AGP Executive Report

PFAS in Maine waters: Maine CDC updated freshwater fish consumption advisories for Freedom, Knox, Unity and Winslow after PFAS testing found elevated PFOS in fish tissue, including Sandy Stream and the Sebasticook River—prompting limits or “do not eat” guidance. Invasive plants at a popular pond: Sedgwick and Brooksville towns are moving to eradicate invasive purple loosestrife at Walker Pond after it was spotted at Mill Pond, aiming to protect native habitat and swimming access. Wildlife safety push: A Freeport letter urges Congress to fund wildlife crossings, citing thousands of Maine deer-vehicle crashes annually and the potential to cut collisions dramatically. Local data center setback: Jay officials say a proposed data center at the former Androscoggin Mill is on hold after the developer backed out, following earlier state debate over a data center moratorium. Community pedestrian safety: Portland, Lewiston and Auburn are launching a summer, community-driven campaign to curb rising pedestrian fatalities and serious crashes. Federal parks history fight: A judge blocked further National Park Service changes to slavery-related displays, calling the removals censorship. Maine outdoors learning: Merryspring’s “Walk to the Beehives” returns June 16 with new colonies and mite checks.

Energy & Environment Policy: Maine’s debate over adding energy storage is heating up, with an opinion piece arguing the state needs more storage and tougher environmental review for projects like Western Maine Energy Storage in Dixfield. Wildlife & Roads: A Freeport letter urges Congress to fund wildlife crossings, citing thousands of deer-vehicle crashes in Maine and the potential to cut collisions dramatically. Climate Outlook: Forecasters say El Niño is strengthening and could bring hotter, more humid late-summer and fall conditions to New England, raising heat-wave and grid-stress concerns. Data Centers Backlash: A national study says opponents blocked or delayed at least 75 data center projects worth about $130B in early 2026, reflecting a growing opposition playbook. Maine Health & Environment: Maine CDC issued freshwater fish consumption advisories tied to PFAS contamination. Community Solar: Jaffrey, NH partnered with ReVision Energy to build a solar array on a capped landfill, aiming for clean power by early 2027. Outdoor Education: UMaine research highlights strategies to help schools expand outdoor education.

Maine Outdoors & Health: Maine CDC urged people to prevent mosquito and tick bites, watch for heat illness, protect skin from sun, check air quality, and keep distance from wildlife this summer. Outdoor Learning: A University of Maine study highlights how schools can build outdoor education into everyday curriculum and culture, using wilderness safety and skills as a classroom. Wildlife & Nature: Maine Audubon staff and a new kids’ book, “World Without Birds,” push bird conservation by explaining how habitat loss and other human pressures drive biodiversity decline. Climate Watch: NOAA confirmed El Niño has formed and forecasters expect a very strong event that could intensify droughts, heavy rain, and heat waves. Ocean & Fisheries: A Trump proclamation opened three Pacific marine protected areas to commercial fishing, while Maine’s lobster industry pushed back on the president’s claims. Marine Science: Researchers on a Brazil expedition reported 31 new midwater species, underscoring how much ocean biodiversity still remains to be discovered. Public Safety Training: Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust is offering a Wilderness First Aid certification course in Damariscotta.

PFAS & Fish Advisories: Maine CDC updated freshwater fish consumption guidance due to PFAS contamination, a reminder that local waters can carry long-term chemical risk. Public Health Prep: Maine CDC also shared summer safety tips, including mosquito/tick bite prevention, heat illness awareness, sun protection, and checking air quality forecasts. Ocean Data Cuts: Federal plans to dismantle a major deep-sea ocean observing network could reduce future ocean and weather forecasting capacity, with fishermen and researchers looking for alternatives. Plastic Pollution Impacts: A new report-style look at pelagic fish highlights how microplastics are moving through ocean food webs and potentially affecting human health. Coastal Restoration Training: Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust is running a Wilderness First Aid certification course in Damariscotta, boosting on-the-ground preparedness for Maine outdoor users. Wildlife Watch: A young black bear reportedly swam into Maine from New Hampshire, then moved on through Kittery—another sign of how animals are navigating changing landscapes. Local Conservation Action: Coastal Rivers also offered a Wilderness First Aid course announcement, tying community training to Maine’s preserve network.

