http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html? News http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1631&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail After a year in which the Farm Bill process was subsumed by the congressional “supercommittee,”Farm Bill development is now moving along a more typical track. The Senate Ag Committee last week voted 16-5 to send its bill to the full Senate. The House is holding hearings in D.C. this week and is expected to write its version in the next few weeks. Whether a Farm Bill can get passed in an election year is a big question mark, but at least things are moving.   Below is a basic summary of some of what is in the Senate Ag Committee bill, with an emphasis on programs that were discussed at last year’s Summit for the Northern Forest and/or that have been a focus of regional Northern Forest advocacy in the past.   Selected Elements of the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2012, as passed by the Senate Agriculture Committee 4/26/12 Links to the other, more detailed summaries as well as the full bill are included below.   Conservation (Title II) Conservation Stewardship Program: Authorizes through 2017. Removes the 10 percent enrollment cap on nonindustrial private forestland acreage Environmental Quality Incentives Program & Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program: Consolidates WHIP with EQIP, with at least 5 percent of EQIP funds set aside for WHIP funding. Funded at: $1.5 billion for 2013, $1.6 billion for 2014, $1.65 billion for 2015-2017 Rural Development (Title VI) No Mandatory Funding- the committee bill does not include mandatory funding for rural development programs, meaning that they would be subject to annual appropriations. The 2008 bill included $150 million in mandatory funding for rural development programs. Definitions of Rural -Raises population eligibility requirement to 50,000 for Rural Community and Rural Business Programs. -Excludes urbanized areas contiguous or adjacent to city or towns larger than 50,000 from being defined as “rural.” RBEG/RBOG consolidation: Rural Business Opportunity Grants and Rural Business Enterprise Grants are combined in to a new program: Rural Business Development Grants Program reauthorizations: the bill reauthorizes numerous programs highlighted in past Northern Forest advocacy efforts including: -Rural Water Grant and Loan Programs -Revolving Funds for Financing Water and Wastewater Projects -Community Facilities Program -Intermediary Relending Program   Strategic Economic and Community Development: Authorizes the Secretary to give priority to applications submitted for funds through Rural Development programs that support regional approaches to community and economic development. Rural Economic Area Partnership (REAP) Zones: Directs the Secretary to carry out REAP zones in effect on date of enactment of the bill (which covers the VT REAP zone) and establishes a competitive process for the Secretary to designate new Rural Economic Area Partnership zones Forestry (Title VIII) State-Wide Assessment and Strategies for Forest Resources. Extends the program through 2017 at $10 million per year. Forest Stewardship Program: Authorizes $50 million annually in funding through 2017 Forest Legacy Program: Authorizes $200 million annually in funding for 2013-2017 with allowances for additional federal funds available to the Secretary Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program: Authorizes $50 million annually in funding for 2013-2017 Energy (Title IX) Rural Energy for American Program (REAP): Mandatory funding at $48.2 million a year from 2013 – 2017. Allows RC&D councils to be eligible for energy audit and technical assistance portion of the program Community Wood Energy Program: Reauthorizes at $5 million annually. Miscellaneous (Title XII) Northern Border Regional Commission: Reauthorizes at $30 million annually through 2017. Eliminates cap on administrative expense if annual appropriations are less than $10 million. Additional Resources Sources for the information above and good places to get the full details on the bill include: Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act Section-by-Section (As passed by the Senate Ag Committee) Summary of Senate Agriculture Committee Managers Amendment(American Forest Foundation) Senate Ag Committee Farm Bill page en-us Thu, 10 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Policy Issues subpg - Updates http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1607&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: The Wild Center Please join us on May 29th, 2012, from 1-3pm at the Adirondack Park Agency headquarters in Ray Brook. We will hear from a Finnish participant in the recent international exchange program between Heureka, the Finnish Science Center, and our own Wild Center natural history museum in Tupper Lake. Markku Seppanen is an architect with extensive experience in cohousing and intentional communities, working with Finnmap Consulting; his wife Paivi Alasuutari will also present on the involvement of residents in planning the projects. Markku will describe his work creating two projects, both with houses grouped together, including one with "green" or sustainable building techniques. The social and community aspects of cohousing projects are often as important as the building approaches, thus Markku will also describe intensive participatory planning processes carried out on both projects. Residents participated in planning with architects and structural/HVAC designers. There will be time for Q&A as well, when attendees can share experiences, ask detailed questions, and find out more about building sites, construction and organization. This event will be streamed live online. en-us Wed, 09 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1608&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Maine Department of Environmental Protection Governor Paul LePage honored six stewards of sustainability on April 19, 2012 with the first state-sponsored environmental achievement awards handed out in Maine since 2005. The Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence, administered by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, were presented by Governor LePage and Maine DEP Commissioner Patricia Aho in a ceremony at Jotul North America’s headquarters in Gorham...Maine Energy Systems, of Bethel, won in the “Business Under 15 Employees” category for helping Maine homes, public facilities and businesses –including Waterville High School and Mt. Abram Ski Resort– transition to a cleaner fuel, sustainability-harvested from Maine’s forests with the sales of their wood pellets and boilers. Maine Department of Environmental Protection article link   en-us Wed, 09 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Networks & Partner News http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1629&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Luke Geiver A startup pellet producer has unveiled a plan to create a larger market for its hybrid wood, agricultural residue and plastic residual pellets. Maine-based Pelletco LLC is now offering school districts in the Northeastern U.S. that consume an average of 15,000 gallons per year of fuel oil the opportunity to convert their thermal heating systems to pellets without any equipment, installation or maintenance costs. “Rather than the schools having to put up money, we’ll put the equipment in,” said Jim Knight, CEO of Pelletco. “We own it, we take care of it and we sell the heat on a metered basis.” Through the program, the schools are only charged for the heat consumed. “We measure how much heat they are taking and we send them a bill,” Knight said. The scenario is a cost saving measure for the schools, too. Biomass Magazine article link en-us Wed, 09 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1623&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Adirondack Daily Enterprise Staff The village of Saranac Lake has received statewide recognition for its economic development efforts. The New York Conference of Mayors has awarded the village's "biotech cluster" project first place in the economic development category of the 25th annual Local Government Achievement Awards Program. The award was presented to village officials Monday at NYCOM's annual conference in Saratoga Springs. Adirondack Daily Enterprise article link en-us Tue, 08 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1625&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Diane Chase Mother’s Day is this Sunday, May 13th, and The Wild Center in Tupper Lake is giving everyone the chance to celebrate the women in their lives whether great-grandmother, grandmother or mother. This event is not just geared toward children, but to embrace the child within. Join in the festivities and enjoy a free opportunity to explore Mother Nature inside and outside the Natural History Museum of the Adirondacks (The Wild Center). Adirondack Almanac article link en-us Tue, 08 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1611&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: The Associated Press Hundreds of people across New England are drawing attention to what they see as a link between extreme weather events and climate change. Dozens of rallies and demonstrations were held Saturday in Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts as part of Climate Impacts Day, a global initiative organized by 350.org, an environmental group founded by Vermont activist Bill McKibben. The theme of the rallies was to “connect the dots” between extreme weather and climate change. Highway demonstration about climate change connects dots for drivers en-us Sat, 05 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1612&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Mary Esch Wolf Lake in the Adirondack High Peaks region is considered a “heritage lake,” one of the most pristine freshwater bodies in the northeastern United States. It remains as it was when European settlers arrived in North America. As part of a private preserve bordering the state-owned 300-square-mile High Peaks Wilderness Area, it has escaped pollution and the ravages of invasive plants and animals. It’s one of a dwindling number of lakes with heritage brook trout and calcium-rich soils buffering its water from fish-killing acid rain. But there’s no shelter from climate change, and Wolf Lake’s pristine days may be numbered. A new study shows the length of time the lake is covered with ice each winter has declined by three weeks since 1975, indicating a change that may alter the lake’s ecology and harm cold-water species such as trout. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Sat, 05 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1622&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Dan Heath The Town of Plattsburgh is accepting applications for its 2011-12 Microenterprise Program. A $200,000 Community Development Block Grant will be used to assist up to eight microenterprise businesses with grants and educational training. Press-Republican article link en-us Sat, 05 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Funding / Grant Opportunities http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1624&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Chris Knight A new, high-efficiency wood pellet boiler at Petrova Elementary and the Saranac Lake Middle School has cut the building's heating costs in half, at least for the month of April. Gerald Goldman, superintendent of the Saranac Lake Central School District, told the school board Wednesday that he recently received a report on the use of the new boiler, which went on line in January, from Lee Daunais, the district's facilities director. Adirondack Daily Enterprise article link en-us Sat, 05 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1613&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Brian Palmer Last year, a team of climbers led by arborist Will Blozan measured the tallest tree in the Eastern United States: a 192-foot tulip tree in the Great Smoky Mountains. Although the achievement was significant, it served to emphasize just how puny Eastern trees are compared with the giants along the Northern California coast. The current height champion out West is Hyperion, a 379-foot coast redwood standing somewhere in California’s Redwood National Park. (Researchers have kept the precise location quiet to protect the world’s tallest tree.) That’s just a shade under double the size of the tallest Eastern tree. In fact, even the average coast redwood grows more than 100 feet taller than any tree in the East. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Fri, 04 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1616&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: The Associated Press The new owners of the Balsams Grand Resort say a planning board decision is stalling a planned renovation of the northern New Hampshire resort. Co-owner Dan Hebert said the Colebrook Planning Board approved three of four subdivision plans but has requested an environmental impact statement and a bond related to the fourth subdivision. Concord Monitor article link en-us Fri, 04 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1620&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Jon Alexander The federal Surface Transportation Board is coming under increasing pressure from federal officials to act immediately and approve Iowa Pacific’s application to reopen the Tahawus rail line between North Creek and Newcomb. Iowa Pacific Holdings, which operates the Saratoga & North Creek Railway, had its application for common carrier status denied late last year by the Transportation Board after the environmental group, Protect the Adirondacks, opposed the company’s bid. Iowa Pacific is appealing the ruling. Post Star article link en-us Fri, 04 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1614&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Alex Barber The emerald ash borer, an invasive beetle from Asia that can kill ash trees, has not been found in Maine yet, but the Maine Department of Conservation, U.S. Department of Agriculture and other groups are trying to buy some time so the insect can be dealt with if it does appear. On Thursday morning, Maine Forest Service entomologist Colleen Teerling demonstrated a sticky purple triangular trap that will be hoisted into the canopy of 955 ash trees across the state. The trap is designed to attract any emerald ash borer beetles that are nearby, she said. