Photo of Rabid Dog

AUGUSTA – With the addition of two foxes in the same York County neighborhood testing positive for rabies, the increased number of rabies cases in the first month of 2012 has prompted the Maine Center for Disease Control and the Maine Department of Agriculture to remind people to be cautious around wild animals and to vaccinate their pets.

In January 2012, 11 cases of rabies have been confirmed, while in 2011, only one animal tested positive for the virus. Rabid animals have been reported in Androscoggin, Cumberland, Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Oxford and York counties.

“The uncharacteristically warm winter weather that we’ve been experiencing and the lack of significant snowfall may be contributing to the increase by enabling wild animals to roam more freely,” said Dr. Don Hoenig, State Veterinarian with the Maine Department of Agriculture. The rabies virus is spread when infected animals bite or scratch a person or another animal. The virus can also be spread if saliva or tissue from the brain or spinal cord touches broken skin or gets into the mouth, nose or eyes, Hoenig said. The most common wild animals to carry rabies are raccoons, skunks, bats, foxes, and coyotes.

Domestic mammals can also get rabies. Dr. Stephen Sears, State Epidemiologist from Maine CDC, reminds Mainers to avoid contact with wild animals, to keep their pets close to home and to make sure all pets are up to date on rabies vaccination. “By avoiding contact with wild animals and maintaining pet’s vaccination, we can prevent the spread of rabies,” said Dr. Sears. Rabies in humans is preventable through prompt appropriate medical care. It is important to report possible exposures right away to ensure appropriate follow up.

For more information, please contact your local animal control officer or the Maine CDC at 1-800-821-5821.

Concerned that the insect is spreading Down East, the Maine Forest Service (MFS) staff will look for evidence of hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) on roadside hemlock trees particularly in the villages of Pretty Marsh and Seal Harbor, in the town of Mount Desert, according to MFS officials.

The crew also will work with national park and U.S. Forest Service staff to survey in Acadia National Park before moving on to other areas of the island and coastal Waldo, Hancock and Washington counties, said Allison Kanoti, MFS forest entomologist.

The invasive insect was reported last year at two sites on the island, as well as at a new site in January in Alfred, suggesting that the insect population is moving both inland and up Maine’s coast, Kanoti said.

“It’s another significant jump in the spread of this insect,” Kanoti said about the discovery on Mount Desert Island. “It brings it closer to another hemlock-rich area of Maine, the whole Down East area. There is a high concentration of hemlocks there.”

Hemlock woolly adelgid is a small, aphid-like insect that is covered with white, waxy wool-like material. This wool-like covering makes the insect resemble miniature cotton balls. It is most visible from late-October through July, with woolly masses located on the undersides of the twigs at the bases of the needles. The insect begins its egg-laying in March.

The insect, which came from Japan in the 1950s, causes infested trees to have off-color needles, often with a grayish cast, premature needle drop and twig dieback, and eventually, mortality.

Hemlock trees are a significant Maine tree species, Kanoti said. Often found near water bodies, hemlocks contribute to the state’s forest ecosystem by protecting water bodies, as well as the forest floor from erosion. Hemlocks buffer stream temperatures which can affect such species as brook trout. The trees, which are a favored landscape tree, also are important in deer wintering areas and contribute to the state’s forest products sector.

HWA has been found in at least 16 states. In Maine, it was first discovered in the forest in Kittery in 2003 and now has spread up the coast. The invasive insect has been found at three state parks, Ferry Beach State Park in 2008, Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park in Freeport in 2010, and Vaughan Woods State Park in South Berwick, also in 2010.

HWA populations can be reduced by clipping infested branches or hosing them off with water periodically from April through July; through biological control using predator beetles, as has been done in Maine state parks; and through chemical control with the application of pesticide consistent with label directions. Chemical control is generally necessary to maintain the appearance and health of infested ornamental hemlocks.

The Mount Desert detections of HWA were found by tree care professionals who discovered the insect on landscape stock that has been planted for more than 10 years, Kanoti said. It is unknown how the insect may have infested the trees.

“The question is whether they were infested when they were planted — it’s hard to know,” Kanoti said. “Or is there something in the forest around them? That’s what we’re trying to find out. That will determine our course of action.”

At the same time of the Mount Desert Island survey, MFS staff will conduct an annual survey of towns bordering known, infested communities, Kanoti said. Infested hemlocks in forested settings already have been found in 31 towns in York, Cumberland, Sagadahoc and Lincoln counties.

The Alfred infestation is a “light infestation” found around a vernal pool in the southern part of town, the MFS forest entomologist said. It is the furthest inland natural-forest infestation in the state, she noted. Because the area has a high concentration of hemlocks and is near a lake, “it is conceivable that more will be found,” Kanoti said.

Following the Mount Desert Island survey, the MFS crew will begin examination of hemlock in the three eastern coastal counties.

“We have not surveyed these areas in several years,” Kanoti said, “and they are vulnerable because their somewhat more mild winter temperatures, exposure to migrating birds and also late winter-early spring storms that can carry the adelgid along the coast.”

The MFS entomologist said that this time of year is a good time for landowners to check their hemlock trees. The HWA masses are easy to see, and upper tree-canopy samples clipped by squirrels and porcupines may be found on the snow.

Maine residents who think they have found evidence of hemlock woolly adelgid can call or email the Maine Forest Service at: (207) 287-3147 or forestinfo@maine.gov

A new report on hemlock woolly adelgid management in northern New England is available at:

http://www.maine.gov/doc/mfs/documents/HWA_S-T-S_FinalReport.pdf

Maine residents also can take the challenge on the Gulf of Maine Research Institutes Vital Signs Website:http://vitalsignsme.org/mission-hemlock-woolly-adelgid

For more information about the Maine Forest Service and hemlock woolly adelgid, go to:

http://www.maine.gov/doc/mfs/index.shtml

and

http://www.maine.gov/doc/mfs/HemlockWoollyAdelgid.htm

(woman with ash strips) Jennifer Neptune of the Maine Indian Basketmakers Alliance displays strips of brown ash used to create her miniature baskets. The invasive insect, emerald ash borer, destroys ash trees, which are essential to the American Indian traditional craft.

AUGUSTA,Maine– There were 52 logs; 40 volunteers; eight trees from eight different sites; seven landowners; two workshops; and best of all, no emerald ash borer.

The Maine Forest Service, under the Maine Department of Conservation, this week finished up its bark-peeling project to look for evidence of the highly dangerous invasive insect, emerald ash borer (EAB). The results were just what MFS entomologists were hoping for.

After participating in two workshops on Jan. 17 and Jan. 24 and peeling 52 logs down to the cambium, or living layer, the volunteers found no tell-tale signs of the harmful EAB that is threateningMaine’s forests, MFS officials said.

“Although I am heartened by these results that mirror those of various previous surveys, they are not a basis for complacency,” Dave Struble,Maine state entomologist, said. “EAB is established just outside the borders ofNew England and is knocking at our door.  Now is not the time to drop our guard.”

Seven landowners from central Maine, who earlier this year created tree traps to look for emerald ash borer (EAB), brought wood samples to the two workshops to be peeled by volunteers and examined for signs of the dangerous insect, said Colleen Teerling, Maine Forest Service entomologist.

Earlier this year, the Maine Forest Service had asked land owners to volunteer to make tree traps for EAB by girdling a tree, or stripping bark from around an ash tree. Girdling the tree causes the tree to become stressed and release chemicals attractive to the EAB.

(photos courtesy of the Maine Department of Conservation) (man peeling wood) Tom Fox, consulting forester from Orland, peels a piece of ash from his woodlot during a recent Maine Forest Service workshop. Peeling off bark is a way to look for the invasive species, emerald ash borer, which kills ash trees.

“People were enthusiastic, they were happy to talk to each other and share their knowledge,” Teerling said about the bark-peeling sessions. “That cross pollination was a good thing.”

The MFS entomologist pointed out that the volunteers “started to own the whole process” of looking for EAB evidence. “It renewed the importance of looking for invasive insects,” she said.

The tree-girdling project grew out of the efforts of the Black Ash Task Force, a collaboration of the Maine Forest Service (MFS),University of Maine,MaineIndian BasketmakersAllianceand the U.S. Forest Service, Teerling said. The 40 volunteers who took part in the two workshops included the landowners, MFS foresters, members of the Penobscot Nation, and other task force representatives, she said.

EAB, which has not been found inMaine, has killed millions of ash trees across the nation and threatens all ofMaine’s ash resource, from individual ash shade trees in yards and lining town streets to stands of white, green and black ash in the forests. The invasive insect has been found inNew York,Pennsylvania,Michigan,Maryland, and the Canadian provinces ofQuebecandOntario.

Some treatment is possible to prolong the life of affected trees, but in general, after a tree is infested by the beetle, it dies. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, more than 25 million trees in theU.S.have been affected by the emerald ash borer.

Tom Fox, a consulting forester from Orland, girdled four trees and brought in the bolts, or logs, for the Jan. 24 workshop held at the MFS headquarters at Bolton Hill. Fox said he had the opportunity to see the devastation caused by EAB during a recent forestry tour atKingston,New York.

“I saw a lot of residential trees that were dead and where emerald ash borer had taken living ash,” as well as dead trees in woodlands, he said. Noting thatMaineresidents and foresters can learn from other states, Fox said the tour “raised my concern about in how the state ofMainewe have the opportunity to develop our own program.

“It’s important that we work to get together and form a response team when it happens inMaine,” he said.

Jennifer Neptune of the Maine Indian Basketmakers Alliance, who has been making baskets for about 20 years using brown ash, also attended the Jan. 24 workshop and observed the bark-peeling process.

Neptune, who specializes in miniature baskets, commented on the significance of looking for EAB inMaineash as a way to preserve a unique American Indian craft.

“It’s really important, because if something happens to the ash,” she said, “it could be the end of our tradition which has been going on for thousands of years. It’s part of our creation story, and part of who we are.”

For the past three years, the Maine Forest Service has been using sophisticated detection methods to surveyMaine’s ash resource for the possible presence of EAB. Bio-surveillance – monitoring the nests of predatory wasps that eat EAB – has gone on at 18 sites around the state, and this summer, some 955 distinctive purple traps will be placed at key locales.

Tree girdling is the most sensitive way to monitor for EAB because it draws more beetles, Teerling noted. That method and bio-surveillance, however, also are very labor intensive.

Nonetheless, this year’s bark-peeling efforts “worked really well,” Teerling said. “We certainly will consider doing this again next year.”

For a video of the Jan. 24 bark-peeling workshop, go to: www.maine.gov/doc/MFS_bark_peeling.wmv

For more information about EAB, go to: http://www.maine.gov/doc/mfs/InvasiveThreats.htm

For more information about the Maine Forest Service, go to: http://www.maine.gov/doc/mfs/index.shtml

Welcome to Hirundo Wildlife Refuge. Hirundo is a 2,400 acre nature preserve, spanning Pushaw and Dead Streams, Lac D’Or (lake), vast wetlands, including domed bog and maple and juniper swamps, and mixed hardwood and evergreen forests. Only 10 miles from the University of Maine, Orono Campus, visitors paddle canoes free of charge and watch playful river otters, breeding Wood Ducks, Bald Eagles, and Osprey in the tranquil beauty. While hiking, snowshoeing, and cross country skiing, one might encounter moose, deer, red and gray fox, muskrat, beaver, otter, black bear, bobcat,  fisher, and ermine.

