A bill would expand the public water system to Fairfield residents whose private wells have been contaminated by toxic forever chemicals from the state’s former agricultural sludge-spreading program.
environment
More than $100M sought to help Maine prepare for winter storms, climate change
A $34.5 million bill would fund home resiliency grants statewide, and a $75 million bond would invest in coastal resilience projects.
Athletes, environmentalists debate proposed statewide ban on artificial turf fields in Maine
The potential 3-year ban would allow for a state study of the environmental and health effects of synthetic turf fields.
White sharks make frequent visits to Maine’s coastal waters, new data reveals
But most white sharks tracked during a new study only hung out for about 15 minutes at Maine’s most popular sandy beaches before moving on, and the number of shark visits is still low compared to hotspots like Cape Cod.
Seasonal allergies getting worse? Blame climate change.
As temperatures rise, plants produce more pollen over a longer period of time. But locally collected pollen counts are on the way to help Mainers with seasonal allergies navigate the worst of the sneeze season.
Maine moving forward with budworm control, but funding delay will limit spray area
After the Legislature failed to pass $2 million in emergency funding, spraying this spring will cover only about 85% of the area threatened by the forest pest.
Maine Climate Council says it’s ‘not all doom and gloom’ amid concerns about federal cuts
The council working to achieve state goals to reduce climate change emissions says it is still on track despite some funding disruptions.
Maine butterfly species among those experiencing fastest declines
A new study compiling butterfly surveys across the country found a 22% overall decline, while seven species found in Maine declined by more than 50%.
Groups launch $62M conservation project in western Maine
Four environmental groups are teaming up on a fundraising drive to conserve 78,000 acres of forest along the Magalloway River.
Forecast for National Weather Service in Maine still cloudy
But staff meteorologists admit the interruption of weather balloon launches will undermine the accuracy of the agency’s weather modeling and forecasts.