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Thu, 03 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1615&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Mathew Spolar New Hampshire wouldn't withdraw from a multi-state cap-and-trade compact under a reform bill passed yesterday by the Senate, but advocates say the move weakens a program that is succeeding in promoting clean energy. For the second year in a row, the House passed a bill seeking to remove New Hampshire from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, but Senate Majority Leader Jeb Bradley offered up the same amendment as last year that continues the program but changes the way it operates in the state. Concord Monitor article link en-us Thu, 03 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1618&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Jane Lindholm There are challenges and benefits of promoting tourism in the Northest Kingdom while preserving the unique character and way of life of the region. Gloria Bruce, Executive Director of the Northeast Kingdom Travel & Tourism Association weighs in on the issues. Vermont Public Radio article link en-us Thu, 03 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1619&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: John Dillon Under pressure from business groups, the Legislature has backed away from a plan to require utilities to buy a certain percentage of their electricity from renewable sources. The energy bill is one of the last pieces of legislation awaiting action before the 2012 session adjourns. Vermont Public Radio article link en-us Thu, 03 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1621&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Jon Alexander The chief executives of two lakeside towns said Thursday that they’d locally regulate incoming boat traffic at area launches, requiring mandatory inspections and decontaminations, if the Lake George Park Commission can’t get a lakewide regulation done soon. The Park Commission is gearing up a pilot program this summer of a decontamination station in Hague for invasive species-carrying boats. Post Star article link en-us Thu, 03 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1627&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Editorial Staff Conservation Partnership Program grants totaling $1.4 million were awarded to 53 nonprofit land trusts across the state according to a statement by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the Land Trust Alliance. The grants, funded through New York State’s Environmental Protection Fund (EPF), will be matched by a total of $1.2 million in private and local funding. The purpose of the grants is to increase the pace, improve the quality and ensure the permanence of voluntary conservation of private lands, which is expected to result in environmental and economic benefits for communities throughout New York. Adirondack Almanac article link en-us Thu, 03 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1628&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Editorial Staff Those interested in joining statewide efforts to track invasive species can attend an iMapInvasives online mapping tool training session. Anyone can help keep the New York map up-to-date and accurate by reporting invasive species locations. Volunteers, citizen scientists and educational groups will find the simple reporting interface easy to use for local projects, and conservation professionals can use the advanced interface to manage detailed information about infestations, surveys and treatments in a standardized format. Training is required to enter data, and then users can enter observations of invasive plants, aquatic invasive species, forest pests and agricultural pests. Adirondack Almanac article link Training Schedule en-us Thu, 03 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1630&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Lisa Gibson The district heating project in Montpelier, Vt., has been awarded $1.75 million in grants and loans from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act program. The $20 million project will replace and old state-owned district heating plant with a new woody biomass facility, heating the state government complex, as well as city government buildings, schools and other downtown structures. In June, the city approved a $2.75 million bond issue for the project, Vermont lawmakers appropriated $7 million in the Capital Bill toward construction, the state provided $1.2 million of in-kind services through the Department of Buildings and General Services, and $8 million came from the federal Department of Energy. The most recent funding includes a $1 million grant and $750,000 loan from the Clean Energy Development Fund. Biomass Magazine article link en-us Thu, 03 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1591&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Barbara Tetreault Construction of the Burgess BioPower plant will begin to ramp up with 50 additional workers expected to be hired over the next two weeks. Cate Street Capital spokesman Scott Tranchemontagne said Mascaro Construction of Pittsburgh, Penn., is the new civil contractor on the project and recently deployed on-site. He said Mascaro will immediately resume excavation and foundation work, specifically on the turbine building foundation. Mascaro will add about 50 workers over the next two weeks. There are presently just over 100 people working on the project. The Berlin Daily Sun article link en-us Wed, 02 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1592&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Blake Jones It’s been a busy couple of years for The Sagamore, to say the least. Since the luxury resort was sold to Ocean Properties Ltd. in 2008, the new owners have invested more than $30 million in improvements. General Manager Tom Guay says the running total could be closer to $50 million. From new restaurants and bars, more guest rooms, an overhauled entryway, landscaping, technology upgrades, infrastructure, maintenance and amenities, it might be quicker to list areas of the historic property that haven’t been recently renovated. Post Star article link en-us Wed, 02 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1593&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Staff Warren County businesses are invited to two seminars in which state officials will detail how to access state cash for energy-saving projects. The New York State Research and Development Authority is hosting the events on May 8 and 9. High-efficiency gas incentives, energy audits and other money-saving programs will be discussed, and officials will be available to answer questions Post Star article link en-us Wed, 02 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1594&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Scott Donnelly The Glens Falls area was named Tuesday among the top 10 “best small cities for jobs” by Forbes magazine. The publication, on its website at forbes.com, ranked the Glens Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area, which consists of Warren and Washington counties, No. 8 overall out of 242 metropolitan statistical areas with fewer than 150,000 jobs. Forbes cited statistics provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Post Star article link en-us Wed, 02 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1597&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Chris Morris The state has already said no to bike lanes on state Route 86 between Saranac Lake and Lake Placid. Now, cycling advocates are petitioning the state to create a usable shoulder when transportation crews repave the highway later this spring. NCPR article link en-us Wed, 02 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1600&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Alan Panebaker Each day, the chances of the Vermont Legislature passing an energy bill this year appear to get slimmer. A bill that would require state utilities to buy renewable energy passed the House more than a month ago. From there, things took a detour. VT Digger article link en-us Wed, 02 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1603&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Business Wire The Nature Conservancy’s Conservation Gateway launched its “Calling All Conservationists” campaign today. “Calling All Conservationists” invites conservation practitioners, scientists and decision makers to join the Conservation Gateway website. The website is the place to learn how the Nature Conservancy and its partners approach pressing conservation issues, and find the tools and resources used to support established and emerging strategies to today’s environmental challenges. SYS-CON Media article link en-us Wed, 02 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1609&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: George Smith The couple from Calgary, Alberta, crossed the border in Montana on their way to a birding adventure in Brownsville, Texas. The U.S. border guard told them they were foolish to go to Brownsville, calling it the "arm pit" of the United States. Luckily, they didn't turn back, arriving to find Brownsville a great city with a thriving economy and exceptional bird-watching opportunities. Just before leaving for Texas, I participated in a Maine Woods Consortium conference focused on "Profiting from Quality." This group is hoping to expand the number of visitors to the Maine woods by creating, certifying and marketing quality experiences. The consortium includes a diverse group of participants from sporting camp owners to downtown associations to nonprofits to government agencies, and covers Franklin, Oxford, Somerset, Piscataquis, Penobscot, Aroostook and Washington counties. Kennebec Journal article link en-us Wed, 02 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1583&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Kate Galbraith A century ago, rural homes in the United States and Europe commonly relied on wood for heating. Now wood is making a comeback, thanks largely to pellet technology. The energy-dense pellets, which resemble dry dog kibble and are mostly made from mill residue like sawdust and wood shavings, can be used to generate heat or electricity — or both at the same time. Demand is strong in Europe, where high prices for heating oil and clean-energy requirements have fostered interest in alternatives, but analysts say that over the long term, markets in Asia and North America could grow rapidly, too. New York Times article link en-us Tue, 01 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1595&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Dave Canfield A $5 million federal grant announced Tuesday will help fund a new Hudson Headwaters Health Network facility in Warrensburg, according to the head of the organization and government officials. The building will replace the Warrensburg Care Center, which the nonprofit organization has run since 1976, and it will be nearly twice the size, said Dr. John Rugge, Hudson Headwaters’ CEO. Post Star article link en-us Tue, 01 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Health http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1601&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Diane M. Clabrese A firm belief in the possibility of perfection guides Tom R. Nelson, vice president at Prentiss and Carlisle. Tom oversees the woodlot services division at Prentiss and Carlisle (P&C), a forest resource management company headquartered in Bangor, Maine. P&C launched its woodlot services division in 2003. “It’s been a pretty rapid growth since [then],” said Tom. The division now has seven professional foresters, including Tom, and seven equipment operators plus their supervisor. It buys stumpage on 80 to 90 woodlots per year and it offers “à la carte” solutions to private landowners. Timberline article link en-us Tue, 01 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1605&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: SUNY ESF Balancing individual and community priorities with land use is the focus of the first symposium of Interdisciplinary Scholarship in Land Use and Ethics held by ESF's Northern Forest Institute. The event will be held June 1 through 3 at Huntington Wildlife Forest at ESF's Newcomb campus. The symposium will highlight research from across professions and disciplines on topics related to balancing individual and community priorities with respect to land use, and the associated expectations for human and ecosystem stewardship and social and environmental ethics. SUNY ESF article link en-us Tue, 01 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1584&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Tom Groening Few people go to one car mechanic for a diagnosis of a rattle in the engine, then go to another to get the necessary repairs. But that’s the way Maine’s nascent home energy audit and weatherization work has been done. Under a new consumer program offered by Efficiency Maine, homeowners can have an energy audit and six hours of work improving a building’s heat retention done all in one day by the same contractor. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Mon, 30 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1587&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Staff The state of Maine has purchased more than 5,700 acres south of Millinocket in Piscataquis County, including two miles of Seboeis Lake shoreland. State and conservation advocates say Monday's $2.7-million purchase in Lakeville Plantation is expected to enhance outdoor recreation, tourism, public access and economic development throughout the region. The Morning Sentinel article link en-us Mon, 30 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1589&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Patty B. Wight This year marks a milestone for the country's first cap and trade program for greenhouse gases. It's been three years since the RGGI, or The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, was implemented by Maine and nine other states in the east. The goal was to reduce greenhouse gases by requiring power plants to pay for carbon allowances. In its first review of the program, Environment Northeast said states have seen significant economic gains, and those gains could be better if emissions are further capped. MPBN article link en-us Mon, 30 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1590&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Jay Field Some biomass power plants in Maine could see their bottom lines hurt by tough new industry emissions standards in Massachusetts. The rules, being pushed by the administration of Governor Deval Patrick, would require plants selling biomass energy in the commonwealth to reduce carbon emissions, if they hope to get lucrative renewable power credits from the state. MPBN article link en-us Mon, 30 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1596&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Staff U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., on Monday urged the federal Surface Transportation Board to approve, without delay, a request from Iowa Pacific Holdings to reopen the rail line between North Creek and Newcomb for freight service... ...Iowa Pacific Holdings, owner of the Saratoga & North Creek Railway, is seeking “common carrier status,” which would allow it to reopen the Tahawus Line