Briefs: Sidman Denied Intervenor Status in Golden Anchor L.C. Case Against Bar Harbor
Press releases: Alice McDermott Promoted, Lambing Workshop, Acadia Trad!, Tarot Card for the SPCA and much more
A Quick Note From Us: Each week, we compile briefs and press releases and event images and share them all in one (sometimes very long) story.
Our briefs article is mostly just press releases that we don’t write, or claim to write, but just share from the agencies, businesses, and organizations that send them in.
If things are not a press release, they are labelled “BRIEF” in their headlines. The press releases will not have that label.
Brief: Sidman Denied Intervenor Status in Golden Anchor L.C. Case Against Bar Harbor
BAR HARBOR—This week, a Maine Business and Consumer Court judge denied Charle’s Sidman’s motion to reconsider Sidman’s request to be a defendant intervenor in a case between the Golden Anchor L.C. and the Town of Bar Harbor.
The case involves the company which cruise ships have tendered passengers to. The town rules about tendering changed after a citizens’ ordinance led by Sidman passed voters in 2022 and then was narrowly upheld in 2024.
The Golden Anchor property was issued a notice of violation by the town’s code enforcement officer for disembarking passengers without a permit. That permit is now required under the new ordinance. The company is fighting that decision and has been legally disembarking passengers prior to the change.
The Golden Anchor failed in appealing the violation at the town’s appeals board earlier this month. This court case is a parallel track. The court outcome has not been decided.
Sidman was hoping to help the town defend the case. He filed a motion to intervene on October 28. Then Golden Anchor filed an opposition to Sidman’s request on November 18 as well as a motion to enlarge the page limit. The court then allowed the town and Sidman until November 22 to file “any opposition” to Golden Anchor’s motion.
“The date came and went, and the court did not hear from Sidman or the town,” Judge Michael A. Duddy wrote in a three-page decision.
“Believing that the lack of response to the court’s November 19, 2024 order meant it was unlikely to receive any further briefing, on November 27, 2024—nine days after the opposition was filed—the court decided the motion to intervene,” he wrote. “The lack of response and the fact that the motion to intervene was not a dispositive motion weighed into the court’s discretion to decide the motion without waiting for a reply.”
He added, “Sidman has since filed his motion to reconsider, setting out all the arguments (and more) he could have made in a reply filing. Indeed, Sidman has been able to fine tune his arguments having had in essence a preview of the Court’s decision. The court considers the arguments as if they were filed in reply.”
Judge Duddy summarized, “The gist of Sidman’s argument for reconsideration is that his interest in and right to intervene in this action is the same regardless of whether considering the Cruise Ship Ordinance or the Disembarkation Ordinance. According to Sidman, the two ordinances and associated rules are so intertwined that they cannot—or at least should not—be considered separately for purposes of intervention analysis. Sidman further contends that he has demonstrated a particularized injury and interest sufficient to warrant intervention by right. Even if both points are conceded for discussion purposes, however, Sidman still falls short of intervention because his interest is adequately represented by (sic) an existing party—the town.”
The judge found that “the town has credibly and carefully described its actions in connection with the Cruise Ship Ordinance and the Disembarkation Ordinance.” He said the town “has acted responsibly, and not in a manner designed to thwart Sidman. Sidman’s recitation of the facts appears less convincing than does the town’s. The town’s actions include, in particular, taking the enforcement action that triggered this lawsuit against the town.” Because of this, he wrote that Sidman’s interests are represented in an adequate way by the town.
The order is in pdf form below.
Acadia Trad Winterlude to Host the Pine Tree Flyers, February 4 - 5
BAR HARBOR—Music workshops, jam sessions, and a concert and contradance will be held on Mount Desert Island during the first week of February as part of a ‘Winterlude’ hosted by Acadia Festival of Traditional Music & Dance.
New England contradance band, the Pine Tree Flyers, will spend two days in residency on the island and offer daytime concerts to local elementary schools. Public events include an evening workshop and open jam at the Jesup Memorial Library on Tuesday, February 4 at 6:30 p.m., and a concert and open band contradance at College of the Atlantic on Wednesday, February 5 at 7:00 .p.m (doors open 6:30 p.m.).
The first ever “Winterlude” residency is the Acadia Festival of Traditional Music & Dance’s initiative to give back to the local community that has given our flagship June festival so much life. By sponsoring school visits by the Pine Tree Flyers, AFTMD is fulfilling its 501(c)(3) mission to carry forward traditions authentic to Downeast Maine by using music and dance to build bridges between generations and cultures. In addition, all donation proceeds from the Tuesday evening workshop/open jam and Wednesday evening concert and contradance will go towards Open Table MDI.
The Pine Tree Flyers, composed of four of the finest voices in New England's traditional music scene, shine a renewed light on the tunes of the Northeast with excitement and respect. From festival stages and concert halls to raucous fiddle camps, the Flyers are here to make sure New England music has a seat at the table as a distinct and vital American tradition. All residents of Maine, the Flyers – Katie McNally (fiddle), Emily Troll (accordion), Neil Pearlman (piano), and Benjamin Foss (guitar) – cut their teeth playing for contra dances and learning from the greats in traditional music. Individually, they’ve toured the world playing Irish, Scottish, and Quebecois music and they bring this wellspring of knowledge and technical prowess to the American music that was born from these traditions.
The Acadia Festival of Traditional Music & Dance is a weeklong summer celebration of Acadian, Cape Breton, Irish, Québécois, Scottish and other Celtic-influenced traditions that contribute to the vibrant culture and authentic character of Downeast Maine. Founded in 2013 and newly reimagined in 2023, the Festival gathers world-class performers, students and community members together at the beautiful oceanfront campus of College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor for awe-inspiring nightly concerts and dances, as well as daily classes and workshops.
The 2025 Festival, which will be held June 22-28, will offer unparalleled instruction in the following majors: Fiddle, Guitar, Piano, Flute, Dance, Community Singing, Bodhran, Bouzouki, Harp and Mandolin. Registration is open through May 2025 and scholarship applications are available through January 31, 2025.
Lambing Workshop Upcoming
BAR HARBOR—Current or aspiring sheep owners, animal lovers, and homesteaders are invited to a day-long lambing workshop at College of the Atlantic Peggy Rockefeller Farm during the busy, and adorable, lambing season.
There are eight spots available for the workshop, which takes place on Saturday, January 25 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The sliding scale fee is $100–$300, with lunch, hot drinks, and snacks included; scholarships may be available. Register at coa.edu/lambworkshop by January 17 to secure a space. This program, which is sponsored by the COA Food and Farming Workshop Series, is designed for adults, though youth ages 14-17 may be able to attend with prior permission.
Participants will learn how to care for sheep, both during lambing season and all year round. After completing morning chores together, they’ll observe the flock for early signs of labor, check on our ewes and new lambs, and perform ear tagging, tail docking, and other procedures if needed. With any luck, participants will be present to observe a lamb being born.
