2014 Nature of Maine Calendar
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2014 Nature of Maine Calendar Natural Resources Council of Maine 2013 Annual Report Going the Distance Taking Stock To “take stock” has always seemed to me a quintessential New England phrase. Every for Maine’s Environment time I invoke the expression I feel more The Natural Resources deeply rooted in the places and traditions Council of Maine is I value here in Maine. Anticipating my both a sprinter and a departure after eight years of board service, long distance runner. the last two as board president, taking We move quickly to face stock seems in order. These eight years unexpected threats and have seen four very different legislatures, take advantage of new two dramatically different governors, opportunities. We also increased focus on renewable energy stay the course, go the and efficiency, North Woods conservation challenges and opportunities, distance—sometimes the emergence of tar sands threats to Maine, big steps for Penobscot River for a decade or more—as restoration, St. Croix alewife restoration, long overdue work getting toxics out projects progress over of consumer products, and much more. The complexity of the issues we face is time or minds slowly daunting, the time table unpredictable, and the outcome uncertain. Fortunately, change on a policy issue. NRCM Executive Director Lisa Pohlmann at the Veazie Dam NRCM staff members are nimble, and their intelligence is surpassed only by Our campaign to restore the Kennebec River is a great example of going the their commitment to the task at hand: protecting the nature of Maine. NRCM distance. Removal of the Edwards Dam took more than 10 years. A decade later members have provided the robust financial support that has allowed us to we succeeded in sparking removal of the Fort Halifax Dam from the mouth of continue our mission despite some challenging economic times. an important tributary. Today, about 3 million alewives return to the Kennebec As I take stock of what I have learned these past eight years, it includes the to spawn. Sturgeon, Bald Eagles, and Osprey are frequent sights along the river, unique opportunity Maine’s citizen legislature presents for individuals to make and Maine people enjoy the Kennebec as a great place to fish, paddle, and watch a profound difference in the law-making process. I took an 11-year-old neighbor for wildlife. to testify at a hearing about removing toxic BPA from children’s food packaging. This past June, I stood on the banks of the St. Croix River and linked arms It was a nerve-wracking experience for this 5th grader, but her testimony helped with others there to celebrate the return of alewives to this watershed along convince the committee to vote “ought to pass”—12-0! the Maine–New Brunswick border. Since 1995, alewives had been blocked Advocacy is an essential tool if we are to succeed in passing beneficial laws and from their ancestral breeding grounds by a misguided law passed by the Maine stopping harmful proposals. I am convinced that no one brings the level of Legislature. NRCM worked for more than a decade to overturn that law, and professionalism and commitment to advocacy better than NRCM. You, our that day finally arrived. members, are part of a winning team. Thank you on behalf of myself and my More than a decade ago, NRCM became a founding member of the Penobscot fellow board members, for your encouragement and support. River Restoration Project and took on the daunting task of helping to restore fish passage to more than 1,000 miles of habitat, which had been blocked for 200 years. In 2012, we and our partners removed the Great Works Dam. This summer, we celebrated as the Veazie Dam was breached. In the next few years, a new bypass around the Howland Dam and improved fish passage at Milford will complete this historic project. Tony Owens Sound science guides our direction, as does listening to the concerns of Maine NRCM Board President people. This year, we worked side-by-side with people who live along the Portland- to-Montreal pipeline, to combat efforts to transport Canadian tar sands oil through Maine. Town after town passed ordinances to stop the unsafe transport Join the Conversation of tar sands oil through their communities. There is still a long distance to go as NRCM’s Facebook Wall is an active and lively place—a great way to stay we play our part in an international effort to keep tar sands in the ground. informed, connect with others who care about Maine’s environment, and share your thoughts on news and current affairs relating to our work. We’d love for Sometimes going the distance is quite literal. We spent much of the 2013 you to be part of the conversation. Find us on Facebook and “Like” us today! legislative session crisscrossing the state to speak with Maine people about a new threat: changes