between North Creek and Newcomb and resume hauling freight to and from businesses along the line. Post Star article link en-us Mon, 30 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1610&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: David Muir When Global Foundries was seeking a home for its new $7 billion factory, it skipped over Germany and Singapore, where it already has facilities, and settled on the small town of Malta in upstate New York. "We got a call from folks in New York who had been investing in infrastructure and workforce and everything," said Travis Bullard, a spokesman for the company, which is 100 percent owned by ATIC of Abu Dhabi. "We came up and looked at a few sites around New York and ultimately decided to build here." ABC News article link en-us Mon, 30 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1617&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Lisa Rathke Last year’s hurricanes and flooding not only engulfed homes and carried away roads and bridges in hard-hit areas of the country, it dispersed aggressive invasive species as well. In Vermont, the floodwaters from Tropical Storm Irene and work afterward to dredge rivers and remove debris spread fragments of Japanese knotweed, a plant that threatens to take over flood plains wiped clean by the August storm. Burlington Free Press article link en-us Mon, 30 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1585&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Brad Plumer Each year, the International Energy Agency puts out a study of which technological advances are needed to keep global warming below 2 degrees Celsius. The 2012 report is out and the grades are dismal: Aside from a recent boom in wind and solar power, the world isn’t making much progress. The IEA doesn’t just look at recent trends in greenhouse-gas emissions — those can rise and fall with the economy. Instead, it looks at which clean-energy technologies are coming online. If the world wants to avoid a dangerous 2C rise in global temperatures, then we’ll need a certain amount of low-carbon infrastructure in place by 2020, the IEA says. That means a mix of wind turbines, nuclear reactors, energy-efficient cars and buildings, and so on. And, for most of those things, countries are way behind... Bangor Daily News article link en-us Sun, 29 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1588&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Mechele Cooper Beekeepers need to be especially careful this year. A mild winter and unseasonably warm early spring have created conditions reminiscent of 2010, when beekeepers were caught off guard from an explosion of mite populations that killed off many honeybee colonies, according to a state expert. The Morning Sentinel article link en-us Sun, 29 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1586&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Nick Sambides Jr. Town leaders so far have had a favorable reaction to Cate Street Capital’s proposal to turn the Katahdin Avenue paper mill site into a nationally advertised industrial park. “It is a positive thing,” Town Councilor Gilda Stratton said after the council’s meeting Thursday. “It is all positive,” Councilor Jimmy Busque added. “We have always said that we needed to diversify the region’s economy and this will help us to do that.” Councilor Michael Madore was more cautious. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Sat, 28 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1626&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Candace Page If you thought the toughest challenges posed by Tropical Storm Irene were behind us, think again. The hardest work remains ahead if Vermonters are to make themselves safer and better prepared the next time natural disaster strikes. That was the message during a day of talk earlier this month at Vermont Law School, where the school’s Journal of Environmental Law had assembled 70 state officials, academics and national experts for “After Irene,” a conference to consider the storm’s lessons for the future. Burlington Free Press article ink en-us Sat, 28 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1581&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail In the Spring of 2012, The Center provided technical and financial assistance to the Gilman Housing Trust to conduct an engineering study to install a pellet boiler in the Mathewson Building, an affordable housing unit in Lyndonville, VT. The Center contributed $900 towards the study. In March 2012 an OkoFEN PES56, 191,000 Btu/hour pellet boiler was installed in the building after the mechanical feasibility study was completed. The new pellet boiler will significantly reduce the cost of heating the building and will keep the money spent on fuel local. en-us Fri, 27 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Northern Forest Biomass Updates http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1582&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail On March 21-23, 2012, the Northern Forest Center attended the Northeast Biomass Heating Expo in Saratoga Springs, New York where industry experts and vendors gathered to discuss the current biomass climate and activities in the Northeast. During this conference the Center's Mike Wilson presented on the Model Neighborhood Project in the ‘lighting round’ with 12 other leaders in the Northeast. During the quick three minute presentation Mike presented the goals of the Model Neighborhood Project to dozens of Expo participants. en-us Fri, 27 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Northern Forest Biomass Updates http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1598&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Brian Mann This week, the Cuomo administration paid out roughly $1.5 million to land trusts across the state. The money will mostly go to help with administration costs and to fund internships. In the Adirondacks, much of the land conservation debate over the last few years has focused on historic large-scale deals orchestrated by the Adirondack Nature Conservancy. NCPR article link en-us Fri, 27 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1599&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Staff The U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee approved the Farm Bill Thursday, by a vote of 16 to 5. The bill is expected to cut agricultural spending by almost $25 billion over the next decade. It ends direct payments to farmers, and replaces them with federal crop insurance. The farm bill also authorizes federal nutrition programs, such as food stamps. Those programs will see a $4 billion cut over the next decade in the Senate bill. NCPR article link en-us Fri, 27 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1602&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Fred Bever Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick's administration today released long-awaited rules that could determine the fate of biomass energy projects proposed in this region - as well as its air quality and the health of its forests. And industry officials say the regulation's effects could reach far beyond the state's borders. New England Public Radio article link en-us Fri, 27 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1557&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Green Fire Celebrate Aldo Leopold and view a screening of Green Fire: Aldo Leopold and Green Ethic of Our Time at one of six events in New Hampshire. Each screening includes extra events including a potluck and family activities in Northfield or discussions following the screenings in Concord led by Peter Forbes, Dick Ober and the poet Sharon Olds. Green Fire event schedule en-us Thu, 26 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1558&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Luke Geiver The International Biomass Conference & Expo, held in Denver, Colo., April 16-19, included an industry award ceremony, the first in the annual event’s history. The Excellence in Bioenergy Award was given to William Strauss, president of FutureMetrics LLC, and the Groundbreaker of the Year Award recipient was Ameresco’s Savannah River Site Biomass Cogeneration Facility near Aiken, S.C. Strauss earned the award based on his ability to go above and beyond in his efforts to drive the conversation in the biomass industry, according to Tim Portz, program director for BBI International. Biomass Magazine article link en-us Thu, 26 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Networks & Partner News http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1565&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: The Associated Press The New Hampshire-based investor that bought two Katahdin region paper mills has announced plans to turn the Millinocket site into an industrial park and launch a national marketing campaign to draw industry to the region. Officials with Cate Street Capital of Portsmouth, N.H. met in executive session with the Town Council for about an hour Wednesday and unveiled renderings of the first $35 million wood manufacturing machine they plan to build at their industrial park, the site of the Katahdin Avenue paper mill. Morning Sentinel article link en-us Thu, 26 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1567&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Murray Carpenter Fifty years ago, a writer with Maine ties published a book that boosted the nascent ecology movement, prompted President Kennedy to convene a science advisory committee, and forever altered the way Americans view pesticides like DDT. It was Rachel Carson's Silent Spring. The book's 50th anniversary was marked with a series of events at the University of Southern Maine this week. Murray Carpenter reports on why Carson still matters to many Mainers. MPBN article link en-us Thu, 26 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1575&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Mike Lynch Two early season Northern Forest Canoe Trail through paddlers stopped here for food and supplies Wednesday afternoon, a chance to warm up on what's been a cold, wet trip so far. Brian Wolf and Mike Messink, both of Michigan, left Old Forge on Saturday afternoon and hope to paddle the 740 miles to Fort Kent, Maine, by Memorial Day weekend. They are due at work that week. The 33-year-old Wolf is a commercial banker and the 32-year-old Messink is a chief financial officer for an automotive company. Adirondack Daily Enterprise article link en-us Thu, 26 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1578&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Dave Gibson Public wild lands protected by law in New York State can fall under the public jurisdiction of a variety of state agencies. Some of them are part of the system of state parks administered by the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP). In northern Saratoga County and across the Hudson River in Warren County lie more than 4,000 acres of beautiful and protected public wild land, part of the Moreau Lake State Park. Much of this land was acquired by the nonprofit Open Space Institute from Niagara Mohawk, and then sold to the public in 1998. Adirondack Almanac article link en-us Thu, 26 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1606&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Jonathan Fowlie Forest industry officials are asking researchers based at the University of B.C. to determine what role aging pine beetle wood, and the fine dust it produces when milled, may have played in two recent explosions at sawmills in northern B.C. "This wood is dry," said John Allan, president of the Council of Forest Industries, referring to pine beetle wood that has been standing dead for extended periods of time and produces an extremely fine dust when cut. The Vancouver Sun article link en-us Thu, 26 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1553&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Since February, the Model Neighborhood Project has installed 8 high-efficiency wood pellet boilers in homes in Berlin, NH, saving homeowners money on heating fuel and increasing the amount of money kept in the local economy. Another dozen homes have applied to participate and are being evaluated. The project's goal is to help the Northern Forest region move away from dependence on imported oil toward a local energy source that will create jobs and strengthen the forest economy. The first 7 homes enrolled have spent $4,345 dollars on pellets from the Northern Forest and saved $4,380 on heating fuel, keeping a total of $8,725 circulating in the local economy. Switching to heating with wood pellets made from fiber grown and processed in the Northern Forest will retain 100% of the money spent on this alternative fuel in the local and regional economy – a welcome alternative to exporting nearly 80 cents of every dollar spent on imported heating oil. en-us Wed, 25 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 HOME & PGM LANDING PG - Program Highlights http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1563&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Amina Khan, Los Angeles Times Organic agriculture generally comes at a cost of smaller harvests compared with conventional agriculture, but that gap can be narrowed with careful selection of crop type, growing conditions and management techniques, according a new study. Organic farming has been touted by supporters as a more environmentally sustainable method of farming that’s better for consumers because crops contain fewer man-made chemicals. But without the high-nitrogen fertilizers and pesticides often employed in conventional agriculture, it’s also less efficient. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Wed, 25 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1572&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Post Star Staff The Lake George Land Conservancy was awarded $8,300 as part of a larger conservation program — money it will use to hire two interns this summer. The award was part of a larger $1.4 million in Conservation Partnership Program grants announced this week for more than 50 nonprofit land trusts in New York. The money comes from the state’s Environmental Protection Fund and is designed to assist conservation of private lands. Post Star article link en-us Wed, 25 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Education/Arts/Entertainment http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1574&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Press-Republican Staff Paul Smith's College has won a $530,000 grant from the National Science Foundation that will help students pursue careers in science. Students majoring in fisheries and wildlife science or environmental science will be eligible for scholarships that will be covered by the grant. The money is part of a National Science Foundation initiative to increase the nation's strength in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields. More than 400 colleges and universities applied for the grant; Paul Smith's was among about 90 chosen to receive an award. Press-Republican article link en-us Wed, 25 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Education/Arts/Entertainment http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1576&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Chris Morris Forbes Travel Guide says you should book your Lake Placid getaway now. The Olympic village was among five communities named in a recent article by Sarah White in Forbes Travel Guide titled "Five Summer Lake Getaways to Book Now." The other were Lake Oconee in Georgia, New York's Finger Lakes, the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe and Lake Geneva in Wisconsin. Adirondack Daily Enterprise article link en-us Wed, 25 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1604&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Northern Forest Canoe Trail The Northern Forest Canoe Trail is bringing the Reel Paddling Film Festival’s World Tour 2012 to Waitsfield on May 5th at 7pm. The film festival showcases the best paddling films from around the world. Proceeds from the event support the Northern Forest Canoe Trail. The Reel Paddling Film Festival features award winning films in 10 categories. The Festival, in its sixth year, inspires people to explore rivers, lakes and oceans, push physical and emotional extremes, embrace the lifestyle and appreciate the heritage of the wild places around the world. The Festival can be seen in over 100 cities worldwide. Northern Forest Canoe Trail article link en-us Wed, 25 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1559&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Maine Public Utilities Commission Today, the Maine Public Utilities Commission and 3Degrees, a leading renewable energy provider, announce Maine Green Power, a new, statewide green power program. This voluntary program gives Mainers the opportunity to purchase locally produced renewable energy. Residents and businesses that participate in Maine Green Power will be able to ensure that the electricity they use at their home or business is matched by electricity generated by solar, hydro, wind, biomass or other renewable energy projects located in Maine. The Maine Green Power program will be available to customers of Central Maine Power (CMP), Bangor Hydro Electric Company (BHE) and Maine Public Service Company (MPS). Power Engineering article link MAINE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION AND 3DEGREES ANNOUNCE LAUNCH OF MAINE GREEN POWER PROGRAM WHICH ENABLES MAINERS TO CHOOSE RENEWABLE ENERGY FOR THEIR HOME OR BUSINESS en-us Tue, 24 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1560&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Lake Placid News Adirondack Lakes & Trails Outfitters announces the kickoff of the paddling season with the annual film festival to benefit the Northern Forest Canoe Trail on Friday, April 27 at the Lake Placid Center for the Arts. "The 2012 festival is taking a different twist on the movies we will be showing," said Steve Doxzon of Adirondack Lakes & Trails Outfitters. "The feature film will be a film by local paddler Mike Lynch." Adirondack Daily Enterprise article link en-us Tue, 24 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1561&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Earth & Climate City streets can be mean, but somewhere near Brooklyn, a tree grows far better than its country cousins, due to chronically elevated city heat levels, says a new study. The study, just published in the journal Tree Physiology, shows that common native red oak seedlings grow as much as eight times faster in New York's Central Park than in more rural, cooler settings in the Hudson Valley and Catskill Mountains. Red oaks and their close relatives dominate areas ranging from northern Virginia to southern New England, so the study may have implications for changing climate and forest composition over a wide region. e! Science News article link en-us Tue, 24 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1569&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Dave Gram Vermont’s environment had a rough year in 2011. That’s according to a report issued Monday by the Agency of Natural Resources on the health of the state’s environment. Spring flooding and Tropical Storm Irene in late August added up to the largest deposits ever of algae-inducing phosphorus down rivers and into Lake Champlain, said the agency’s secretary, Deb Markowitz. Burlington Free Press article link en-us Tue, 24 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1564&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Nick McCrea When it comes to friends, few are more valuable to Maine than its neighbor to the north. A two-day Cross-Border Economic Integration in the Northeast Conference, which started Monday at the University of Maine, is focused on the future of trade and commerce between Maine and the Canadian provinces. About 100 business and government representatives from both sides of the border are meeting to discuss where to take their relationship next. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Mon, 23 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1570&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Jane Lindholm We like to think Vermont is "green" but when you look beyond the postcard image, how is Vermont’s environment really doing? The Agency of Natural Resources is resuming a tradition of an annual report on the state's leading environmental indicators. "Resilience: A Report on the Health of Vermont's Environment" will be released Monday, and we'll discuss the finding with ANR Secretary Deb Markowitz and Commissioner of Environmental Conservation David Mears. Among the topics we'll discuss are flood mitigation and prevention, the impacts of climate change on Vermont, and the condition of our major waterways and forestlands. VPR article link en-us Mon, 23 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1571&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Joel Banner Baird Burlington’s new electricity meters are safe and secure — as well as smart, city officials say. The installation Monday of Burlington Electric Department’s first such advanced meter, which records and transmits detailed customer-use data, bodes well for regional grid reliability, said Barbara Grimes, the department’s general manager. Burlington Free Press article link en-us Mon, 23 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1580&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Brian Mann This morning, we begin on an on-going series, looking at the problem of young people in the North Country. Across the US, rural towns and villages face a dangerous drain of young people who are moving away, choosing a different way of life in cities and suburbs. The exodus of twenty- and thirty-somethings has huge implications for community life, reshaping the economy, shrinking schools, making it harder to sustain volunteer fire departments and other basic services. NCPR article link en-us Mon, 23 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1554&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Lena Katz The green-washing of the American hospitality industry has hit such a saturation point that it’s become almost obligatory for hotels to distribute placards in every room, asking customers to think twice about sending linens and towels to the laundry. Kitchen gardens, electric vehicle charging stations and soap-recycling programs are just a few of the “sustainability” hooks that hotels use as visible proof of their eco-friendliness. But the hotels that adhere to the most stringent and closely monitored sustainability practices typically prefer not to be lumped in with “eco-hotels.” ...The only hotel in the nation to earn Audubon’s highest ranking — “5 Green Leaf” — is the Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort in Lake Placid. Green elements in this hotel are visible sometimes — in fact, its innovative Green Roof stops traffic in the spring and summer... MSNBC article ink en-us Sun, 22 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1573&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Maury Thompson The Adirondack Park Agency was a model for regional planning in environmentally significant areas when the agency was founded in 1971, said John Sheehan, spokesman for the Adirondack Council, an environmental organization. "It was, for it's time, state-of-the-art, the best thing out there," he said in a recent meeting with The Post-Star editorial board. But land-use planning methods and conservation science have evolved since then, making an update of the agency's rules and regulations necessary, he said. Post Star article link en-us Sun, 22 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1579&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Editorial Staff The Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK) is expanding its outdoor workshop schedule for 2012, offering new ways to discover the wonders of the wild Adirondacks. The new offerings include a program that explores the survival skills used by ancient hunter-gatherers and two programs aimed at unveiling the natural beauty of the Johns Brook Valley. Adirondack Almanac article link en-us Sun, 22 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Education/Arts/Entertainment http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1562&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Kathleen Callahan If it's constructed, a proposed private highway running the width of northern Maine would dim the already slim likelihood that a federally funded east-west highway will ever be built connecting northern New Hampshire to the broader New England and Canadian markets. But whether that is a good or bad thing for the North Country depends who you ask. New Hampshire Business Review article link en-us Fri, 20 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1566&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: The Associated Press The Nature Conservancy in Maine is using Earth Day to launch a fundraising campaign to protect the state's lands and waters. The "Sustainable Maine, Sustainable Planet" campaign is an effort to raise $100 million to help conserve areas stretching from Moosehead Lake to Washington County, and from the Gulf of Maine to Mount Agamenticus and beyond. Projects include helping the Gulf of Maine regain its status as one of the most productive marine ecosystems; restoring a river system via the Penobscot River Restoration Project; finalizing the Moosehead Forest Project to protect more than 400,000 acres in western Maine; providing opportunities for urban youth to experience conservation work in the state; and others. Morning Sentinel article link en-us Fri, 20 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1549&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: George M. Walsh The invasive beetle that has destroyed tens of millions of ash trees over the past decade has been found east of the Hudson River for the first time, marking its closest known threat to New England, researchers in New York said Wednesday. But the discovery of an emerald ash borer infestation in the New York village of Rhinecliff last month may signal a victory in the battle to stem the pest's spread: Foresters believe the colony was caught less than a year after it got established, a big step given that the beetle can go unnoticed for years. Morning Sentinel article link en-us Thu, 19 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1568&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Barbara Tetreault Demolition and renovation of the Balsams Grand Hotel will get underway this spring with the goal of reopening the grand resort in the summer of 2013. Dan Hebert, one of the co-owners of Balsams View LLC, gave an overview of plans for the facility at last week’s meeting of the Coos Planning Board. Hebert said abatement of hazardous materials in the hotel is scheduled to get underway May 1 and take about three weeks. That will be followed by extensive demolition totaling about 400,000 square feet including the former Tillotson rubber factor, boiler, and the wind whistle house. The demolition is expected to take two months. The Berlin Daily Sun article link en-us Thu, 19 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1577&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Michael Hill Researchers found substantially more bats in several caves that were the first ones struck by white-nose syndrome, giving them a glimmer of hope amid a scourge that has killed millions of bats in North America. Figures released Thursday by the state Department of Environmental Conservation showed notable increases in the number of little brown bats in three out of five upstate New York hibernation caves where scientists first noticed white nose decimating winter bat populations six years ago. The largest cave saw an increase from 1,496 little browns last year to 2,402 this winter. Adirondack Daily Enterprise article link en-us Thu, 19 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1550&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: David F. Robinson Brian Smiley took over his family's logging business just two weeks before a fire that started early Saturday morning, destroying a sawmill built by his parents nearly 33 years ago. Even as Smiley, 29, sifted through the sawmill's charred remains Tuesday afternoon, he paused for a moment, looked at his parents and couldn't help but smile at the couple hard at work nearby..."We're going to pick up the pieces, clean up and build again, because that's all you can do when something like this happens," he said. Morning Sentinel article link en-us Wed, 18 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1547&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Nick Sambides Jr. Major Katahdin region landowner Katahdin Timberlands LLC will begin selling more than 700 leased lakefront camp lots in unincorporated parts of Penobscot and Piscataquis counties this year, an action likely to prompt a construction industry boom and greater security for lot owners, officials said Tuesday. The economic impact of the sales likely will be enormous, said Dan Corcoran, a Millinocket real estate broker and licensed forester who owns North Woods Real Estate. