(Website), In the summer months, attend a live concert at Maine Savings Amphitheater at Bangor Waterfront Park. "Does The Clean Water Act Protect Endangered Species? The Case Of Maine 9 0 obj The Clean Water Act also directed states to classify waters according to desired use and condition. $8,240,346 (2015) [1] Website. 2018-04-07T21:27:13-07:00 But when you really look into the details of this, it gets really complicated because the Clean Water Act is notoriously vague about which waterways it actually intends to protect. AppendPDF Pro 5.5 Linux Kernel 2.6 64bit Oct 2 2014 Library 10.1.0 We also know that many of our water systems are threatened by a warming climate. It served as a major revision of the Federal Water . Box 163, Westbrook, ME 04098 | (207) 221-3450 | [email protected], River revival: Clean Water Act 50 anniversary, Citizen scientists are key to Maines clean lakes. Clean Water Home Programs Healthy Waters Clean Water Thanks largely to the Clean Water Act, Maine's great rivers are much cleaner than they were 40 years ago, but we still have a long way to go to restore many of them. This settlement resolves two types of Clean Water Act (CWA) violations: 1) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit violations ( i.e., failure to implement buffers/best management practices, failure to comply with condition prohibiting land application during the winter months of November to March, exceedance of agronomic r. Appligent AppendPDF Pro 5.5 Maines Senator Edmund Muskie, along with many of our state environmental leaders, played vital roles in ensuring the success of this landmark legislation. It placed rigorous demands on polluters and it was underscored by the idea that all discharges into waterways are unlawful unless authorized by permit. In both Lewiston and Auburn, vibrant downtown redevelopment focuses on the river. Downloadable and interactive maps provide access and campsite locations, information on river conditions and portages, and links to local accommodations and guide services. About half of Maine people get their drinking water from public water systems while half drink water from residential wells. Its what we drink, where we work and play, and why our fisheries are some of the best in the world. We're going to talk about the nation's wetlands now. And though lead is not naturally found in water, it can dissolve into water from plumbing fixtures and piping, contaminating the drinking water in homes, schools, and businesses. Maine Compass: Fifty years later, Muskie's Clean Water Act should Maine people know its our responsibility to protect our lakes, streams, and coastal waters for future generations. Scroll down to see all available streams. Section 401(a)(1) of the CWA requires that an applicant for a . Today, the Kennebec is alive with seasonal runs of river herring, striped bass and smallmouth bass as far as the Lockwood Dam in Waterville. The Androscoggin River, one of the ten most polluted rivers in the country in the 1960s and 1970s that ran through his hometown of Rumford. Pesticide use by homeowners and lawn/tree care companies has increased by 700% over the past two decades. The Androscoggin River, one of the ten most polluted rivers in the country in the 1960s and 1970s that ran through his hometown of Rumford. But the Clean Water Act alone was not enough to clean up the Androscoggin River. Protecting the health of our waters and fisheries is essential to our future livelihood. The Supreme Court yesterday agreed. cleanwateraction .org. 1. Member Benefits: Maine PBS Passport, MemberCard & More! Water Quality, Maine Department of Environmental Protection MAINE PUBLIC October 18, 2022 Fifty years ago, the passage of the Clean Water Act aimed to prevent and reduce pollution in our nation's waters and to set wastewater standards. Stakeholders and interested parties are encouraged to submit written comments to Brandy Piers , (207) 287-6093 or [email protected] by 5 . Lets take a tour through a few of Maines riverfront cities to see how clean waters comeback has helped open a new chapter for these former industrial centers. Preventing contamination of Maines lakes, streams, and groundwater is essential to securing safe drinking water sources for our communities. The company released direct effluent, as well as bark and sunken logs from the log drives, impeding navigation in the spring and summer. improve mechanisms for municipalities to fund code enforcement officers and take enforcement actions to court, if need be. Lewiston Falls on the Androscoggin River with the city of Lewiston visible in the background. I love how lively it is, how colorful it is and I see youngsters, even this morning, going down there to fish," Craven said. I. And one of the big motivators for Muskie? "And those three state bills set the standard for all the water quality in all the state rivers," Rubins said. application/pdf The states coastline