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Good morning. It’s Sunday, June 23.

The heat this week was a vivid reminder that the climate is changing. On Thursday evening, after thunderstorms swept through and offered some relief, a friend remarked to me how disconcerting it felt, on an island in Maine, to be hunkered inside because of the sun, instead of the snow. “Is this the future?” she wondered aloud.

This week, The Monitor brings you a story of one Maine community’s attempt to prepare for a changing climate by safeguarding their drinking water through tighter regulations on large-scale water extraction. 

The rule changes, which are set to go to a forum in the western Maine town of Denmark on June 26, will primarily affect bottled water giant Poland Spring, now owned by BlueTriton Brands. As written, the updated ordinance would block future Denmark officials from loosening restrictions on water sources and require more rigorous monitoring from extraction entities on the sources they’re drawing from. They also acknowledge the influence of climate change on drought and groundwater reserves.

Denmark’s proposal appears to be one of the most aggressive yet to protect a community’s water. It comes as statewide efforts to curb large-scale water extraction have largely failed in recent years, despite a surge of activism and droughts, and a nationwide increase in bottled water consumption: last year, Americans drank nearly 16 billion gallons of bottled water, the highest volume ever, spending $48 billion for the privilege. 

I urge you to take the time to read Emmett’s piece, which chronicles both the changes to the ordinance and how they came about, and puts it all into perspective. It’s a fascinating read.

— Kate

Denmark considers tightening regulations on water extraction despite Poland Spring opposition

The proposed changes come as statewide efforts to curb large-scale extraction have failed in recent years. Read this story by Emmett Gartner

As Worcester Holdings sprays pines with pesticide, Addison residents call for moratorium: But the company isn’t the only one. A Maine Monitor analysis found that five leading conservation groups have registered pesticide applicators on staff. Read this story by Joyce Kryszak.

Officials worry draft packaging rules will penalize rural communities: The rules are intended to incentivize infrastructure development that will make it attractive for rural communities to divert from landfills. Read this story by Kate Cough.

Sanford wood pellet manufacturer fined for repeated environmental violations, excess emissions: In addition to air emissions exceedances, a consent agreement outlines lapses in recordkeeping and failing to timely report emission test results.. Read this story by Emmett Gartner.

New report says Maine needs 2,300 additional care workers to meet demand: The Maine Center for Economic Policy found that 23,500 hours of approved home care for older adults are not fulfilled each week. Read this story by Rose Lundy.

Firearms sent to be destroyed instead resold as gun part kits

Maine law enforcement agencies, shocked by this practice, say they will review their methods of disposing seized and surrendered weapons.

Read this story by Emily Bader. 

Know of a story that we should be digging into? Send it to our newsroom. 

The Maine Monitor is a publication of the Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting, an independent and nonpartisan nonprofit news organization. We believe news is a public good and keep our news free to access. We have no paywall and do not charge for our newsletters. If you value the reporting we do for Maine, please consider making a donation! We cannot do this reporting without your support.