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Tue, 17 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1555&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Anna Austin Nearly 1,300 gathered at the International Biomass Conference & Expo held in Denver, Colo., April 16-19, to hear leaders of biomass industry sectors discuss current challenges, opportunities and goals. During the general session discussion “Director’s Roundtable: Priorities for Industry Growth in an Election Year,” Gary Melow, Biomass Power Association state projects coordinator, gave an overview of the biomass power industry’s history, pointing out that things have changed dramatically for producers over the years. He also explained how the industry got where it is today. Biomass Magazine article link en-us Tue, 17 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1548&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Jackie Farwell A new interactive Web tool developed by climate researchers at the University of Maine allows users to punch in a ZIP code to learn about their neighborhood’s air quality. Called 10Green, the free tool spits out a score for a given location based on 10 air quality measures, including levels of particulates, heavy metals and greenhouse gases. The measures represent some of the most serious threats to human health, according to Paul Mayewski, director of UMaine’s Climate Change Institute. Bangor Daily News article link Try out the 10Green tool en-us Mon, 16 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1551&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Morning Sentinel Staff Kennebec Valley Community College has won a $100,000 federal grant to help small rural businesses and agricultural producers reduce energy consumption and use renewable energy technologies. The college is one of 10 recipients of the grant authorized by the 2008 Farm Bill, said Jonathan Humphrey, marketing specialist at the college. Morning Sentinel article link en-us Fri, 13 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1552&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: The Associated Press The brand was unveiled today by the state Division of Travel and Tourism Development at the Governor's Conference on Tourism in Manchester. The division also is focusing on a new slogan: "Live Free and ..." a fill-in-the blank play on the state's longstanding "Live Free or Die" motto adopted in 1945. Morning Sentinel article link en-us Thu, 12 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1536&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Staff ...Along with the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, Efficiency Maine announced the new PowerSaver program, which will provide loans to homeowners at 4.99 percent for energy conservation projects that meet a minimum energy-saving threshold of 20 percent. Terms are up to 20 years, depending on the project. Morning Sentinel article link en-us Wed, 11 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1535&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Jon Humphrey Kennebec Valley Community College won a $100,000 federal grant to help rural small businesses and agricultural producers reduce energy consumption and implement renewable energy technologies. United States Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that KVCC was among 10 recipients of grants made available through the Rural Energy for America Program, authorized by the 2008 Farm Bill. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Tue, 10 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1539&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Virginia Prescott Many climate scientists argue we’ve passed the point of being able to slow down Co2 emissions that contribute to greenhouse gasses. A few advocates for mammoth scale geo-engineering to alter the earth’s climate. While geo-engineering is considered drastic and controversial, a new proposal is to engineer human beings to be more energy efficient… sounds far-fetched? Matthew Liao, professor of philosophy and bioethics at New York University is lead author of “Human Engineering and Climate Change”. NHPR article link en-us Tue, 10 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1540&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Chris Jensen The new owners of the closed Balsams resort in Dixville Notch are moving ahead with plans to renovate the North Country resort...Improvements at the Balsams resort will include a new conference center, spa, pool house and suites near the Hampshire House...That’s according to the web site of Summit Engineering of Portsmouth which says the firm has been chosen to handle the structural engineering...The additions will add about 80,000 square feet to the resort. NHPR article link en-us Tue, 10 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1541&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Joel Banner Baird Popular enthusiasm for lower heating bills in Vermont hasn’t translated into a warm investment climate for weatherization and clean energy upgrades, experts agreed Monday at a conference in Burlington. That trickle of cash and the correspondingly slow transition of America away from a fossil-fuel economy prompted the gathering, said U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, who organized the Clean Energy Investment Summit in concert with the Vermont Department of Public Service. Up-front costs present the steepest barrier to home and business owners, Sanders said. Burlington Free Press article link en-us Tue, 10 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1542&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Lisa Rathke Frank Kipe thought he had everything he needed to launch a business selling what he described as the world's most expensive ice cream: two Jersey cows, a 10-acre farm and an old barn. Then he found out that he would have to pasteurize his milk before making his ice cream. Equipment for commercial farms was bulky and cost tens of thousands of dollars, so he built his own pasteurizer. Then he built more to sell. His pasteurizer business boomed, and the ice cream was forgotten. Burlington Free Press article link en-us Tue, 10 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1544&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Chris Morris House Republican leaders can't agree on funding levels for agriculture, and that could mean 2012 will come and go without an extension of the federal Farm Bill. The House Agriculture Committee hosted the first of four hearings on the 2012 Farm Bill in Saranac Lake last month. The committee had planned to reduce federal spending on agriculture by about $23 billion from the current draft. NCPR article link en-us Tue, 10 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1545&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Editorial Staff The Indian Lake Chamber of Commerce has partnered with the Indian Lake Community Planning Committee and Indian Lake Central School to host three upcoming seminars to assist local small businesses and entrepreneurs in either expanding a current business or starting a new one. Each session will address a different aspect of a business: feasibility, knowledge and skills for running a successful business, and financing available for starting or expanding a business. The seminars are geared toward anyone who would like to start their own business, or wants to improve their existing business practices. Adirondack Almanac article link en-us Tue, 10 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1546&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Alicia Chang The mysterious deaths of millions of bats in the United States and Canada over the past several years were caused by a fungus that hitchhiked from Europe, scientists reported Monday. Experts had suspected that an invasive species was to blame for the die-off from "white nose syndrome." Now there's direct evidence the culprit was not native to North America. Adirondack Daily Enterprise article link en-us Tue, 10 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1538&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont Howard Weiss-Tisman A number of Windham County buildings will receive full biomass feasibility studies, or site visits, after the State of Vermont, and the U.S. Forest Service announced 29 schools and other buildings in the state which will receive the studies in the coming weeks. Academy School in Brattleboro is one of ten Vermont buildings that is slated to receive a full analysis to see what it would cost to install a biomass heater, and what the fuel savings would be over 30 years. Brattleboro Reformer article link en-us Mon, 09 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1543&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Chris Morris A bill introduced in the state Senate aims to make the possession and sale of invasive species illegal. The legislation is sponsored by state Sen. Betty Little, a Republican from Queensbury. Little says invasives are a major threat to water bodies throughout the state. Her bill would strengthen current regulations and help prevent their spread. Chris Morris reports. NCPR article link en-us Mon, 09 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1556&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: RISI RISI, the leading information provider for the global forest products industry, today announced that it has begun reporting on premium grade wood pellet pricing for the US market. First appearing in the March 2012 issue of Wood Biomass Market Report (WBMR), the new coverage includes monthly price averages in $US/ton, free on board (FOB) mill for a period of one year. The information is compiled from the RISI and Pellet Fuels Institute (PFI) Pellet Manufacturing Survey. RISI article link   en-us Mon, 09 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1534&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: The Associated Press A former Olympic cyclist has been hired as the new executive director of an organization that’s developing a backcountry network of huts along 180 miles of trails in Maine’s western mountains. Nicole Freedman begins this month as head of Maine Huts and Trails. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Sun, 08 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Networks & Partner News http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1537&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Pat Bradley Officials in Saranac Lake have been planning to create a Saranac Lake Tourism Council since a Destination Master Plan was issued in 2009. Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sylvie Nelson says the new Council includes representatives from established tourism groups, economic consultants, the chamber, local business, and the village. Retired Economic Development Consultant Ernest Hohmeyer is a member of the new Tourism Council. He says the council should help streamline marketing efforts. Hohmeyer notes that tourism marketing has become very complicated and this type of cooperative effort may work best in the Adirondack region. WAMC article link en-us Sat, 07 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1509&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: SUNY ESF Students with an interest in the Adirondacks have a new opportunity to spend a full semester living and studying in the heart of the 6 million-acre forest preserve. A 16-credit residential semester called, "Understanding the Park," will be offered this fall by the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) in Syracuse. Students will live and learn at ESF's Newcomb Campus on the 15,000-acre Huntington Wildlife Forest. This is the first time in ESF's 100-year history that a semester-long course will be held at the Newcomb Campus.   en-us Fri, 06 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Education/Arts/Entertainment http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1510&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: US Forest Service The Forest Service published a call for applications for the Community Forest and Open Space Program in the Federal Register on February 15, 2012. Applications are due to the State Forester or the appropriate Tribal official by May 15, 2012 and June 14, 2012 for State Forester or equivalent official of the Indian tribe submitting the applications to the Forest Service. Total CFP funding anticipated for awards is $3.15 million, and individual grant applications may not exceed $400,000. For more information visit the USFS website en-us Fri, 06 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1511&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Jennifer Hicks The Regional Wood Products Consortium is busy these days helping woodworking companies in the Northeast boost production and efficiency by conducting workshops on lean manufacturing and mass customization skills. Based in Concord, N.H., the consortium is a joint effort between Sustainable Forest Futures and the wood products manufacturing industry in a four-state region encompassing Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and northern New York. Since it started hosting workshops in 2010, the organization has brought in more than 20 experts to discuss marketing, technology, production and environmental topics. Woodshop News article link en-us Fri, 06 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1512&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: NYS Department of State New York Secretary of State Cesar Perales today announced the availability of up to $1.2 million in grant funding under a program administered by the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC). The funds are intended to alleviate economic distress and create jobs in 36 targeted counties in the four states that make up the Northern Border Region. The New York counties falling within the Northern Border Region and eligible for funding are: Cayuga, Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Oneida, Oswego, Seneca, and St. Lawrence. Read Media article link en-us Fri, 06 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Funding / Grant Opportunities http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1518&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Sara Youn-Knox Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., took a tour of the Gorham Paper and Tissue mill Thursday, getting an update on the plant from Dick Arnold, president of the Gorham mill and Old Town Fuel and Fiber in Maine, and general manager Willis Blevins. The mill, closed by Fraser Papers in October 2010, reopened last spring when Lynn Tilton, CEO and principal of Patriarch Partners, bought it. Now the paper machines are humming again, and on Thursday Shaheen, who was governor when the pulp and paper mills went down in 2001 and who led the effort to find a viable buyer for the region’s then-largest employer, was greeted with open arms — and a few hugs — when she walked through the production areas. Union Leader article link en-us Fri, 06 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1523&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Staff After a century of being the toothpick capital of the world, the plant at Strong, Maine, came back to life in 2009 as a new wood pellet line. Geneva Wood Fuels selected a Bandit 3680 Beast grinder to produce the chip they needed for efficient manufacturing of high quality wood pellets. The ultimate goal is to move to a larger Model 4680 Beast grinder. Timberline Magazine article link en-us Fri, 06 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1525&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Richard