New Brunswick has produced an Environmental Impact Assessment on the Petitcodiac River causeway at Moncton, near the head of the Bay of Fundy, rekindling a long-standing dispute between environmentalists and commercial fishermen. The environmental community, led by the Riverkeepers, wants the causeway gate opened, which they maintain will clean the river. Fishermen maintain that the
Energy bill gives feds final say on LNG sites
Federal legislation giving the federal government exclusive jurisdiction in approving proposed Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) ports and refineries and could affect the status of three contested LNG site proposals on the Maine coast. Until recently, state and federal governments shared the decision-making process for proposed LNG sites, but states have often opposed LNG sites. With
Maine builds an Egyptian-inspired bridge across the Penobscot
What started as a routine bridge inspection during the summer of 2003 has turned into one of the most exciting and dramatic construction projects in Maine’s history. When they examined the 72-year-old Waldo-Hancock Bridge that spans the Penobscot River between Prospect and Verona Island, engineers from Maine’s Department of Transportation (DOT) discovered more corrosion than
A New Bridge
Some readers will ask why we’re devoting so much space this month to a bridge across the Penobscot River. We’ve done so for a couple of reasons: it’s an important piece of coastal infrastructure over which a lot of the Maine coast’s products must travel to reach their markets, and, quite simply, it’s an innovative
The Year in Review
As 2005 rolls hull down in the mind, it is worth a moment’s reflection to recount what we’ve lived this year as well as to ask ourselves what we’ve learned and speculate about where we may be headed. Beginning with the most recent past, it is well worth a brief exhalation of joy to celebrate
Helicopters serve islanders in distress
With warm southerly winds, it was a perfect August afternoon aboard a 43-foot sailboat, cruising near Metinic Island in Penobscot Bay. But when a sudden jibe caused a boom to slam Bob Monks in the head, his family and friends aboard thought he was dead. He had been knocked unconscious as he tried to rig
Holbrook’s Wharf: A Case Study is Preserving a Working Waterfront
Without adequate working waterfronts, one of the state’s economic engines is in trouble, fathoms-deep. Holbrook’s Wharf is the heart of Cundy’s Harbor at the end of Great Island in Harpswell. The wharf has been an anchor of community life for over 150 years. Cundy’s Harbor is the oldest commercial lobstering village in Maine, and it’s
Stonington Teen Raises His Own Tuition for Ocean Classroom
“I fell in love with it the first day,” recalled Stonington high school junior Tabor Johnson, of his ten-day cruise on the schooner HARVEY GAMAGE when he was in eighth grade. By then, Tabor had been on the water for five years: he’d started lobstering in his 16-foot outboard with his father, Stonington Harbormaster and
Painting Raffle Will Raise Funds for North Haven school
Laugh and Learn Preschool is in its second year of operations this fall on North Haven. Currently 11 children are enrolled in the preschool program, while and five toddlers attend the Little Urchin toddler program. To help raise money to pay for the two teachers in the classroom and supplies, artist Pamela Grumbach donated a
Downeast Library Tour
Island librarians and friends gather on the steps of the Swan’s Island library during the recent Downeast library tour. Sponsored by the Island Institute with assistance from the Maine Seacoast Mission, the tour provided an opportunity for island librarians to network and learn from each other. A group of almost 20 participants, including librarians, board