Working Waterfront

The Acadia auto wars

The centennial of the founding of Acadia National Park being celebrated this year has presented an occasion for a diverse array of reflections on the history of Mount Desert Island. By way of a terrifically engaging installation, which will be on view for the next two years, the Seal Cove… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

When art met science

Sometime back in January, Maine Audubon announced that the renowned entomologist, ultra-marathoner, University of Vermont emeritus biology professor and acclaimed author Bernd Heinrich would be speaking about “the nexus of art and science” at its Field Pond Center in Holden. A few weeks later, a follow-up email arrived: due to… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Mussels have a nose for good homes

For people looking to settle down, a location's odor can be a factor in whether they stay or go. Turns out the same is true for mussel larvae. Mussel larvae swim toward odors from adult mussels, and swim away from odors from predators, including green crabs and dog whelks, says Scott… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Rising seas will bring more frequent severe storms

By Susie Arnold, Ph. D. and Heather Deese, Ph. D. Sea level rise could bring startling and disturbing coastal changes to our coast, making our homes and communities uninhabitable. A new study published in the journal Nature Climate Change projected that between 4.2 million and 13.1 million U.S. residents would… SEE MORE

The view looking southward from the bridge in Wiscasset

Working Waterfront

Plans to fix Wiscasset congestion tweak streetscape

The view north on U.S. Route 1 in Wiscasset as interpreted with one of the options for improving traffic flow. Proposals to deal with the perennial summer traffic delays on U.S. Route 1 through Wiscasset have been on the table—then off the table—for more than half a century. In… SEE MORE

The former Verso paper mill in Bucksport is being dismantled and scrapped

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Growing the ‘port’ in Bucksport could bring jobs

Not only did Bucksport lose the paper mill business and jobs that sustained its economy and tax base when Verso closed its operation there, but the mill itself—or at least most of the metal in the structures—will be scrapped and hauled away. Some might see that fate as cruel, adding… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Penobscot Watershed Conference underscores region’s impact

On the map of Maine, Penobscot Bay lies at the midpoint of the coast. It resembles a fulcrum on which the northern and southern halves pivot. On the map of the Penobscot watershed, which was used throughout the venue that hosted Penobscot Watershed Conference on April 9, the image looms… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Lobstering offshore becoming attractive to some

A booming lobster resource, combined with a trend toward larger boats with more horsepower and the latest advances in navigational electronics, has an increasing number of Maine’s lobster fishermen leaving behind the crowded inshore fishing grounds and heading further offshore for a sustained, year-round harvest. “It’s something that’s been evolving… SEE MORE

Harbor Watch Inn owner Colleen Hyland (right) looks on as Janice Kenyon of Southwest Harbor uses the inn’s new charging station with her all-electric 2015 Nissan Leaf.

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Electric vehicle charging station installed on Swan’s Island

The Harbor Watch Inn on Swan’s Island has partnered with Tesla Motors and installed a charging station for electric cars. Tesla offers such hardware to encourage those in the hospitality industry to adopt this emerging technology. Colleen Hyland, the inn’s owner, wanted to offer charging service for guests who own electric… SEE MORE

The southern half of the Penobscot watershed.

Working Waterfront

Taking the long view means answering tough questions

“We will be the ancestors someday.” This truism came from Penobscot Nation tribal elder Butch Phillips as part of the welcome to over 300 people who attended the Penobscot Watershed Conference on April 9. The statement was a weighty one—when future generations look back, what will they learn from the… SEE MORE