Lee An exclusive furniture manufacturer has taken a seat on East Putnam Avenue in Greenwich, offering its line of simple, yet elegant products. Thos. Moser Cabinetmakers, based in Auburn, Maine, has opened at 55 E. Putnam Ave., at the corner of Church Street, in a space formerly occupied by Cashmere Inc. It joins showrooms in Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., San Francisco and Freeport, Maine. Newstimes.com article link en-us Fri, 06 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1532&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Anna Austin The U.S. Forest Service and Vermont have teamed up to conduct preliminary feasibility studies for small-scale biomass energy systems at 10 public buildings across the state. The studies are being conducted by the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service Wood Education and Resource Center through its Wood Energy Technical Assistance Program. Biomass Magazine article link en-us Fri, 06 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1529&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Denise A. Raymo A federal Farm Bill is not expected to pass this year because of the November election and typical pace of government in Washington, D.C., Congressman Bill Owens told farmers. He was questioned on a number of agriculture issues during the recent Franklin County Farm Bureau PX Day, held at Scotty's Diner in Moira. Press-Republican article link en-us Thu, 05 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1533&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Staff At one time, there were four mills located at the Croghan Dam, on each side of the Beaver River. John Martin is owner and operator of the last remaining, the Croghan Island Mill. He specializes in custom windows and doors...things you can't get at Lowe's or Home Depot. Up until the stop logs were removed from the dam, Martin's machinery was powered by water, which drove pulleys and belts in the historic mill. He's had to rely on electricty since then, but he's had to cut back. NCPR article link en-us Thu, 05 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1513&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: WMTW For the sixth straight year a company from Maine will be supplying the White House with hundreds of Easter Eggs for the annual Easter Egg Roll. The eggs, actually, are not real eggs at all. Instead, they are made of wood and manufactured by Wells Wood Turning and Finishing in Buckfield. The company's owner tells News 8 it is a huge honor for the plant to manufacture the eggs. News Channel 8 article link en-us Wed, 04 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1519&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Chris Jensen Much of the battle over the Northern Pass hydro-electric project has focused on cutting a new route through the forests of the North Country. Northern Pass intends to use 140 miles of existing right of way for much of the remainder of the project. That may not be as easy as it sounds. NHPR article link en-us Tue, 03 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1527&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Jon Alexander A local state senator is working on a proposed law that would outlaw the sale and possession of invasive species. The law is scheduled to pass in the Assembly during the state’s Earth Day celebrations in April. But supporters of boat washes and decontamination on Lake George said the passage of the bill won’t change the need for more local regulation. Post Star article link en-us Tue, 03 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1530&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Richard Nilsen A Cornell University study forecasts a dramatic decrease in the number of young adults in Hamilton County over the next 30 years, raising questions about who will fight fires, who will pay taxes and if the trend can be reversed. The study, by Cornell's Program on Applied Demographics, which was presented to the Adirondack Review Board, determined that by 2040, the heavily forested Adirondack county will have only about 70 men and women between ages 25 and 29, with the number of 30- to 40-year-old residents also being reduced drastically. Adirondack Daily Enterprise article link en-us Mon, 02 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1524&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Staff With a $20 million grant from the National Science Foundation, the University of New Hampshire will lead a research and education project to explore the state's forests and waterways, the services that use these natural resources, and how land and water are affected by use and climate changes. The goal is to help policy makers make better land use decisions, while also increasing interest in science and technology among young people and preparing young researchers for high-tech careers. Officials hope to also spur economic development as local companies create new products to help in the research. Eagle-Tribune article link en-us Sun, 01 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1526&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Molly Walsh It was supposed to be a controlled burn to prepare the fields for planting behind a handsome yellow Italianate house, the old Foote Mansion. But very quickly March 21, the fire spread out of control. It ran around a culvert, through a swamp, across the Lemon Fair river and toward several neighboring houses and an alpaca farm. Firefighters from several towns responded and extinguished the blaze before it reached any structures or animals, but not before it scorched 150 acres of fields and trees in this scenic valley at the foot of Snake Mountain and just a few miles outside of Middlebury. Burlington Free Press article link en-us Sun, 01 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1528&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Jon Alexander Local governments want the Adirondack Park to have its own census tracts, as area officials look to maintain newfound political momentum. The 40-year-old debate about land use and environmental protection has changed substantially since 2009’s release of the Adirondack Park Regional Assessment Project, which found the region’s population was older, less educated and poorer than the state average. Post Star Article link en-us Sun, 01 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1531&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Mike Lynch The Wild Center hosted a meeting on climate change Thursday focused on the ClimAID report issued in November by the New York Energy Research and Development Authority. The event included presentations from eight speakers. Many of them focused on the how people and communities can learn to not only try to reduce carbon emissions, which scientists say cause climate change, but also on adapting to the reality that we are living with a climate that's already changing. Adirondack Daily Enterprise article link en-us Fri, 30 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1514&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: William P. Davis Androscoggin and Penobscot counties are growing while Kennebec and Sagadahoc counties are shrinking, according to new data released by the U.S. Census Bureau. The data provide a county-by-county breakdown of movement between any two counties in the U.S. during a five-year period and show that Mainers have a presence in almost every part of the country. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Thu, 29 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1515&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Matt Wickenheiser Maine had the lowest rate of income growth in the country — 3.4 percent — in 2011, according to federal figures released this week. The national average growth rate in 2011 was 5.1 percent, and North Dakota topped the list at 8.1 percent growth, according to estimates released by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Thu, 29 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1516&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Jen Lynds Organic farmers will appeal a case dismissed in February that pitted them against corporate agriculture giant Monsanto in federal court. The group that brought the lawsuit is the Organic Seed Growers and Trade Association, which is headed by Maine potato-seed farmer Jim Gerritsen of Bridgewater. “We want to believe that the system will work for us,” Gerritsen said Thursday. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Thu, 29 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1517&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Matthew Spolar The New Hampshire House overwhelmingly passed a bill yesterday that would withdraw the state by 2015 from a regional cap-and-trade program intended to reduce carbon emissions. House Bill 1490 sailed through on a voice vote with an amendment that passed 237-110, a margin that would comfortably override a potential veto from Gov. John Lynch. The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative is a multi-state compact designed to cut participants' carbon emissions 10 percent by 2018. Republicans argue the RGGI program acts as a built-in tax on power producers that is passed down to consumers. A state report found RGGI adds 46 cents to the average monthly electric bill. Concord Monitor article link en-us Thu, 29 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1520&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Sam Evans-Brown The New Hampshire legislature is considering a bill that would expand the state’s renewable portfolio standards. That means more money to subsidize renewable energy. Supporters say the measure is a real boost to the state’s wood industries, but critics doubt whether the new subsidies are worth the price. There’s a little something for everyone in the new Renewable Portfolio Standards. NHPR article link en-us Thu, 29 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1521&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Virginia Prescott Forests cover 75% of the northeast, and the vast majority of that land is owned by families or individuals. In fact, about 1.5-million people live in rural areas, but they aren’t necessarily raised with rural knowledge, or skills for managing their woods. Stephen Long is a family forest owner, and founding editor and former publisher of Northern Woodlands magazine. His new book, More Than a Woodlot: Getting the Most From Your Family Forest provides a solid foundation for family foresters seeking an ecological approach to preservation, safeguarding habitats, sustainable foresting or responsible ways to capitalize on a woodlot. NHPR article link en-us Thu, 29 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1522&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: The Weekly Adirondack Northern Forest Explorers, the signature youth program of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail (NFCT), offers rural youth five-day paddling trips that support healthy lifestyles and connect them with pride to the natural world, to their communities, and to the North Country region as a whole. Beginning in June, 20 weeklong trips will take place in the four states of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail, up from last year’s twelve. Trips will take place in New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. The Weekly Adirondack article link en-us Thu, 29 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Education/Arts/Entertainment http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1467&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Londonderry News Staff Get inspired for outdoor adventures this year at a series of free Wednesday evening talks taking place from March 28 through April 18, 2012, at the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, N.H. No preregistration is required. All the talks start at 7 p.m. Event schedule link en-us Wed, 28 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1471&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region USDA Deadline: May 9, 2012 The Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI) program provides technical assistance and training funds to qualified intermediary organizations (grant applicant) to develop the capacity of recipients they identify to undertake housing, community facilities, and community and economic development projects that benefit rural areas. $8.61 million in grant funds are available nationally in 2012 and applications are invited. Applications must be received in the VT/NH State Office of USDA Rural Development. RCDI information link RCDI application form (pdf)   en-us Wed, 28 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Funding / Grant Opportunities http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1472&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Common Ground Alliance July 18, 2012, Long Lake, NY Come share in the report from the ADK Futures Scenarios Project, launched last year at the CGA Forum; Find out what's happening with the $103.2M awarded to the North Country; Get involved in the North Country Sustainability Plan, a NYSERDA-funded project; Hear about the work of the Adirondack Partnership For more information, or to get involved as a sponsor contact: Adirondack North Country Association 518-891-6200 anca@adirondack.org   en-us Wed, 28 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1473&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Walter Graff and Rob Burbank, Appalachian Mountain Club A new model for conservation in the woods of north-central Maine is contributing to the local economy, the environment, and social equity while supporting forest-products jobs and creating new outdoor recreational opportunities for the public. And as it’s being carried out on nearly 70,000 acres of forestland—truly landscape-level conservation. Federal Reserve Bank of Boston article link en-us Wed, 28 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1480&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Jeff Woodburn The publisher of the Union Leader came to the North Country last week to say much of fuss about the Northern Pass is unfounded and that he’s not convinced by the arguments made by the opponents. The Union Leader’s Joseph McQuaid was careful not take a position and posed his critique with “I am not sure what is the right answer on Northern Pass,” but he added, “power lines are a fact of life.” White Mountain News article link en-us Wed, 28 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1484&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Dan Seufert The Red Hill Fire Tower, the state's northernmost fire-observance tower south of the White Mountains, will be staffed full time this spring and summer for the first time in two years, thanks to an arrangement among area towns. Union Leader article link en-us Wed, 28 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1491&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Mitch