Latest news with #PenobscotNation
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Without action, Old Town residents worry town will be ‘sacrifice zone' to Juniper Ridge
More than 50 residents, advocates and members of the Penobscot Nation gathered in Old Town on May 4, 2025 to protest the expansion of the Juniper Ridge Landfill. (Photo by AnnMarie Hilton/Maine Morning Star) Whenever Ed Spencer sees a forecast for northeasterly wind, he and his wife brace themselves. Often, the winds carry the smell of rotting waste from Juniper Ridge Landfill, which sits less than two miles from their home. The odor is a reminder of the fight Spencer, other environmental advocates, and members of the Penobscot Nation have found themselves in for the past two decades over the landfill that they say is polluting local waterways and causing other harms to environmental and public health without accountability. That's why Spencer joined more than 50 others for a rally Sunday afternoon in Old Town to not only voice their concerns about expanding the state's largest landfill, but also to ask the lawmakers who represent them in Augusta to back bills that could address the contamination and injustice they feel local communities have endured. Juniper Ridge, which straddles Old Town and Alton, is owned by the state through the Bureau of General Services, which has an operating contract with NEWSME Landfill Operations, a subsidiary of the waste management company Casella. For Penobscot Nation member Charlene Francis, it was only fitting that the demonstration, which included a traditional water ceremony along the banks of the Penobscot River, took place under relentless rain. Because water is so sacred to the tribe, Francis said Juniper Ridge is a sore spot for her. Locals have argued that there has been insufficient treatment of landfill leachate — water that collects chemicals after passing through the waste — which runs into the Penobscot River. They are specifically concerned about per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, otherwise known as PFAS or forever chemicals, which are linked to a number of negative health effects like some cancers, high cholesterol, reproductive and fetal development issues, and more. The Penobscot Nations's reservation at Indian Island, which includes portions of the Penobscot River, is located five miles downstream from the landfill. While Francis said she tries to do her part to address the mounting trash problem by pledging to not buy anything new that isn't a necessity, others are calling on elected officials to do more. Just over half of Maine's landfill waste ends up in Juniper Ridge, which is expected to reach capacity in 2028. The state has signaled its support for expanding the facility despite objections from environmental advocates, the local community and the Penobscot Nation. Spencer, who is now part of the grassroots movement Don't Waste ME, which advocates for policies to protect the health of communities at risk of disposal operations, said he was almost 'forced' into the fight against Juniper Ridge when he attended a city council meeting in October 2003. Having lived in the area since 1977, at the time he shared his opposition to opening the landfill. Almost 20 years later, Spencer said the efforts of his group, the Penobscot Nation and others is 'reaching a critical mass,' in part because of what he sees as progress on the legislative front. Spencer attended a public hearing with the Legislature's Environment and Natural Resources Committee last week about a slate of bills related to the state's largest landfill. He also pointed to steps the Government Oversight Committee and the Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability have taken to investigate concerns with the landfill. While Spencer and others at the event support some of the proposals on the table this session, including one that would require legislative approval for contracts to operate Juniper Ridge, there is concern about one related proposal that would allow more bulky solid waste to be imported to the state's landfills. With waste issues piling up, Maine Legislature weighs more oversight of Juniper Ridge As Spencer sees it, LD 297 would complicate the definition of what constitutes waste generated in Maine, opening the door for more out-of-state waste that would fill the landfill even faster. Proponents argue this is necessary to bring in more bulky waste to stabilize the sludge that is disposed of at the facility. Alternately, he's hoping lawmakers move forward with two proposals from Sen. Mike Tipping (D-Penobscot), whose district covers the area. One bill, LD 1604, seeks to address forever chemicals from landfill leachate entering groundwater and surface waters. A representative from the Department of Environmental Protection said the agency understands people's desire to address PFAS, but opposed that bill arguing it isn't the best approach. Since the bill would require 'technically complex and challenging rulemaking,' the department said a better alternative would be to wait for the federal Environmental Protection Agency to develop pretreatment guidelines for landfills that discharge leachate. Under Tipping's other bill, LD 1349, two-thirds of the Legislature would need to approve future operating contracts or contract renewals for Juniper Ridge, something currently handled by the executive branch. If passed, this would be critical to the discussion about expanding and extending the life of the landfill. The environment committee is scheduled to have a work session on the bill Wednesday during which it could vote to recommend the Legislature pass the measure. The Bureau of General Services has not submitted an application to expand the landfill, but Deputy Commissioner Anya Trundy told the Legislature last week that it intends to. Trundy said that building out the landfill to its maximum capacity should allow it to operate until 2040, which would also necessitate extending the contract with Casella so that both line up with the 2040 timeline. Though the Department of Administrative and Financial Services would normally advocate for contracts to go out to bid, Trundy said doing so could sever the indemnification clause in the existing contract. Rather than giving Casella a 'sweetheart deal,' Trundy said continuing the agreement holds them accountable to that clause that would leave them responsible for financial and environmental liability down the road. Spencer said that argument 'shows how irresponsible the state was in the first place.' He believes involving the Legislature would lead to more responsible decision making in any future contracts for Juniper Ridge. Otherwise, he said, 'Old Town becomes a sacrifice zone.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
ICT NEWSCAST: Wisconsin tribes bring concerns to the Statehouse, a tribute to U.S. Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva and Women's History Month.
