AGP Executive Report

PFAS in drinking water: Brunswick and Topsham Water District opened a new $18.5M Jordan Avenue Station filtration extension, adding treatment for “forever chemicals” after earlier testing found PFAS above Maine’s limit; the project was supported by a $20M deal with the U.S. Navy. Shellfish health: Harvesters in Harpswell and Brunswick are reporting dead and dying clams and worms, brown water, and strong decay smells, with a widespread Casco Bay algal bloom likely behind the problem. Waste planning: Maine DEP, MRRA, and MSW Consultants will host a Sept. 15 webinar on results from a statewide waste characterization study funded through a USEPA SWIFR grant. Oil spill readiness: Maine IFW and DEP trained more than 50 responders in Hermon Pond for oiled wildlife response, including smartphone-based mapping and rehab workflows. Climate resilience funding: Gov. Mills announced $4.7M in grants for 63 local projects to improve energy efficiency and climate resilience. Coastal ecosystems research: Bigelow Laboratory researchers found four distinct sugar kelp populations along Maine’s coast, underscoring the need for regional management as warming drives kelp loss. Wildlife & habitat: A public panel meeting in Brunswick will discuss possible fish-passage improvements at the Brunswick Dam to restore migratory fish runs. Energy costs & clean jobs: State leaders highlighted clean energy solutions amid rising bills, including workforce training at Eastern Maine Community College.

Right Whale Protections: U.S. House Republicans voted to delay North Atlantic right whale protections until 2035, a move critics say could worsen extinction risk for the world’s most endangered large whale. Maine Clean Energy: Maine regulators signed off on an 800-megawatt wind farm plus a 111-mile transmission line—potentially the state’s biggest clean energy project—with estimated savings to ratepayers up to $425 million. Portland Streets: Portland released a new draft to redesign Franklin Street, aiming to remove the median and add protected bike lanes and safer crossings after crash and pedestrian fatality concerns. River & Habitat Work: The Androscoggin River Watershed Council listed upcoming public events, including fish passage discussions tied to the Brunswick Dam. Local Water Access Fight: A Lisbon Falls family is seeking support to keep anchoring a non-motorized floating camp on the Androscoggin River after state rules forced removal. Recreation & Trails: High Peaks Alliance Rec Rangers wrapped a season of western Maine trail improvements, including bog bridging and new connections. PFAS Watch: California’s PFAS pesticide bill was weakened after industry lobbying, leaving only pesticide tracking and disclosure.

Coastal & Water Quality: Maine officials are monitoring a Casco Bay algae bloom of Karenia mikimotoi that can harm fish and shellfish, with cell counts reported around 2 million per liter and possible impacts already flagged for Middle Bay and Maquoit Bay. Shoreline & Habitat: A Harpswell Conservation Commission series spotlights “The Power of Plants” for erosion control, explaining how Maine’s clay and unstable rock make shorefront loss worse as tides and storms intensify. Local Planning & Safety: Portland released a new draft for redesigning Franklin Street, aiming to remove the median and add protected bike lanes, wider sidewalks, and safer intersections after crash and pedestrian fatality concerns. River Access Fight: Supporters are rallying behind a Maine floating camp after owners were forced to remove it from the Androscoggin River under a 2025 law restricting nonwater-dependent floating structures. Climate Resilience Funding: Windham won an $80,000 Community Action Grant for a residential preparedness program focused on emergency readiness and energy efficiency. Wildlife Protection: Maine is banning use of certain painted lead jigs on inland waters starting Sept. 1 to protect loons from lead poisoning. Energy & Infrastructure: Federal funding delays are pushing Wilson Lake watershed improvement projects into 2027–2028, affecting erosion and runoff work planned for this year.

Superfund Cleanup in Maine: EPA-linked work to cap and secure the long-contaminated Callahan Mine site in Brooksville is set to begin in October, wrapping up years of cleanup at the former intertidal heavy-metal mine on Cape Rosier. Clean Water Rule Watch: The EPA proposed ending Clean Water Act discharge permits for certain offshore processing ships beyond three miles from shore, with public comments due Oct. 19. Wildlife & Public Input: NOAA opened public comment on a BBC plan to film Monomoy gray seals using ground crews and drones, with comments due Oct. 8. Coastal & Climate Resilience Funding: Gov. Mills announced $4.7M in energy-efficiency grants for 72 Maine communities, including Dexter’s window upgrades. Local Governance & Data Centers: Old Town council advanced a 180-day temporary moratorium on data centers in industrial zones while it studies impacts. NOAA Fisheries Modernization: Sen. Angus King co-sponsored legislation to modernize NOAA fishery stock counts. Maine State Museum Reopens: Augusta’s Maine State Museum will reopen Oct. 24 after a major renovation, including new exhibits and a whale gallery. Housing Pressure on Islands: Deer Isle and Stonington hired a part-time housing manager to address a shortage of affordable units. Gulf of Maine Research Institute: GMRI named Jennifer Golden its first senior VP for marketing and communications.