Birdwatchers enjoy such breeding and migrating birds as Virginia Rail, Sora, Yellow Rail, Pileated Woodpecker, Northern Goshawk, Northern Harrier, Blackburnian and Nashville Warblers, Common Snipe, Woodcock, Barred Owl, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Waterthrush, Barn, Cliff, and Tree Swallows, and Olive-Sided, Great Crested, Yellow-Bellied, Alder, and Least Flycatchers.

Great Blue Heron. Photo by Gary Kramer, USFWS

Hirundo is the Latin word for swallow. Scores of tree swallow nest boxes attract flocks, breeding in the Spring. Hirundo Wildlife Refuge was founded by Oliver Larouche from his parents’ 3 acre camp in 1965, expanding to its present 2,400-acre size. In 1983 Oliver and his wife  June Larouche deeded the Hirundo land to the University of Maine cementing a long-term collaboration. Hirundo is a living laboratory, where much past research and scientific studies continue.

The public is welcomed to visit Hirundo Wildlife Refuge 7 days a week 9 AM to dusk. Please sign the log book available  at Gate 1,  Gate 2 ,  Gate 3 or Gate 6.

There are no charges, admission fees, or membership, but donations are strongly encouraged. The public should call ahead for canoes. There is a clearly marked,seven mile trail system on 300 acres. Trail maps are available at Gates 1, 2, 3 or 6, and may be downloaded on the maps pages.

Buds, Twigs and Trees – February 19, 2012

Spend Sunday afternoon with Steve Sader, Professor of  Forest Resources at University of Maine,  learning how to identify deciduous trees and shrubs in winter. Hand lenses and magnifying glasses helpful.

Deciduous leaves are scarce in winter, except on beech and sometimes oaks, and bark of young trees can be misleading. Not so buds and leaf scars.  Bud shapes, the number of bud scales, bud arrangement, leaf scares and twigs are features used to key out native and no-native trees and shrubs. Hirundo’s varied forests (wetland, mixed, upland) offers ample opportunity for practice.

Buds are the adaptation strategy of tree and shrubs to maximize food production and flower & seed development during the short active growing period in our northern climate. Buds, pre-formed the previous summer, hold miniature leaves or flowers, or both, depending on species. The trees and shrubs share the same quandary as Maine’s tourist industry. Spring is late, summer short and just like the tourist industry the woody plant has to replenish its depleted resources from the past winter, flower (prosper), produce seed (increase in size) AND make new buds for the next season (put up money) in just a few month!

Lucky for us, buds come in different shapes and sizes, with or without coverings (the bud scale) and are arranged opposite or alternate along the twigs. Some buds are shamelessly naked, as in the Wayfaring Tree (a non-native) and set on gray hairy twigs, with triangular leaf scar beneath.

Flower Bud Wayfaring Tree

Triangular leaf scar with 3 bundle scars

The willow wards off temperature fluctuation with one bud scale, the Red Osier dogwood with two, and the familiar silver maple, among other trees, uses several.

Willow bud

If two species occupy similar habitat, are alike in twig colour and have the same bud arrangement, as it is true for the Red maple and Red osier dogwood, the number of bud scales might just be the right aid for
further identification.

How do buds know when to burst open, to expose leaves to sunlight and flowers to pollination?

Ask Steve on February 19th, 2012 at 1pm.

See you then!

Winter Ecology Series 2012

Hirundo Wildlife Refuge is pleased to announce its Winter Ecology Series of free, family-oriented walks, lasting 1.5 hours.
Beginning on Sunday, January 8 you will learn how to ‘Identify Animal Signs’, hone your skills in ‘Winter Tree Identification’ (February 19) and listen to the calls of Barred or Screech Owl during the ‘Owl Walk’ (March 7). Our heated shelter, at Lac D’Or will be open 1/2 hour prior to the beginning of the walk.

Currently we suggest you bring snowshoes, if available, or reserve them with us by calling 207 944 9259.

Intersecting

Meet at the Parker Reed shelter in the Hirundo Wildlife Refuge. Take Gate 1 and follow the dirt road for ~1/2 mile to the Pine Tree parking lot. The shelter is further on the left. Reservations and cancellations requested, call 207-944-9259. Event is free and open to all ages. Suggested donations are $4 for adults, school-aged children are free.

Willow bud

Come and join wildlife ecologist Bucky Owen, on January 8, as he snowshoes along a section  of  Hirundo’s seven-mile trail system, speaks about the seasonal animal and plant adaptation, and looks for animal tracks.

On February 19,  practice Tree Identification in winter, using twigs and other clues, when you examine Hirundo’s varied forest communities with Steven Sader, from the School of Forest Resource at University of Maine.

Mark your calendar for the Winter Ecology series third outing on March 7. Paul Markson introduces you to animal’s nighttime activities at Hirundo during his Owl Walk.

Directions

FROM THE SOUTH

Take the I-95 N. Take the ME-43 exit 197 to Old Town/Hudson. Go 0.3 mi to the end of the off ramp. At the stop sign, turn left onto Rt. 43 (Hudson Rd). Go west 5.2 mi and look for the large red signs on your right (north side of Rt. 43). Gate 1 leads to the Wabanaki Interpretive Nature Trail and the Shelter at Lac D’Or. Gate 2 leads to parking and multiple walking trails. Gate 3 has parking for the canoe trails.

FROM THE NORTH

Take I-95 S.Take the ME-43 exit 197 to Old Town/Hudson. Go 0.3 mi. Turn right at Hudson Rd. Go 0.3 mi to the end of the off ramp. At the stop sign, turn right onto Rt. 43 (Hudson Rd). Go west 5.2 mi and look for the large red signs on your right (north side of Rt. 43). Gate 1 leads to the Wabanaki Interpretive Nature Trail and the Shelter at Lac D’Or. Gate 2 leads to parking and multiple walking trails. Gate 3 has parking for the canoe trails.

View larger map

A low cloud ceiling hangs over the Helon Taylor Trail, Baxter State Park. (Rex Turner photo)

By Rex Turner, Outdoor Recreation Planner
Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands

The year has turned, and we’re now into 2012.  The annual passage of ending one year and welcoming another always brings out retrospection … and a slew of “best of” or “top” lists from the passing year. With this in mind, I am going to pile on, though in a very different way.

Borrowing from the clichéd annual review lists in sports, news, and entertainment, I want to share a few “bests” that highlight why wild places, protected lands, and general interaction with the natural world mean so much to so many. There is a strong pull to get into nature, especially wild settings.  Researchers speak of “wilderness rapture” or “transcendence” in which feelings such as awe, wonder, humility, connection to nature, absorption in the moment, and a sense of timelessness prevail.

This is the nub of my best list, which is admittedly inspired at least partially out of a jaded distaste for pop culture lists; you can probably guess that I’m not that into Charlie Sheen or “JerseyShore.”

Ok, so here is my kind of odd, not-your-normal “best of” list, sharing a few ways in which communing with nature inspires — this writer, at least.

Best surreal experience: While fishing a small pond just after ice out, I continually had my senses fooled by trees shedding the weight of a wet spring snow. I was fly casting from a float tube, and as snow would plop from overhanging evergreen branches along the shore, the sound of the snow impacting the mirrored surface would instinctively catch my attention as if a trout had risen to the surface to slurp a morsel. Though I knew better, the sound of that snow resulted in a Pavlovian head-turn every time. The concentric rings in the water looked like the work of a rise. These were snow trout, and though impossible to hook, I thoroughly enjoyed their company.

Best Movie:  While climbing Katahdin via the Helon Taylor Trail, I stood near the top of Pamola as a ferocious wind pummeled the mountain above tree line. Scattered clouds whizzed by, fading the strong fall sunlight in and out in quick succession. This “movie” — played out on the jumbled boulders scrawled with clinging map lichen — created the effect of a child’s flip book and animated the landscape in what was an awe-inspiring moment.
Song of the Year:  Birders and non-birders alike can argue this subjective award forever, but I’m going to anoint the whistled “Old-Sam-Peabody-Peabody” of the white-throated sparrow as song of the year, if for no other reason than for me that song floating across a forest clearing or echoing up to a ridge top from below is the embodiment of the promise of spring.

Best soundtrack (of place): Frozen lakes and ponds sometimes speak in what Henry Beston called a “strange and hollow tongue.”  In his book, “Northern Farm,” Beston eloquently describes ice groans and cracks on a still night as a pond grows its ice.  As lakes develop thicker ice in cold weather, they can make a “hollow oboe sound,” or “groan with a delicate undertone of thunder”. These are words in the language of winter, and to those who go forth on the frozen water, they represent part of a story about life in northern climates.

And, from the category of long award titles comes these two:

Best place to feel like you’ve walked up to the edge of understanding only to have the near-clarity evaporate back into mystery that, in retrospect, is preferable:  Like all these made-up awards, this could be most any unmarred place in nature. Nonetheless, I’m going with water. More specifically, coastal islands such as Stevens near Jonesport, 1-acre Shivers in the Deer Isle area, or any number of other islands along the Maine Island Trail put you face-to-face with that eternal muse known as the sea. Star-filled nights and waves-on-rocks lullabies make a potent introspection cocktail.

Best place to blur the lines between your body, your conscious mind, and nature’s tapestry: Let me suggest spring snowshoeing at places such asMt.BlueState Park, theKennebecHighlands, or any host of other destinations.  Part of the magic inherent to this time of year comes from the warming weather that cause clothing layers to be shed while also giving rise to fogs and mists which mingle amidst tree trunks. The ever-more saturated snow may stick, and the snowpack may hold less and less weight, but the ethereal mists are other-worldly, and milder temperatures are welcoming after bitter winter winds fade.

There’s my list. It’s offbeat.  It’s not even a top 10.  Nonetheless, it is a way to look at things that really matter to some of us. It’s just a tiny sliver giving a glimpse into the truly meaningful experiences in the lives of those who love the outdoors.

And not to worry — if this isn’t your thing, you can always look up the top 10 celebrity break-ups, or best dressed, or worst dressed, etc., etc., etc.

“This would be an environmental and economic disaster for Maine,” said Chris O’Neil, President of Friends of Maine’s Mountains (FMM), which is focused on protecting Maine’s mountains and citizens from the impacts of grid-scale industrial wind turbine developments.

Among other shortcomings in the legislation, FMM sees its passage as a de facto mandate for an unsustainable buildup of wind turbines and costly transmission systems on Maine’s mountains. O’Neil asserted that “markets would not support any wind power at all if not for a complicated brew of incentives, grants, mandates, tax breaks, surcharges, and other government created gimmicks. This is just one more gimmick, and it’s a huge one.”

O’Neil said, that renewable power sounds good to lay people, but lay people should not be deciding such technical and critical matters that are presented as simple and benign. “Requiring more renewable power will probably sound great to most people; but to throw additional unrealistic mandates on companies like Bangor Hydro and CMP will cost real dollars for everyone in Maine. And certainly, it will cause further harm to our wild areas with the construction of unnecessary infrastructure like 45 story wind turbines on our mountain ridges and hundreds of miles of new transmission lines cut through our forests,” O’Neil said.

Maine has the highest RPS mandate in the nation, presently at 35%.  Yet Maine law excludes some generators (like Canadian Hydro) and favors others (like wind) such that “for all intents and purposes ‘new renewable’ in Maine means wind,” O’Neil said.  The referendum would double the annual rate at which the RPS now escalates, and it will raise the ultimate percentage mandated from 40% to 50%.

“If Maine is an outlier now, this would put us off the charts.” O’Neil said. “We will be urging voters to think about facts like these before they vote for this feel-good legislation.”