Topics of discussion include: the farm’s preparations for lambing season, from selecting breeding groups to making their lambing kit; ewe and lamb health and nutrition; the lambing process; post-birth lamb care; record keeping; vaccination and hoof trimming; and considerations when lambs are moved from the barn to pasture.
Participants should wear sturdy waterproof boots and layers appropriate for farm work and the weather. There will be more details and a packing list shared upon registration.
Tarot Card Readings and Massages to Benefit SPCA Animals
TRENTON—Unwind and find out what the New Year holds in store for you while supporting the animals of the SPCA of Hancock County.
The first-ever Tarot For Tails event is being held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, January 25, at the SPCA shelter at 141 Bar Harbor Road with tarot card readings and chair massages available.
The cost is only $20 for a 15-minute reading with one of our volunteer tarot card readers. You can sign up for multiple readings if you like. The cost of a chair massage by Massage Therapist Mandy Newell of Mount Desert is also $20.
Both the massage therapist and the tarot card readers are donating their time and talents for the animals. All of the proceeds from the event will go to the SPCA.
Complimentary light refreshments donated by Hannaford will be served.
No pre-appointments are necessary. You just need to sign up when you arrive at the shelter and pay then by cash, check or credit card.
If you fall in love with a furry friend during this fundraising event, please remember that you must fill out an application and that the process can take 3 to 5 days. The adoption application can be found at https://www.spcahancockcounty.org/adopt/
For more information on Tarot and Tails, please contact Jamie O’Keefe at 207-299-8732 or jamieokeefe67@gmail.com
TUESDAYS! COMMUNITY CLASS ON HOW TO NAVIGATE TURBULENT TIMES
SATURDAYS! BABY AND ME YOGA!
Alice McDermott Promoted to Branch Relationship Manager at Bar Harbor Bank & Trust
SOUTHWEST HARBOR—Alice McDermott has been promoted to Branch Relationship Manager at Bar Harbor Bank & Trust’s location in Southwest Harbor, Maine. She leads the retail banking team there to provide solutions and guidance to help individuals, families, and businesses in the community meet their financial goals.
Alice worked in childcare for more than a decade and five years at Cave Hill Elementary School before transitioning into banking. She joined the Bank in 2019 as a Customer Service Representative at the Southwest Harbor branch. During her time at the Bank, Alice took on roles of increasing responsibility and was promoted to Personal Banker in 2022 and then to Branch Relationship Manager this year.
Alice has successfully completed coursework toward a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts with a Minor in Special Education at the University of Maine.
Alice, her significant other, Ronnie Lyons, and their three children live in Waltham, Maine.
Bar Harbor Bankshares (NYSE American: BHB) is the parent company of its wholly owned subsidiary, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust. Operating over 50 locations across Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust is headquartered in Bar Harbor, Maine and has more than $4 billion in assets. As a leading Northern New England community bank, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust offers a full range of personal and business banking services, as well as wealth management services through its subsidiary Bar Harbor Wealth Management. For more information about Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, visit www.barharbor.bank or call 888-853-7100. Member FDIC.
“Young Artists’ Intensive” Program for Grades 4–8 During January and February Breaks
BAR HARBOR—ArtWaves is excited to announce two Young Artists’ Intensives; dynamic multi-day workshops, best suited for students in grades 4–8 with a passion for creativity and a desire to do focused, hands-on artwork. This immersive program offers young artists a unique opportunity to explore painting, mosaic-making, fiber arts, printmaking, and drawing under the guidance of ArtWaves founder and experienced educator, Liz Cutler.
The first session will take place January 20 - 22 and will focus on mosaic, fiber arts, and printmaking, and the second session will happen February 17 - 21 and will give students an opportunity to explore design, drawing, painting, and sculpting.
Each day will begin with morning instruction, introducing key techniques and creative approaches. During the afternoon, students will have the opportunity to try out a longer form project in the given topic area of the day.
“All materials are included, and students will leave with finished artwork each day,” says Cutler. “It’s a wonderful chance to foster creativity and learn new skills in a supportive, fun environment.”
Spaces are limited for this highly anticipated program, so early registration is encouraged. For more details and to register, visit www.artwavesmdi.org.
Healthy Acadia to Host Free Virtual Workshop on Astrological Mindfulness
MAINE—Healthy Acadia invites community members to participate in a free virtual workshop, “Astrological Mindfulness: Relaxation by Zodiac Sign,” on Thursday, February 6, 2025, from 5 to 6 p.m. via Zoom. The event, part of Healthy Acadia’s Monthly Mindfulness series, will feature special guest Julie Daigle.
In this lighthearted workshop, participants will explore relaxation techniques associated with the four elements and three modalities of the Western Zodiac. Bring your sun sign (or your birth date, if you're unsure of your sign) to discover how these astrological qualities can inform your mindfulness practice.
Those with a deeper understanding of astrology, including knowledge of elements, modalities, and chart aspects, are welcome to use that information during the session. However, no prior astrology experience is needed to attend. The focus is on fostering relaxation and mindfulness in a playful, accessible way—no deep astrological knowledge required.
Julie Daigle brings to this mindfulness workshop nearly 40 years of mind-body-spirit practice, which informs her current classes in yoga nidra and tai chi in coastal Maine; she also brings over 30 years of fascination and exploration with the astrological symbols and narratives we link to astronomical phenomena. Daigle also currently serves as Healthy Acadia’s Substance and Tobacco Prevention Manager.
Her favorite piece of space trivia is that dust bunnies are formed in part by inorganic materials brought in from the outside, and a portion of that material is meteorite dust and micrometeorites - “Which means... we have stars under our beds and couches and behind the fridge and on top of the hutch! In this session, we get to bring the stars into our lives in another way as well.”
Pre-registration is required for this free event. To register and receive the Zoom link, visit bit.ly/mindful-2625.
For more information about this event, future mindfulness events, or other programs promoting mindful living, contact Ursula Hanson at ursula@healthyacadia.org. To stay updated and register for free events, subscribe to Healthy Acadia’s e-newsletter or visit healthyacadia.org/hpm-mindfulness-for-health.
Healthy Acadia is a 501(c)(3) community health organization dedicated to building vibrant communities and making it easier for everyone to lead healthy lives. Serving Washington and Hancock counties, the organization provides community health support and leadership across Maine. For more information, visit healthyacadia.org.
DAWNLAND FESTIVAL OF ARTS AND IDEAS RETURNS!
Abbe Museum’s Dawnland Festival of Arts & Ideas will return to the campus of the College of the Atlantic (COA) in Bar Harbor on July 12 & 13, 2025. This unique multi-day festival is a showcase for Wabanaki and Native culture and ideas, including performances, panels from Indigenous thought leaders, and a Native arts market.