Wertlieb On Town Meeting Day, the Property Assessed Clean Energy district program, thankfully better known as PACE, grew in size, with 23 more towns voting to take part in the program. PACE allows homeowners to borrow money for energy efficiency or renewable energy improvements. The loan is then paid back to the town through property taxes. VPR article link en-us Wed, 28 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1497&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Dan Heath Volunteers and community agencies are benefitting from the return of AmeriCorps to the North Country. Josh Oertel of Plattsburgh is an AmeriCorps for the Adirondacks volunteer serving with the North Country Center for Independence. Press-Republican article link en-us Wed, 28 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1500&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Jon Alexander The Adirondack Park Agency’s race to the center will soon take a significant leap as the state regulatory agency will begin to formally consider a project’s potential economic impact during its deliberations. The regional zoning and planning authority has for years been criticized by local governments for concentrating too much on the environmental impact of a project proposal, while not officially weighing how the proposal could boost the local economy. Post Star article link en-us Wed, 28 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1502&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Editorial Staff When bird watchers joined this year’s Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC), they recorded the most unusual winter for birds in the count’s 15-year history. With 17.4 million bird observations on 104,000 checklists, this was the most detailed four-day snapshot ever recorded for birdlife in the U.S. and Canada. Participants reported 623 species, during February 17–20, including an influx of Snowy Owls from the arctic, early-migrating Sandhill Cranes, and Belted Kingfishers in northern areas that might normally be frozen over. Adirondack Almanac article link en-us Wed, 28 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1507&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region Press Release Representatives from more than 20 bioenergy stakeholder groups are in Washington today participating in the 2012 Bioenergy Partners Capitol Hill Day. Leaders from the biofuels, biopower and bioproducts industries, as well as agriculture and other related industry interests, are encouraging lawmakers and key decision makers to adopt a diversified national energy strategy that includes bio-based renewables as a critical component. Press Release link en-us Wed, 28 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1461&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: ENews Park and Forest Staff The global economy continued to grow last year, world population surpassed 7 billion, and the use of energy and other natural resources generally rose. The Worldwatch Institute captures the impacts of this rising consumption and the increasingly risky state of humanity in Vital Signs 2012, the latest compilation of indicators from the Institute's Vital Signs project. The Washington, D.C.-based environmental publisher Island Press released the book today as part of a new partnership with Worldwatch. ENews Park and Forest article link en-us Tue, 27 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1490&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: VPR Staff An expert on Vermont's maple sugar industry says the return of seasonably chilly temperatures won't save this year's season for many sugarmakers. University of Vermont Extension Service maple specialist Tim Wilmot says last week's summer temperatures meant the end of collecting sap for most sugarmakers. He says reports he's getting indicate that most made half to two-thirds the syrup they produce in an average season. VPR article link en-us Tue, 27 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1508&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Barbara Tetreault Executive Councilor Raymond Burton and state Senator John Gallus are inviting the entire N.H. Congressional delegation and U.S. Senator Olympia Snowe of Maine to a June 23 public meeting in Errol to discuss local concerns about the Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge. The pair are also calling for the formation of an Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge Citizens Advisory Committee and endorsing a request by the Coos County Commissioners for a four year moratorium on additional federal land purchases in the county's unincorporated places. The Berlin Daily Sun article link en-us Tue, 27 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1474&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Tom Walsh Maine’s 2011 wild blueberry harvest tipped the scales at 83.1 million pounds, according to yield results calculated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. That’s 100,000 pounds more than the 2010 crop, which the USDA estimated at 83 million pounds. While the last two crops were virtually identical in yield, prices paid to growers were up significantly in 2011, jumping from 61 cents per pound in 2010 to 85 cents per pound last year. At that price, Maine’s 2011 wild blueberry harvest was worth $70.1 million, or 42 percent more than the 2010 crop. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Mon, 26 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1475&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Doug Harlow Land management and conservation group Somerset Woods Trustees has acquired 192 acres of the ecologically sensitive Canaan Bog in East Skowhegan as part of a land swap with Central Maine Power Co. The land is to be protected from development as a permanent wilderness preserve, group President Jack Gibson said. Morning Sentinel article link en-us Mon, 26 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1489&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: VPR Staff The Green Mountain National Forest is expanding. The Trust for Public Land has purchased 680 acres of private land in Readsboro that will link previously unconnected parcels of national forest, conserving wetlands and wildlife habitats. VPR article link en-us Mon, 26 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1498&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Jeff Meyers A proposed affiliation among Fletcher Allen Health Care, CVPH Medical Center and Elizabethtown Community Hospital could result in many benefits for patients and health-care providers across the region, says CVPH President and Chief Financial Officer Stephens Mundy. The agreement — which also includes Central Vermont Medical Center in Berlin, Vt. — would connect all four hospitals under the governance of Fletcher Allen Partners, though each facility would retain its current identity and remain a separate, free-standing hospital with its own board, management, workforce and medical staff. Press-Republican article link en-us Mon, 26 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Health http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1504&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Editorial Staff The Wild Center will host climate experts and authors of a recent New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) report on the State’s adaptation recommendations regarding “Responding to Climate Change in New York State” or “ClimAID” on Thursday, March 29, 2012. Scientists will highlight pertinent findings of the ClimAID report and then Adirondack region scientists and members of the Adirondack Climate and Energy Action Plan (ADKCAP) network will discuss local efforts to prepare for and slow the changing climate. Adirondack Almanac article link en-us Mon, 26 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1506&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Brian Mann ...It's a story with two major chapters. Communities are still picking up the pieces from horrific flash floods in late August. But all that came AFTER what was the first record-setting flooding of 2011. Beginning in April, torrential rains combined with heavy snowmelt, sparking weeks of flooding that caused tens of millions of dollars worth of damages. In part one of our series, Brian Mann looks at the historic rise of rivers last spring that triggered emergencies from Potsdam to Port Henry. NCPR article link Part 2 Part 3 en-us Mon, 26 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1499&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Susan Tobias The mild winter we've experienced this season has been good for consumers who heat with fuel oils. Winter will come again, however, and heating homes and businesses is always a cause for concern. In bygone days, the wood stove was the only source of heat for many homes. Stacks of stove wood, ready to take the chill off a cold North Country night, are still a familiar sight. Press-Republican article link en-us Sun, 25 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1501&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York, Vermont By: Post Star Staff A new conference regarding Lake George and Lake Champlain will be held at Fort Ticonderoga on Aug. 11 and 12 to explore the history, geography, culture, ecology and current issues surrounding those bodies of water. The conference has received support from the Lake George Association and a recent grant from the South Lake Champlain Fund of the Vermont Community Foundation. Post Star article link en-us Sun, 25 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1465&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Steve Craig Wood chips are piling up at Terry White's feet as he applies a steel gouge with steady hand to a cylindrical billet of high-quality maple spinning on his lathe. White works the wood with the calm purpose of an artisan. The process will take an hour and every second is a labor of love, born of family tradition. White is making a baseball bat in the basement of his Hampton home. Seacoastonline.com article link en-us Fri, 23 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1466&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: WNYT Staff With all the mild weather lately, you probably weren't thinking much about heating your home, but a big conference in Saratoga Springs aims to warm more of us up to the idea of heating with wood. The conference showed off some of the latest innovations in things like wood chip boilers that heat homes and businesses. WNTY article link en-us Fri, 23 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1468&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Staff Reports The invasive tree-eating pest, the notorious Asian Longhorned Beetle, or “ALB” for short, has recently been detected in neighboring Shrewsbury, making it a good idea for Westborough residents to be on the lookout for these large beetles or signs of their activity in our trees, especially maples. Westborough News article link en-us Fri, 23 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1481&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Brady Carlson This weekend is maple syrup weekend in New Hampshire – true, you might not be thinking of sugar and sap given this week’s record breaking temperatures, but more than 100 New Hampshire sugarhouses are opening their doors this weekend and sharing a little of the sweet stuff for visitors. NHPR article link en-us Fri, 23 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1464&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: PRWeb.com Biomass Commodities Corporation and Trumbull-Nelson Construction are completing the installation of two wood pellet boilers at a new middle school in Lebanon, New Hampshire. School Administrative Unit (SAU) #88 designed the new Lebanon Middle School to include the two wood pellet fired boilers to heat the entire 100,000 square foot building. The two wood pellet boilers provide all of the heat for the new building. A solar array will produce hot water during shoulder and summer seasons. Renewables Biz article link en-us Thu, 22 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1485&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Melissa Grima Ask and you shall receive. That's what Gorham residents found out happens when you make specific suggestions for economic improvement. In response to requests from some Gorham citizens for more targeted economic development in their community, Housing and Economic Development Director for Tri-County CAP, Max Makaitis has formed a volunteer committee to do just that. “This is great because it will focus specific attention on the town of Gorham” he said. The Berlin Daily Sun article link Development group hopes to expand, enhance commerce en-us Thu, 22 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1495&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Kim Smith Dedam Anna Kowanko understands what natural disaster looks and feels like first-hand. She watched last fall as water tore through the streets in Upper Jay and swept away entire pieces of people's property and livelihoods. The Keene Central School senior said Tropical Storm Irene taught her lessons about how strong communities can be when people work together. Press-Republican article link en-us Thu, 22 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1463&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Associated Press Skiers stripped down to shorts and bikini tops to keep cool Wednesday as they got in a few final sun-drenched, slushy runs, bidding what could be an early goodbye to a season that has disappointed all around. An unprecedented spell of record temperatures soaring into the 80s had New England skiers dodging dirt patches and exposed rocks as melting snow spelled potentially millions in losses for those who make their living off winter tourism and sports. The Washington Post article link en-us Wed, 21 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1476&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: The Associated Press Skiers stripped down to shorts and bikini tops to keep cool Wednesday as they got in a few final sun-drenched, slushy runs, bidding what could be an early goodbye to a season that has disappointed all around. The Morning Sentinel article link en-us Wed, 21 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1477&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: The Associated Press It's the political cure-all for high gas prices: Drill here, drill now. But more U.S. drilling has not changed how deeply the gas pump drills into your wallet, math and history show. A statistical analysis of 36 years of monthly, inflation-adjusted gasoline prices and U.S. domestic oil production by The Associated Press shows no statistical correlation between how much oil comes out of U.S. wells and the price at the pump. The Morning Sentinel article link en-us Wed, 21 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1478&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Patty