Maine Voices: We must seize the chance to protect our environmental rights
Urge your legislators to pass the proposed Pine Tree Amendment, which would provide a legal basis to take action against harmful policies or developments.
By Richard KillmerSpecial to the Press Herald
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My 23-year-old grandson, Iain Kurry, is a lifelong Mainer. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, fishing and hunting, while he spends an equally large portion of his time outdoors working throughout Maine as a geologist for an environmental consulting firm. He is outdoors a lot.
The Pine Tree Amendment would have made it easier for Arundel dairy farmer Fred Stone, with his Brown Swiss Lida Rose in 2019, to seek justice when the Kennebunk, Kennebunkport and Wells Water District found elevated levels of PFAS in a well on his land. Stone had to stop selling milk and kill more than half of his herd.
Commentary: Pine Tree Amendment would protect environmental rights
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Green groups eyeing big climate victories in Maine Legislature
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AUGUSTA The Maine Senate voted Wednesday in favor of the Pine Tree Amendment, sponsored by Senator Chloe Maxmin, D-Nobleboro. LD 489, “RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine To Establish a Right to a Healthy Environment,” received unanimous support in an initial vote.
As amended, LD 489, the Pine Tree Amendment, would amend the Constitution of Maine to grant the people of the state a right to a clean and healthy environment and to the preservation of the natural, cultural, and healthful qualities of the environment. This groundbreaking bill would protect the environment for Maine people, recreational enthusiasts and workers who rely on Maine s natural resources to make a living.