“The Abbe Museum is thrilled to be able to bring this vibrant festival to the COA campus again this year,” states Betsy Richards (Cherokee), Executive Director & Senior Partner with Wabanaki Nations. “Native arts and cultures cannot be separated from Native ways of knowing. The Dawnland Festival of Arts & Ideas celebrates the Native creative economy while also lifting up Indigenous thought leaders vital to the conversation on a healthy planet and society for us all.”
Photos from the ‘24 Dawnland Festival of Arts & Ideas by Nolan Altvater, Passamaquoddy.
The Dawnland Festival of Arts & Ideas will open with the Native Market at 9 a.m. on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Panels begin at 2 p.m. that day, and run until 5 p.m. Music performances and demonstrations by artists will run throughout the day, with a finalized schedule available closer to the date. The market closes at 4 p.m., Saturday.
Sunday’s schedule, for July 13, 2025: Market open from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Panels from 2- 5 p.m.; music performances and Native artists’ demonstrations throughout the day.
The Festival, which drew well over a thousand people in 2024, is free and open to the public, and sponsorship opportunities are available.
For more information, see the Festival website: DAWNLANDFESTIVAL.ORG or email info@abbemuseum.org
Jason Anderson Live at the Jesup Memorial Library
with special guest Jesse Huge
Thursday, January 23 at 6:30 p.m.
BAR HARBOR—Jason Anderson returns to Bar Harbor for a very special night of songs and stories at the piano. An award-winning songwriter based in eastern Canada, Jason's evocative lyrics, anthemic melodies, and incredible live performances have taken him around the world, making friends and fans one electrifying concert at a time. Personal, passionate, and poetic, his music crackles with life. Recommended for fans of Bruce Springsteen, Glen Hansard, et al. Jason is the real deal.
Jason will be joined by local Mount Desert Island musician Jesse Huge for an intimate solo set to start the show.
"Jason's music is an experience; the kind that gives you goosebumps and wedges itself in your heart. You may think that's an overstatement. But it's not.” - Union + Co
“Jason sings directly to your heart, and does it so vividly, you can’t help but feel the effects of the performance long after you leave. Yes…he is THAT good.” - MRTI Agency
“A master of live performance.” - John Craigie
Follow along: instagram.com/jasonandersonmusic
Learn more: jasonandersonmusic.net
Register to attend in-person or online here: https://www.jesuplibrary.org/events/anderson-huge
Suggested $10 donation.
Live Theater to Take Over Northeast Harbor for One Whirlwind Night
NORTHEAST HARBOR—On Saturday, February 1, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., the Northeast Harbor Library will host a public performance of their third annual Twelve Hour Play Relay.
Guests are invited to experience the dramatic debut of four original ten-minute plays written, rehearsed and performed in just twelve hours. Volunteer writers will have six hours (starting Friday, January 31) to pen an original ten-minute piece of theater from prompts provided by students from Mount Desert Elementary School. The next day (Saturday, February 1), scripts are handed to teams of actors and directors, who are given six hours to rehearse before the curtains open for a one-night-only public performance.
Find more information and register to be a writer, actor/director, or audience member at nehlibrary.org/events, or call (207) 276-3333 to speak with an organizer.
NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE CLASS SCHEDULE!
CALL FOR BAKERS!
MLK Day of Service: Toiletries Drive
The YWCA of Mount Desert Island will be holding a toiletry drive as part of the MLK Day of Service. Donations can be dropped off at the YWCA now until January 18.
MITCHELL INSTITUTE SCHOLARSHIP!
APRIL SAT PREP COURSE!
MDI HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS OF THE MONTH
Seth Singleton Camden Conference 2025 Lecture
America First Returns: Prospects for Democracy and Autocracy Around the World
SOUTHWEST HARBOR—On Tuesday, January 21 from 5:30-6:30 p.m., join us at the Southwest Harbor Public Library for Professor Seth Singleton’s “America First returns: prospects for democracy and autocracy around the world” Camden Conference 2025 Lecture. The program will take place at the library with online viewing available. Registration encouraged: https://tinyurl.com/3u4eybkh.
It's a new era. The most powerful country, the United States, seems ready to discard its policy of support for democracy in place since 1941. The American public is enthusiastically nationalist, and the incoming Administration seems determined to pursue the self-interest of the United States unconstrained by alliances or pro-democracy ideology. What then are the prospects for democracies and democratic movements around the world? Will the incoming Administration make deals with autocrats in Russia, Hungary, Turkey, India, Saudi Arabia or China to establish world dominance of nationalist authoritarian governments? This talk will argue that democracy has resilience, that American influence on other countries is overrated, and that we are living through historical evolution, not a world takeover by dictators.
Seth Singleton has taught political science at universities in the United States and overseas, most recently at the University of Maine. He studies political change, civil violence, and revolution and why it does or does not happen. He lived in Russia at the time of the Soviet collapse and has also worked in Africa, Latin America, Vietnam, and Mongolia. Seth Singleton lives in Mount Desert and appreciates the vibrant community on Mount Desert Island.
The Camden Conference was founded in 1987 as a nonprofit, non-partisan educational organization whose mission is to foster informed discourse on world issues. The 38th Annual Camden Conference 2025 topic for February 21-23 is “Democracy Under Threat: A Global Perspective”.
https://www.camdenconference.org
To register for in-person or online attendance, visit https://tinyurl.com/3u4eybkh. For more information and questions, visit www.swhplibrary.org, call 207-244-7065, or email programs@swhplibrary.org.
NAHS Gallery Show Opening "Visual Symphony"
NAHS student showcase with artwork inspired by songs that hold personal meaning, transforming melodies and lyrics into vibrant, emotional visual expressions. Scan the codes to hear the songs on Spotify.
On Thursday, January 2, NAHS moved their show into Choco-Latte where it will be up through the month of February! "They were very excited to have their work displayed in such a public and busy space and I’m very proud of them!" writes Flannery Dillon, NAHS Advisor.
If you happen to find yourself downtown BH and need some coffee, go check out their work!
Acadia Senior College
Friday, January 24, 11:30 a.m.
Birch Bay Village and on Zoom
Friends of Acadia has embarked on an ambitious effort to help moderate the housing shortage which directly impacts both seasonal staffing for Acadia National Park and the Island Explorer. Dave Edson will describe these efforts to date and offer his personal perspectives on future possibilities. Friends of Acadia collaborates where/when possible with other local organizations that are also addressing the housing crisis.
Dave Edson serves on the Board of Friends of Acadia and chairs the Housing Subcommittee. He retired after a career (1974-2018) at James W. Sewall in Old Town, Maine. Edson was a registered professional forester with expertise in mapping, inventory, and related matters.
During that period, he served on the board of The Maine Forest Products Council, Forest Society of Maine, and Association of Consulting Foresters. After retirement, he has served on the local advisory committee for Maine Coast Heritage Trust, Friends of Acadia Board, Board of MDI Wheelers, Maine Woods Conservancy and several town committees in Tremont.
The in-person lunch and presentation will take place together at Birch Bay Village in Hulls Cove, starting at 11:30 a.m. The cost for attending both is $15 -there are no in-person seats available for the presentation only.