NOAA & Fisheries: Sen. Angus King co-sponsored the Fisheries Science Modernization Act to help NOAA modernize fish stock counts with more accurate, cost-effective surveys—aimed at keeping Maine fisheries sustainable. Climate Resilience Funding: Gov. Janet Mills announced $4.7M in energy-efficiency and resilience grants for 72 communities; Dexter received $75,000 to replace 20 town hall windows. Renewables in the North: Rhode Island Energy conditionally selected 150 MW from a proposed Aroostook County wind project, part of a regional push that could bring major onshore wind to New England. Gulf of Maine Research Institute: GMRI named Jennifer Golden as its first senior VP of marketing and communications to expand stakeholder engagement. Coastal/Marine Safety: A Camden Talks Climate event will focus on what to do when power goes out during more extreme weather. Local Environment & Land Use: A new report highlights how quarries are multiplying in New England as rising waters boost demand for construction aggregate. Labor & Community Impacts: Hannaford agreed to nearly $9M in overtime pay settlements affecting about 1,300 employees.

Gulf of Maine Climate Watch: University of Maine and Bigelow Labs report that warming is reshaping Gulf of Maine reef life, with native kelp forests retreating as invasive red turf algae expands—and researchers are now tracking how the microbial makeup is shifting alongside the plants. Local Marine Habitat: Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust will host a guided eelgrass paddle in Great Salt Bay (Sept. 18) to spotlight eelgrass identification, its carbon-storing role, and a newly funded 7-year restoration effort. Maine EMS Crisis: A new report revisits how Maine’s ambulance system has been collapsing for years, after a woman died while help was hard to find. ATV Route Reopens: After dust complaints, landowner concerns, and a bridge closure, a Maine ATV route between Howland and Lincoln is back open with reopened trail sections and a new Veterans Memorial Trail. Food Access in Rural Maine: Eastport’s only full-service grocery is set to close, forcing residents to drive about 40 minutes for basics—another sign of strain on small-town stores. Maine Tech & Water: UMaine launched a 30-foot 3D-printed, fiber-reinforced thermoplastic boat (3Dirigo X), pushing faster composite printing and offshore-ready design. Wildlife/Outdoors: A “Bigfoot” manhunt in Damariscotta ended quickly when police found the figure calmly sitting on Main Street. Policy Shift for Hunters: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ended the annual federal rulemaking for migratory game bird seasons, moving it into a three-year memorandum cycle.

Food Access in Rural Maine: Eastport’s only full-service grocery, R&M IGA, is set to close Sept. 3, leaving residents facing about a 40-minute drive to Calais for essentials—raising concerns for older adults and for WIC shoppers who rely on the store. Coastal Habitat & Climate Connections: Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust will host a guided eelgrass paddle in Great Salt Bay on Sept. 18, highlighting how eelgrass supports marine life and helps store carbon, with a 7-year restoration project in the spotlight. Peatlands & Carbon Storage: The Bookplate will host author Jennifer de Mooy on Sept. 17 at the Lawrence Wetlands Preserve to discuss “Water, Carbon, Time” and why peatlands can store more carbon than the world’s forests. Maine Innovation in Marine Tech: UMaine launched 3Dirigo X, a 30-foot 3D-printed, fiber-reinforced thermoplastic boat aimed at offshore conditions, building on earlier 3Dirigo work. Local Energy Transition: Mainebiz profiles South Portland solar company ReVision Energy co-founder Phil Coupe on electric boats in Maine, arguing they could cut noise and pollution in lakes and coastal waters. Invasive Species Watch (Beyond Maine): Colorado officials identified an invasive “cloning” snail (New Zealand mudsnail) at Carter Lake and are stepping up screening and containment to protect waterways and biodiversity.

Quarry Impacts: A Gorham farmhouse owner says quarry blasts are shaking homes, as Maine’s quarry permits have surged and expansions could bring more residents into blast zones. Climate & Health: An NPR investigation highlights how extreme heat is killing thousands of Americans, with manufactured housing residents facing especially high risk. Sharks Moving North: Experts say warming waters are driving more shark species into New England, including sightings of southern species off Cape Cod and the Islands. Energy & Permitting: A national look at 2026 renewable siting bills finds many proposals aim to restrict projects, but most enacted measures are permissive—researchers expect 2027 to bring the biggest fight yet as data centers grow. Data Center Backlash: Nationwide opposition to data centers is rising, fueled by land, water, power, and air-quality concerns. Local River Repair: Auburn’s Littlefield Dam removal is complete, with officials reporting improved conditions for fish and aquatic life. Community Safety: Healthy Kids launches Midcoast Baby Safety Month to reduce common household injury risks. Outdoor Learning: Camp Beech Cliff hosts Adult Outdoor Skills Day Sept. 20 with workshops led by Maine guides and wildlife staff.