is officially 228 miles long, but when you count every cove and cranny, nearly 3,500 miles of rocky shore and sandy beach meet the North Atlantics waters. Clean Water Act 50 Years, Maine Department of Environmental Protection Home <>stream The Clean Water Act (CWA) is the primary federal law in the United States governing water pollution. Nowhere is this success more visible than on Maines three big rivers: the Androscoggin, Kennebec and Penobscot. Consequently, we consider how environmental policy outcomes under state primacy compare to those under federal primacy. Bulletin #2376, Water Quality: Pond Management Fact Sheet / Laws and Reference Committee Environment and Natural Resources Last House Action: 6/7/2017 - This . Today, 50 years later, the Clean Water Act is widely considered one of the most important and consequential environmental laws in American history. assist rural residents with testing and treatment of residential wells or extension of public water supplies. Sen. Muskie was an environmental leader and champion of the 1972 Clean Water Act and the 1970 Clean Air Act. At an impoundment known as Gulf Island Pond, for example, oxygen must be pumped into the water to keep fish alive. Enjoy the splendor of a day on a Maine lake here are some of our favorites. Rubins is among those who pushed for reclassification of the Androscoggin from the state's lowest rating, C, to a Class B. Before the passage of the Clean Water Act, low oxygen levels caused fishkills through the mid-20th century. He describes how the Clean Water Act works and how its provisions are implemented. At the same time, carbon pollution is also increasing the acidity of our oceans, making it harder for mussels, clams, and oysters to build their shells and mature. It's why, you know, industry developers, basically all sorts of folks across the country have been so interested in how this would shake out. He's with NPR's Climate Desk. The Federal Clean Water Act requires that the States certify that the construction or operation of hydropower projects subject to federal . To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act and the many people involved in this work, NRCM recognized Maine's "Clean Water Champions" who have been leaders in river, lake, coastal water, and drinking water clean-up. <> Pollutants caused oxygen levels to dip to near zero in summer months, resulted in closure of clam flats downstream and drove residents away from the water. One year in, the Inflation Reduction Act is working kind of About us & historyStaffThe SunriseGuideGreen & Healthy Maine HOMES, Green & Healthy Maine is published by The SunriseGuide LLC. The stench of rotten eggs was overwhelming. Less well known is the fact that state-based conservation groups like the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) helped create vital early support and momentum for national action to address the sorry state of our polluted waterways. It's what we drink, where we work and play, and why our fisheries are some of the best in the world. Before the concert, enjoy the waterfronts walking trails and picnic areas or visit a local restaurant in Bangors bustling, revitalized downtown. <> And he did so in an inclusive, collaborative way that seems extraordinary in the current political climate. Edmund Muskie recognized the link between clean air and water and human health and championed several laws aimed at curbing pollution as Governor of Maine in the 1950s and as chair of the Senates Subcommittee on Air and Water Pollution in the 1960s. This is a rebroadcast of an earlier show (original air date Oct 16, 2022); no calls will be taken. MARTIN: That's Nathan Rott. River revival: Clean Water Act 50 anniversary - Green & Healthy Maine Want to get a birds eye view of the rivers sparkling waters yourself? NRCM continues to make clean water a high priority. Panelists: John Banks, former director of natural resources for the Penobscot Indian Nation; David Courtemanch, freshwater science & policy analyst, The Nature Conservancy of Maine; former director of the division of environmental assessment, Maine DEP; Willie Grenier, retired teacher, active member of Kennebec Trout Unlimited; lifelong interest in clean water issues. Thank you. In just over a decade, the aim was to clean waters to a level that could support recreation and aquatic life (the so-called swimmable and fishable standard), and eliminate all pollution discharges two years after that. 2 0 obj Maine Legislature Passes Bill Prohibiting Land Application of Biosolids 21 0 obj ROTT: At the most basic level - right? NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. "50 years ago, no one would have come to this spot . "You've got to spend money. Water quality is further degraded by failed septic systems, as well as excess fertilizer, pesticides, animal waste, detergents, and industrial runoff that wash into our waterways from roads, bridges, and