Bangor Daily News editorial We give the Land Use Planning Commission, which oversees zoning and development in the state’s more than 10 million acres of unorganized territories, credit for listening to public criticism of a plan to allow more scattered development in these areas. After public hearings and comments that were overwhelmingly negative, the commission Read More
forests
NRCM Testimony on LUPC’s Proposed Rule Revisions: Revised Application of the Adjacency Principle & Subdivision Standards
Public Hearing on LUPC’s Proposed Rule Revisions: Revised Application of the Adjacency Principle & Subdivision Standards Testimony of Catherine B. Johnson My name is Cathy Johnson and I am the Forests and Wildlife Project Director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM). NRCM has over 20,000 members and supporters including people who reside in Read More
Pine Siskins, Year of the Bird Ambassadors
As we near the end of the 2018 Year of the Bird celebration that commemorates the 100-year anniversary of the famed Migratory Bird Treaty and its implementing legislation in the U.S. and Canada, it is well that we think of the future of a bird like the Pine Siskin whose populations know no human political Read More
Dead and Dying Trees are Key to Life
Walk into most of the woodlands in our region today, and you will find a lack of dead and dying trees. Yes, that’s right – most of our forests do not have enough dead and decaying trees. To many people, this may seem counterintuitive. Why would we want more dead and dying trees on the landscape? Read More
The Universal Notebook: New England Clean Energy (dis)Connect
by Edgar Allen Beem The Forecaster op-ed Yes, I drive a car that uses gas, heat my home with oil and consume as much electricity as the next 21st century American. So, no, I can’t get all holier than thou about energy consumption. Still, I am opposed to Central Maine Power Co.’s so-called New England Read More
Land Conservation Shouldn’t be Subject to Political Whims
Bangor Daily News editorial An important land conservation program, which has been especially beneficial to Maine, is set to run out of money at the end of the month, if Congress does not pass legislation to reauthorize and fund it. At the same time, the next administration and Legislature must ensure Maine is a ready Read More
Quebec Hydro Line Will Ruin Maine’s “Golden Egg” — Our Beautiful Forest
By Roger Merchant, Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News news story I walked into the Maine woods in 1965 as a forester and photographer, and spent the next 50 years exploring and appreciating these woods. Maine’s natural resources contribute to our rural quality of life, tourism and forestry economies. Central Maine Power’s proposal to Read More
Proposal would Relax State’s Restrictions on Rural Subdivisions
Maine’s Land Use Planning Commission wants to allow development within 10 miles by public road of any rural ‘hub.’ by David Sharp, The Associated Press Portland Press Herald news story The agency overseeing development in Maine’s vast wilderness is considering dramatic changes that would alter restrictions on where subdivisions and businesses can be built. The Read More
September 6, 2018: Author Porter Fox Presents “Northland,” Portland
NRCM Rising and the Natural Resources Council of Maine Presented Author Porter Fox Thursday, September 6 6:00–8:00 p.m. Rising Tide Brewing Company, 103 Fox Street, Portland NRCM Rising and the Natural Resources Council of Maine hosted a discussion with nature writer Porter Fox as he presents his new book, Northland: A 4,000-Mile Journey Along America’s Forgotten Read More