Maine Senate showdown heats up: After Maine Democrats chose oyster farmer Graham Platner as their U.S. Senate nominee, national politics turned sharper fast, with President Trump attacking Platner as a “thug” and “cheap, no-good person,” while Democrats debate whether Maine is truly essential for winning Senate control. PFAS and public health watch: Maine’s CDC updated freshwater fish consumption advisories due to PFAS contamination, keeping pressure on regulators and anglers. New e-waste rule: The Maine House passed LD 1519 creating a stewardship program for disposable vapes with lithium-ion batteries, aiming to cut fire hazards from improper disposal. Wildlife and outdoors: A couple spotted a massive lion’s mane jellyfish washed up on a Penobscot Bay beach, and Maine hunters are urged to sharpen wing-shooting skills with summer clay practice. Local enforcement: Maine Game Wardens arrested a Waterboro man accused of dragging a landowner after an ATV incident. Community nature arts: Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust launched free plein air painting sessions at Midcoast preserves, starting June 22 at Seal Cove Shore Preserve. Environmental governance: Maine’s Board of Environmental Protection meeting is set for June 18.

Maine Senate showdown: Maine Democrats picked oyster farmer and combat veteran Graham Platner in the party’s primary, setting up a November rematch with incumbent Sen. Susan Collins—a race that could shape Senate control. National parks policy: A new Associated Press analysis of public comments says most people pushed back hard against a Trump-era request for visitors to flag “negative” portrayals of Americans in national parks. PFAS & fish safety: Maine CDC updated freshwater fish consumption advisories tied to PFAS contamination, again putting anglers and families on notice. Wildlife & habitat: Maine’s Maine DMR and Wyman’s partner to improve alewife passage on the Narraguagus River, while elsewhere a black bear sighting on a New Hampshire jetty highlights how wildlife is getting closer to people. Outdoor recreation: Acadia reported its slowest offseason since pre-COVID, with fewer winter/spring visitors than in recent years. Community nature learning: A Wiscasset gallery is offering classes to deepen connections with Maine’s wildlife and landscapes.

PFAS in Maine fish: Maine CDC expanded freshwater fish consumption advisories after PFAS testing found elevated PFOS in fish tissue from Sandy Stream (Freedom, Knox, Unity) and the Sebasticook River (Winslow), bringing PFAS-related freshwater advisories to 29 waterbodies. Wildlife & habitat: Maine Forest Service is taking applications for its new WoodsWISE Resilience Program, offering up to $20,000 to help private landowners improve forest health and resilience. Public input on infrastructure: Maine DOT has started an Environmental Impact Statement process for the Machias Dike Bridge, with agency outreach and public meetings planned for next year. Outdoor safety: Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust is hosting a two-day Wilderness First Aid certification course in Damariscotta. Nature spotting: A guide highlights where to spot Maine’s nonvenomous water snakes and garter snakes. Marine cleanup: A new Alaska marine debris report says 1.5 million pounds of trash were removed from coastlines in 2025 cleanups. National parks history fight: An AP report says Trump administration efforts to get visitors to flag “negative” historical exhibits drew backlash from the public.

Maine Forest Service: The new WoodsWISE Resilience Program is taking applications, offering Maine landowners up to $20,000 and guidance to improve forest health and wildlife habitat, with funding aimed at early stand tending and regeneration. Fisheries enforcement: Maine Marine Patrol warned striped bass anglers after dozens of violations on the Saco River, including fishing too close to a fishway and failing to release bass as required. Small-scale fishing tech: CatchCam is using underwater monitoring to help small fisheries make better decisions, boosting sustainability through clearer views of what’s happening below the surface. Wildlife education: The Center for Wildlife in Cape Neddick kicks off summer with a Kids Visit Free Day focused on bugs and pollinators. Data centers debate: A new wave of backlash and stalled rules shows how fast data centers are outpacing regulation, with Maine mentioned as a place where a first-of-its-kind approach was being considered. Maine outdoors access: Portland-area preserves highlight quick escapes into nature, including Mackworth Island’s bird sanctuary trails.