The Zoom-only presentation is free and begins at noon. If you register for the online talk you will receive the link the day before the event.
Click for more information and to register
Please let us know by Wednesday, January 22nd if you cannot attend.
“Consolidation of Island Towns’ Services – A Good Idea?”
James Smith Bar Harbor Town Manager and David Kerns Police Chief, Mount Desert and Bar Harbor
Friday, February 14, 8:30 a.m.
Join us for coffee, tea, pastries and muffins at Brasserie Le Brun, 74 Cottage St, Bar Harbor.
The cost to attend in person at Brasserie Le Brun is $10 and includes coffee, tea, and pastries. The discussion will also be available on Zoom. Coffee and social hour begins at 8:30 a.m. and the discussion starts at 9:00 a.m.
Click for more information and to register
Please let us know by Wednesday, February 12th if you cannot attend.
DOWNEAST TROUT
Jan. 22 5:30 p.m. Austin Schuver Frenchmans Bay Conservancy speaker after a Bylaws vote
Happy New Year! Engagement will be a major focus for TU & DETU this year, with the goal to grow our community of conservationists and anglers and bring more people together to create opportunities to support our mission. Our DETU Officers and Directors elections will be held at our Annual Meeting on April 23. Our current Officers have termed out and it is time for new leadership. If you have an interest in being an Officer or in joining our board contact Rob Packie 207-610-0976 or rbpackie@gmail.com.
Jan. 14 Georges River Trout Unlimited hosts Selene Fromberg, owner of Selene’s Fly Shop in Gardner, will speak about legendary Maine fly-tyer Carrie Stevens-creator of the grey ghost. 6 p.m. Maine Sport in Rockport, “Trout Talk” for those who wish to meet Selene and see a demo before her talk at 7pm. Zoom link below, if technology is cooperating.
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/96625627646?pwd=dU1ET2Jtb0dlblBNemt2Z2pXbmlTZz09
The TU Climate Change NLC Workgroup is offering training to get chapter Climate Change Coordinators up and running to lead awareness and advocacy in their local communities. The first module, focused on Science, will be Jan. 16 at 8 p.m. with TU Senior Scientist, Dr. Helen Neville presenting her research on trout and salmon, their habitat and how climate change impacts them. This is not one to miss as Helen has a gift for explaining complex topics. Get registered here!
January 17, 18, & 19 2025 Fly Fishing show at the Royal Plaza Hotel & Trade Center, 181 Post Road, Marlborough, MA. Weekend filled with demos, talks, and the latest fly-fishing gear.
Jan. 22 5:30pm DETU meeting: By-laws vote- We will vote on two changes to the Downeast Trout Unlimited bylaws. We are making changes to align our DETU bylaws more closely with National TU. The changes are as follows:
!) The Secretary's role will be streamlined; originally we included communications duties and maintaining our membership roster. These two roles will be assigned to the chair of the Communications and Membership Committees respectively.
2) The Program Coordinator will no longer be an Officer position. I can find no other chapter that has this Officer as such, other chapters have a Program Committee and we will do likewise. The committee chair will be the lead for programming.
Only members of DETU who are present either in person or online will be able to vote.
Please attend this meeting if you would like to participate in these changes to our bylaws.
Speaker: Austin Schuver, Land Protection Manager for Frenchmans Bay Conservancy will detail their holdings in the Union River watershed. Hybrid meeting Wed. at the Moore Community Center 125 State Street Ellsworth and via Zoom. Pre-register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/CQb_S4UJQUKxwWT2OZmpdg
Trout Camp June 22-26 2025 on the Kennebec River. Students ages 13-17 can apply. Forms are available on the Maine Council website https://tumaine.org
The camp's stockpile of flies needs replenishing, Rob Packie is collecting flies and will be sending a package to Trout Camp from DETU in the spring. rbpackie@gmail.com Anglers or fly tiers, please consider donating a half dozen or more of the same pattern. You can mail flies directly to Robb Cotiaux at 91 Tufts Road New Gloucester, ME. 04260. Contact Robb Cotiaux r.cotiaux@gmail.com
Shad Raffle Returns with a Twist- Winners Choice of 2 Prizes! Tickets $10 each. SHAD FISHING for one MAY 17 or 12 LOBSTERS! Drawing April 23 Two winners will be drawn. The first winner has their choice of prize and the second winner will receive the remaining prize. DETU will soon be mailing members one ticket for this raffle. Purchase it, sell it, or buy the ticket and designate that the prize be given to a veteran. Experience a day of fly-tying and fly-fishing for American Shad. Your day will begin with fly-tying at 8am in Milbridge, followed by fishing on the Narraguagus River with Al West, Registered Maine Guide and DMR record holder for the largest American Shad caught on a fly rod. DETU members Mike Elkavitch and Bob Bechtold will offer fly tying guidance and supply the flies needed for a successful day of Shad fishing. Gear will be provided if needed. The lobsters will need to be picked up, location TBD. For more information contact Al West at aldime04658@gmail.com
Lake Stewards of Maine and Maine Lakes- 2025 Watershed Community Grants: Available to groups interested in conducting a watershed survey. They are partnering to offer grants to help identify land use issues, raise awareness and encourage action. Applications will be reviewed based on work with Maine DEP, EPA criteria and past funding. stewards@LakeStewardsME.org Deadline Feb. 9. To Apply: https://www.lakestewardsofmaine.org/watershed-survey.../
Help Track Ice Cover on Maine Lakes Ice cover is an indicator of lake health and a window into the effects of climate change. Ice keeps our lakes cool and ensures survival for cold-water fish. Submissions will help to understand trends and can be used to take steps to protect Maine lakes in the future. You don’t have to live on a lake to participate-anyone can help! Email stewards@lakestewardsme.org or go to https://www.lakestewardsofmaine.org/.../ice-in-ice-out.../
To enjoy Maine winters safely you must keep in mind that ice conditions are always changing. Ice conditions vary from day-to-day and from one water body to the next. Here are some important tips and tricks to keep in mind when judging ice conditions. Being a responsible user of the Maine outdoors means staying informed and complying with the current laws and rules. Visit mefishwildlife.com/laws
2025 Summary of Maine Fishing Laws (PDF)
Regional Conversations on Storm Responses- Gather with Maine’s coastal communities to explore how to better prepare for future storms like the ones that hit Maine last January. Opportunities to reflect on storm impacts and regional response, and to learn about public and private resources to support working waterfronts. Next meetings Jan. 27 5pm Neighborhood House 1 Kimball Road Northeast Harbor and January 29 Blue Hill Public Library 5 Parker Point Rd. Blue Hill.
