Large, land-based salmon farm in Maine gets key approval
BLEFAST, Maine (AP) — A large, land-based salmon farming operation in Maine has obtained a key approval it needed to move forward, but opposition to the project remains. Nordic Aquafarms wants to build a $500 million, 55-acre salmon farm in Belfast. The company announced earlier this week that is has received an Army Corp of Engineers permit, which is the final permit it needs. Maine Public reports local conservationists are still challenging the salmon farm in court. They have concerns about how the project would discharge waste water.
Maine delegation wants 207 to stay state’s only area code
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine’s congressional delegation wants the Federal Communications Commission to keep the Pine Tree State as a one-area-code state. All of Maine is served by the 207 area code. The four members of the delegation said 207 phone numbers are projected to run out by 2024 if the FCC doesn’t take action, and that would necessitate the creation of a second area code in Maine. The delegation told the FCC on Thursday that the 207 area code is “both a cultural touchstone and a matter of efficiency.”
Maine: Community colleges require vaccine; GOP rips mandate
SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine’s community colleges will require all students attending in-person classes to be vaccinated against the coronavirus this fall. The Maine Community College System Board of Trustees approved the change in rules Thursday. The system says the increase in COVID-19 cases in the state necessitated the move. Fall semester classes begin Aug. 30. The college system had only been requiring masks indoors, and said that rule will remain in place, even for vaccinated students. Also, the number of new daily cases of the coronavirus continued to rise in the state, and Republicans questioned the need for new vaccine mandates for health workers.
CENSUS 2020-MAINE
Maine becomes more diverse but still whitest state in nation
The 2020 census shows that Maine remains the whitest state in the nation but is becoming more diverse. Census data released Thursday showed that the state’s population of 1,362,359 remains overwhelming white. But it has dipped slightly from 95.2.% of the population to 90.8%. The state’s Hispanic population grew slightly from 1.3% to 2% of the population. The Black population increased from 1.2% to 1.9%, a 64 percent jump which was only behind North Dakota and South Dakota in terms of percentage increases. Overall, Maine’s population grew more slowly over the past decade, increasing about 2.6%, or 33,998 people, from 2010.
MONTGOMERY DAM REMOVAL
Opposition to removing a 200-year-old Maine dam grows
CAMDEN, Maine (AP) — Opponents of removing a 200-year-old dam in Maine are organizing against plans to partially remove the dam that no longer serves an official purpose. Bangor Daily News reports that a growing opposition of downtown Camden property and business owners say that the Montgomery Dam and the waterfall it creates are a major part of the town image. Town officials say the dam poses significant risks, including flooding, that will become more severe as storms intensify due to climate change. The opposition has criticized how officials are handling discussions and feels that officials have already made a decision without considering other options.