Maine’s electricity generation mix is already very clean.  More than half of our generation comes from renewable biomass and hydro, while most of the other half comes from clean, modern natural gas generators.  Some states get as much as three quarters of their electricity from coal plants.  FMM is not a proponent of introducing coal to Maine’s electricity generation mix, but the group insists that any new generation be sustainable, affordable, clean, and necessary.  “Wind power has never proven that it meets any of these criteria,” O’Neil said.  “We have many layers of environmental regulation in place now.  And, we in Maine have a strong environmental ethos. There is no need to handcuff markets and harm ratepayers by choosing winners, losers, and favorites.”

“This referendum is driven by an unfortunate public belief that wind power can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, displace base load generators, and reduce our already high electricity costs, when in fact it can do none of these,” O’Neil said. “The future of Maine’s environment and economy deserves better than mandated policies which are based on a belief in presumed benefits, rather than proven data. We end up with high impact – low benefit infrastructure that we neither want nor need.”

O’Neil said FMM sees red flags with other provisions in the legislation, like how it would take authority from elected officials and give policy making authority to unelected officials.

The following documents have been included for references.

Friends of Maine’s Mountains,  P.O. Box 60,  Weld, Maine  04285   (207)585-2005

The 20 Facts about Wind Energy Development in Maine

When asked if they think wind generated electricity is good, affordable, green, useful, and necessary most people will say “Yes, of course.” But the fact is, none of the above has ever been proven. Wind generated electricity has been effectively shielded from scrutiny by marketing and lobbying, with no obligation to verify its claims. But despite popular belief, wind generated electricity has high impact and low benefit to Maine’s economy and environment. Following are 20 reasons to take a closer look.

1. Wind generated electricity will not “get us off of oil.” Less than 2 % of the electricity in Maine and in the U.S. comes from oil-fired generators. We use oil for transportation and heating. Switching to electric vehicles and electric heat would certainly reduce oil usage, but it would sharply increase electricity consumption. So ratepayers would more urgently demand and require affordable electricity rather than expensive wind electricity.

2. Maine has 4300 megawatts of electricity generation capacity, though we only use 1500 megawatts on average. There is no shortage of electricity and the grid forecasts less than one percent annual growth in demand for the next decade. No urgent need exists to sacrifice unique resources using ratepayer and taxpayer money to produce a small and unreliable amount of surplus electricity.

3. Even without wind turbines, Maine is already one of the cleanest states in the nation for electricity generation. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Maine ranks first in non-hydro renewable electricity gen­eration per capita, per gross state product and as a percentage of total electricity generation. We also have the highest renewable portfolio standard in the U.S.

4. By necessity, conventional sources of electricity (nuclear, biomass, natural gas, hydropower) will re­main the primary suppliers of electricity to the New England grid well into the future. Wind-generated elec­tricity cannot, by its nature, replace or displace these “baseload” generators. Intermittency and low power density restrict it to a role as a marginal supplier of electricity.

5. Maine’s 2700 megawatt “goal” for land-based wind generating capacity would require the construction of 1200-1700 wind turbines, each around 400 feet tall, spaced about ¼ mile apart, sprawled across 300 miles of rural Maine’s mountains and ridgelines.

6. The expansive conversion of rural Maine to industrial wind development could provide no more than 5% of New England’s electricity needs under even the most optimistic of scenarios. It would have no meaningful impact on New England’s fossil fuel consumption. The intermittency of Maine’s 2700 megawatt (MW) wind power goal gives it, at most, an effective output that is around 30% of its listed capacity, or about 800 MW. On New Eng­land’s 32,000 MW grid, this is a drop in the bucket – especially, when considering the high-impact infrastructure needed to achieve this “goal.”

7. Wind generated electricity is high impact and low benefit. The entirety of Maine’s 2700 MW goal could be provided by the construction and operation of a SINGLE, moderately sized, conventionally fueled (e.g. natu­ral gas) generation plant, at 10-15% of the cost.

8. Placing wind turbines on Maine’s mountains will not enhance our energy security.Almost all of the fuels used to produce our electricity are sourced from North America. ALL are readily available in North America.

9. Placing wind turbines on Maine’s mountains will not reduce coal consumption or stop mountaintop re­moval mining. Coal is used in other parts of the country as a reliable (albeit dirty) base load fuel, with some states deriving 75% or more of their electricity from coal. Comparatively speaking, New England is a minor user of coal. Maine has only one small coal-fired generator, powering a Rumford paper mill. It accounts for about ½ percent of all of Maine’s electricity generation.

10. Erecting wind turbines on Maine’s mountains will not improve Maine’s air quality.EPA figures indicate that the burning of fossil fuels in Maine is a minor source of the state’s particulate pollution. Most fossil fuel pollutants blow into Maine from population centers many miles away.

11. If CO2 is a problem, wind power is not a solution. Placing wind turbines on Maine’s mountains will have no impact on climate change. Using the wind lobby’s optimistic claims, 2700 MW of installed wind capacity in Maine could only reduce total U.S. CO2 emissions by less than five one-hundredths of one percent (0.05%.) Glob­ally, there would be no measurable benefit since 98% of atmospheric C02 is from sources other than electricity generators.

12. Wind turbines require sources of NEW conventional generating capacity. The 2010 New England Wind In­tegration Study stated that “Wind’s intermittent nature would require increased reserves, ensuring that there are other generation options when the wind isn’t blowing.” Even when wind does blow, baseload generators continue to operate, while balancing generators operate inefficiently as they ramp up and down, which increasesemissions.

13. New wind power integration will require an unprecedented expansion of transmission capacity. The president and chief executive of ISO-New England, said in 2010 that large scale integration of wind power into the New England grid “would require spending $19 billion to $25 billion for new transmission lines.” This cost would be passed along to our electric bills.

14. Wind generated electricity will not guarantee lower electricity rates. Wind power lobbyists often state that they cannot compete with low natural gas prices, which are forecast to remain low and stable for decades. The wind lobby’s insistence on a federal Renewable Energy Standard and other government subsidies are proof that wind-gener­ated electricity cannot compete with other sources.

15. It is said that wind should be a “part of the mix” but its part would be insignificant.Demand for wind generated electricity is created not by the market, but by state and federal government policy. Without favoritism from government policies, wind power could not survive.

16. Wind projects are heavily subsidized at an exorbitant rate. Not accounting for state incentives, ratepayer mandates, and various policies, wind generated electricity is generously subsidized by federal taxpayers. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, wind generators take federal subsidies at a rate of $56.29 per megawatt hour (MWh). Compare this to the subsidy totals for reliable generators like natural gas and coal, which receive 64 cents/MWh, Hydro: 82 cents, Nuclear: $3.14, and Geothermal: $12.85/MWh.

17. Wind developments create notoriously few jobs. Despite boasts of creating Maine jobs, wind projects produce mostly construction jobs lasting less than 6 months. Wind projects are NOT long-term investments in jobs. Construction jobs are always welcome, but publicly-funded construction jobs should pro­duce necessary and useful projects, like roads, bridges, and critical infrastructure. Moreover, state mandates to purchase higher priced wind-generated electricity could lead to lost jobs or fewer available jobs in Maine.

18. Most of a wind project’s expenditures leave Maine – primarily overseas., Property valu­ations of most new wind developments in Maine are sheltered by tax increment financing and accelerated depreciation. Under the terms of these deals, Mainers’ tax savings are diverted to developers to help finance wind projects.

19. EVERY operating, multi-turbine, grid scale wind facility in Maine that has been sited near people has sig­nificant unresolved disputes over noise emissions and shadow flicker. Continuing to site wind turbines using the same standards that have caused this conflict assures that the problems will grow in number and that more Mainers will be involved in disputes with wind developers in the future.

20. “Charting Maine’s Future,” the 2006 Brookings Institute report, warned Maine to avoid sprawl in order to protect its “quality of place” and its “brand.” Maine’s wind development policy actually encourages rural sprawl, threatening Maine’s unique character as well as our future prosperity. Fairly weighing the massive impacts to Maine’s economy and environment versus the minimal benefits from wind power, the facts lead us to conclude that the impacts far exceed the benefits. Maine must pursue more sensible and sustainable energy policy.

Friends of Maine’s Mountains

PO Box 60 Weld, Maine 04285

www.friendsofmainesmountains.org

Friends of Maine’s Mountains

PO Box 60 Weld, Maine 04285

www.friendsofmainesmountains.org

The Governor caused a stir last week when he urged citizens NOT to sign the citizens referendum petitions now being circulated by a “coalition” of special interests. That coalition is seeking to pull Maine off an energy/environmental/economic cliff with the measure that would radically increase mandates for electricity users.  Among other shortcomings in this legislation, Friends of Maine’s Mountains (FMM) sees its passage as a de facto mandate for an unsustainable buildup of wind turbines and transmission lines on Maine’s mountains.

As you surely know, almost everyone unwittingly begins with feelings of favorability toward wind power. Then that favor wanes once they learn wind power’s low benefits and high impacts to the economy and environment.  While FMM categorically opposes what the referendum seeks to do, we actually see a statewide campaign as an opportunity for educating more Maine citizens with the truth about wind power’s high impacts and low benefits.

Anticipating that the “coalition” will reach its signature requirement before the January 30, 2012 deadline, and that we will soon be involved in a campaign to oppose the question, we have assembled below some thoughts on it.

Please feel free to contact me for more information.

Chris O’Neil, President

Friends of Maine’s Mountains

(207) 590-3842

cponeil22@gmail.com

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Maine’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) Mandate, and the referendum attempt to increase it.

Maine already has a statutory “goal” to build out 2700 megawatts (MW) of wind capacity, not counting an additional 5000 MW eventually from offshore wind capacity. The 2700 MW goal alone will not happen merely because people hope or wish it would.  As we know, markets would not support any wind power at all if not for a complicated brew of incentives, grants, mandates, tax breaks, surcharges, and other government created gimmicks.

The gimmick apparently headed for the 2012 ballot is the RPS.  We prefer to call it RPM (M for mandateinstead of standard) but for this memo, let’s call it RPS.  Simply stated, an RPS dictates that a state’s utilities must buy (and sell their ratepayers) a mix of electricity that is X amount renewable.  Our existing RPS mandate is articulated as a percentage of overall electricity sold. In case you wondered, Maine’s RPS mandate is already the highest in the nation, and approving the referendum question would send it even higher.

Why are we so critical of the wind power goal that was enacted into law?  Simply stated it is unnecessary, unaffordable, unsustainable, and it undoes Maine’s Quality of Place.  Remember, the 2700 MW installed capacity goal (25% capacity factor) will effectively add only 675 MW to our 33,000 MW New England grid system.  675 MW could far more easily and reliably be produced at one medium sized conventional plant without erecting thousands of turbines across Maine.  That one new plant (which we don’t need because we already have excess capacity) could run smoothly as a base load generator instead of backing up intermittent wind with load following, balancing, and spinning reserve, necessitating inefficient and polluting starts and stops.

The public relations justification for this rush to wind power has been jobs….we’ve proven that claim to be specious.  Get us off oil…people now realize we don’t use oil to generate electricity.  Reduce electricity prices… think again.

But the primary justification with RPS is to REDUCE CARBON. We know this is fallacy from numerous studies of how wind and the grid work.  Wind won’t close Maine’s three new natural gas plants just like it does not close coal plants in Denmark. While New England has several dirty generation plants that could be closed in the next decade, they are primarily base load generators producing a steady flow of electrons 24/7.  If they are replaced, they will be replaced by base load generation. Wind power boosters have a naive belief that renewables can replace conventional generation, with a commensurate reduction in carbon.  So let’s just switch to wind, right?

