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Greetings from Downeast Maine, where the seasons are ever-changing but water news is always flowing. Several of the stories we're monitoring this week explore our relationship with this vital resource; everything from how Maine’s rivers, streams, lakes, marshes, and ocean waters are used and managed, to how they are harnessed and monitored.  

Not to be left out, the seemingly never-ending saga about the waters surrounding Machias and its neighboring towns is once again making waves on social media this week. Residents were curious, if not somewhat alarmed, at the site of a large barge parked on the east side of the Machias River. Town officials said the equipment is there to install a large pipe under the river as part of the Machias Siphon Upgrade Project. The siphon will transport water between the east and west sides of the river and the Machias Wastewater Treatment Plant. 

But some residents and shell fishers questioned how the redesign might impact the waters along their shores. In Machias, at least temporarily, the underwater excavation has spilled water into a downtown parking lot near Bad Little Falls. We’ll keep an eye on how “bad” the flooding gets.

Also, a note that The Maine Monitor is hiring! Take a look at the job postings here.

Federal audit finds Maine’s child welfare agency failed to follow its own policies

Maine was the first state reviewed for compliance with the federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act, which provides funding for state child welfare systems. Maine was chosen to kick off the audit series because of its poor performance in a federal risk assessment, its proximity to the department’s Boston office, as well as a concerning recent report from the state’s child welfare ombudsman.

“We found some real concerns,” said Tammy Levesque, a senior auditor for HHS’s Office of Audit Services. “And we have solid recommendations to affect change.” 

Read this story by Josh Keefe of The Maine Monitor.

While The Maine Monitor does not place its content behind paywalls, some newsrooms we link to in this newsletter may. 

Ranked-choice count confirms Jared Golden’s win over Austin Theriault | Bangor Daily News

ICYMI from The Monitor: Hydropower accounts for roughly half of the renewable energy generated in Maine. What will happen as dams disappear? | The Maine Monitor

The Conservation Law Foundation intends to sue Downeast aquaculture giant Cooke Aquaculture for allegedly polluting Maine waters. | Maine Public

The highly contentious vote over cruise ship visitation caps has been reopened. The recount will be held Saturday, Nov. 23. | Mount Desert Islander

While farming and harvesting edible seaweeds is on the rise in Maine, the increase in rockweed harvesting has led the Blue Hill Peninsula Rockweed Forum and others to question its effect on coastline ecosystems. | Ellsworth American

A seven-year, multistate courtroom and public relations fight between the nation’s top developer of green energy and backers of a proposed $1.5 billion power line through Maine has landed in Springfield. | Bangor Daily News

A slowdown in the U.S. solar energy market has forced the Maine-based developer ReVision Energy to lay off about 40 workers, representing 8 percent of its staff, according to company officials. | Bangor Daily News

Hospitals across Maine reported at least 50 instances over the 12-month period spanning August 2023 to July 2024 when guardians said they did not want their children returning home or abandoned them in an emergency room. | Bangor Daily News

A recruitment effort fueled by professionally produced videos showcasing the work of seven Hancock County fire departments hopes to bring in, and retain, at least 80 firefighters over the next four years. | Ellsworth American

ICYMI from The Monitor: A conversation about what will happen to Scarborough Marsh

Operation Game Thief, in cooperation with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, is offering a $4,000 reward for information on deer that were illegally shot on Mount Desert Island. | Bangor Daily News

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 that produces investigative journalism. 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.