The ICT Newscast for Friday, March 28, 2025, features the State of the Tribes address in Wisconsin. Plus, confusion over new national monuments named in California and a Women's History Month interview with Penobscot Nation basketmaker Theresa Secord. Check out the ICT Newscast on YouTube for this episode and more. A new law in New Mexico grants rights to Native students to wear traditional regalia. Family, friends, and colleagues gathered to honor the life and legacy of U.S. Congressman Raúl Grijalva, an ally to tribal nations and a man who many say never forgot his roots. St. Croix Tribal Chairman Thomas Fowler delivered the 21st annual State of the Tribes address at the Wisconsin state capitol, representing the state's 11 federally recognized tribal nations. He tackled issues such as tribal sovereignty, education, environmental threats, and public health. There is confusion over the status of two California national monuments created by former President Joe Biden. This comes after a post on the White House website hinting at the monuments' termination was later removed. Now, tribal leaders who fought for the protections want answers. Jacob Reynolds of the St. Croix Chippewa Indians helped craft the State of the Tribes speech for Wisconsin legislators. In this roundtable discussion with ICT's Shirley Sneve, he discusses the importance of state-tribe relations. Theresa Secord was a founder of the Maine Indian Basketmakers Alliance. For Women's History Month, here's a profile of her work. View previous ICT broadcasts here every week for the latest news from around Indian is owned by IndiJ Public Media, a nonprofit news organization. Will you support our work? All of our content is free. There are no subscriptions or costs. And we have hired more Native journalists in the past year than any news organization ─ and with your help we will continue to grow and create career paths for our people. Support ICT for as little as $10. Sign up for ICT's free newsletter.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Penobscot Nation chief urges members to carry tribal IDs
Jan. 29—Penobscot Nation leadership urged members to carry their tribal identification cards Wednesday, following national reports of Native Americans being questioned by immigration officers. In a letter to the community, Chief Kirk Francis Sr. said that some Native Americans have been stopped and asked for proof of citizenship by law enforcement after President Donald Trump signed a series of executive orders aimed at halting illegal immigration. "We are not aware of any of our tribal citizens being stopped but have heard of instances in others," Francis said in the written statement. "We encourage all tribal citizens to carry your Tribal ID, as we understand that your Tribal ID is sufficient proof of citizenship." Though several of the reported interactions between tribal citizens and law enforcement are unverified, at least one incident in New Mexico, in which a tribal citizen was stopped by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent and asked to prove their citizenship, Democratic congresspeople from a handful of western states said in a Tuesday letter to Trump. "Stopping people because of what they look like — with dark skin, Asian, Latino or Native American characteristics is never acceptable. We urge you to immediately direct your agents to stop harassing Native Americans and violating tribal sovereignty." Tribal citizens who experience issues or who need a new ID should contact the rribal office, Francis said. "We are working closely with our lawyers and consultants to evaluate each order and whether it will impact our government, our people, or the services we provide," Francis said. Copy the Story Link
