. Known for its gentle surf and brisk waters, the attractive crescent-shaped beach at Birch State Point Park (known locally as Lucia Read More