PFAS Watch: Maine CDC expanded PFAS fish-consumption advisories to 28 contaminated waters, adding new warnings for anglers in Freedom (Sandy Stream) and Winslow (Sebasticook River), bringing Maine’s total PFAS advisories to 29. Ocean & Wildlife: A new UMass Dartmouth “Shared Seas Lab” studies how to balance ocean use with conservation, focusing on bycatch risks to manta rays and other marine life. Aquatic Invasives: Chesterville hosts a June 18 talk on aquatic invasive species prevention and management across the 30 Mile River watershed, including work with DEP at Tilton Pond and Androscoggin Lake. Lobster & Whale-Safe Gear: UMaine research finds consumers may pay about $3.42 more for lobster harvested with ropeless technology when animal-welfare benefits are explained. Education Signals: Maine Children’s Alliance reports Maine’s education scores fell sharply in a national KIDS COUNT update, urging more early learning and literacy support. Local Outdoors: Maine lure makers share what’s been working for trout and salmon after ice-out, highlighting hands-on gear from across the state.

Maine EPR for vapes: Maine has passed the first-in-the-nation extended producer responsibility law targeting electronic smoking devices, requiring producers to fund a stewardship program and submit plans to the Department of Environmental Protection by Nov. 1, 2027. Wildlife education push: Husson University in Bangor is expanding online conservation and biology offerings with new B.S. degrees in marine biology and conservation and wildlife care and rehabilitation, plus an M.S. in wildlife conservation and management. Marine biodiversity discovery: A UAF researcher joined a deep-sea expedition off Brazil that confirmed dozens of new midwater species, highlighting how much life still remains to be documented in the ocean. Data center backlash: Across the U.S., voters and some governors are pushing back on data centers over electricity costs and environmental impacts, with Maine-area readers likely watching the policy ripple effects. Local election note: Waldoboro voters head to the polls Tuesday for select board and RSU 40 seats, including a special situation after an incumbent died after election materials were finalized.

Public Lands Showdown: Sen. Susan Collins is urged to reject a Senate resolution that would wipe out the Bureau of Land Management’s approved plan for Utah’s Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, a decision framed as a test of whether public input and Tribal consultation can be overridden. Native Plants & Insects: A new report highlights how HOA landscaping rules can push homeowners away from native, pollinator-friendly gardens—fueling habitat loss for insects. Maine Data Center Fight: Eastport residents are pushing for a moratorium on a proposed underwater AI data center, citing wetland protections under Maine’s shoreland zoning rules and concerns about impacts on local waters. Maine Fisheries Restoration: Maine DMR and Wyman’s partnered to improve alewife passage on the Narraguagus River, extending a fishway to support sea-run fish recovery. Coastal Cleanup: York Harbor installed fishing line recycling bins to prevent entanglement of wildlife and reduce marine debris. Wildlife-Friendly Gardening: A University of Maine Extension piece shares practical tips for protecting vegetable beds from local critters. Aurora Watch: NOAA forecasts a strong geomagnetic storm that could bring northern lights farther south than usual.

Data Centers in the Spotlight: New York lawmakers approved a one-year moratorium on large data centers (20MW+), aiming to slow development while weighing impacts on the environment, energy prices, and local jobs—part of a broader backlash as public opposition grows. Maine’s Local Fight Over AI Infrastructure: Eastport residents are debating a proposed underwater AI data center, with concerns raised about wetlands protections and shoreland zoning. Maine Energy & Wildlife Updates: Maine DMR and Wyman’s partnered to improve alewife passage on the Narraguagus River by extending a fishway, supporting sea-run fish restoration. Coastal Cleanup for Wildlife: York Harbor installed the first fishing line recycling bins in the area to prevent entanglement of marine animals. Invasive Species, New Angle: Green crabs—an invasive threat to eelgrass—are being pushed as a food opportunity to reduce ecological harm. Community & Learning: UMaine Extension and the Joy Truck 4-H Collaborative hosted a community workshop in Brownville, while SeDoMoCha eighth graders toured local dam sites to connect classroom learning to Maine’s power and environment.

