Maine Climate News, July 30

Proposed End to Emerald Ash Borer Quarantine

Officials from the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry have proposed ending the emerald ash borer quarantine that has been in place since 2019. The regulation restricts the transportation of most ash timber and all firewood outside official quarantine zones.

Despite these restrictions, the emerald ash borer has continued to spread rapidly across Maine. One of the main causes of the spread is believed to be the transportation of firewood, which officials say is still occurring despite the quarantine. By ending the quarantine, the department hopes to redirect resources toward educating the public about preventing the spread of the invasive pest.

The department is accepting public comments on the proposal through Aug. 28 and will hold two public hearings.

Source: Maine Public

Harpswell Will Fly Shark Flags for Most of the Summer

The Harpswell Select Board has adopted a new policy requiring town beaches to fly a purple "shark flag" after the first confirmed shark sighting of the season. Unlike the previous policy, where flags were removed within 24 hours of a sighting, the flag will now remain up for the rest of the summer.

Harpswell has been a hotspot for shark sightings in recent years. In 2020, Maine's first recorded fatal shark attack occurred off the coast of Harpswell.

Shark sightings in Maine and across New England have increased in recent years due to a combination of factors, including growing seal populations and warming ocean waters.

Sources: Maine Monitor and Maine Public

Proposed Underwater Data Center Permit Application Deficient

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has determined that DeepGreen's application for a preliminary permit to study a proposed underwater AI data center off the coast of Eastport is incomplete. Regulators have given the company 45 days to address several issues, including providing more technical details about the project and properly notifying all federally recognized Wabanaki Nations that could be affected.

The decision comes as local opposition to the project continues to grow. Eastport residents have proposed ordinances that could ban large data centers or require voter approval for major developments, while the Passamaquoddy Tribe has publicly rejected any partnership with DeepGreen and raised concerns about the project's potential impacts on fisheries and cultural resources. FERC could reject the permit application if the requested information is not provided.

Source: Maine Monitor

Residents of Maine Mobile Home Park Have Had Unsafe Water for Years

Residents of the Sunrise Serenity mobile home park in Fairfield have been living under a boil water order for nearly three years due to repeated contamination from harmful bacteria and high levels of PFAS.

The Maine Department of Health and Human Services has granted the park's owners at least four extensions to meet deadlines for required testing and repairs, but the water remains under a boil water order. Residents say the unsafe water has damaged appliances, forced them to rely on bottled water, and disrupted daily life through frequent water shutoffs, all while lot rents have continued to rise.

Residents say they are frustrated by the slow pace of repairs and are calling for safe, reliable drinking water.

Source: Maine Monitor