Not so easy.  Government, believing or wishing that renewable electricity is necessary and useful, has recognized the need to manipulate the marketplace so that renewables can have a chance. For several years there have been unsuccessful efforts to impose a national RPS, a cookie cutter approach to renewable energy goals across the country, for example, 20%.  For the foreseeable future that effort does not show much chance of passage in Washington DC.  So some states have created their own renewable mandates.

We are not against effective methodologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  We do not oppose renewables, per se.  We do oppose the Maine policy that hand picks renewable winners and losers, and then mandates their generation, capacity, and consumption. All renewables are not created equal.  Hydro and biomass could provide reliable and affordable base load electricity. But they do not benefit equally from all the government “gimmicks” which wind power gets. So wind power is essentially guaranteed a meal ticket if the referendum passes.

As we enter this referendum debate we must be mindful that Maine has an RPS calculation better suited to other states, a higher percentage standard than all of them, and a very clean electricity mix today; Maine is already a model carbon citizen.

Maine’s indigenous electricity generation mix is very clean: about half from new natural gas plants that were built after the closure of Maine Yankee.  We all know that gas is not only abundant and likely inexpensive for decades, but that it burns much cleaner than other fossil fuels. The other half of our generation is predominantly biomass and hydro. Maine’s capacity mix is a little less clean, but that is due to the presence of our biggest generator, Wyman station in Casco Bay.  That is a large oil-fired plant with 620 MW of capacity. Market forces have rendered it a generator of last resort.  Despite the fact that Wyman could power every home in Maine, it is only called upon by the grid operator for peak load moments, typically those 90 degree days in August when all available generation sources on the grid are required to produce.

An aside here: note that our utilities – like Bangor Hydro and Central Maine Power – do not buy all the electricity that Maine generates. Nor does all the electricity that they buy for / sell to us come from Maine generators. The New England grid is fluid, and Maine utilities regularly purchase a portion of their electricity from coal and nuclear generators, neither of which exist in Maine.

Looking at US Department of Energy figures for electricity generation, Maine’s tons of CO2 per square mile of carbon sequestering forest is only 192. The same calculation for Texas is 13,556. In fact Maine is third best in the nation at this metric. Yet some people would have us falling over ourselves to proliferate ineffective and costly wind generation when we don’t need it, shouldn’t want it, and will see no benefit from it.

It is imperfect to compare the states.  But as I noted, Maine already has the highest renewable portfolio mandate in the nation. That’s right. The highest now. 29 states have some variation of an RPS, and none is even close to Maine’s. Do not confuse the RPS with either Maine’s generation output, generation capacity, or generation consumed.  All are different animals. The RPS mandate is on the utility.  It tells CMP how much renewable power they must sell to us, therefore it is a mandate on generation consumed.  Some states, particularly in the Northwest (e.g. where federally funded dams enabled civilization to proliferate) have higher renewable percentages of their electricity capacity, generation, and consumption than we do. Other states, like Iowa and Alabama, get three quarters of their generation from coal generators. (They enjoy rates less than half ours, incidentally, and we get their emissions.)

About a decade ago, the Maine Legislature set our RPS at 30%. A few years later, as we were entering the wind bandwagon era, Maine’s RPS was amended with an annual 1% automatic escalator. In 2012 it is scheduled to automatically escalate from 35% to 36%.  This escalating mandate essentially disregards the 30% baseline and requires utilities to buy (and then sell to us) 1% MORE “renewable” electricity per year from “new” generation sources.  The 1% annual escalation enacted in statute is presently scheduled to top out in 2017 at 40%.

The early spin from the referendum’s proponents is that Maine will gradually come to using 20% renewable energy.  Such a benign characterization, which has been repeated in early press reports, is incomplete and misleading. In fact the proposed referendum doubles the escalation rate to 2% “more new renewables” per year until Maine hits a 50% renewable mandate.  This is like telling me that 360 pounds is too skinny and I need to eat more so I will get to 500 pounds.  Or that I have to get half of my groceries at the donut shop. If enacted, this mandate will put unprecedented pressure on Maine to not only allow, but push wind power development.

Why?  Remember, 3000 MW of installed wind capacity is NOT 3000 MW of delivered or consumed electrons. Maine ratepayers (via our utilities) would need to purchase 800 to 1000 MW of “renewable” electricity.  That would create a disadvantageous supply/demand equation for us buyers, necessarily raising costs. This a a job killer and a major drag on Maine’s economy.

We often say that wind power is a two-headed monster that gets its sustenance dually from Washington and Augusta. So the proposed referendum is a Thanksgiving feast of state sustenance.  If the federal government, as we hope, continues its recent inclination to curtail the Washington sustenance, and we keep escalating our mandates, then Maine will get the worst of both monsters:  environmental degradation from state-mandated wind turbines, at an even greater cost  because of the reduced federal maintenance of monetary effort.

We do not often wade into the “global warming” and “climate change” debates. It is a fact that the worldwide atmospheric C02 level is at a historic high, and still trending upward. But we also know that only about 4% of atmospheric C02 is man made, with only a small percentage of that man-made C02 coming from electricity generators. So if we want to reduce atmospheric C02, why focus so much radical reform on a tiny C02 contributor like electricity?  It is moreover a waste of time, money, and natural resources to hope that C02 will be reduced by wind electricity, which cannot provide any measurable C02 benefit.  If we close a 1000 MW coal plant in Connecticut and replace it with 1000 MW of hydro from Newfoundland, now that would give us a reduction in Co2 and other emissions. But remember, in the overall schems of global C02, reducing the C02 contribution from electricity generation is barely going to budge the needle. OK to do it, and perhaps advisable.  But let’s not overstate the benefit.

Some of us have more and less urgency in our concern for C02.  But regardless of whether we think the ice caps are going to melt next week, or if we see things the other way, and think that global warming is fiction, we should agree that today’s panic approach to curing C02 ills by eschewing how we generate electricity is both a cockeyed diagnosis and prescription.

A final and different thought about cookie cutter approaches to carbon and renewables:

The average % forest coverage of land in the world is 29.6% according to the United Nations’ “State of the World’s Forests.” The % forest cover of land in the U.S. is 24.7%. Spain and Denmark, two countries often cited as examples of wind power proliferation, have forest covers of 28.8% and 10.7% respectively.

Trees are carbon sinks. They store carbon.  They are carbon. Importantly, Maine, at 90% forest cover, is well above the world and U.S. averages. In terms of our forest cover (largely a function of nature, but certainly to some extent a function of cultural and economic practices, such as our forest products industry), we are well ahead of almost everyone. Moreover, because we have a relatively low population density, our low ratio of man-made CO2 to forest would likely be even more remarkable. We are a VERY LOW net carbon state, even with heavy motor vehicle and heating oil usage.

It thus seems that cookie cutter solutions suggested to all the states, such as RPS mandates, may be a case of a one size fits all solution not applicable to a low population, high forest CO2 sequestration state like Maine which does not burn oil or coal for electricity!  Also, consider our hydro and biomass are already reliable renewables.

Some of the states with greater wind power penetration such as Texas have below 10% forest cover. It may be that their relatively low carbon sequestration levels have led to overlooking the importance of forests and maintaining forest based industries rather than subsidizing industrial wind.

Add to this, the fact that Maine RPS law excludes big hydro and foreign hydro from qualifying as “renewable” and we can do even better than we do if we would simply lift that artificial barrier. Furthermore, generators of that big/foreign hydro are similarly excluded from being considered “renewable” for the purposes of receiving subsidies via RGGI/Renewable Energy Credits.  Provincial utilities in Labrador and Quebec are poised to compete for electricity and renewable demand at population centers south of us, but their product is financially penalized by Maine and other states because of these two isolationist policies. They must be repealed, allowing Maine – which has relatively low demand -  to tap into the “pipelines” of electricity that are headed around and below us.  Maine is geographically situated to leverage that northern supply against the demand from populations south of us.

As several dirty generators to our south move closer to decommissioning, we could use sustainable renewables to reduce our carbon quotient and clean up other harmful emissions that now drift to us. These sustainable renewables can come from Maine or outside Maine. But we should not mandate any kind of power, and we certainly should not mandate wind power.

FMM sees red flags with other provisions in the legislation, like how it would take authority from elected officials and give policy making authority to unelected officials.

For more information, see FMM’s 20 Facts About Wind Power

Friends of Maine’s Mountains

PO Box 60 Weld, Maine 04285

www.friendsofmainesmountains.org

Friends of Maine’s Mountains | P.O. Box 60 | Weld | ME | 04285

Unsubscribe *|greatfallsmarket@gmail.com|* | *|FACEBOOK:LIKE|* | Forward to a friend

This Month’s News From The Market

• Ringing In The New Year Right!  Join Us January 19th
• Help Us Create A 2012 “Top 10 List”
• This Month’s Menu For The Winter Market Cafe
• Share Our Facebook Event With Your Friends
• Music At The Market – Denise Dill!
• Revelation Massage Strikes Again!
• What’s At Stake For The Northeast With The Next Farm Bill?

Join Us For The First Farmers Market of 2012!
(Mark your calendars now for Thursday, January 19th)

2012 is here!  The New Year often brings hope, possibility, and a list of resolutions.  If one of your resolutions this year is to eat even healthier, we can help you.  The addition of local, pastured meats, free range farm eggs, local fresh dairy products, whole grains, and locally grown fruits and veggies can do wonders for your health.  Learn more about the health implications of local food here, from our friends at the Tacoma Farmers Market.

When:  Thursday, January 19th
Time:    5:00pm – 7:30pm
Where:  St. Mary’s Nutrition Center, 208 Bates Street
Click Here For Map

All of your favorite vendors will be there offering Maine grown/produced in season fruits and veggies, pastured meats, milk and dairy products, seafood, bread and baked goods, prepared meals, herbs and herbal products, handcrafted soaps, fiber arts, art, pottery, and more.   Don’t forget to bring your appetite and enjoy hot soup, bread, and salad combos from the Winter Market Cafe.

Our winter market is scheduled every 3rd Thursday of the month, November through April.  Please use the side door (left side of building when viewed from Bates Street.)  Credit/Debit/EBT (foodstamps) accepted.

**Additional parking is available in the Community Concepts parking lot at St. Patrick’s church.

How Do You Incorporate Healthy Eating Into Your Life?
We are working on a “Top 10 Easy Ways To Eat Healthy in 2012″ list that we will have available at this month’s market.  If you have any tricks or tips, please send them to us at lewistonfarmersmarket@gmail.com or just fill out our on-line healthy eating tip form.   Let us know if we can credit you on the flyer.  We like to give credit where credit is due!

Bring Your Appetite & Enjoy The Winter Market Cafe!
The Winter Market Cafe will be featured all season long at this year’s market. Enjoy cafe style dining in our beautiful commercial kitchen with affordable soup, bread, and salad combos.  Proceeds from the cafe will benefit the Nutrition Center’s Lots To Gardens program.
This Month’s Menu:
Soups:

• Tortilla Soup with Chicken & Avocado (with a side of black bean & corn cakes)         -vegetarian version also available sans chicken.
• Roasted Cauliflower & Mushroom Soup
• Winter Greens Soup With White Beans & Pasta
  Salad:  Red Cabbage, Carrot, Apple & Pecan Salad with Walnut Dijon Dressing
  Served with featured breads from Bread & More Bakery
  P.S. We are still searching for a great deal on about a dozen bar stools we can use at the counter for our Winter Market Cafe.  If you have any leads, please let us know.

