NRCM has been involved in protecting Maine’s outstanding water resources since we were established in 1959. Our first big campaign was focused on protecting the Allagash Wilderness Waterway. We have worked to clean up our rivers and reduce pollution to our waters ever since. Almost everything NRCM does is beneficial to our lakes, rivers, streams,… Continue Reading
Clean & Free-flowing Waters
Trump and LePage Want to Drill for Oil in Maine Waters Despite Widespread Opposition
by Francis Flisiuk Portland Phoenix news story Business, community, and political leaders gathered in the Augusta Civic Center last week to speak out against President Trump’s “Outer Continental Shelf Draft Proposed Oil and Gas Leasing Program,” which would open up the coast of Maine to oil and gas drilling. About 50 people — including fishermen… Continue Reading
Angus King Challenges Interior Secretary on Offshore Drilling
By Mal Leary Maine Public news story Listen to full news story. Independent U.S. Sen. Angus King of Maine questioned Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke on Tuesday on a proposal to open most of the coastal areas of the United States to exploratory drilling for gas and oil. King used a hearing on the Interior Department… Continue Reading
Groups Oppose Exploratory Drilling Off Maine Coast
By Mal Leary Maine Public news story The Department of the Interior is proposing to open nearly all of the nation’s coastline to exploratory drilling for oil and gas. The feds held an open house in Augusta Wednesday to collect public comment, which was largely in firm opposition. President Trump was making good on a… Continue Reading
Elected Officials, Business and Conservation Leaders, Fishermen and Women, and other Maine Residents Speak Out Against Offshore Oil Drilling in Maine
AUGUSTA, ME. – Wednesday, March 7, 2018 – Today at a news conference in Augusta. elected officials, business leaders, conservation leaders, fishermen and women and other Maine residents spoke out against a new plan to allow offshore oil drilling and exploration off the coast of Maine The event was held in response to a Bureau… Continue Reading
Maine Fishermen, Environmentalists Join in Opposition to Offshore Drilling
By Patrick Whittle and Marina Villeneuve Press Herald news story AUGUSTA – Fishing groups, environmentalists, politicians and tourism advocates plan to use a pair of tailored public hearings this week to oppose the Trump administration’s proposal to expand offshore drilling in the Atlantic and other ocean waters. The federal government’s meetings in Maine and New… Continue Reading
State Legislature Passes Resolution Calling for Maine Waters to Be Removed from Trump Administration’s Offshore Oil Drilling Plan
Statement of Emmie Theberge, Federal Project Director, Natural Resources Council of Maine “We applaud the Maine Senate for unanimously passing a resolution today asking for Maine’s Atlantic Ocean waters to be excluded from President Trump’s proposal for offshore oil exploration and drilling. The House passed the measure unanimously on February 15. Where there’s drilling, there’s… Continue Reading
NRCM Testimony in Opposition to LD 1797, “Resolve, Regarding Legislative Review of Portions of Chapter 418: Maine Solid Waste Management Rules: Beneficial Use of Solid Wastes, a Major Substantive Rule of the Department of Environmental Protection”
Senator Saviello, Representative Tucker, and members of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee: My name is Nick Bennett. I am the Staff Scientist for the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM), and I am testifying in opposition to LD 1797. LD 1797 would weaken protections for the environment and public health in the Department of… Continue Reading
Trump Budget Cuts EPA By 34%; Would Cause Major Harm to Maine’s Clean Air and Water
Statement of Lisa Pohlmann, Executive Director, Natural Resources Council of Maine President Trump today released an irresponsible Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) budget, which would threaten the health of Maine people, our environment, and our economy. Trump’s 2019 budget proposes a massive 34% cut in the EPA budget, even deeper than last year’s slash and burn proposal,… Continue Reading
