(Augusta, ME) – A bill to strengthen water quality statewide through modest changes to Maine’s septic system rules has been signed into law by Governor Janet Mills after receiving overwhelming approval from lawmakers. The changes were specifically crafted not to increase the burden on property owners but rather to ensure new septic systems being installed Read More
Clean Water
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 is working hard to protect and restore Maine’s lakes, rivers, and streams, now and for generations to come.
Proposal to Open Up Maine’s Ocean Waters to Oil and Gas Drilling Defies Explanation
April 30, 2025 (Augusta, ME) – The Trump Administration has announced a program that could allow offshore oil and gas drilling off the coast of Maine, prompting opposition from one of the state’s leading environmental groups. In an April 29 announcement, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management said it will open up public comment on Read More
Support of LD 1471 as Amended to Codify Major Substantive Changes to Chapter 200 (Mining Rules)
Good afternoon, Senator Brenner, Representative Gramlich, and members of the ENR Committee. My name is Nick Bennett, and I am the staff scientist for the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM). NRCM is Maine’s largest environmental advocacy group with more than 30,000 members and supporters. I am commenting in support of the Department of Environmental Read More
Pickett Mountain Mining Proposal Rejected
Decision comes after overwhelming opposition from Wabanaki Tribes, local businesses, and conservation groups Penobscot Nation | Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians | Natural Resources Council of Maine | Conservation Law Foundation | Maine Audubon | Earthjustice News release February 14, 2024 (Brewer, ME) The Land Use Planning Commission (LUPC) has firmly rejected a mining proposal Read More
LD 2101, An Act to Strengthen Shoreland Zoning Enforcement
Good afternoon, Senator Nangle, Representative Stover, and members of the Committee on State and Local Government. My name is Nick Bennett, and I am the Staff Scientist with the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM). NRCM is Maine’s largest environmental advocacy group with more than 30,000 members and supporters. I am testifying in support of Read More
Maine Voices Opposed to Wolfden’s Mining
As the Land Use Planning Commission (LUPC) prepares to make its decision regarding Wolfden Resources’ flawed mining proposal, more than a thousand Mainers, local businesses, Wabanaki tribes, government agencies, and conservation and philanthropic organizations have submitted written testimony opposed to the project because it’s too big of a risk for Maine. The broad range of Read More
Your Questions Answered: Wolfden’s Proposed Pickett Mountain Mine
An untested and underfunded company called Wolfden Resources has submitted a second rezoning petition to the Land Use Planning Commission (LUPC) to allow for the development of a zinc mine near Pickett Mountain in the Katahdin region. The Canada-based exploration and development company focused on metallic mining deposits was forced to withdraw its first application Read More
October 16-17, 2023: Pickett Mountain Mine Public Comment Sessions, Millinocket
Public Comment Sessions: The Katahdin Region is No Place for a Mine An untested and underfunded company, Canada-based Wolfden Resources Corporation, Inc. has proposed building a zinc metal mine at Pickett Mountain, in the shadow of Baxter State Park and the Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument. The Land Use Planning Commission (the LUPC) held Read More
My Maine This Week: Belgrade by Sam Horine
We love it when longtime NRCM member Sam Horine of Skowhegan, Maine, shares his photos with us — many of which were taken of or from this red canoe. Sam’s travels for this photo took him to Belgrade, right on Route 27. This is a beautiful and familiar spot to any of us who travel Read More