Learn more and register here: https://seagrant.umaine.edu/workingwaterfrontstorms/
Fly-Fishing Course Tuesdays beginning Apr. 29: Casting, gear identification, read water, and more. Instructors Maine Guide Al West & Mike Elkavitch (PRFGCA & DETU members). 5 pm - 6:30 PM at the Pleasant River Fish and Game Conservation Association Clubhouse 1597 Tibbettstown Road in Columbia. The cost for this course is $100. Contact Al 207-632-7267, email - aldime04658@gmail.com
We are looking forward to a great year for DETU, thanks to you, our members and supporters!
Future Speakers
Feb. 26 Steve Poulos Cobscook Bat Trout Study
March 26 Steve Brooke Kennebec River Dams
April 23 Rory Saunders Downeast Salmon Restoration
May 28 Colby Bruchs Atlantic Salmon Smolts & Returns on the Narraguagus River **In person only at Helen’s in Machias.
Downeast Trout Unlimited chapter 305 is dedicated to conserving, protecting, and restoring Maine's cold water fisheries and their watersheds. Go to www.tu.org/join305Downeast to join--half price for new memberships! Call 800-834-2419 to renew.
Mail donations to Downeast Trout Unlimited, c/o Dana Hunter, Treasurer; 9 Lobster Pool Road Little Deer Isle, ME 04650. Contact DETU Secretary Tammy Packie, tpackie@gmail.com or visit
NEWS FROM FRIENDS OF ACADIA
Disaster Relief Funds Secured for Public Lands
On December 20, Congress passed a Continuing Resolution (CR), averting a government shutdown and extending federal funding through mid-March. The bill allocates over $100 billion for disaster aid, intended to help address storm recovery efforts nationwide, including in national parks. Friends of Acadia is actively advocating to ensure Acadia National Park secures adequate federal resources to support storm recovery efforts.
Announcing the 4th Annual Pints for a Purpose Speaker Series
The 2025 season for Pints of a Purpose will kick off on Thursday, May 29 at 5 p.m. with James Francis Jr., the Penobscot Nation’s Tribal Historian. We will gather in the main lodge each Thursday of the season for an informative talk and discussion, camaraderie, and delicious refreshments.
Pints for a Purpose, a partnership event between Terramor Outdoor Resort and Friends of Acadia, will run through October 16. Visit our website to stay up to date on speakers and other announcements.
Acadia National Park Calendars Available for Purchase
Start 2025 off with a new calendar featuring beautiful images of Acadia captured by retired park ranger and photographer Bob Thayer! A portion of your purchase will support Friends of Acadia’s work.
Click here to purchase your calendar.
Science in Acadia Spotlighted in Sierra Magazine
The winter issue of Sierra, the magazine of the Sierra Club, features an article highlighting several science-forward initiatives happening in Acadia National Park.
Among them: vegetation restoration on Acadia’s summits, invasive plant management in Bass Harbor Marsh, sweetgrass gathering and co-stewardship with the Wabanaki, the impacts and response to a duo of powerful storms in January 2024, and the Resist-Accept-Direct framework that helps inform decisions made by park managers.
Click here to read the full article.
2025 Stewardship Volunteer Service Group Registration Now Open
Does your club, business, school, or social group love volunteering? Volunteering as a group is a great way to bond while giving back to Acadia National Park. If you’d like to sign up as a Stewardship Volunteer Group, please register now using this form or email Nikki Burtis for more information!
Dates are limited--register now to ensure your preferred date is available. Click here to learn more about service group opportunities.
Save the Date: Matching E-Challenge During Week of Feb. 24
To celebrate the anniversary of Acadia's transition from national monument to national park on February 26, 1919, we will be DOUBLING all gifts during the week of February 24! Stay tuned for more details in your inbox and our social media channels next month.
Seasonal Positions at FOA, Schoodic Institute, and Acadia
Friends of Acadia is currently hiring Summit Stewards, Recreation Technicians, Stewardship Crew members, a Wild Gardens of Acadia Intern, a Photographer/Video Producer, and a Digital Content Creator for the 2025 season. Visit our website for more information and application details.
Schoodic Institute is also hiring some seasonal positions for 2025, including Environmental Educators, Research Fellows, and Housekeepers. Visit Schoodic’s employment page to learn more.
Acadia National Park has started hiring for the 2025 summer season, too. If you'd like more in-depth information about how to apply to work at Acadia, consider registering for one of the upcoming Federal Resume Workshops. Learn more about these workshops and available positions here., contact our Corporate and Foundation Relations Coordinator, Jodi Michael.
In Case You Missed It:
Acadia Announces 2025 Artist-in-Residence Program Participants
National Parks Conservation Association Features Save Our Summits Program
Agriculture education scholarship available
PORTLAND & ELLSWORTH—Graduating seniors from Maine high schools who are National FFA Organization (Future Farmers of America) members and interested in pursuing a career in farming, agriculture or natural resources are invited to apply for a Ronald P. Guerrette FFA Scholarship through the Maine Community Foundation (MaineCF).
The Guerrette FFA Scholarship Fund provides one, $1,000 scholarship per year.
The application deadline is March 1. To learn more and to apply, visit www.mainecf.org/scholarships.
The fund was created in 1998 by friends and family of Ronald P. Guerrette of Caribou to honor his life and work.
The Maine Community Foundation brings people and resources together to build a better Maine through strategic giving, community leadership, personalized service, local expertise and strong investments. To learn more about the foundation, visit www.mainecf.org.
MAINE FISH AND WILDLIFE NEWS
Get ready for adventure by completing a safety course!
The cold winter months are a great time to learn something new and get ready for upcoming recreational activities. Maine offers safety courses online and in-person, and we have many courses coming up. Choose your path and get ready for a safe and ethical hunting and trapping season. Boater safety and snowmobile/ATV safety are also great courses that will prepare you to make the most of your outdoor activities. We hope to see you at a course soon!
**Lost your safety card or certificate? Call 207-287-5220 for a replacement card or to find your hunter safety certification number (applies to hunter, archery hunter, and trapping).
More information
Hunting with Nonlead Ammunition
Maine Professional Guides Association
Purchase your Hunting License or Permit
Check Season Dates and Bag Limits
What does my Hunting License Cover?
Find a Shooting Range Near You
The Maine DEP completes new natural hazard risk assessment guidance for Marine Oil Terminals
AUGUSTA—The Maine Department of Environmental Protection completed new guidance to assist marine oil terminal owners and operators in planning for climate change. This new planning tool is a Natural Hazard Risk Assessment (NHRA). A NHRA developed under the requirements of the DEP’s Chapter 600, Oil Discharge Prevention and Pollution Control Rules for Marine Oil Terminal Facilities, Transportation Pipelines and Vessels, must evaluate the risks from natural hazards (flooding, sea level rise, and storm damage) to terminal infrastructure and other assets. The guidance utilizes the best available scientific evidence and local knowledge to assess risks associated with a 100-year flood event and a 100-year flood given Intermediate and High Sea Level Rise (SLR) scenarios. A NHRA must also identify how terminals will manage a 24-hour, 100-year precipitation event in their facility drainage system. The NHRA guidance document is posted on the DEP’s website. https://www.maine.gov/dep/waste/abovegroundtanks/marineoilterminal.html
The guidance was produced through a collaborative effort of a Natural Hazard Risk Assessment Workgroup over the past year. The workgroup included terminal representatives, local officials, community members, terminal consultants, climate changes specialists, and DEP staff. The workgroup process was especially informative given the January 13 and 15, 2024 coastal storms in Maine which set record high water levels at terminal sites.