Offshore Wind Fight: Maine is named in a multistate lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s $928 million “sham deal” to pay TotalEnergies to cancel New York offshore wind leases, with attorneys general arguing it breaks federal law and threatens clean-energy and union jobs. Maine Data Center Debate: Eastport residents are pushing for a moratorium on a proposed underwater AI data center in Passamaquoddy Bay, citing concerns about impacts on fisheries and marine life. Wildlife Protection in Maine: Maine’s Board of Pesticide Control voted to ban a toxic class of rodenticide, after state sampling found bears and hawks testing positive and wildlife groups warned of long-lasting secondary poisoning. Fisheries Restoration: Maine DMR and Wyman’s completed fish passage upgrades for alewives on the Narraguagus River, extending a fishway to improve upstream migration. Marine Debris Cleanup: York Harbor installed the first fishing line recycling bins in town docks to prevent entanglements and reduce marine debris. Derelict Vessel Removal: NOAA is funding removal of four major abandoned vessels in Maine, including a Roque Bluffs ferry and a Wiscasset WWII minesweeper, to cut ongoing pollution. Local Climate/Policy Watch: New York lawmakers advanced a one-year moratorium on large data centers, aiming to slow development while assessing environmental and energy impacts.

Data center backlash hits New England: Vermont Gov. Phil Scott vetoed a bill meant to curb unchecked large data center development, drawing fire from environmental groups that warn of higher utility bills and dirtier air and water. Maine fisheries upgrade: Maine DMR and Wyman’s partnered to extend an alewife fishway on the Narraguagus River, improving access to Bog Brook Flowage habitat. Wildlife protection at the dock: York Harbor installed its first fishing line recycling bins to prevent entanglements, with line sent for recycling. Coastal cleanup grant: NOAA funding will remove four major derelict vessels in Maine starting this fall to reduce ongoing marine pollution. Rodenticide ban: Maine’s Board of Pesticide Control voted to ban a toxic class of rodenticide after concerns about long-lasting harm to predators, including bears and hawks. Eastport underwater AI debate: Residents are pushing for a moratorium on a proposed Passamaquoddy Bay underwater AI data center, citing risks to fisheries and marine life. Climate context: A new UN roundup highlights the growing electricity and water footprint of data centers as AI expands.

PFAS Push: Massachusetts lawmakers are advancing bills that would ban PFAS in food packaging, cookware, kids’ toys and more, with a cleanup fund and possible exemptions for essential products. Wildlife Protection: Maine’s Board of Pesticide Control voted to ban a highly toxic rodenticide after sampling found rodenticide residues in bears and hawks, raising concerns about secondary poisoning. Derelict Vessel Cleanup: NOAA funding will remove four of Maine’s largest abandoned, oil-soaked wrecks starting this fall, improving habitat and reducing marine debris. Data Center Backlash: Eastport residents are debating a proposed underwater AI data center in Passamaquoddy Bay, with worries about impacts on fisheries and marine life; meanwhile, New York passed a one-year pause on new data center approvals to study environmental and ratepayer effects. Climate Heat Signal: A record-hot May in Greenfield, tied to rising greenhouse gases, underscores how quickly extreme temperatures are arriving. Offshore Wind Fight: Maine and other Northeast states sued over a “sham deal” paying TotalEnergies to cancel offshore wind leases, arguing it breaks federal law and undermines clean energy goals. Boating Safety: The BoatUS Foundation expanded its free, state-approved boating safety course to include Maine and 14 other states, adding an environmental stewardship focus.

Data-center rules hit a wall in Missouri: A push to regulate hyperscale data centers failed at the state level, leaving communities to fight back with local moratoriums and contentious elections. Offshore wind legal fight widens: Seven Northeastern states, including Maine, sued the Trump administration over a TotalEnergies offshore wind lease buyout, arguing the deal misused funds and undercut climate and energy goals. Maine energy deal: Burlington Electric signed new hydro power purchase agreements tied to Maine’s Saco River Skelton Hydro facility, extending renewable output through 2026 and beyond. Boating safety in Maine: The BoatUS Foundation expanded its free, state-approved boating safety course to include Maine, adding more access to environmental stewardship and safe operation. Wildlife and water health: A rare Lyme strain (Borrelia mayonii) was found in a New York adult as tick-borne cases surge, and Bowdoin research identified a beneficial Daphnia population in Maine’s West Harbor Pond. Local marine education: Islesboro students launched a scallop farm, turning classroom help into hands-on aquaculture experience.