other impervious surfaces. Goldstein, who was part of a recent Bates College discussion about Muskie, said the Clean Water Act passed the Senate unanimously. Water Quality, Maine Department of Environmental Protection ROTT: Which is something that she says is really alarming because agencies are where subject-matter experts are and the science that helped determine these decisions. With water and wetlands making up around 17% of the states area, its no wonder a statesman from Maine took the lead in crafting the Clean Water Act to protect and preserve our liquid legacy. Carbon pollution is putting our fisheries in jeopardy. That was her powerful first impression of the Androscoggin the day she and her husband moved to Lewiston nearly 50 years ago. It also provided federal funds for the construction of sewage treatment plants, including the Portland Water District's East End Wastewater Treatment Plant, which . The authoritative record of NPRs programming is the audio record. Estimated timing: July 10 to July 31. Make plans to attend next years Great Falls Balloon Festival. But under a new ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court, more than half of the nation's wetlands no longer have federal protection. By the late 1970s, after the log drives ended and Scott moved operations to new mills in Fairfield and Skowhegan that had better pulping processes and water treatment technology, water quality improved, fish populations increased, and people began to use the river recreationally again. Summary - Maine State Legislature The Supreme Court narrows the scope of the Clean Water Act - Maine Public Supreme Court Revisits Scope of "Waters of the United States" (WOTUS (Website). News File with Samson Lardy Anyenini - Facebook On September 29, 2022 we held a collaborative celebration of the Act and Maine's success in transforming our rivers, lakes, and beaches. The CWA was a response to increasing public concern for the environment and for the condition of the nation's waters. In his long career in public service, Edmund Muskie's was best known for his leadership on environmental issues, including the Clean Water Actwhich was passed 50 years ago this week. Climate Driven: A deep dive into Maine's response, one county at a time, Maine Public on Your Voice Activated Device, Infrastructure work across Maine Publics footprint, WATCH: Video On-Demand TV Programs (including Maine PBS PASSPORT), WATCH: Maine Public Television Live Stream, Maine High School Basketball Championship Weekend, Watch Maine Public Television and Additional Channels with an Antenna, Listen to Maine Public Classical on Voice-Activated Devices, Teaching Resources for The Holocaust and Stories That Matter, Community Calendar - Virtual & Live Events in Maine, StoryCorps Military Voices Recording Sessions, Bay Chamber Concerts: Screen Door Festival, Facts About Maine Public's Federal Funding. Clean water is the lifeblood of Maine. endobj Member Benefits: Maine PBS Passport, MemberCard & More! Augusta, ME 04333 Over the years, Maine has tightened its pollution standards and, as water quality improved, moved certain bodies of water into higher classifications, both reflecting their improvement and further restricting the kinds of activities that could potentially degrade the water. Outside the studio, she has also hosted "Michel Martin: Going There," an ambitious live event series in collaboration with Member Stations. Maine Clean Water Champions Named - Natural Resources Council of Maine ROTT: Absolutely. NATHAN ROTT, BYLINE: Hey. (Website), Get creative at Art in the Park at Head of Falls park in Waterville, sponsored by Waterville Creates and Ticonic Gallery + Studios, Thursdays 35 p.m., June through August. Click here to learn more. The property owners did not want to do that. Cheering, cowbell, and applause could be heard on the banks of the Androscoggin River in Lewiston on Saturday as high school crew teams battled a powerful headwind and each other for the fastest rowing times in the second annual Riverfest Regatta. Our lobster industry generates at least $1.5 billion in economic activity annually, and aquaculture adds an additional $137 million. Good morning, Michel. Hydropower & Dams - The Maine Waterway Development and Conservation Act (MWDCA) requires that a permit be issued for the construction, reconstruction, or structural alteration (including maintenance and repair) of new or existing hydropower projects. US states get tough with 'war on drugs'-era laws to tackle fentanyl We love our rivers, lakes, streams, and coastal waters. Enjoy a parade, food and craft vendors, live music and a rainbow of balloons reflected off the Androscoggin. While the quality of Maine's The clean water act in Maine: Goals and Financing by Andrew Fisk Andrew Fisk gives an overview of the history of the federal Clean Water Act and of Maine's efforts to improve the quality of the state's lakes, rivers and streams. 