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  RSVP through Facebook and help us spread the word!
  We have created an event on our facebook page for this month’s market.  You can help us spread the word byclicking here to go to the event page, then after you RSVP that you’re attending, you can click on the link under the event photo to invite your friends.  Or if you prefer, feel free to simply share the event on your facebook wall.
  Check out our daily facebook page updates for more information and updates on special items our vendors will have available this Thursday.

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Music by Denise Dill

Denise Dill is back by popular demand, and will perform at our January 19th market.  Enjoy her earthy, authentic music while you shop or have your meal from the Winter Market Cafe.  We are working on convincing her to have her CDs available for sale as well so that you can bring her music home with you.  You can also visit her website to find out about the latest releases and performances.

Our friends from Revelation Massage
will be joining us as well!

If you haven’t yet experienced the soothing hands of Revelation Massage, you are in for a treat!  They will have free chair massages and be on hand to answer your questions.  Please do visit theirfacebook page or website for more information as well.

Farm News:  From American Farmland Trust
What’s At Stake For The Northeast In The Next Farm Bill?

“U.S. Reps. Jim McGovern and Chellie Pingree spoke about prospects for farm bill programs important to the Northeast in a two-webinar series we hosted with Wholesome Wave, Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Working Group and New England Farmers Union. One webinar looked at conservation programs, including potential changes and funding cuts to the federal Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program and the future of the regional equity provision.
The other covered prospects for helping to rebuild local and regional food systems. Speakers also included senior staff to Senator Patrick Leahy along with New Hampshire Agriculture Commissioner of Agriculture Lorraine Merrill and Massachusetts Commissioner of Agriculture Scott Soares. Recordings of the webinars, along with more information about the farm bill, are available at farmbillfacts.org. ”

We’ll see you Thursday!

Not sure where you’re going? No problem!
Click here for a map:
St. Mary’s Nutrition Center

Lewiston Farmers’ Market
PO Box 7291
Lewiston, Maine 04210

Add us to your address book

Copyright (C) *|2011|* *|Great Falls Farmers’ and Artisans’  Market Association|* All rights reserved.

The results of the survey team’s first statewide measurement, conducted Jan. 3-4, can be described in one word, according to Robert Johnston, Maine Geological Survey (MGS) senior geologist, who this week compiled the data.

“Sparse,”Johnstonsaid about the amount of the snow.

The collaborative team examined 59 sites aroundMaineand found that only 14 sites had measurable snow, the MGS geologist said. Seventeen sites recorded a trace of snow, which amounts to about one-third of an inch of snow, while the remaining 28 sites had no snow at all.

The overall water content of the snowpack throughout the state, according to the survey results, is in the lowest 10 percent of historic measurements,Johnstonsaid.

“Maine’s snowpack is certainly abnormal for this time of year and absent in places where there regularly has been snow in previous years,” he said. “However, it could change drastically by Friday. We can’t say that it won’t even out at some point, but it is too early in the season to tell.”

The cooperative snow survey has been conducted annually for several decades to help determine potential spring flooding with the development of flood forecasting models. The snowpack data is shared with the Maine Emergency Management Agency and county emergency officials and also amongMainehydroelectric companies so they know how much water to hold or release inMaine’s lakes and reservoirs.

The collaborative survey team consists of 13 organizations, including three divisions under the Maine Department of Conservation, including MGS, the Allagash Wilderness Waterway under the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands, and the Maine Forest Service.

Members include the U.S. Geological Survey, the National Weather Service, Poland Spring Water Company, several hydroelectric companies, and even twoMainehigh schools. Information fromNew Hampshireand the Canadian provinces ofQuebecandNew Brunswickalso is used.

Using calibrated hollow tubes, surveyors take samples of the snow in prescribed locations. The survey determines snowpack depth and density, as well as water content, and snowpack maps are prepared.

The deepest snow was found during the first survey at Charles Pond, near St. Pamphile in northwesternAroostookCounty, with 11.7 inches.  Other measured amounts were found atFortKent, with 9.5 inches, and Winterville, with 6.9 inches, also inAroostookCounty.

The next survey will be conducted Jan. 30-31, with results compiled in February. The surveys will be conducted weekly starting in March until the snowpack melts,Johnstonsaid.

In a related matter, Scott Ramsay, director of the Off Road Vehicle Division, under the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands, said the lack of snowfall is having an effect on the state’s 14,200 miles of snowmobile trails.

“Overall, statewide conditions are poor to non-existent, but there are isolated areas where there are limited riding opportunities,” Ramsay said.

Trails in the Oquossoc area, going towardNew Hampshire, in the Jackman area toward the Maine-Canada border and north of Caribou “are trails that are slowly opening up,” the ORV director said. Snowmobilers and snowmobile club trail groomers “have been getting out as little tiny storms have happened,” he said. Trails with a minimal base are ridable, Ramsay added.

What is “extremely hazardous,” said Ramsay, are snowmobilers going out onMaine’s lakes.

“Right now there is inconsistency in ice conditions, and snowmobilers must be extraordinarily careful when they ride on lakes,” he warned.

For more snow survey information, go to: http://www.maine.gov/rfac/rfac_snow.shtml

For more Information about the Maine Cooperative Snow Survey, go to: http://www.maine.gov/rfac/rfac_snow_about.shtml

For more information about how the snowpack is measured, go to: http://www.maine.gov/doc/nrimc/mgs/explore/hazards/flood/sites/feb97.htm

For more information about the Off Road Vehicle Division’s snowmobile program, go to:http://www.maine.gov/doc/parks/programs/snowmobile/index.html

Family farms and locally grown foods play a significant role in Maine’s agricultural economy

AUGUSTA – Governor Paul LePage met with dozens of Maine farmers at the 71st Annual Maine Agricultural Trades Show on Tuesday, January 10. Today is the first day of the Trades Show which will run through Thursday, January 12, 2012, at the Augusta Civic Center.

Hosted by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources, the show will feature dozens of lectures, demonstrations, and meetings involving some 40 major agricultural organizations, committees, and agencies, as well as over 100 exhibits featuring the newest in agricultural products, equipment, and services. One of the state’s largest agricultural events, more than 5,000 people from around the state are expected to attend this year.

Governor LePage had an opportunity to meet with Maine farmers and recognize agriculture’s vital and vibrant contribution to Maine’s economy which contributes a billion dollars annually and employs thousands of people. “Farming, fishing and forestry play a major role in Maine’s business economy. I believe we can be good stewards of the land and protect our environment at the same time. Branding the Maine-made product will also help us become successful. Maine quality is second to none, but through the years we’ve seen the Maine brand fade and we need to bring it back,” said the Governor.

“As we look to the immediate future, the Maine Department of Agriculture will focus on redirecting existing resources by partnering with other government entities, producers, promotion groups, and industry to further the marketing both in and out of state of Maine agricultural products,” said Agriculture Commissioner Walter E. Whitcomb. “We will also advance the importance of encouraging a focus on healthy Maine foods, support continued innovative production of foods, and push for growth of sourcing foods to schools, restaurants, and farmers’ markets,” Whitcomb added.

Additionally, the Governor spoke about lowering energy prices and the proposed merger of the State of Maine Agriculture Department and Conservation Department. The LePage Administration is focused on improving the natural resource economy by merging those agencies into a single division, a proposal that was announced last fall. Governor LePage shared the plan with Trades Show attendees stating that the merger will result in a natural resource based agency geared toward providing important services to the industry and working together with industry to address its needs and help move it forward.

Show hours will be:

• Tuesday, January 10, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM

• Wednesday, January 11, 9:00 AM–8:00 PM

• Thursday, January 12, 9:00 AM–3:00 PM

Free admission is offered all three days.

The complete program and schedule are available at: http://www.getrealmaine.com/

BRUNSWICK – More than two million dollars will help public and non-profit groups restore and protect high priority wetlands and other natural resources across Maine.

The Maine Natural Resource Conservation Program – which is administered by The Nature Conservancy in collaboration with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – announced awards totaling $2.4 million to help restore, enhance or preserve wetlands and other important habitats at 17 project sites.

The program provides flexibility for both regulators and the regulated community to choose a fee in lieu of more time-intensive traditional mitigation options. These so-called In Lieu Fees are collected by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and then transferred to the Natural Resource Conservation Fund at The Nature Conservancy.

“This third round of grants is another step forward for the conservation of aquatic resources in Maine,” said Alex Mas, who manages the program for The Nature Conservancy in Maine. “Traditional mitigation projects can often be scattered, small or poorly located; this program allows us to focus wetland mitigation funds in high priority areas to help ensure they continue to provide important benefits like habitat, clean drinking water and flood control for people and for wildlife into the future.”

“This collaboration between Maine DEP, The Nature Conservancy and the U.S. Army Corps is facilitating a systematic and strategic process for comprehensive compensation projects that are saving and strengthening our state’s highest value wetland habitats,” said Commissioner Patricia Aho of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. “In just a few years, this program has become one of Maine’s most meaningful tools used in partnership by conservationists and developers to ensure important environmental protections. It’s a win-win for Maine’s natural environment, and its economic one.”

“After all efforts have been made to avoid or minimize wetland impacts, this program provides permit applicants an efficient and workable alternative to traditional mitigation, while providing a better outcome for our wetland habitats,” said Ruth Ladd, of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District. “The fees are used to restore, enhance, preserve or create aquatic resources and their associated uplands.”

This is the third round of awards from the Maine Natural Resource Conservation Program to advance important land and water conservation around the state. More than 2,300 acres of land will be conserved or restored statewide.

•In rural Penobscot County, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife will protect more than 2,000 acres of habitat, expanding the Mattawamkeag River System Wildlife Management Area. The majority of the property is wetland associated with the river and with Eagle Pond. Nesting bald eagles and rare Clayton’s copper butterflies – verified at just eleven sites worldwide – have been seen in the area.

•In the Midcoast, a DIFW restoration project on Maquoit Stream in Brunswick will restore a wetland that will serve as habitat for migratory fish as well saltmarsh sparrow (a Maine Species of Special Concern) and other birds, with the removal of a small earthen dam and reestablishment of a natural stream channel and more than 10 acres of wetlands.

•In Southern Maine, the York Land Trust will protect just over 22 acres within the watershed of Boulter Pond, which supplies drinking water for thousands of residents of Kittery, York and Eliot. The area is also important habitat for woodpeckers and great blue herons.

And the Great Works Regional Land Trust will protect 83 additional acres in South Berwick as part of the ongoing Mount Agamenticus to the Sea conservation effort. These wetland areas provide some of Maine’s best habitat for Blandings and spotted turtles.

•In Franklin County, the Androscoggin Land Trust will protect 42 acres of forestland in the town of Jay as part of their “Expanding the Androscoggin Greenway Project.” The property will be managed for wildlife habitat, water quality protection, and low-impact recreation.

Other award recipients include: Atlantic Salmon Federation, Maine Council; Blue Hill Heritage Trust; Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust; Georges River Land Trust; Greater Lovell Land Trust; Kennebec Land Trust; Sebasticook Regional Land Trust; Trout Unlimited; Western Foothills Land Trust; and the towns of Wells and Falmouth.

How the grants were awarded: Public agencies, non-profit conservation organizations and municipalities applied, through a competitive process, for funding from this program for restoration and preservation projects in Maine. Proposals were evaluated and ranked by a Review Committee, which was convened by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and made up of public and non-profit entities. The final funding decisions were made by an Approval Committee, which was comprised of state and federal agencies.

