NRCM news release Portland, Maine – Today, the Natural Resources Council of Maine released the results of a comprehensive public opinion survey on the attitudes of likely Maine voters on a broad range of environmental policy issues. With Mainers heading to the polls in two weeks, the survey documents broad, bipartisan support for protection of Maine’s Read More
mining rules
Mining Rules Face Overwhelming Citizen Opposition
Record Shows Opponents Outnumber Proponents: 436-2 NRCM news release Mainers are overwhelmingly lining up against draft rules that would weaken environmental protections from mining pollution in Maine. The Board of Environmental Protection (BEP) is holding a deliberative session to consider the draft rules today at the Augusta Civic Center. According to an analysis by the Natural Read More
Eye on Augusta: LePage Administration Resurrects Plan to Weaken Mining Rules
by Andy O’Brien Free Press news story No metals have been mined in Maine since 1977, according to the Maine Geological Survey, but the LePage administration is hoping to revive the dormant industry if he can elect enough allies to the Legislature this November. Last Thursday, Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) unveiled its third Read More
Hearing on Changing Maine Mining Rules Hits Wall of Opposition
For the third time in three years, a Department of Environmental Protection proposal to rewrite mining regulations finds little support. By Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — A LePage administration push to rewrite Maine’s mining regulations ran into a wall of opposition Thursday from conservation groups, former state environmental employees Read More
Opposition to Chapter 200: Metallic Mineral Exploration, Advanced Exploration and Mining
Good morning Chairman Parker and members of the Board of Environmental Protection. My name is Nick Bennett, I am the Staff Scientist for the Natural Resources Council of Maine, and I am testifying in opposition to these proposed rules. Previous versions of these rules were not protective of Maine’s water quality or its taxpayers, and Read More
Controversy Over Metal Mining in Maine Rekindled
By Anthony Brino, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story A decades-long debate over the prospect of a metal mine in the mountains of Aroostook County will be rekindled Thursday as another proposed overhaul of state mining regulations receives a public hearing. Opponents again are gearing up to voice their concerns about the potential for Read More
DEP Proposes New Mining Rules
By Susan Sharon, staff writer Maine Public news story The Maine Department of Environmental Protection is once again asking Maine lawmakers to consider new rules to address mining regulations in the state. The Legislature has twice rejected similar proposals since 2011, and both times the debate over them has been contentious. In a memo explaining Read More
Maine Looks Again at Overhauling Mining Regulations
By Kevin Miller, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story The Maine Department of Environmental Protection is once again proposing a major rewrite of the state’s metallic mining regulations, reviving a controversial issue that failed twice in the Legislature during the past two years. DEP officials said the proposed rules are needed to address inconsistencies Read More
The Irvings’ Invasion of Maine
by Bruce Livesey, National Observer news story Reprinted with permission in the Lewiston Sun Journal This is one part in a six-part series titled “The House of Irving” by investigative reporter Bruce Livesey of the Vancouver-based National Observer. The series examines the powerful role the Irving family plays in the business, politics and media of Read More
