Proposed bill would upgrade Androscoggin River’s water classification
River advocate Peter Rubins said if approved, the reclassification would become law in time for the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act, which marked the beginning of the river restoration effort.
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Anna Stavrou, left, and her daughter, Nadia, from New Hampshire, take a selfie Saturday in front of Great Falls in Lewiston while standing in Veterans Memorial Park. Stravou, who lives in New Hampshire, but whose work often brings her to Lewiston, took the trip with her daughter to see the falls after the heavy Christmas Day rainfall. “It’s better than Niagara (Falls) because it’s so close,” Nadia said.
Maine DEP delays enforcement of polystyrene foam and plastic bag bans until July Contributed • December 30, 2020
A statewide ban on single-use plastic carry-out bags had been scheduled to go into effect Jan. 15 and the polystyrene foam disposable food service container ban had been scheduled to go into effect Jan.
A statewide ban on single-use plastic carry-out bags had been scheduled to go into effect Jan. 15 and the polystyrene foam disposable food service container ban had been scheduled to go into effect Jan. 1 however, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is delaying its enforcement of the laws that ban the use of these products until July 1, 2021.
Fish ladder in place, ready for spring run
Friends of the Presumpscot River will officially celebrate the fish migration this spring.
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A worker clears snow from the walking area by the fish ladder on the Presumpscot River in Westbrook last week. In the spring, the ladder will facilitate the migration of sea-run fish for the first time since the dams were built nearly 300 years ago.
Chance Viles / American Journal
WESTBROOK The fish ladder on the Presumpscot River is for the most part complete and river advocates are now gearing up for the return of migrating sea-run fish for the first time in hundreds of years.
Solar project, Union Street subdivision on Planning Board agenda for Jan. 6
ELLSWORTH A mixed-use subdivision at 8 Union St. and a solar project are set for Planning Board review. Developers of both projects have submitted applications for preliminary plan approval when the board meets Jan. 6.
The Gilpatrick Solar Project continues the influx of solar farms proposed in Hancock County as renewable and traditional energy companies make plans under new legislation passed last year. Three Ellsworth solar farm applications received final approval in the last months of 2020, as did one in Franklin, with two more granted preliminary application approval. In Hancock County, new solar farms also have been approved in Sedgwick and Hancock, with additional projects in the development stage.
Lost Bale of Plastic Waste Recovered
by Ethan Andrews The recovered bale (Courtesy of Sprague Operating Resources) A sonar image of the bale on the bay floor (Courtesy of Sprague Operating Resources) The location where the bale was found, about 1,000 feet east of the dock at Mack Point in Searsport. Sears Island is visible at right. (Courtesy of Sprague Operating Resources) Bales of solid recovered fuel are unloaded in Searsport on November 29, three days before the spill (Photo: Ethan Andrews) A chunk of compressed plastic waste on the beach at Sears Island on December 8. In the background, Bob Brennan of Stockton Springs, who discovered and reported the spill, pictured with his dog, Jack (Photo: Ethan Andrews)