A NHRA will be submitted with each new or renewal oil terminal license application filed by a marine oil terminal facility to the Department with the first of the submittals expected in August of 2025. By March of 2029 each facility in the State will have submitted a NHRA. The updated requirements of Chapter 600 state that a NHRA must be done every 5 years. The NHRA reports must include an implementation schedule for all adaptations recommended or required in the report.
FROM GOVERNOR MILLS’ OFFICE
Recognizing the critical need to ensure affordable, reliable energy for all Maine people and businesses, Governor Mills proposes elevating the Governor's Energy Office to a cabinet-level department in upcoming budget proposal
Governor Janet Mills today announced that she will propose elevating the Governor's Energy Office (GEO) to a cabinet-level department as part of her upcoming biennial budget proposal.
Establishing the Maine Department of Energy Resources outside of the Governor's Office, where GEO currently resides, would allow for a more integrated, comprehensive, and consistent approach to the planning and management of Maine's energy system, helping Maine more effectively prioritize affordable and reliable energy for all Maine people and businesses. It is a budget neutral initiative during a tight budget cycle.
Maine is one of only a handful of states in the U.S. that have an energy office located within the Governor's office and is the only one in the northeast. More than 40 states have energy offices with cabinet-level leadership. In recent years, the Maine Legislature has expanded GEO's responsibilities, and the office has worked to secure more than $200 million in federal funding to support grid resilience and innovation, energy efficiency, and workforce development, among other key investments for Maine. Elevating GEO to a cabinet-level position would make the office commensurate with these added responsibilities.
"Energy plays an essential role in our daily lives and significantly impacts our economy, but it is not represented as a cabinet-level office here in Maine like it is in nearly every other state," said Governor Janet Mills. "Maine faces many energy-related challenges, including high costs, price volatility, aging and inefficient infrastructure, increasingly severe weather, and an over-reliance on expensive, imported fossil fuels. By transitioning the Energy Office to a Department, we can strengthen our ability to bring down the cost of energy, ensure that our energy infrastructure is strong and reliable for all Maine people, and have a greater say in our energy future."
This is not the first time a proposal to elevate the Energy Office has been put forward. During the LePage Administration in 2017, House Republicans put forward legislation to remove the Energy Office from the Governor's Office and establish an energy seat in the Cabinet. The 2017 legislation proposed activities for the office including energy planning, data analysis, and the implementation of an oil dependence reduction plan, among other tasks.
"Transitioning to a standalone department will strengthen the work of the Governor's Energy Office by ensuring a more durable and integrated structure that is able to take a comprehensive approach to energy planning and policy," said Dan Burgess, Director of the Governor's Energy Office. "By designating a cabinet seat focused solely on energy issues, Maine will be in a stronger position to deliver more affordable energy, advance our energy goals, and grow the state's economy."
"This proposal reaffirms the important role that energy plays in the lives of all Maine people and elevates the office to a level commensurate with the duties with which it is tasked," said Senator Mark Lawrence and Representative Melanie Sachs, co-chairs of the Maine Legislature's Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee. "State law requires Maine to transition to renewable energy and reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, and it must do this while ensuring access to energy remains affordable, reliable, and secure. Regular planning, evaluation, and education delivered by a dedicated agency will ensure the consistency needed to keep Maine on a path toward these goals. There's a reason why this concept has been proposed previously in bipartisan fashion."
"Energy is one of most pressing issues for our state's economy and the Maine State Chamber applauds Governor Mills proposal to create a Maine Department of Energy Resources to coordinate our state's strategy," said Patrick Woodcock, President and CEO of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce. "Addressing energy affordability and meeting our state's climate targets will require careful planning and execution and the Chamber looks forward to working with the Administration on those efforts with a cabinet-level Energy Department leading that effort."
"Elevating the Governor's Energy Office to a Department is a strong signal that Maine is committed to ensuring affordable, reliable, clean energy for all people and businesses," said Eliza Donoghue, Executive Director of the Maine Renewable Energy Association. "The Maine Renewable Energy Association supports the Governor's proposal, which would solidify Maine's position as a leader in renewable energy and enable long-term planning and continued investment in the state's growing clean energy economy."
"Over the past decade, governors and legislatures across the nation have acted on a bipartisan basis to position State Energy Offices' energy policy development, planning, and program implementation functions at the top tier of state government leadership," said David Terry, President of the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO). "NASEO applauds Governor Mills' proposal, which would further enhance the ability of the energy office to achieve Maine's ambitious energy, economic, and environmental goals."
The Department would be the designated state energy office for Maine, a role which GEO is currently fulfilling, and would undertake the same core duties that GEO currently does as the lead agency on matters related to energy resources, policies, planning, data, markets, energy security and program implementation. The Department would assume some additional authority to conduct competitive energy procurements to achieve Maine's electric demand and reliability needs, consistent with the practice of energy departments in other states. The Department would also continue engagement and coordination with state agencies, the Maine Public Utilities Commission, and other state, regional and federal partners as presently led by GEO.
If the Governor's budget proposal is passed by the Maine Legislature, GEO would transition to a department by the end of this year. The Department would be led by a commissioner to be appointed by the Governor, which, like all cabinet-level positions, would be subject to confirmation by the committee of jurisdiction and the Legislature.
New Paid Family and Medical Leave Employer Portal Launches
Any employer with at least one Maine-based employee must have begun payroll withholdings for their employees January 1.
AUGUSTA - The Maine Department of Labor announced today that the new Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) Portal, the online system for employers to register, designate a payroll processor, file quarterly wage reports, and remit quarterly premium contributions, has launched.
“The Department is excited to be moving into the next phase of the new Paid Family and Medical Leave Program, with the launch of its portal today,” said Luke Monahan, Director of Paid Family and Medical Leave. “We encourage employers to register and explore the new portal as soon as possible in order to be prepared to begin wage reporting in April, and encourage people to stay up to date by visiting our website.”
In the hour since the portal launched this morning, over 100 employers have already successfully registered on the portal. Designed to be a straightforward process, the average time spent registering from a desktop has been nine minutes, and the average time spent registering from a mobile device has been five minutes.
Starting January 1st, 2025, any employer with at least one Maine-based employee must have begun payroll withholdings for their employees. Employers with 15 or more employees will contribute 1 percent of wages and may deduct up to half of the contribution from the employees' wages. Employers with less than 15 employees will contribute 0.5 percent of wages and may deduct the entire amount from the employees' wages.
All employers must register on the portal in order to begin wage reporting in April 2025. The portal will also allow self-employed individuals and tribal governments to elect coverage.