Shark Migration in New England: Warm-water sharks are showing up more consistently off Cape Cod and the Islands, with experts linking the shift to rising ocean temperatures and changing prey patterns. Hydropower to Habitat in Auburn: The Littlefield Dam removal in Auburn is complete, reopening river passage for fish and aquatic life and marking the first dam removal between Auburn and the Atlantic. Data Centers vs. Communities: A growing national backlash to data centers is tied to land use, water demands, air impacts, and climate heat—an issue now shaping midterm politics, including opposition in places as far as Maine. Energy Siting Pressure: Researchers say 2027 could bring the biggest wave of state energy siting bills, as lawmakers react to renewable buildout and the strain of new power-hungry projects. Maine EMS Update: Maine EMS MEFIRS is migrating to a new ImageTrend hosting environment Aug. 26, with up to two hours of downtime and possible integration impacts. Local Nature & Learning: Aroostook County teacher Shelly Bouchard is expanding native-plant education through her new Meadowsweet Herbals business. Baby Safety Month: Healthy Kids launched its 2026 Midcoast Baby Safety Month campaign focused on reducing common household injury risks. Wildlife & Recreation: Cobscook Bay hosts a Headbanz nature game for kids, and Maine’s 3D-printed 30-foot boat project continues to advance offshore wind-ready vessel research.

Climate & Wildlife: Experts say more warm-water shark species are showing up consistently in New England as ocean temperatures rise, with sightings now including juveniles of species once considered rare “southern strays.” Energy & Permitting: A new analysis of 2026 renewable energy siting bills finds many proposals aim to restrict projects, even as enacted measures skew more permissive—researchers expect 2027 to bring the “biggest year yet” for siting fights, especially as data centers drive demand. Data Centers & Public Backlash: Nationwide opposition to data centers is growing, fueled by concerns about land use, water for cooling, air pollution, and power strain—and the issue is spilling into midterm politics. River Restoration in Maine: Auburn’s Littlefield Dam removal is complete, with city officials and residents pointing to renewed fish movement and healthier river life. Maine Innovation: UMaine launched its 30-foot 3D-printed 3Dirigo X boat, designed for offshore conditions up to about 40 knots, pushing large-scale 3D printing toward real manufacturing. Outdoor Stewardship: Acadia National Park is dismantling hundreds of visitor-built rock stacks daily, warning the practice damages intertidal habitat and destabilizes summit soils. Local Governance: Wilton is moving toward an ATV ordinance so police can enforce rules on public ways.

Maine Politics & Climate: U.S. Senate candidates Troy Jackson and Susan Collins both hit the trail in Maine, trading barbs over Canadian tariffs and Collins’ Senate role, while Jackson also tied the race to rising costs and safe drinking water. Public Health & Safety: Healthy Kids launched its 2026 Baby Safety Month campaign, urging Midcoast families to swap “convenience culture” shortcuts for safer home practices that prevent infant and toddler injuries. EMS Updates: Maine EMS announced a MEFIRS migration to a new ImageTrend hosting environment (Aug. 26, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. EDT), warning of up to two hours of downtime and possible integration impacts. Energy & Oceans: UMaine launched its 30-foot 3D-printed 3Dirigo X boat, aimed at offshore conditions up to 40 knots, while UNH deployed a cabled ocean observatory near the Isles of Shoals to expand real-time Gulf of Maine monitoring. Conservation in Action: Acadia National Park is cracking down on visitor-built rock stacking, citing damage to intertidal life and summit soils, with restoration underway on multiple mountains. Local Environment Watch: Belfast residents’ long-running fight against a proposed Kingfish aquaculture project continues after the company delayed work pending better legal and financing conditions.

Public Health & Climate-Linked Ticks: A new explainer warns that lone star ticks—now spreading beyond the South into New England and even Maine—can carry alpha-gal syndrome, a surprising allergy triggered by tick bites. Conservation & Recreation: Acadia National Park is cracking down on visitor-built rock-stacking, saying it damages intertidal life and strips soil and plants on mountain summits. Energy & Jobs: Maine awarded $4.7M in resilience and energy-efficiency grants across dozens of communities, including heat pumps, solar, drainage and heat-related upgrades. Marine Research: UNH deployed a cabled ocean observatory near Appledore to boost real-time Gulf of Maine monitoring for ocean conditions and marine life. Local Governance & Access: Wilton is considering an ordinance to regulate ATV use on public ways after legal limits on enforcing a prior policy. Community Spotlight: A Belfast family’s long-running protest against a proposed land-based fish farm highlights local fights over water and ocean impacts. Safety Reminder: Labor Day weekend coverage urges sober, gear-on caution for boats and ATVs. EMS Leadership: Maine EMS named Dr. John “Jack” Lewis as State EMS Medical Director, with a focus on modernizing prehospital care.