The Nature Conservancy administered the process and is responsible for seeing that the projects are executed. The Conservancy did not vote as part of the Review Committee or Approval Committee on which proposals were approved for funding.

For more information about the Maine Natural Resource Conservation program, visit http://maine.gov/dep/land/nrpa/ILF_and_NRCP/MNRCP/index.html

Keliher, of South Gardiner, has served as Deputy Commissioner and Director, Bureau of Sea Run Fisheries and Habitat within DMR since 2007. He has served, most recently as Acting Commissioner, and has been serving in this capacity since July.

Maine’s commercial and recreational fisheries industry is a valuable component of Maine’s outdoor heritage. The marine industry sustains thousands of jobs for hardworking Mainers, which significantly contribute to the overall State economy. Maine is known and recognized worldwide for its fresh seafood.

Governor LePage applauded Keliher’s efforts since he has taken on the role of Acting Commissioner. “Pat has gone above and beyond demonstrating his ability to serve as Commissioner. He has worked to reorganize the department, focusing on areas that have the biggest economic benefit to the State,” he said. “Keliher has demonstrated his ability to work with the fishing industry on contentious issues, balancing our need to create and sustain jobs while protecting Maine’s numerous marine resources. I am confident that he will continue to serve Maine people well.

Prior to joining DMR, Keliher served as Executive Director of the Atlantic Salmon Commission and Executive Director of the New England States of the Coastal Conservation Association, Greater New England. Keliher has also served as a licensed Coast Guard Captain and is a Registered Maine Guide.

“I am honored to be selected by Governor LePage to be the next Commissioner of Marine Resources,” Keliher said. “We have many challenges facing our coastal communities – it is imperative that our long-term management plans take into account the sustainability of the resources and also the people who depend on these resources for their livelihood.”

The Joint Standing Committee on Marine Resources will review the Governor’s nomination. If approved, Patrick Keliher would then need to be confirmed by the Maine State Senate.

AUGUSTA, Maine – Maine’s participation this weekend in the nationwide “First Day Hikes” initiative was very successful, despite the freezing New Year’s Eve rain in northern Maine that affected one planned hike, according to Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands (BPL) officials.

More than 235 people took part in four “First Day Hikes” held on New Year’s Day, Sunday, Jan. 1, at four different state parks, and one park manager reported that more than 500 people visited his ocean-front park that day. Admission was free on Sunday at all Maine state parks.

So successful was the statewide event that Maine’s First Day Hikes are planned to be held again next year and are well on their way to become a New Year’s Day tradition, said Will Harris, BPL director, under the Maine Department of Conservation.

“My New Year’s wish is that this becomes a part of everyone’s New Year tradition, that everyone gets out and enjoys Maine,” Harris said.

Maine state parks joined the America’s State Parks nationwide initiative among all 50 states to offer “First Day Hikes” as way for individuals and families to connect with great outdoor fun and to create special, holiday memories. The Jan. 1 hikes marked the first time all U.S. state park systems worked together to sponsor the event.

Public response to the event was very positive, according to BPL staff. “Thank you so much for the FIRST DAY HIKES!!” emailed one participant. “My husband and I hiked the Casco Bay trail at Wolfe’s Neck. We were surrounded by families, friendly dogs, and delighted visitors. We appreciate your effort.”

BPL held four unique, guided hikes at four different parks around Maine. In general, participation was excellent, with the exception of a small turn-out at Aroostook State Park – Maine’s First State Park – in Presque Isle.

A freezing rain on New Year’s Eve “coated everything, and the roads were not the best to drive on,” Park Manager Scott Thompson reported. “Ice storm conditions made everything beautifully icy.” Park staff spent an hour sanding the parking lot before the event, he said.

Nonetheless, 10 hardy souls braved the elements and took a 1-mile walk in the Aroostook County park. Thompson and Ranger Alan Cleaves showed off the park’s new bird feeding stations and nesting boxes. The park is the site of an annual springtime birding festival.

At Cobscook Bay State Park in Edmunds Township, 27 hikers explored the beautiful, Down East coastal park, reported Park Manager Matt McGuire.

“We had many participants travel more than one hour to attend the event, and for many it was their first time to this park,” McGuire said.

At Popham Beach State Park in Phippsburg, one of Maine’s most popular state parks, more than 100 participants enjoyed the excellent weather and exploring the beach and dunes in a 2-mile beach walk. Visitors also could view a display of aerial beach photographs of Popham Beach, known for its dynamic topography.

“The event was very well received, and if we were not limited by the tide, we could have done a second hike,” Park Manager Brian Murray reported.

Park Manager Andy Hutchinson at Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park in Freeport said that more than 100 hikers took part in the afternoon walk, while at least 20 visitors checked out the nature displays. More than 500 visitors in total enjoyed the park, known for its coastal trails and annual osprey residents.

“The response was great, and people were very enthused about the First Day Hikes and want to see it continue,” Hutchinson reported. “We had many first time visitors to the park and on our nature programs, raising awareness of our parks and winter events.

“Some folks mentioned that they had been on the hike at Popham Beach and liked it so much that they came to ours at Wolfe’s Neck Woods,” he said.

For more information about Maine state parks, go to: www.parksandlands.com

For more information about America’s State Parks, go to: http://www.americasstateparks.org/

With one (1) .jpg

Cutline: (courtesy of Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands)

First Day hikers at Popham Beach State Park in Phippsburg get ready to hit the beach on Sunday, Jan. 1, for the first-ever “First Day Hike,” part of a nationwide project to hold hikes at state parks around the U.S. on New Year’s Day.

Children’s Festival Package Deals

Kids can ski free, stay free, and get free rentals and Perfect Kids clinics when staying three nights or more with their parents. Don’t miss this special Children’s Week Ski & Stay Package

Kids 12 and under can eat free all week at Legends Restaurant, Sliders Restaurant and the Foggy Goggle. Limited to one child ordering off the kids menu per paying adult.

Sunday, January 8

Children’s Festival Week Welcome Fire and S’mores, 6-8 p.m.
We welcome you to join us for some delicious treats, located at the outdoor fire pits at the Grand Summit and the Jordan Grand Resort Hotels.

Monday, January 9

Perfect Turn – Fun Activities within Classes, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
To kick off Children’s Week, Perfect Turn is having a Beach Party for
kids of all ages in the River House. Plus, kids get to look forward to a
special Treasure Island scavenger hunt outside on the slopes.

Black Diamond Family Entertainment Series presents
Strolling Magic by Markus Almodarr Steelgrave, 5-7 p.m.
Children’s Festival Week will officially kick-off Monday evening at the Foggy Goggle, where kids 12 and under eat free off the kids menu per paying adult. While at the Foggy Goggle kids and adults alike with be fascinated by the multi-award-winning sleight-of-hand close-up magician, Marcus Almodarr Steelgrave. Markus’ skill with sleight-of-hand is masterful; moreover, he has an entire repertoire of stunning visual
“illusions” created with ordinary objects. Come witness Markus’ humor,
enthusiasm, wit, and a knack for truly ENTERTAINING the crowd.
Join us for dinner or just for the fun! Free admission to this magical
evening. Plus, don’t miss the spectacular fireworks show best viewed
from the Foggy Goggle deck at 7:30 p.m.

Black Diamond Entertainment Series presents
Fire Dancer Diane Kibbin, 7:00 & 7:20 p.m.
This free outdoor show will take place slopeside at South Ridge Base
Lodge. Watch as Hoop Dance Fire Performer Diane Kibbin performs her
dazzling feats in two engaging fire shows. Experience the magical art of
spinning fire and be mesmerized by twirling, glowing hula hoops.
Stick around for the fireworks immediately after the performance!

Fireworks, 7:30 p.m.
Not to be missed! Our spectacular fireworks show takes place above
the slopes of South Ridge. Best viewed slopeside at South Ridge Base
Lodge or deckside at the Foggy Goggle. Our fireworks display is
presented by the RS Fireworks company.

Tuesday, January 10

Perfect Turn – Fun Activities within Classes, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Join us for Mexican Fiesta Day in the River House! Plenty of festive
activities are planned, including a game of Freeze Tag, to give kids
lots to do – and great ways to stay warm – between their lessons.

Family Festival Night at the Grand Summit Hotel, 5-8 p.m.
Join us in the Grand Summit Hotel Grand Ballroom as balloon artist
and temporary tattooist Markus and Angelique Steelgrave entertain
the crowd during our Children’s Week Family Festival Night. Come experience kid friendly carnival games, children’s activities, bounce house, our craft zone extravaganza and much more! Free admission.

Wednesday, January 11

Perfect Turn – Fun Activities within Classes, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
It’s Super Hero Day at the Perfect Turn Ski & Snowboard School. Come
dressed as your favorite super hero, be sure to still dress warm. Plus,
kids can come and play in a one-of-a-kind snow maze!

Wii Fun at The Grand Summit Hotel, 3-5 p.m.
Game on with some interactive Wii games! Located in the Whittier
Room, free.

Snow Tubing & Ice Skating Extravaganza
Located at the White Cap Fun Center, 5-9 p.m. 
The White Cap Fun Center offers plenty of fun for the whole family.
Lace up yourskates and enjoy our lighted outdoor rink, enjoy our huge
lighted and lift serviced snow tubing run, grab some food inside at the
Shipyard Brew Haus, or cook s’mores over the bonfire

Thursday, January 12

Perfect Turn – Fun Activities within Classes, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Western Round-up Day! All kids will be rounded up for some fun snow
races outside on the slopes. Kids of all ages can participate in these
fun and friendly competitions while in regular classes. These games
will help reinforce what they have been learning during the week.
Making everyone into better (and safer) skiers and riders who are
ready to explore the mountain.

Disney Pub Quiz Night at Legends Restaurant, Grand Summit
Hotel, 5-7 p.m.
Come test your Disney knowledge! Cost is $5 per person, max of 4
people per team. Half of the entry fee proceeds will benefit a local
charity. The remaining half will go into a jackpot and be awarded to
the winning team. Enjoy food and drink specials, and a great evening
of trivia!

Black Diamond Family Entertainment Series presents
Davey The Clown Show, 7 p.m.
DAVEY is a clown of international acclaim. He has appeared in festivals
and shows all over the world. DAVEY THE CLOWN is a physical
comedian, juggler, unicyclistand accordionist. DAVEY’S SHOW IS BIG
AND FUNNY – perfect family entertainment! It contains silly juggling, amazing magic, incredible unicycling (on a six-foot unicycle, space permitting) wacky antics, beautiful and rousing accordion music, balloon sculpture, tons of audience participation, and a rubber chicken! Best
of all, KIDS LOVE DAVEY (and adults, too!)

Friday, January 13

Perfect Turn – Fun Activities within Classes, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
When in Rome- Italian Day! Kids will have the opportunity to enjoy
some fun coloring and snow painting throughout the day.

Saturday, January 14

Kids Night Out at the River House, 5-8 p.m.
Kids aged 5-12 can enjoy a night of pizza and a movie for $15.
Reservations are required and can be made by calling 207-824-5959 .

Movie Matinee at The Grand Summit Hotel, 3-5 p.m.
Relax after a successful day of skiing, as Sunday River brings the
movie theater to you! Located in the Whittier Room, free.

Activities Available All Week

Snowshoeing and Cross Country Skiing at The Sunday River Outdoor Center. The Outdoor Center offers everything from lengthy, groomed cross country ski tracks to casual snowshoeing trails through the
Maine Woods.

Perfect Turn – Fun activities within classes all week long, 9-3 p.m.