to Maine laws that could allow open-pit mineral mining and From our Wall: highly toxic mining run-off to pollute rivers and groundwater for centuries. Jeanne Brooks, Harpswell Other times, it means persisting against repeated attacks on time-honored (following our post about rescinding of funding environmental protections. This year we again defended the billboard ban for East-West highway study) that keeps Maine’s roadways scenic. Once more, we faced down attempts to “This is the very best news I’ve heard in long, long time!! weaken laws safeguarding habitat for frogs, turtles, birds, and other wildlife. Thank you so much for all you do.” We helped defeat a bill that would have allowed the state to sell public lands. We also worked on three bills to combat yet another version of an East-West Leda Beth Gray, Blue Hill highway proposal—a massive project that would carve up remote areas (on slide show post of the Washington, D.C., rally) and wildlife habitat in our North Woods. And after years of pressure, we “I’m so proud of NRCM for organizing members to go to D.C.” successfully led the charge for greater investments in energy efficiency so we spend less money—and do less damage to the environment—when we heat and power our homes and businesses. Barbara Herrgesell, Sanford For more than 50 years, NRCM has gone the distance to protect Maine’s land, “Congratulations to the staff! A lot was accomplished under a air, water, and wildlife, providing an unmatched level of expertise for Maine’s tough regime. Nature lovers are lucky to have NRCM working environmental protections. With 21 staff members, including six full-time for us. Good luck in the new year.” staff members at the State House, and 16,000 members and supporters, we monitor every legislative proposal, make sure current laws are being properly implemented by state agencies, and lead major conservation and restoration Donald Simoneau, Fayette initiatives. In the past year alone, we worked on dozens of bills, providing expert “Glad to have NRCM looking out for us.” testimony, working with legislators, and educating and engaging our members. Your support is vital to this effort. NRCM members attended rallies, came to the State House to testify, and contacted local and congressional representatives. Your membership also helped us to stay strong. More Ways to Stay Informed Our work makes a tremendous difference to our state, no matter how long it Join our Action Network to receive news about Maine’s environment as it takes. Thank you for going the distance with us so we can protect the place we happens and to learn what you can do take action to protect it. call home. http://nrcm.kintera.org/Action_Network_signup Follow us on Twitter! Search for “NRCMenvironment.” Subscribe to our news feed! www.nrcm.org Lisa Pohlmann Executive Director Subscribe to our YouTube channel! NRCMenvironment Events in the Spotlight NRCM pTruth about Mining Ramsey Hart of MiningWatch Canada gave the keynote address, “Mining for Metals: Big Promises, Harsh Realities,” at our 2012 annual meeting. Ramsey helped our members understand the threat that poorly regulated mining poses in Maine since JD Irving, a MAINE RUNNING PHOTOS HESELTINE KATHLEEN huge Canadian conglomerate, pushed a pDipping and Dashing About 200 people participated in the 2012 Polar Bear Dip & Dash, held annually on December 31 at Portland’s East End Beach. Participants law to weaken Maine’s mining regulations take part in a 5K road race, plunge into icy Casco Bay, or do both! The event raised $15,000 for NRCM’s work on climate change. Thank you to all of our participants, through the Legislature in 2012. Ramsey business sponsors, and all those who came to cheer at the beach. Join us again this year! shared his research on mining pollution including threats to local economies, lands, and water resources. “Mining companies qRachel’s Run In September, often make big promises in terms of NRCM launched “Rachel’s environmental protection and economic Run,” a 5k run along the development, but the realities are often Kennebec Rail Trail from contaminated waterways, hundreds of Augusta to Hallowell. Named in millions of tons of toxic waste left behind, honor of toxics pioneer Rachel and communities that lose resilience,” said Carson, the event also included Hart. “It’s good to know that NRCM is kids’ activities, art display, and standing up for Maine’s environment and more. The event, held again the citizens of Maine.” NRCM’s watersheds this year, raises funds for and expert Nick Bennett shared the stage after awareness of NRCM’s work the presentation to help answer questions. reducing toxic pollution. BCOMEAU/NRCM NRCM pNRCM to Obama: Climate Action Now In February, p“No Tar Sands” In January, NRCM helped organize the NRCM’s Emmie Theberge and Todd Martin and dozens of NRCM largest protest yet in the Northeast against tar sands.