Employers will begin their first quarterly wage reporting and premium payments starting April 1, 2025, and they are due by April 30, 2025.
The portal can be accessed here: https://pfml.maine.gov/contributions/_/
In December, the Department launched a PFML-specific call center, which can be reached at (207) 621-5024 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. The number can also be found under the “contact us” tab on the PFML webpage.
Stay up to date by signing up for the PFML Get Notified List and learn more in our FAQ, employer resources, recorded demonstrations, and step by step guides on our website: https://www.maine.gov/paidleave/
The Department partnered with FAST Enterprises to build the Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave Program's online contributions portal. FAST Enterprises has previously worked with Maine Revenue Services to create the Maine Tax Portal, as well as the contribution collections system for the Massachusetts Department of Family and Medical Leave.
Benefits are scheduled to begin May 1, 2026.
Wetland restoration projects receive $1.2 million in funding from MNRCP
AUGUSTA—The Maine Natural Resource Conservation Program (MNRCP) awarded over $1.2 million for three projects that will restore and enhance freshwater and coastal wetlands, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (Maine DEP) announced today.
Recipients of the funding include a project in Kennebunkport that will restore nine acres of former agricultural field to forested and scrub-shrub wetlands; a project in Bowdoinham that will upgrade three tidal restrictions to improve tidal flow into upstream wetlands; and a salt marsh enhancement project in Biddeford that will rectify past agricultural impacts to the marsh and improve habitat for saltmarsh sparrows. In total, $1,278,182 was awarded to restore or enhance wetlands that will improve climate resiliency, enhance wildlife habitat, and reduce flooding impacts.
"We are delighted and grateful to be the recipient of a MNRCP grant," said Tom Bradbury, Executive Director of the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust. "The funding will allow us to work with consultants to restore a ditched hay field within our 1,200-acre Edwin Smith Preserve to the wetland it once was. This will help mitigate the effects of flooding during heavy rain events, sequester carbon in the soil, reintroduce bird and animal species to the property, and provide important habitat for the rare turtles that have been observed in the area. What's more, it will become an important part of our well-established educational programs. We are excited!"
Andrew Morgan, Land and Stewardship Director for the Kennebec Estuary Land Trust, shared that “This MNRCP funding will enable Kennebec Estuary Land Trust to upgrade three restricted tidal crossings with replacements designed to handle increased tidal flow with projected sea level rise. These new structures will enhance 22 acres of freshwater tidal wetlands, thereby improving high value wading bird and waterfowl habitat, enhancing fish habitat connectivity and nutrient exchange, increasing flood water drainage capacity, and facilitating freshwater marsh migration. This is particularly important in Merrymeeting Bay — one of the most diverse ecosystems in the state.”
MNRCP is one of the most important funding sources for wetland restoration and conservation projects in the state. Since it began in 2008, the program has awarded over $33 million for 175 wetland restoration and conservation projects. Public agencies, municipalities, Tribes, and non-profit conservation organizations are all eligible to apply for funding. MNRCP funding can cover the costs of wetland consultants and engineers who support project design and implementation.
MNRCP is part of the state’s In Lieu Fee Compensation Program, whereby developers who are seeking permits for environmental impacts can pay a fee to compensate for those impacts. The fees are assessed by the Maine DEP and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Army Corps) during the permitting process and are pooled in a dedicated fund for each region of the state. MNRCP holds an annual grant cycle and awards funds for wetland restoration, enhancement, or preservation projects that serve as compensation for the development impacts.
The next round of applications for MNRCP funding is expected to begin in May 2025. MNRCP will be prioritizing wetland restoration and enhancement projects that actively restore or enhance damaged wetlands. Projects may include removal of fill material from wetlands or removal of artificial tidal or stream barriers. MNRCP funding can cover most project costs, including site selection, design, project management, construction, and long-term monitoring.
MNRCP is administered by The Nature Conservancy in Maine, working in close collaboration with Maine DEP and the Army Corps. For more information about MNRCP, visit
http://mnrcp.org/
For additional information, contact:
David Madore, Maine Department of Environmental Protection, david.madore@maine.gov
Jeremy Cluchey, The Nature Conservancy in Maine, jeremy.cluchey@tnc.org
Tim Dugan, New England District Corps of Engineers, timothy.j.dugan@usace.army.mil
Governor's bipartisan legislation, sponsored by House and Senate Democratic and Republican leadership, is the first bill of the new legislative session
AUGUSTA—Governor Janet Mills and Senate and House Democratic and Republican leadership today introduced major legislation to strengthen the ability of Maine communities, homeowners, businesses, and emergency response personnel to prepare for and withstand future severe storms.
The bipartisan legislation, sponsored by Senate President Mattie Daughtry, House Speaker Ryan Fecteau, Senate Republican Leader Trey Stewart and House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham, is directly responsive to the interim recommendations from the Maine Infrastructure Rebuilding and Resilience Commission, which the Governor established last spring in response to a series of devastating storms that caused an estimated $90 million in damage to public infrastructure across the state.
LD 1, An Act to Increase Storm Preparedness and Resilience For Maine's Communities, Homes & Infrastructure, would launch new initiatives designed to enhance emergency planning at all levels of government, prepare communities and infrastructure for severe weather, and reduce long-term storm-related risks and costs for Maine homeowners and businesses. It uses federal funding and existing fee-based funding through the Bureau of Insurance and does not rely on General Funds during a tight budget cycle.
"Last year, my Administration and the Legislature made the largest investment in storm recovery and resilience in Maine history. That funding was significant, but it's clear that it was only a down payment on the critical recovery and resilience work Maine must do to prepare our people and communities for the storms we know will become more frequent and intense in the years ahead," said Governor Janet Mills. "This legislation, based on interim recommendations from the Infrastructure Rebuilding and Resilience Commission, will improve the ability of Maine communities, homeowners, businesses, and emergency response leaders to plan for the extreme weather of the future -- making Maine a safer and more prepared place to live."
"In my family, we always say 'hope for the best, prepare for the worst.' To quickly respond to increasingly intense and unpredictable climate-related disasters, we need a response plan in place before the devastation even occurs. Our bipartisan Storm Preparedness bill (LD1) would create a permanent fund to ensure Maine people--especially those in our vital heritage industries--have the resources they need when disaster strikes," said Senate President Mattie Daughtry. "I'm proud to support this proactive approach. Our fishermen, farmers and other hardworking Mainers face enough challenges--whether they can recover after devastating storms should not be one of them."
"Extreme weather is a real and present challenge for Maine people and increasing the resilience of our infrastructure will be critical in the months and years ahead," said Speaker Ryan Fecteau. "This proposal will help homeowners prepare their properties and guard against damage. Our homes are often the largest investments we make in our lifetimes, and this bill will help protect them."
