Policy
Maine Policy News
Governor Mills Signs Curtailment Order to Maintain Budget Stability Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
Governors of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont Call on President Trump to Reverse U.S. Tariffs on Canadian Aluminum
In a letter sent to the President Tuesday (PDF), the governors highlighted the longstanding bilateral trade relationship between New England and Canada, which was strengthened by the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) that went into effect this summer. About half of all trade for Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine companies is conducted with Canada.…
Safety at sea takes a leap forward
Since 2016, NEC researchers have evaluated barriers that lobstermen experience when considering wearing lifejackets. In April, researchers embarked on a campaign to distribute lifejackets from two vans traveling from port to port along the Maine and Massachusetts coastlines. The “Lifejackets for Lobstermen” vans carried 11 models of personal flotation devices (PFDs), available at a 50% discount. The selection was the culmination of more than 550 lobstermen giving guidance over the course of three years on the “ideal” working lifejacket.…
Gillnet Closures to Protect Right Whales Announced
NOAA announced the closure of the Nantucket Lightship and Closed Area I Groundfish Closure Areas for gillnet gear to comply with a recent Court Order.…
Maine Delegation Emphasizes Need to Hold China Accountable on American Lobster Commitment
Last week’s U.S.-China trade deal does not specify the amount of China’s investment for industry; U.S. lobster exports to China have dropped dramatically as result of ongoing trade war…
Senator Collins Joins Maine Businesses in Supporting New Trade Agreement to Help Create More Good-Paying Jobs
U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) today voted to approve the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). USMCA passed the Senate by an overwhelming, bipartisan majority of 89-10. It previously passed the House by a vote of 385-41 and now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law.…
Up to $100K Available for Community Forestry Projects in Maine Towns
Project Canopy, the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry’s community forestry program, will award $100,000 in grants to local governments, municipalities, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations that support efforts to develop and maintain long-term community forestry programs.…
Senator Collins Announces $245,000 for Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians to Purchase Snow Removal Equipment
U.S. Senator Susan Collins, the Chairman of the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, announced today that the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians have received $245,000 to purchase snow removal equipment, including a loader and snow plow, to maintain the safety of their roads in Aroostook County during inclement weather.…
The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Introduces Refreshed Agricultural Marketing Program
The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) today announced a refresh of its core agricultural marketing program logo. DACF unveiled a modernized logo that aligns with the Department’s updated strategic vision for the branding program. The logo unveiling and announcement come as thousands of agricultural producers, suppliers, and educators gather for DACFs 79th Maine Agricultural Trades Show.…
MaineDOT Releases New Three-Year Work Plan Amid Funding Challenges
The Maine Department of Transportation has released the 2020 Edition of its Three-Year Work Plan. This Work Plan includes all capital projects and programs, maintenance and operations activities, planning initiatives, and administrative functions for calendar years 2020, 2021, and 2022. It includes 2,051 individual work items with a total estimated value of $2.59 billion.…
LUPC Vote Decides NECEC Meets Zoning and Land Use Standards
The Land Use Planning Commission (LUPC) today decided that CMPs proposed NECEC project is an allowed use within the subdistricts in which it is proposed and meets all land use standards established by the Commission that are not duplicative of those considered by the DEP in its review under the Site Location of Development Law.…
Views on New Right Whale Rules & Lobstermen
DMR whale plan reflects practicality, federal reality
As I write this, DMR staff are making final changes to our proposed whale rules that I’ll submit to NOAA Fisheries in early December. These changes are based on…
Lobstermen worry about impact of state’s whale plan
Lobstermen turned out by the hundreds last month to learn about the state’s plan to reduce entanglement risk from the Maine lobster fishery to right whales. In early November……
The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Sends Comments to USDA on Interim Final Hemp Rule
The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry has issued its comments to the USDA on the Interim Final Hemp Rule, expressing concerns with proposed requirements that have the potential to adversely affect the growth of the hemp industry in Maine. The comments come after a thorough analysis by state officials and include feedback from Maine farmers.…