What's Happening in the Local Environmental Scene
In June the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission granted a preliminary permit to the Maine Tidal Energy Company to study the feasibility of the Kennebec Tidal Energy Hydroelectric Project, proposed for a site under the river between Chops Point in Woolwich and West Chops Point in Bath. Some environmental and governmental groups are concerned about the location, because of its potential impact on wildlife and recreational use of the Kennebec River.
Sears Island is the largest undeveloped publicly-owned island on the East Coast. A recent plan brokered by several environmental groups and the Maine Department of Transportation calls for building a container port as well as an environmental education center on the island. The most controversial element of the plan is to allow developers in other parts of the state to drain wetlands in exchange for promising not to develop the wetlands that already exist on Sears Island. Proponents of the "Umbrella Mitigation Bank for Transportation" claim that it will lead to a net gain of wetlands protection compared to what would otherwise happen, while opponents stress that it will permit the destruction of wetlands throughout the state.
As the summer rush of beachgoers begins, biologists are saying the endangered piping plover is already having the worst breeding season in nearly 20 years on Maine's beaches--making it especially important for people to pay attention and respect the birds' needs. According to the Times Record, only 19 pairs of state-endangered piping plovers are currently nesting on beaches in southern and Mid-coast Maine -- including Reid State Park in Georgetown -- down from 35 pairs last year and a high of 66 in 2002.
Plans for wind farms continue in Maine. TransCanada has proposed building a 44-turbine, 132-megawatt commercial wind power project in northern Franklin County. FirstWind's Stetson Mountain 38-turbine, 57-megawatt wind farm, under construction now, will be the state's largest wind farm when it comes online. The Mars Hill 28-turbine, 42-megawatt wind farm is currently the state's largest. It has generated over 165 million kilowatt hours of electricity since beginning operations in March 2007.
Thursday, July 10 - Build Your Own Solar Mower, 7 pm, F.W. Horch, 56 Maine Street, Brunswick. Join us to learn how to convert a gas mower to a solar battery charged electric power. An audacious idea to save the planet!
Friday - Sunday, July 11-13 - Maine Bike Rally, Fryeburg, Maine. This three-day event features more than 30 rides to choose from both off-road and on-road, some as short as five miles, others 100 miles long. Learn more »
Tuesdays and Thursdays, July 15 - August 7 - Organic Arts Program at Crystal Spring Farm in Brunswick. In this all-ages six-week gardening and art project, families can grow and harvest food in a community garden in the morning, then create art about organic lifestyles in the afternoon. Open to parents and children; $30 per adult and $10 per child, per day. For more information, please contact Michelle Lisi-D'Alauro at (207) 837-9580.
Thursday, July 24 - Androscoggin Source to the Sea Paddle, Brunswick to Bath, 7 am to 1 pm, with Friends of Merrymeeting Bay. Experienced paddlers only. For more information, please contact Ed Friedman, 666-3372.
Saturday, July 26 - Bird Sounds Stroll, Bowdoinham, 6 to 8 am, with Friends of Merrymeeting Bay. For more information, please contact Will Broussard, 837-9520.
1 comment:
Dear FWH,
you noted that
"A recent plan brokered by several environmental groups and the Maine Department of Transportation calls for building a container port as well as an environmental education center on the island."
While there is perhaps brokering going on, the fat lady hasn't sung, and mayn't even clear her throat till late fall; the whole plan could go by the wayside, as it properly should.
Not only for the flaw inherent in the mitigation banking - thank you for delineating that issue so clearly - but also for the grotesque harm that the dredging and shipping and port operations would have on the great brackish nursery shoal just offshore Sears Island, that feeds young smolted salmon and juvenile groundfish out to the greater Penobscot Bay.
Details at the Penobsscot Bay Blog
That potential impact is what stopped Angus King's port plan. It will again, but would be much smarter to nip the Baldacci port plan in the bud than have to again battle via lawyers, an EIS etc.
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