The Portland and South Portland officials write that the provision in a House farm bill tramples on their right to protect their cities. by Randy Billings, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story The mayors of Portland and South Portland are urging Congress to reject a provision in a wide-ranging farm bill that would nullify Read More
Toxic Free Living
Decades of Chemical Pollution Suspected in Maine’s Seal Die-off
With their immune systems compromised by toxins such as PCBs, the Gulf of Maine marine mammals are susceptible to disease. By Peter McGuire, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story As the number of dead and stranded seals washing up on southern Maine beaches rises by the day, researchers are linking the sudden die-off to Read More
LePage Looks to Override Local Pesticide Rules in 30 Maine Municipalities. The Question is, Why?
More communities are developing ordinances meant to protect residents from toxic chemicals linked to cancer and birth defects. by Mary Pols, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story Even though Paul Schlein is a careful, detail-oriented sort, he didn’t fuss over his testimony before heading to Augusta late last month for a hearing on a Read More
NRCM Testimony in Opposition to LD 1853, “An Act To Ensure the Safe and Consistent Regulation of Pesticides throughout the State by Providing Exemptions to Municipal Ordinances That Regulate Pesticides”
Senator Davis, Representative Martin, and members of the Joint Standing Committee on State and Local Government, my name is Ryan Parker and I am the Sustainable Maine Policy Advocate for the Natural Resources Council of Maine. I appreciate this opportunity to testify in opposition to LD 1853. The Maine Board of Pesticides Control lists on Read More
NRCM Testimony in Opposition to LD 1797, “Resolve, Regarding Legislative Review of Portions of Chapter 418: Maine Solid Waste Management Rules: Beneficial Use of Solid Wastes, a Major Substantive Rule of the Department of Environmental Protection”
Senator Saviello, Representative Tucker, and members of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee: My name is Nick Bennett. I am the Staff Scientist for the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM), and I am testifying in opposition to LD 1797. LD 1797 would weaken protections for the environment and public health in the Department of Read More
New Law Bans Lead Fishing Tackle to Protect Loons
By The Associated Press Bangor Daily News news story A new Maine law bans lead fishing tackle in hopes of protecting loons. The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife says keeping lead fishing weights out of Maine waters will better the birds’ survival and spur population growth across the Northeast. Ingesting lead fishing tackle is Read More
Brunswick Adopts New Pesticide Rules
Original ordinance from 2007 limited use in town by Juliette Laaka Times Record news story Brunswick will now give preference to organic pesticides over chemical treatments on all town-owned land, thanks to ordinance amendments adopted by the town council on Monday. The original land care ordinance, adopted in 2007, limited the use of pesticides on Read More
Bangor Woman, 80, Goes Solar at Home
By Meg Haskell, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story From her home on a corner lot in Bangor, Hope Brogunier, 80, is quietly staging a green revolution. Her side yard is a lightly tended jungle of shoulder-high raspberries, a fragrant, knee-deep drift of meadow anemones and a spiky sea of flowering goutweed. Bees bumble Read More
Out-of-state Lobbying Group Wants to Weaken Maine Laws. Legislators Shouldn’t Fall for It.
Bangor Daily News editorial A couple dozen Maine communities have enacted ordinances to protect their waterways and residents from pesticides. Now, Gov. Paul LePage, through a bill that appears to have been written by a pro-industry group, is seeking to outlaw such rules. The Maine Municipal Association, which represents the state’s towns and cities, explained Read More