50th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act Celebration WCBB is currently under construction. <>/ExtGState<>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text]>>/Rotate 0/TrimBox[0.0 0.0 612.0 720.0]/Type/Page>> Because of this, You can canoe from Waterville to Augusta, says Courtemanch, and see maybe a dozen houses. Clean water has brought new life to these waterfront areas, and many towns and cities along the Androscoggin, Kennebec and Penobscot have created riverside parks, boat launches and walking paths. Today, water quality in the entire main stem of the Penobscot is designated swimmable and fishable, a remarkable change, and downtown Bangor and Brewer offer many ways to enjoy the river. Shop for local produce at the Downtown Waterville Farmers Market (Thursdays from the end of April through Thanksgiving, 26 p.m.) and enjoy the River Walk at Head of Falls. Maine lakes generate $3.5 billion annually for our economy, sustain 52,000 jobs, and provide drinking water for more than 600,000 people. After 50 years of cleanup, Maine cities turn to face the water. The audio from Ed Muskie is courtesy of the Muskie archives at Bates College. As American states rush to curb the surging death toll from fentanyl, the supercharged opioid swirling through the US's illicit drug supply, they are increasingly reaching for laws and tactics . Marine debris, particularly plastics, threatens the health of our coastal waters. Investing in clean water infrastructure and pollution reduction will protect and restore Maines waters and fisheries, leverage significant additional funding, and support thousands of jobs. Weve been celebrating and inspiring living well in Maine since 2006. The event included remarks from leaders in water quality protection, recognition of Maine's Clean Water Act Champions, and a celebration with food and drinks. The Penobscot River is Maines largest, at over 100 miles long on its main stem. Section 401 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) [] is a direct grant of authority to states [] to review for compliance with appropriate federal, state, and tribal water quality requirements any discharge into a water of the United States that may result from a proposed activity that requires a federal license or permit. Maine has more than 6,000 lakes, 30,000 miles of rivers and streams, and 5,000 miles of coastline. This gives every school district in Maine the opportunity to ensure their drinking water is clean and safe for their students, staff, and visitors. 617-918-1017 BOSTON- Pan Am Railways has agreed to settle EPA allegations that they violated the federal Clean Water Act at two of its railyards operating in Waterville, Maine, and East Deerfield, Mass. S. D. Warren Co. v. Maine Board of Environmental Protection As a result, Atlantic salmon runs have enjoyed largely steady increases. Today, 50 years after the passage of the Clean Water Act, not only have these rivers had a remarkable turnaround, but the riverfront cities that once turned their backs to the water have developed new relationships with their rivers, recognizing that they have vital roles to play as central landmarks in the cultural, artistic and recreational opportunities they offer. So this was the culmination of a decadeslong dispute between the Environmental Protection Agency and two property owners, a couple in northern Idaho that wanted to build a house near a lake in, basically, a boggy area. Situated downstream from pulp and paper mills and other industrial plants, the cities of Lewiston and Auburn bore much of the brunt of the pollution. Public lands provide wonderful opportunities for everyone to camp, boat, swim, fish and enjoy the splendor of a day on a Maine lake. Estimated timing: July 10 to July 31. Waters - Natural Resources Council of Maine Clean Water Month, WHEREAS,on October 18, 2022, the nation marks the 50th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act which aimed to prevent, reduce, and eliminate pollution in the nation's water to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation's waters; and, WHEREAS,this landmark environmental legislation has been central to the important progress we have made in Maine in improving the quality and health of our rivers, streams, marine waters, lakes, wetlands, and watersheds; and, WHEREAS,the citizens of Maine are dependent on clean water for public health, recreation, commerce, and enhanced quality of life; and, WHEREAS,clean water plays a vital role in the economic prosperity of Maine by providing a sustainable commercial fishing industry, supporting other industries that rely on clean water, yielding a robust tourism industry, and sustaining our tourism and agricultural sectors; and, WHEREAS,in the last 50 years, the overall health of our marine waters, lakes, rivers, and streams has dramatically improved; and.
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