On the ballot in #ScarboroughMaine!

Council Corner: A path to continued #LandConservation in Scarborough

Posted July 18
Karin Shupe, Scarborough Town Councillor

"On July 17 at 5:30 p.m. the Town Council held a workshop to discuss the potential referendum questions for this November’s ballot. One of these questions includes a request to replenish the land bond fund. The land bond fund is a town fund that was created in 2000 for the purpose of purchasing land for conservation. Unlike what a traditional bond referendum looks like, the land bond does not have an immediate impact on taxpayers, as it authorizes future bonding for land conservation.

"Scarborough voters have overwhelmingly supported every land bond referendum that has come forward since the creation of the land bond fund. The town has contributed $7.5 million towards the acquisition of land for conservation in this 24-year span. Scarborough’s commitment to land conservation has helped successfully obtain grants from the federal and state government and attract donors and matching funds from organizations like the #ScarboroughLandTrust, #LandForMainesFuture and the #MaineFarmlandTrust. These partnerships have led to conservation and preservation of land throughout the town, including #PleasantHillPreserve, #WarrenWoods, #FullerFarm, #BroadturnFarm and #SilverBrookPreserve.

"As of today, there is approximately $14,000 remaining in the town’s land bond fund. With a Town Council goal to conserve 30% of Scarborough land by 2030, more funds are needed. There are many public and economic benefits to land conservation that make this goal so important for Scarborough. The No. 1 concern expressed by our community in the recent survey was the rapid pace of growth and expansion. By conserving land, not only are we protecting our natural resources from development and preserving drinking water and water quality in our rivers, streams and marsh, we are also providing open space for our residents and visitors to enjoy.

"Historically, conserving land is cost neutral to a town budget, while residential development adds more to a town’s cost of services and infrastructure beyond the tax revenues it receives. As one of the fastest growing communities in the state, it is even more important for us to act now to protect our natural resources and maintain the open space that has attracted residents to Scarborough.

"The request before the Town Council is for a $6 million replenishment of the land bond, which accounts for the rising cost of land and the town’s 30×30 goal. This recommendation comes from the town’s Parks and Conservation Land Board, which is responsible for evaluating the applications the town receives for land bond funds. The board has developed a detailed acquisition evaluation process for properties, based on factors such as size, preservation of natural resources, location to habitat, public access and creating connectivity.

"Most recently the board recommended, and Town Council approved, the use of $800,000 towards the preservation of an additional 130 acres at Silver Brook Preserve in western Scarborough. This recent Silver Brook Preserve expansion now connects 813 acres of continuous conserved land between Scarborough, #SacoMaine and #BuxtonMaine. With no further funds available in the land bond, the town may miss opportunities like Silver Brook Preserve in the future. The town is also currently in the process of developing an Open Space Conservation Plan. This plan will guide and prioritize land conservation efforts. With no funds in the land bond, we will be unable to act on the land conservation recommendations from this plan.

"Scarborough is a leader in land conservation. No other town in Maine has spent as many local dollars on conserving their natural resources. I will try to continue our leadership in land conservation by encouraging my fellow councilors to support placing this $6 million land bond on the November ballot. To learn more about the land bond I invite residents to attend our upcoming Council Corner Live on Aug. 7 to learn more about the land bond – stay tuned for details."

https://www.pressherald.com/2024/07/18/council-corner-a-path-to-continued-land-conservation-in-scarborough/

Sinking in Saltwater: #Maine’s #coastal #marshes at risk as sea levels rise

Between 28 and 57 percent of the state’s coastal marshes could disappear by the end of the century, victims of a rising sea, coastal #development and #PollutedRunoff.

By
Kate Cough
July 28, 2024

PORTLAND — "It takes hundreds of years for a #SaltMarsh to form, for fine sediment brought in on the tides to settle in sections of shoreline sheltered from the worst of the wind and waves. As salt-tolerant plants — smooth #cordgrass, #SaltmarshHay, #saltgrass, #BlackRush — begin to grow, their dense stems and roots trap more sediment, and the marsh builds more rapidly, up and out.

"#Crabs, #shrimp and #worms arrive, drawn to the rich food of dying marsh grasses, followed by a variety of #fish — #alewives, #StripedBass, #smelt and Sea-run #BrookTrout among them — many of which eventually migrate between the marsh and the sea.
logo for the sinking in saltwater series

"Acre by acre, a healthy salt marsh anchors a #FoodWeb 'more productive than most midwestern #farmland,' according to a 2003 paper published by the University of Maine.

"The same dense grasses that are so good at trapping silt also excel at ensnaring pollutants, pulling out nitrogen and nutrients that cause #AlgalBlooms, and burying #toxic #contaminants in the peat.

"Once established, plants in salt marshes grow quickly, fed by the rich soil, and pull #carbon from the atmosphere. Salt marshes are ten times more effective at storing carbon than tropical forests, and, left undisturbed, can trap the gas in the ground for centuries, a phenomenon scientists refer to as 'blue carbon.'

"Maine has some of the most extensive blue carbon reservoirs in the northeast — second only to Massachusetts, according to a study published by the Environmental Protection Agency in 2023.

"But as sea levels rise and development presses in, these reservoirs, and the habitats they create, are at risk of disappearing.

"An analysis by the University of Maine suggests that a significant portion of the Maine’s salt marshes — between 28 and 57 percent, depending on the sea level rise scenario — could be gone by the end of the century. They are also threatened by polluted runoff from #pesticides, #septic systems and #AgriculturalWaste.

