Move likely to preserve state’s long and informal moratorium on digging for metals By Jon Kamp Wall Street Journal news story Lawmakers in Maine have toughened the state’s mining regulations, overriding a veto from Gov. Paul LePage to potentially lengthen the state’s decadeslong, informal moratorium on digging for metals. The new rules, sponsored by a… Continue Reading
mining
Legislature Overrides LePage Veto of Mining Regulations
by Susan Sharon Maine Public news story Listen to full news story. The Maine House and Senate have overridden the governor’s veto of a bill to protect Maine from the hazards of mining pollution. This marks the third time in the past five years that lawmakers have blocked the Department of Environmental Protection from adopting… Continue Reading
Maine Lawmakers Buck LePage, Pass Mineral Mining Rules after Years of Debate
By Christopher Cousins, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story AUGUSTA, Maine — A bill to regulate large-scale mining in Maine will go into law over the objections of Gov. Paul LePage following the Legislature’s rejection of his veto. The House of Representatives settled the matter Wednesday afternoon in a convincing 122-21 vote in favor… Continue Reading
Lawmakers Override LePage Veto, Adopt Mining Restrictions
The regulations, often described as among the nation’s strictest, ban larger open-pit mines and require mining companies to cover the costs of major cleanup projects. By Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — After years of heated debate, Maine lawmakers gave final approval Wednesday to restrictive new regulations on metallic mining… Continue Reading
Legislature Overrides Governor LePage Veto of “An Act to Protect Maine’s Clean Water and Taxpayers from Mining Pollution” (LD 820)
Statement of Nick Bennett, Staff Scientist, Natural Resources Council of Maine “NRCM is grateful that the Legislature has overridden the governor’s veto of LD 820. Today, the Maine Senate voted unanimously to override the veto, and the House voted 122-21. Members of both parties worked equally hard on the bill during countless hours of work… Continue Reading
Maine House Approves Strict Mining Rules
The margin of victory suggests the bill could have enough support to override a potential veto by Gov. Paul LePage. by Kevin Miller, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — A bill proposing some of the nation’s strictest environmental regulations for mining operations passed the Maine House on Thursday after a lengthy debate… Continue Reading
Bill to Restrict Mineral Mining Headed for Maine Senate
Sen. Brownie Carson says his bill would be ‘the most protective piece of mining legislation I believe that can be found anywhere.’ by the Associated Press Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — Leading environmental groups and state environmental regulators are working together on a bill they say would create strict regulations for mining Maine’s… Continue Reading
May 4, 2017: Conservation Lobby Day, Augusta
NRCM and our partners held Conservation Lobby Day at the State House in Augusta on Thursday, May 4. Conservation Lobby Day Thursday, May 4, 2017 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Cross Cafeteria – Cross Office Building 111 Sewall Street – Augusta NRCM and our partners in the Environmental Priorities Coalition hosted Conservation Lobby Day at the… Continue Reading
NRCM Testimony in Opposition to LD 1350, “An Act To Amend the Law Regarding Recreational Gold Prospecting”
Senator Saviello, Representative Tucker, and members of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee: My name is Nick Bennett, and I am the staff scientist for the Natural Resources Council of Maine, which is Maine’s largest environmental advocacy group with over 20,000 members and supporters. I am testifying in opposition to LD 1350. Motorized gold dredging… Continue Reading