"Insurance companies pay money to Maine every year to operate in the state. This is a way to leverage those funds along with federal grant resources to invest in the resilience of our communities and bring our emergency communications infrastructure into the 21st century and in compliance with FCC rules," said Senate Republican Leader Trey Stewart. "While there are some aspects of the bill that will need a little more work, helping homeowners bring down skyrocketing insurance costs through weatherization and resiliency projects is a good investment of funds that would otherwise remain idle."
"A year ago, severe storms ravaged wharves and properties in my district and throughout the state," said House Republican Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham. "I am co-sponsoring this legislation because it will allow the people of my community and all of Maine to prepare their properties to withstand future storm damage and reduce their insurance premiums without drawing from the general fund by using funds from an existing agency program."
"This legislation directly responds to some of the most pressing recommendations issued by the Infrastructure Rebuilding and Resilience Commission in our interim report," said Infrastructure Rebuilding and Resilience Commission Co-Chairs Linda Nelson and Dan Tishman. "The bold action it proposes would improve emergency planning and communications and help homeowners, municipalities, and their local businesses to better withstand future extreme storms. As the Commission works toward delivering the state's first long-term infrastructure resilience plan in May, we urge the Legislature to support thisinitial bill to help Maine communities meet the urgent challenges they face."
"As we saw from the storms of December 2023 and January 2024 -- whether inland or coastal, urban or rural -- no community in Maine is immune from the impact of severe storms," said Hannah Pingree, Director of the Governor's Office of Policy Innovation and the Future. "This legislation positions Maine people, businesses, and communities to better prepare for future storm surges, rising sea levels, inland flooding, and other impacts of extreme weather."
The Governor's legislation would create three key initiatives:
Home Resiliency Program: Provides $15 million in one-time funding to establish the Home Resiliency Program, modeled after successful programs in other states but tailored to Maine, to provide grants of up to $15,000 to homeowners to make investments that will help their homes to withstand future storms, thereby reducing their risks and potential losses. The program, operated by Maine's Bureau of Insurance (BOI), will focus on reducing roof damage, basement flooding, and other targeted interventions to minimize storm damage and insurance losses.
Enhanced Hazard Mitigation Resources and Statewide Communications: The staff of the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) are managing more federal disasters than at any time in the state's history and with reduced federal support. MEMA lacks the capacity to apply for competitive federal hazard mitigation funds, improve much-needed state-wide emergency systems, and provide required matching funds needed for federal FEMA disaster and hazard mitigation funds. This initiative uses one-time Other Special Revenue (OSR) funding from BOI to:
invest $10 million in the State Disaster Recovery Fund to provide matching funds to secure federal funding for current open disasters;
establish a new state fund to match the federal FEMA 'Safeguarding Tomorrow through On-going Risk Mitigation Revolving Loan Fund' (STORM) and seed the fund with $750,000 matching funds to better leverage this competitive federal grant which requires 10 percent match;
dedicate $800,000 to support improved emergency communications systems, system training, and a two-year education project to support state-wide implementation in all Maine counties
invest in two new staff members at MEMA to administer the "Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund" and implement the communication system upgrades and serve as the State's Integrated Public Alert and Warning Coordinator
State Resilience Office and Flood-Ready Maine Program: Establishes a new State Resilience Office within the Maine Office of Community Affairs (MOCA), funded through a five-year federal grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), to support planning that reduces flood and storm damage, protects public and private infrastructure, and supports public safety.
The legislation also launches the Flood-Ready Maine Program, an initiative of the State Resilience Office. The program will partner with BOI, MEMA, the Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT), and state and local officials to modernize data on flood risk in Maine and make it easily accessible to municipal leaders and Maine people through an online resource. The program will work to improve communication to communities, businesses, and residents about flood risk, and work to increase the number of flood insurance policies in use in Maine. According to the BOI, only 1.3 percent of all homes and buildings in Maine are covered under the National Flood Insurance Program, well below the national average of 3.3 percent. The new initiatives will be funded through nearly $9.7 million allocated to the Maine Office of Community Affairs.
"The establishment of the Home Resiliency Program will be an important piece of the larger plan to help Maine people prepare for the storms to come," said Bob Carey, Superintendent of the Maine Bureau of Insurance. "Modeled after a highly successful program in Alabama -- but tailored to address the specific perils that Maine homeowners face -- the program would help to reduce the impact of more severe and more frequent storms caused by climate change. The Bureau of Insurance welcomes the opportunity to put these funds into the hands of Maine consumers to help them better protect their homes from extreme weather."
"The increasing frequency and intensity of storms in recent years highlights the growing impact of climate change on Maine," said MEMA Director Pete Rogers. "The Governor's bill would strengthen MEMA's capacity to respond to these storms and support Maine communities in better preparing for future extreme weather events."
"Maine communities continue to grapple with the damage from the devastating storms of last winter," said Samantha Horn, Director of the Maine Office of Community Affairs. "The Governor's proposal responds to their need for better information and effective strategies to help take charge of their futures in the face of extreme weather. By bolstering and better coordinating Maine's resilience efforts, including tackling head on the serious risks and costs posed by flooding, this bill would make a tremendous difference in communities across Maine."
"Maine Department of Transportation team members often find themselves working with our state and local partners to respond and rebuild following storm events, so we are supportive of these efforts to improve preparedness and resilience," said MaineDOT Commissioner Bruce Van Note. "This new support will improve disaster response and communication. Our team remains committed to increasing the resiliency of Maine infrastructure and improving how we work with communities to plan for and respond to storm events."
"The Town of Jay knows all too well the devastation that extreme weather can cause in Maine communities," said Shiloh LaFreniere, Jay Town Manager and member of the Infrastructure Rebuilding and Resilience Commission."The Governor's bill recognizes that preparing for and withstanding increasingly damaging storms -- from flood risk management to disaster response and homeowner assistance -- requires collaboration at all levels and new ideas to better protect our people and infrastructure."
The Governor's legislation is modeled on recommendations from the Interim Report of the Maine Infrastructure (PDF) Rebuilding and Resilience Commission, released in November 2024. The initial, foundational recommendations reflect direct input from municipal leaders, county emergency management directors, engineers, and the public at listening sessions in Machias, Old Orchard Beach, Rumford and Mexico, Jay, Caribou, and Rockland about the challenges of responding to and preparing for extreme weather events. The Commission will build on the recommendations to deliver the state's first long-term infrastructure resilience plan in May.
Last year, following several severe storms, Governor Mills proposed, and the Legislature approved, $60 million to help Maine communities and businesses recover from severe storms. The investment represents the single largest investment in storm recovery by any Administration in Maine history. The Governor also dedicated another $5 million to the Community Resilience Partnership to help communities plan for storm-related events.
In total, the Mills Administration has awarded $21.2 million in resilience grants to help rebuild 68 working waterfronts, $25.2 million in grants for 39 communities to help them recover and build more resilient infrastructure, and $8 million to help businesses make storm-related repairs and strengthen infrastructure. Businesses may apply for approximately $2 million in remaining grant funding through January 14, 2024.
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