Here are some highlights from January 2023 news stories and opinion pieces related to Maine’s air, land, water, and wildlife. News & Noteworthy from the Natural Resources Council of Maine is updated weekly with the latest news related to the nature of Maine. January 26, 2023 Earlier this week, we joined Senator Mark Lawrence, University Read More
Katahdin region
The Perfect Spring Ski on the Penobscot River Trails
The Penobscot River Trails provided a new and alluring destination for an April 12 cross-country ski, right before spring break. I drove north on I-95, passing miles of mostly bare ground and wondered if there would be enough snow outside of Medway to make this long drive worth it. About 12 miles north on Route Read More
My Maine This Week: Peter Simmons
Please enjoy these photos of the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument by NRCM member Peter Simmons of Brunswick, Maine. These photos were taken during a trip to the north end of the National Monument last winter. The photo of the Katahdin range was taken on the drive home from the Monument. If you are interested Read More
Future Remains Uncertain for Katahdin Woods and Waters
Mainebiz news story Supporters of the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument expressed relief on Tuesday that Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke isn’t recommending the 87,500-acre monument be reduced in size, which is what he recommended for more than a half dozen other monuments in his final report on the fate of 27 national monuments released Read More
Despite Unneeded Hurdles, Katahdin Monument Draws Visitors from Around the World
Bangor Daily News editorial In its first year of existence, the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument drew nearly 30,000 visitors. Nearly half came in the summer, via the monument’s roads, and another 15,000 people visited the monument on snowmobiles during the winter. Considering that Gov. Paul LePage has forbidden the Maine Department of Transportation Read More
Katahdin Woods and Waters: “Renewed Hope for Maine”
by Mary Kuhlman Public News Service news story AUGUSTA, Maine – From Maine to California, hundreds of small businesses are speaking up on behalf of some of the country’s most treasured places. Nearly 600 businesses and chambers of commerce on Thursday sent a letter asking the head of the National Economic Council to encourage the Read More
Zinke’s Silence on the Monument Creates Uncertainty for Northern Maine
By Jim Dill, Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News op-ed If you visit Penobscot Avenue in Millinocket on a gorgeous autumn weekend this year, odds are you’ll see far more people than you may have seen a year ago. Cars are parked on the street and people are bustling about downtown. Most of the Read More
Mountain Biking Adventures Grow in KWW National Monument
By Aislinn Sarnacki, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story Just over a year old, the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument is just starting to take shape. Its southern access road, the Katahdin Loop Road, has been improved for vehicle travel; a number of campsites are maintained regularly; and a couple of hiking trails Read More
Katahdin, Marine Monument May Get Less Protection Under Trump
By David Abel, Globe Staff Boston Globe news story US Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke has recommended that President Trump make significant changes to 10 national monuments, including proposals to allow commercial fishing in a protected expanse off Cape Cod and to open woodlands in Northern Maine to “active timber management.” The recommendations add a surprising Read More