Recreation Safety: Maine is urging sober, gear-ready caution for Labor Day weekend on trails, boats, and ATVs after recent fatal crashes and serious boating incidents—helmets, seatbelts, life jackets, and slower speeds are key. Acadia National Park: Park staff say visitor rock-stacking is damaging fragile coastal and summit ecosystems, triggering erosion and plant loss; volunteers are restoring areas on multiple mountains. Local Governance: A Lewiston City Council vote failed to enter executive session for legal talks, with some councilors calling it transparency vs. others calling it grandstanding. Aquaculture Watch: A proposed Kingfish aquaculture project in Jonesport is on indefinite hold after the company raised under 60% of planned share-offering funds. Solar Siting: Jay voters will decide a 180-day moratorium on commercial solar farm development after a petition drive forced the question onto the Nov. 3 ballot. Gulf of Maine Research: UNH deployed a cabled ocean observing system near the Isles of Shoals, boosting real-time monitoring for coastal science. Energy Efficiency Grants: Maine awarded $4.7M in resilience and efficiency grants to dozens of towns, including heat pumps, solar, LED upgrades, and watershed work. Drought Update: Maine Drought Task Force warns conditions are worsening again, with much of the state in moderate to severe drought and residents urged to conserve and check wells.

Maine Drought Watch: Maine’s Drought Task Force says the state never fully bounced back from last year’s drought, and conditions are worsening again—only 4% of the state is currently drought-free, with much of Maine in moderate to severe drought. Officials warn forecasts don’t point to the steady rain needed to recover, and urge water conservation and well monitoring. Heat and Infrastructure Stress: York residents are pushing back on the town’s use of Flock surveillance cameras, with a petition to ban the devices headed to the Nov. 3 ballot. Forest and Wildlife on the Ground: A new pollinator garden is taking shape on Dudley Coe Quad at a Maine college, aiming to boost campus biodiversity with native plants. Land Protection at Risk: A roadless area in western Maine—part of the Caribou-Speckled Wilderness—could lose federal protections under a USDA proposal, with public comments due Sept. 21. Community Resilience Funding: Gov. Mills announced $4.7 million in grants for energy-efficiency and resilience projects across 72 Maine communities.

Drought Watch: Maine’s drought is expanding fast inland and north. Officials say most long-term water stations are below normal, with the Penobscot River at 68.3% full and the Union River at 35.9%, and groundwater levels staying critically low along the I-295/I-95 corridor—prompting calls to conserve and report dry wells. Water & Energy Resilience: Gov. Janet Mills announced $4.7 million in grants for 72 towns, cities, and Tribal governments to boost energy efficiency and climate resilience through community-led projects. Local Health Under Pressure: Penobscot Community Health Care is closing its Bangor Adult Wellness Center and cutting 16 jobs amid financial shortfalls, shifting services to other locations. Solar Siting Fight: Jay’s Select Board put a 180-day commercial solar moratorium on the Nov. 3 ballot after a petition drive, with a Sept. 14 public hearing set. Forest Protection Advocacy: A Vermont conservation leader warns the U.S. Forest Service roadless rule—key to protecting iconic New England landscapes across Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire—is on the chopping block, with public comments due Sept. 21. Wildlife & Community: A Maine moose expert will give a free talk at Merryspring Nature Center, and Dew Haven Zoo welcomed two healthy cougar cubs for weekend viewing.

Energy & Climate Resilience: Gov. Janet Mills announced $4.7 million in grants for 63 community projects to boost energy efficiency and climate resilience across Maine. Public Health & Local Funding: 100 Maine lawmakers urged Mills and state health officials to provide $3 million to $6 million to keep Penobscot Community Health Center afloat after federal cuts threaten layoffs or closure. Clean Energy Access: Standish launched a community solar program with Solar Simplified, offering CMP customers 15% savings via credits on their electric bills. Environment & Safety Response: Rockport closed Route 90 after a crash ruptured fuel tanks; the Maine DEP is on scene for cleanup. Wildlife & Enforcement: Maine Warden Service and Operation Game Thief are asking for help identifying deer poachers in Rome after a doe was shot and left in a private field. Housing & Land Use: Waterville’s Lockwood Mills redevelopment moved into Phase II, adding 50 senior and mixed-income housing units. Legal & Community Rights: Maine’s high court upheld a ruling giving a father final say over his daughter’s church attendance in a custody dispute.