"'The decisions Mainers make over the next 10 years are going to determine whether these important ecosystems persist,' said Bates professor Beverly Johnson, who has been studying blue carbon for years, speaking to The #MaineClimateCouncil in December.

"Over the past 25 years, nearly 300 acres of Maine’s wetlands — both fresh and saltwater — have been impacted by or lost to development, according to a Press Herald/Maine Monitor analysis of data from the state’s In Lieu Fee Compensation Program. The program allows developers to fill or convert certain #wetlands if they pay a fee, money that is used for conservation projects elsewhere."

Read more:
https://themainemonitor.org/sinking-in-saltwater/

Half of all #eelgrass in #CascoBay has died within last four years, experts say

Eelgrass, according to Friends of Casco Bay, is home to juvenile lobster and fish. Without eelgrass, much of Maine's seafood economy loses its base, they said.

By Jack Molmud
March 29, 2023

SOUTH PORTLAND, #Maine — According to a report from Friends of Casco Bay, 54 percent of all eelgrass meadows in Casco Bay have died off since 2018.

"This comes as the 2022 to 2023 winter saw water temps reach four degrees above average.

"'My first response was it's heartbreaking,' Will Everitt, the executive director of Friends of Casco Bay said. 'My second response was now is the time we have to do more than ever to protect the bay.'

"Everitt said eelgrass is dying due to a combination of consequences from the warm water.

"Warm water attracts more invasive #GreenCrabs, which cut the eelgrass and eat softshell crabs, he said. This disturbs the naturally-occurring species, he said.

"'When we have a really cold winter it can kill back the green crabs,' Everitt said.

"He added a warm winter won't kill as many green crabs, allowing them to reproduce and spawn more green crabs for summer and fall.

"'The loss of this is tragic and could have a huge impact on our coastal waters,' Everitt said.

"Everitt added the #WarmingOceans in Maine also result in more frequent #AlgaeBlooms, which prevent the eelgrass from accessing proper sunlight to grow.

"Fewer eelgrass meadows mean fewer lobsters in inshore waters, he added.

"'A number of critters in the bay depend on this... the warming waters are going to do a number on this if it continues,' Everitt said.

"If the situation continues to worsen, Everitt suggested experts would recommend planting eelgrass from more southern states so that subspecies can handle the warmer temperatures Maine is set to experience."

https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/tech/science/environment/half-of-all-eelgrass-in-casco-bay-has-died-in-the-last-four-years-experts-say-environment-climate-maine-science/97-addbbefc-8513-4860-9289-52e4250299fc

#FriendsOfCascoBay #SaltMarshes #SaveTheWetlands #EelGrass #SaveTheWetlands
#SaveTheMarshes #ProtectNature #NewEngland #GulfOfMaine

From 2023: #OneidaNation's #environmental restoration project to receive funding in proposed [#Wisconsin] state budget

#Wildrice, or manoomin in #Ojibwe, is central to Ojibwe identity and is part of the culture’s migration story.

by Frank Vaisvilas
February 17, 2023

ONEIDA – "Part of Gov. #TonyEvers’ proposed budget includes $875,000 to help fund the Oneida Nation’s environmental restoration project on the reservation.

"Over the past year, the tribe has restored about 3,000 acres of #wetlands, #grasslands, #prairies and #forests on the reservation.

"The governor’s budget includes an annual investment of $175,000 for five years for continuing the Oneida Nation’s #HabitatRestoration work and bird monitoring project just west of #GreenBay.

"'We know that #nature can provide for itself if allowed to. A years-long restoration of Oneida’s lands in Northeastern Wisconsin has led to improvements in water quality and the return of #wildlife,' said Oneida Chairman Tehassi Hill in a statement. 'We appreciate Governor Evers for supporting our work to restore and protect Wisconsin’s natural spaces.'

"The Oneida Nation also started a bird monitoring project on its restoration sites in coordination with the Northeastern Wisconsin #Audubon Society and UW-Green Bay’s Cofrin Center for Biodiversity to research how birds are responding to the tribe’s conservation efforts.

"'We’ve witnessed firsthand as state-threatened bird species, like the #HenslowsSparrow, have returned to restored Oneida Nation lands, an incredible testament to the importance of this restoration work,' said Erin Giese, president of the Northeastern Wisconsin Audubon Society, in a statement.

[...]

"Evers’ budget proposal also includes a $200,000 investment in restoring and protecting natural wild rice areas in Wisconsin.

"Experts say wild rice is an essential food source for many of the #MigratorBirds in the area, including many species of #ducks, #pheasants, #owls, #cranes, #geese and #songbirds.

"The plants also help to improve the #environment.

"'Emergent plants, including wild rice, help promote #water quality through the filtering and storage of nutrients and slow down wave action in the #CoastalWetlands of Green Bay,' said Dr. Amy Carrozzino-Lyon, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay restoration project manager in the natural and applied sciences department. 'A diversity of native wetland plants helps the community function at its best.'"

Read more:
https://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/story/news/native-american-issues/2023/02/17/evers-seeks-funds-for-oneida-nations-environmental-project-in-budget/69916222007/

#RestoreNature #WaterIsLife #RestoreTheWetlands
#SaveTheMarshes
#SaveNature #NatureBasedSolutions
#IndigenousWisdom
#Collaboration