I wanted to share my experience testifying at the Board of Environmental Protection hearing last week. The hearing was to get public input on proposed changes in the manner in which permits are issued for development in “moderate” value inland waterfowl and wading bird habitat (IWWH). The premise was that the current process was cumbersome, expensive, and Read More
wildlife habitat
Creature Feature: Alewife
The adult alewife is a sea-run fish about 12 inches long. Each spring, alewives leave the ocean, enter Maine’s coastal rivers, and make their way upstream to spawning habitat in lakes and ponds. Alewives are river herring, a term that also includes their close relatives the blueback herring and American shad.
Canada Lynx Get Habitat Protection in Maine
Looks like Maine is once again home to critical habitat for the Canada Lynx. This would overturn the 2006 decision not to designate critical habitat in Maine. There isn’t a map linked to this news release but they do say that over 9,000 square miles of Maine is included. My guess is that this is very Read More
Maine Gets Lynx Habitat Protection
by John Richardson, staff writer Portland Press Herald news update The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has reversed a 2006 decision and announced today that nearly 10,000 square miles of northern Maine forestland will be protected as critical habitat for Canada lynx. The ruling, to be published in the Federal Register Wednesday, means that any Read More
Improve, Don’t Undo, Shorebird Protections
Portland Press Herald editorial A new state law implementing a 250-foot setback for migratory shorebirds along Maine’s coast has been ruffling a lot of feathers lately. While the setback has been on the books since 1994, it had never been implemented. Last year, legislation enforcing the buffer rule and establishing new protections for vernal pools Read More
Vernal Pool Rules Nothing New for Maine
MAINE VOICES: Rep. Ted Koffman and Sen. Scott Cowger Portland Press Herald op-ed The Legislature’s Committee on Natural Resources has worked over the years to build on our predecessors’s work to advance a reasoned and commonsense approach to environmental conservation and public health protection. The Natural Resources Protection Act, enacted in 1987, has provided protections Read More
Maine Dam May Serve as Preview
Removal of Edwards Dam in Maine provides some insight into what might happen after Embrey Dam is removed by Rusty Dennen The Free Lance-Star Thousands of people gathered around Edwards Dam on the Kennebec River in July 1999 and cheered as heavy machinery carved a hole on one side of the structure. Among the throng Read More
Kennebec River Flows Free as Edwards Dam is Removed
Dam Removal Marks Turning Point for River Restoration Nationwide Statement by Brownie Carson, NRCM Executive Director Good morning and welcome to this historic celebration for the people, wildlife and communities of the Kennebec River. My name is Brownie Carson. I am the executive director of the Natural Resources Council of Maine and am pleased to be Read More