FREE Family Activities all week long at the Grand Summit and the
Jordan Grand Resort Hotels.

Tubing and Skating at White Cap Fun Center
The White Cap Fun Center offers a variety of fun activities for kids and
adults alike, and you can choose from two on-site restaurants for a
snack or dinner. Call 207-824-5969 for snow tubing schedules.

Spa Specials

• Pedicures, Manicures, and Massages to be done professionally for children under the age of 18! Children’s manicures will cost just $20, pedicures $30, and a 30-minute massages for just $45!
• New Year, New You package – 60 Minute Classic Swedish Massage, Maple Sugar Scrub, Spa Manicure & Spa Pedicure for just $240. Total length is 3 hours. Jordan Spa only. Valid through January.

• Big Adventure Center in Bethel
  The Big Adventure center offers an indoor rock climbing wall, laser tag
  arena and more. Call 207-824-0929 for more information.
• Crystal Cave for Kids at Mt. Mann Jewelers in Bethel
  Kids can learn more about the mining history of Western Maine and
  see samples of rare gemstones that have been discovered here.
  Call 824-3030 for more information.
• Casablanca Movie Theater located in Bethel
  If you want to unwind in the evenings stop by our local movie theater
  for a selection of current releases. For the current movie schedule
  call 207-824-8248

Keep checking back for more updated information!

Directions

Sunday River is easily accessible from all major eastern metropolitan areas, as well as from the Portland International Jetport and Logan International Airport.  View a larger map.

For GPS users our street address is 15 South Ridge Road, Newry, ME 04261.

South Ridge Welcome Center
Jordan Grand  Hotel
Grand Summit Hotel

New
GPS System
Sunday River Rd. and Skiway Rd.
Monkey Brook Rd. and Grand Ave
Skiway Rd. and 97 Summit Rd.

Old
GPS System
Sunday River Rd. and Skiway Rd.
Sunday River Rd. and Monkey Brook Rd.
Sunday River Rd. and Skiway Rd. (closest intersection)

Exact Coordinates
44d 28 25.21 North
70d 51′ 22.28 West
44d 28 30.33 North
70d 50′ 59.40 West
44d 28 01.21 North
70d 50′ 49.06 West

Below you’ll find directions to Sunday River and drive times from major cities. For specific directions, visitwww.mapquest.com and enter Bethel, Maine, 04217 as your destination. For locations of base lodges and lodging properties at the resort, see our Base Area Map.

Route 26 Bypass At Gray
Skiers can now bypass the town of Gray at exit 63 to join Route 26 North. Upon exiting I-95, a left turn will lead you along the west side of the turnpike on 26a and directly to Route 26. For gas, food and coffee stops in Gray you can still turn right and pass through the town.

Maine Interstate Redesignation
As a result of the 2004 Maine Interstate Redesignation, the Maine Turnpike is now designated as I-95 for its entire length. Maps older than 2004 designated I-95 as I-495 starting in South Portland. The numbering system for exits has also changed to use mileage rather than numerical order. The exit for Route 26 in Gray has changed from Exit 11 to Exit 63.

Driver’s Guide

Below are notes and ideas to make your trip easier.

• Tolls: Plan on encountering tollbooths on 95 North in Hampton, NH ($1.50) and York, ME ($2.00). Southbound there is an additional $1.00 toll to enter the turnpike in Gray.
• Maine Turnpike: You’ll find rest areas with gas and fast food in Kennebunk and Gray. If you can make it, gas is less expensive if you wait until you exit the turnpike at Gray.
• Speeding: Avoid a ticket and slow down for all intersections and towns on Route 26.
• Food: In addition to the turnpike rest areas, you’ll find fast food and pizza as soon as you exit the turnpike in Gray, and 40 minutes north on Route 26, Norway / South Paris serves up all the fast food you could ever need. A good option on your way home is the Redhook Brewery in Portsmouth, NH just off I-95, 2 miles north on Route 16 / Spaulding Turnpike.
• Groceries: The Hannaford Supermarket in Oxford, Maine (just before Norway / South Paris on 26) carries everything you’ll ever need, and is open to 10pm (9pm Sun). A mile south on 26 is a Walmart.

Bethel, ME
Follow Rt. 2 East for 2.6 miles. Take a left onto Sunday River Road, marked by the large Sunday River Brewery (big building with red roof). Follow Sunday River Road to a fork with a “Sunday River Ski Resort” sign. Fork left and follow signs for the Grand Summit Hotel, base lodges, and amenities (1 mile). Fork right and follow signs for the Jordan Grand Resort Hotel (5 miles).

Portland Jetport / Portland, ME
Exit the Jetport and follow signs to I-95, the Main Turnpike. Take I-95 North to Exit 63 / Gray for Route 26. Take Route 26 North to Bethel. Refer to Bethel directions above.

Bangor, ME
Take I-95 South to Exit 157/ Newport for Route 2. Follow Route 2 West to Sunday River Road, marked by the large Sunday River Brewery (big building with red roof), a few miles before reaching Bethel. Follow directions above.

New Hampshire

Manchester, NH
Take I-93 North to Exit 35 / Twin Mountain for Route 3. Take Route 3 North to Route 115 North. At the end of Route 115, go right on Route 2 East all the way to Bethel. Refer to Bethel directions above.

North Conway, NH
Take Route 16 North to the intersection with Route 2 in Gorhan, NH. Take Route 2 East all the way to Bethel. Refer to Bethel directions above.

Portsmouth, NH
Take I-95 North into Maine. Follow I-95 / Maine Turnpike to Exit 63 / Gray for Route 26. Take Route 26 North to Bethel. Refer to Bethel directions above.

Concord, NH
Take I-93 North to Exit 35 / Twin Mountain for Route 3. Take Route 3 North to Route 115 North. At the end of Route 115, go right on Route 2 East all the way to Bethel. Refer to Bethel directions above.

Massachusetts

Boston, MA
Take I-95 North into Maine. Follow I-95 / Maine Turnpike to Exit 63 / Gray for Route 26. Take Route 26 North to Bethel. Refer to Bethel directions above.

From Logan International Airport take Route 60 North to Route 1 North to I-95 North and follow directions above.

Worcester, MA
Take Route 290 North to Route 495 North, then follow Route 495 to I-95. Take I-95 North into Maine. Follow I-95 / Maine Turnpike to Exit 63 / Gray for Route 26. Take Route 26 North to Bethel. Refer to Bethel directions above.

Springfield, MA / Western Massachusetts
Take Mass Pike / I-90 East to Exit 10 / Auburn. Take Route 290 North to Route 495 North, then follow Route 495 to I-95. Take I-95 North into Maine. Follow I-95 / Maine Turnpike to Exit 63 / Gray for Route 26. Take Route 26 North to Bethel. Refer to Bethel directions above.

Rhode Island

Providence, RI
Take I-95 North into Maine. Follow I-95 / Maine Turnpike to Exit 63 / Gray for Route 26. Take Route 26 North to Bethel. Refer to Bethel directions above.

Connecticut

Hartford, CT
Take I-84 East to the Mass Pike / I-90. Take Mass Pike / I-90 East to Exit 10 / Auburn. Take Route 290 North to Route 495 North, then follow Route 495 to I-95. Take I-95 North into Maine. Follow I-95 / Maine Turnpike to Exit 63 / Gray for Route 26. Take Route 26 North to Bethel. Refer to Bethel directions above.

New York

New York City
Take I-84 East to the Mass Pike / I-90. Take Mass Pike / I-90 East to Exit 10 / Auburn. Take Route 290 North to Route 495 North, then follow Route 495 to I-95. Take I-95 North into Maine. Follow I-95 / Maine Turnpike to Exit 63 / Gray for Route 26. Take Route 26 North to Bethel. Refer to Bethel directions above.

Upstate New York
Take New York Thruway / I-90 East to Mass Pike / I-90. Take Mass Pike / I-90 East to Exit 10 / Auburn. Take Route 290 North to Route 495 North, then follow Route 495 to I-95. Take I-95 North into Maine. Follow I-95 / Maine Turnpike to Exit 63 / Gray for Route 26. Take Route 26 North to Bethel. Refer to Bethel directions above.

.A WEAK AREA OF LOW PRESSURE WILL TRACK ACROSS THE GREAT LAKES
TONIGHT THEN ACROSS NEW ENGLAND LATE ON SATURDAY. A WARM FRONT
AHEAD OF THIS LOW WILL PUSH SLOWLY NORTH THROUGH NEW ENGLAND
TONIGHT STALLING OVER THE REGION ON SATURDAY. THIS SYSTEM WILL
BRING IN WARM AIR ALOFT…BEFORE THE COLD AIR IS SCOURED OUT AT
THE SURFACE.

THIS WILL CAUSE AREAS OF LIGHT SNOW TO BECOME MORE WIDESPREAD AS
THE PRECIPITATION CHANGES TO SLEET AND FREEZING RAIN…WITH RAIN
ALONG THE COAST WHERE TEMPERATURES CLIMB ABOVE FREEZING BEFORE
INLAND LOCATIONS. GRADUALLY TEMPERATURES RISE ABOVE FREEZING ON
SATURDAY CAUSING FREEZING RAIN AND ANY SLEET TO CHANGE OVER TO
RAIN.

THE COMBINATION OF SNOW…SLEET AND FREEZING RAIN WILL CREATE ICY
DRIVING CONDITIONS..ESPECIALLY ON UNTREATED ROADS. SNOW
ACCUMULATIONS OF ONE OR TWO INCHES ARE POSSIBLE WHILE ICE
ACCUMULATIONS UP TO A TENTH OF AN INCH ARE ALSO POSSIBLE.

NORTHERN OXFORD-NORTHERN FRANKLIN-CENTRAL SOMERSET-NORTHERN COOS-
SOUTHERN COOS-NORTHERN GRAFTON-NORTHERN CARROLL-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF…ANDOVER…ROXBURY…UPTON…
WILSONS MILLS…COBURN GORE…RANGELEY…KINGFIELD…BINGHAM…
JACKMAN…COLEBROOK…BERLIN…LANCASTER…LITTLETON…
NORTH CONWAY

325 PM EST FRI DEC 30 2011
…WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM TO NOON
EST SATURDAY…

* LOCATIONS…THE MOUNTAINS OF NORTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE AND
WESTERN MAINE.
* HAZARD TYPES…FREEZING RAIN…SLEET AND SNOW.
* ACCUMULATIONS…UP TO 2 INCHES OF SNOW AND UP TO A TENTH OF AN
INCH OF ICE.
* TIMING…OCCASIONAL LIGHT SNOW THROUGH THIS EVENING WILL MIX
WITH THEN CHANGE TO SLEET AND FREEZING RAIN AFTER MIDNIGHT THEN
MIX WITH OR CHANGE TO RAIN SATURDAY.
* IMPACTS…UNTREATED ROADS AND SURFACES WILL BECOME SNOW AND
ICE COVERED AND SLIPPERY.
* TEMPERATURES…MAINLY IN THE 20S THROUGH MOST OF THE NIGHT THEN
SLOWLY RISING ABOVE FREEZING OVER MOST AREAS SATURDAY.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW…SLEET…OR
FREEZING RAIN WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR
SLIPPERY ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES…AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.

SOUTHERN GRAFTON-SOUTHERN CARROLL-SULLIVAN-MERRIMACK-BELKNAP-
STRAFFORD- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF…LEBANON…HANOVER…PLYMOUTH…
WOLFEBORO…OSSIPEE…CLAREMONT…NEWPORT…CHARLESTOWN…
CONCORD…HOOKSETT…LACONIA…MEREDITH…ROCHESTER…DOVER
325 PM EST FRI DEC 30 2011

…WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM TO 10 AM
EST SATURDAY…

* LOCATIONS…INTERIOR SOUTHERN AND CENTRAL NEW HAMPSHIRE.
* HAZARD TYPES…FREEZING RAIN…WITH SOME SLEET OR SNOW
POSSIBLE.
* ACCUMULATIONS…UP TO 1 INCH OF SNOW AND UP TO A TENTH OF AN
INCH OF ICE.
* TIMING…AREAS OF LIGHT SNOW WILL BECOME MORE WIDESPREAD AS THE
PRECIPITATION CHANGES TO SLEET AND FREEZING RAIN THIS EVENING.
THE MIXED PRECIPITATION WILL CHANGE OVER TO RAIN EARLY SATURDAY.
* IMPACTS…UNTREATED ROADS AND SURFACES WILL BECOME ICE COVERED
AND SLIPPERY.
* TEMPERATURES…STAYING BELOW FREEZING THROUGH MOST OF THE NIGHT
…THEN RISING ABOVE FREEZING EARLY SATURDAY MORNING.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW…SLEET…OR
FREEZING RAIN WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR
SLIPPERY ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES…AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.

SOUTHERN OXFORD-SOUTHERN FRANKLIN-SOUTHERN SOMERSET-INTERIOR YORK-
INTERIOR CUMBERLAND-ANDROSCOGGIN-KENNEBEC-INTERIOR WALDO-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF…RUMFORD…NORWAY…FRYEBURG…OXFORD…
FARMINGTON…WILTON…MADISON…SKOWHEGAN…PITTSFIELD…
SANFORD…BERWICK…NORTH WINDHAM…GORHAM…BRIDGTON…
LEWISTON-AUBURN…LIVERMORE FALLS…AUGUSTA…WATERVILLE…
WINTERPORT…UNITY
325 PM EST FRI DEC 30 2011
…WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM TO 10 AM
EST SATURDAY…

* LOCATIONS…FROM THE FOOTHILLS OF WESTERN MAINE TO THE
INTERIOR SECTIONS OF SOUTHERN AND CENTRAL MAINE.
* HAZARD TYPES…FREEZING RAIN…WITH SOME SLEET OR SNOW
POSSIBLE.
* ACCUMULATIONS…UP TO 1 INCH OF SNOW AND UP TO A TENTH OF AN
INCH OF ICE.
* TIMING…AREAS OF LIGHT SNOW WILL BECOME MORE WIDESPREAD AS THE
PRECIPITATION CHANGES TO SLEET AND FREEZING RAIN OVERNIGHT. THE
MIXED PRECIPITATION WILL CHANGE OVER TO RAIN SATURDAY MORNING.
* IMPACTS…UNTREATED ROADS AND SURFACES WILL BECOME ICY.
* TEMPERATURES…STAYING BELOW FREEZING THROUGH MOST OF THE NIGHT
…THEN RISING ABOVE FREEZING SATURDAY MORNING.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW…SLEET…OR
FREEZING RAIN WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR
SLIPPERY ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES…AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.

By Matthew LaRoche,

Jigging can be an effective tactic for catching large togue on the Allagash headwater lakes. Lake trout, or togue as they are commonly called inMaine, are abundant in the Allagash Wilderness Waterway. The average-size togue caught on the waterway weigh 3 to 5 pounds, with a few over 10 pounds being taken every winter.

To jig togue you need a jig stick. There are commercially available jig sticks or you can make one out of a piece of wood. I have seen many jig sticks made out of old broomstick handles with two nails driven into the handle to hold the line. Attach 50 feet of 20-pound test monofilament line and a heavy lure to that stick, and you have yourself a jigging outfit. My favorite lure for jigging togue is a 2-ounce silver Swedish Pimple tied to the line without a swivel.

Most fishermen attach a small piece of cut bait to the hook, but I have had good luck jigging without bait. The bait can interfere with the action of the lure. Try it both ways to see what works best for you.

Find a location on the lake with 20-30 feet of water, lower the lure down to the bottom and reel it up about 6 inches. Start raising and lowering the lure about a foot with each jig. Every once in a while you should lower the lure all the way to the bottom to stir up a little silt as an attractant. Just keep jigging; when the lure is working correctly, you will feel a rhythm on the line. Eventually you will get a hit — when you do, throw off your mittens and bare-hand the fish up to the ice, keeping the line taut as you bring it up. You will need to make sure that a big togue’s head is lined up with the hole before you try to bring it up on the ice. It can be quite a thrill to see a 28-inch lake trout swim by the hole. With the water magnifying the fish, those big ones will look as large as a small submarine.

The first winter I worked up on the waterway, my father and younger brother Richie came up for a visit. I set Richie up with the classic sawed-off broom-handle jig stick with a gold lead fish for a lure. He was jigging away when he suddenly got a hit. Instead of bringing the fish in hand over hand, he started running backwards. That fish came flying out of the hole and landed on the ice right next to the hole. Richie pounced on the fish before it could get away. That was one happy 14-year-old with his first togue!

I was nonchalantly jigging out in front of Lock Dam one day and had a big fish hit, jerking the jig stick right out of my hand. That will make you pay attention to what you are doing!

Togue are an excellent eating fish with cream-colored flesh. The skin, especially on big fish, contains a lot of oil and should be removed prior to cooking. Togue weighing 3 to 5 pounds can be cooked with the skin on because they are not as oily as the bigger fish.

I like my togue baked at 350 degrees, stuffed with onion and lemon slices until the meat is easily separated from the bones. My favorite is fish chowder made from the leftover togue.

Jigging will keep you busy when the flags on your tip-ups are not doing much. I am convinced that a skilled fisherman jigging will out-fish a person using live bait when it comes to togue fishing.

The ice may not be safe on the opening day of ice fishing. Check in at theChamberlainBridgeranger station or call Heidi Johnson at the number below for current ice conditions on Chamberlain, Eagle, and Churchill lakes. Play it safe and make sure there is at least 6 inches of black ice before heading out on the ice with a snowmobile.

For information on the AWW, go to: www.maine.gov/doc/parks/ or call 207-941-4014, emailheidi.j.johnson@maine.gov or write to the Maine Bureau of Parks & Lands,106 Hogan Road,Bangor,ME04401

Maine Lynx in a Trap. "Hey, I could use some help here."

MDIFW is excited to announce a new email subscription service to make it easier for you to receive updates on the Maine outdoors, specifically aimed at what interests you the most.

Through GovDelivery – a secure and efficient email service – you are now able to sign up for the information you want delivered directly to your email inbox.

You can get the latest MDIFW news, license and registration information, updates on the work of all our divisions including wildlife, fisheries and the Maine Warden Service, and updates on MDIFW events in your area. All you have to do is sign up with GovDelivery, create an optional password, select topics from a list of categories that interest you, and choose how often you want them delivered.

That’s it. It’s that simple, with the entire sign-up process taking less than 90 seconds. If you do not want to sign up for GovDelivery, you’ll continue to receive quarterly email updates from MDIFW, just as you always have.

SIGN UP HERE

MDIFW is providing you with this new service free of charge – we see it as a great way to improve our communications with you and keep you informed about important issues here at MDIFW. We hope you’ll enjoy the Department’s move forward to bring you information in a more timely manner.  If you have any questions, please call us at (207)-287-8000 .

Thank you, and have a safe and happy holiday season.

Chandler E. Woodcock,
Commissioner

A product of a collaborative, inclusive two-year process led by department webmasters Karl Wilkins, Karen Anderson, Mary Breton and Paula Ripley, we hope you find that the new website projects a more accessible, approachable and assistance-oriented environmental protection agency and affirms DEP’s commitment to cooperation and to transparent, open government.

Among the new site’s user-friendly features: – To convey our culture of cooperation, contact information takes a prominent position throughout the site, including on the homepage and on every page in the footer.

- Information organized by function – like permitting and rulemaking – and media – like air, water and waste management – so even those with limited knowledge of the agency and its internal structure can still easily find what they are looking for.

- Intuitive, consistent navigation for improved usability.

- Answers to the most frequently asked questions (like “How do I clean up a broken CFL?” or “How do I make an environmental compliant?”) featured on the homepage and on each environmental media landing pages.

- Streamlining of the former site and its 5,000 plus pages and 30,000 plus files by 80 percent, resulting in more accurate search results, getting users to what they are looking for with fewer clicks and with less clutter along the way, and allowing the department to better manage the existing pages for currency and content.

- Clean design that reflects the professionalism our department’s work has long proven.

In the coming weeks, the department webmasters will be working to repair any links broken during the migration. We ask for your patience throughout this process as we realize some parts of the site may be slow, or not working at all. Please trust this is only temporary. If you are unable to find the information you need using the new site, we encourage you to search by subject matter at http://maine.gov/dep/subject.html or if you need additional assistance, please write to the department ator contact your local DEP office and the receptionist or on-call staff will assist you.

Thank you and on behalf of the entire department, we hope you enjoy the new website,

Samantha DePoy-Warren,
Director of Communications & Education

Green, But Will it Sell?

Big news from North Carolina. Iberdrola Renewables, a subsidiary of Iberdrola Group and the owner of CMP, is poised to become a major player in the industrial wind energy plan for Maine. But before Maine embraces this foreign company and the high-impact product it is selling, there are some crucial questions which should be answered.

Wind energy is expensive in many ways-both to taxpayers and to ratepayers. Our neighbors in North Carolina are discovering the same thing.

This excerpt is from the December 15^th edition of the Charlotte Observer:

“The developer of the largest wind farm ever proposed in North Carolina says the project has stalled because no utility wants to buy the power the project would produce.

“Iberdrola Renewables, having put more than three years into a 31-square-mile wind farm near the coast, this week began notifying property owners and public officials…that the project is on hold indefinitely. If built, the Desert Wind Energy Project… would have ranked among the largest wind farms in the country.

“… the Spanish company has been unable to find a buyer for the power output of Desert Wind.”

No purchaser for the wind power? Is this due to the price it will cost? Or are there other disadvantages to wind power which make it undesirable for the people of North Carolina? Interestingly, this is the same state whose Senate voted 45-1 to ban commercial wind turbines from its mountain ridges.

North Carolina Senator Joe Sam Queen of Waynesville is quoted as saying, “We came to the conclusion in the Senate that it wasn’t worth compromising the mountains of Western North Carolina, which we draw so much of our economy, our identity from”.

Downeast Laughs …to Benefit Friends of Maine’s Mountains

Friends of Maine’s Mountains and the Gray family at the Harraseeket Inn in Freeport are teaming up with Maine’s #1 Humorist, Tim Sample, for a midwinter evening of entertainment and laughter. Join us at the Harraseeket Inn on Saturday, February 18, at 7:00 p.m. in a cozy nightclub setting in the Casco Bay Room. Tickets are $30.00 and space is limited, so please make your reservations soon. You may purchase tickets by visiting FMM’s website. If paying by check, please send to FMM, PO Box 60, Weld, ME 04285 and write “Sample tickets” in the memo. We will record your reservations. Tickets can be picked up by showing your ID at the door the night of the benefit.

Please contact Karen Pease with any questions at roomtomove@tds.net or by calling 628-2070 or 340-0066. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and we hope to see you there. All proceeds to benefit FMM. Join us as we chase away the winter blues, Yankee-style!

Friends of Maine’s Mountains | P.O. Box 60 | Weld | ME | 04285