B. Wight Normal temperatures this time of year hover in the 40s, but today it shot into the 70s. That broke the previous record set back in 1946, when it hit 60. The warm weather may feel like a fitting welcome for the offical spring season, but some climate scientists say there's reason for worry. Among them is Dr. Heidi Cullen from Climate Central, a science journalism and research organization based in New Jersey . MPBN article link en-us Wed, 21 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1488&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Free Press Staff Report The weather might be calling for summer fun, but there are risks — because believe it or not, it’s still March. The temperature in Burlington hit 80 degrees Tuesday afternoon, shattering a record from 1903 of 70 degrees, according to National Weather Service data. Normally the temperature would be around 41. Burlington Free Press article link en-us Wed, 21 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1494&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Jessica Collier and Chris Morris The lead developer on a massive resort planned for Tupper Lake says he's disappointed that environmental groups have filed a lawsuit challenging the state's decision to approve the project. Michael Foxman of Preserve Associates told the Enterprise on Wednesday he's not surprised that Protect the Adirondacks, the Sierra Club and three Tupper Lake landowners decided to challenge the state Adirondack Park Agency permit in court; however, he thinks their lawsuit is an "abuse of the legal process. Adirondack Daily Enterprise article link Green groups sue over Tupper resort - Press-Republican en-us Wed, 21 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1496&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Associated Press Two state agencies are on board with a railway's proposal to reopen a freight line between North Creek and Newcomb in the Adirondacks. The Glens Falls Post-Star reports that the Department of Environmental Conservation and Department of Transportation have filed a joint letter with the federal Surface Transportation Board saying they were okay with the proposal. Press-Republican article link en-us Wed, 21 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1505&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: NCPR staff An Albany energy company plans to buy an idled coal plant on Fort Drum and convert it to run on renewable biomass materials. In an announcement Monday, ReEnergy holdings said it will spend about $34 million to make the conversion. NCPR article link en-us Wed, 21 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1460&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: ADKCAP March 21, 2012 An overview of what energy efficiency and conservation mean, including the kind of savings Adirondack municipalities can anticipate and what steps can be taken to achieve them. This session will feature municipalities in and around the region that are already taking action, and participants will be informed about which agencies are available to help with incentives and grant programs. The event will take place on March 21, 2012 at 8:45am at Lake Placid Crowne Plaza.   en-us Tue, 20 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1462&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Kenneth M. Johnson, Miranda H Mockrin, and Susan I. Stewart This brief examines the population redistribution in the Northern Forest, which includes thirty-four counties scattered across northern and central Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont. Authors Ken Johnson, Susan Stewart, and Miranda Mockrin report that the population of the Northern Forest grew modestly between 2000 and 2010, and the population gains were greatest in recreational areas and least in manufacturing areas. Racial and ethnic diversity is also growing in the Northern Forest, and the population is getting older due to aging in place among current residents and net outmigration among younger populations. Overall, housing density has increased in the region through time, but housing densities remain lower than in surrounding counties. The brief quantifies the benefits and challenges that recreation and tourism provide to the Northern Forest and highlights the demographic trends planners will need to consider as they address the future needs of its people and the institutions, organizations, and firms that support and enhance the lives of this population. Carsey Insitute pulication link en-us Tue, 20 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1470&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Chris Jensen There’s a public perception that Coos County’s economic challenges mean a significant population loss over the last decade. But a new study shows that’s not quite right. NHPR’s Chris Jensen reports. Here’s a surprise for Coos County, courtesy of The Carsey Institute at the University of New Hampshire. NHPR article link en-us Tue, 20 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1482&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Sam Evans-Brown The state agency responsible for protecting forests from wildfires is warning that state forests are more at risk of burning this year. Forest Ranger Bryan Nowell says state forests are now seeing conditions that usually are more typical of mid-April. NHPR article link en-us Tue, 20 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1493&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Peter Biello Tomorrow is March 21st, and according to a group of environmental non-profits it's Vermont Energy Independence Day - a time for people to ask what energy independence means to them. A group of filmmakers wants the answer to that question on film. A company called Bright Blue EcoMedia wants Vermonters to record themselves and submit their videos, some of which will appear in a documentary about energy independence. VPR article link en-us Tue, 20 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1479&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Jay Field Each week brings fresh signs of a slowly rebounding economy. Manufacturing activity across the Northeast is picking up this month and new jobless claims are now at their lowest level in four years. But in some rural parts of America, poverty and high unemployment were problems way before the Great Recession hit, and in all liklihood, will continue to be for the foreseeable future. Jay Field reports from Machias on the struggle to find work and build a more prosperous future in rural Maine's poorest county. MPBN article link Maine's Washington County Takes Small Steps Toward Economic Rebirth en-us Mon, 19 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1503&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Editorial Staff The Lake George Association (LGA) is supporting a bill on invasive species recently introduced in the New York State Legislature by Assemblyman Robert K. Sweeney (D-Lindenhurst). The bill would authorize the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to establish a list of invasive species that will be prohibited from being sold, transported, and introduced in New York State. Similar laws have already been passed in Vermont, Connecticut and Massachusetts. Adirondack Almanac article link The Great Adirondack Backcountry Invasion en-us Mon, 19 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1469&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Clarke Canfield Heavy trucks are being temporarily banned from thousands of miles of secondary roads across northern New England with the early arrival of spring. The mild late-winter weather has prompted officials to restrict heavy traffic on secondary roads two, three and even four weeks earlier than usual in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, where it’s an annual ritual to post signs on poles along roadways warning heavy trucks to stay off. Boston.com article link en-us Sun, 18 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1483&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Chris Jensen The White Mountain National Forest will be getting $4 million in federal funds to repair road and bridge damage caused by Tropical Storm Irene. But that will still leave the enormous recreational area well short of what it needs, an official said. NHPR article link en-us Fri, 16 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1486&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Barbara Tetreault Area residents stressed their support for passenger rail service from Portland to Montreal and for preserving industrial rail sidings at a hearing Thursday on a draft rail plan for the state. With the help of Boston consulting firm HDR Engineering, the N.H. Department of Transportation has been working for about a year on the plan which was unveiled at three hearings around the state over the past two weeks. The Berlin Daily Sun article link en-us Fri, 16 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1487&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Gail Scott A bill that would reevaluate the relationship of the Mount Washington Commission with the state, HB 193, was front and center at the March meeting of the Commission Friday at the Appalachian Mountain Club's Joe Dodge Lodge, along with considerations of the state's need for budget consolidation involving the disparate interests at the summit, the need for capital repairs at the storm-bedeviled peak, questions of balancing the state's desire to welcome even more than the 300,000 people who now visit the top of the state's highest mountain, and the thorny issue of a fair fee for electric power for the 17 communication users at the summit. The Berlin Daily Sun article link en-us Fri, 16 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1492&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Steve Zind We've become accustomed to the fact that the price of gasoline is rarely the same from fill-up to fill-up. But what concerns many people these days is how high the price is. As VPR's Steve Zind explains, Vermont gas prices are influenced by a complex combination of local and global factors. VPR article link en-us Fri, 16 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1434&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: The Wild Center Date: Thursday, March 29, 2012 from 10:00 am to noon Location: Flammer Theater, The Wild Center, 45 Museum Drive, Tupper Lake, NY 12986 The Wild Center will host climate experts and authors of a recent New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) report on the State’s adaptation and mitigation recommendations regarding “Responding to Climate Change in New York State” or “ClimAID”. Scientists will highlight pertinent findings of the ClimAID report and then Adirondack region scientists and members of the Adirondack Climate and Energy Action Plan (ADKCAP) network will discuss local efforts to prepare for and slow the changing climate. More information and registration en-us Wed, 14 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1440&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Staff We don't have oil wells in Maine. We don't have coal mines. We import natural gas through pipelines that originate far outside our borders. But we do have a source of energy in our state that comes to consumers at half the cost of power produced by those other sources and results in none of the pollution. It's conservation. For a price equal to 4 cents or less per kilowatt hour, consumers can reduce their energy needs, their energy bills and have more money in their pockets. The Portland Press Herald article link en-us Wed, 14 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1446&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Chris Jensen Two of three North Country towns yesterday approved an ordinance designed to fight the Northern Pass project by trying to strip corporations of their power. Lancaster, Sugar Hill and Easton all had the same idea: An ordinance that would assert a town’s rights over those of corporations. NHPR article link en-us Wed, 14 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1451&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Todd Moe Amy Cotler is an author, chef and local food advocate, who says it's an exciting time for the locavore movement, but more needs to be done. Cotler is author of the book, The Locavore Way, which focuses on the pleasures of locally grown food. On Monday, she'll give the keynote address at Dig In!, a food and gardening conference at Clarkson University in Potsdam. The event will bring together school staff, educators, parents, business owners, community leaders and health professionals. NCPR article link en-us Wed, 14 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1454&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Staff Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Wednesday that the state will give $950,000 in additional recovery aid to New York farms affected by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. NCPR article link en-us Wed, 14 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1455&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Brian Mann This winter, the Department of Environmental Conservation brought in new leadership for Region 5, which includes the eastern Adirondacks, the Champlain Valley and the Lake George Region. Bob Stegemann joined the DEC after a long career as a forester and a planner. He takes over at a time when the DEC faces some big projects and challenges, ranging from the clean-up effort sparked by tropical storm Irene to the controversial Finch-Pruyn land deal. NCPR article link en-us Wed, 14 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Networks & Partner News http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1456&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Kimberly Rielly Despite the fact that it’s been more than twenty years since I walked the halls of my Adirondack K-12 school, I still consider myself a Westport Eagle. I’m actually somewhat of a traitor, living in neighboring Moriah. But since our two schools were in different sports leagues (based on enrollment), the people of Westport do continue to welcome me for reunions and the like. (Now, if I lived in Elizabethtown, we’d be having a whole different conversation.)... The competitive rivalries continue today for those who grew up in these communities, and are contagious for those who relocate to them from afar, but the stakes have changed. Instead of a league title, there is a competition between municipalities for County, Region and State attention and funding, and for most, competition for a share of tourism; the greatest economic driver for the region. Adirondack Almanac article link   en-us Wed, 14 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1441&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Ken Lamond The Bangor Daily News has it wrong again on the issue of LURC reform. In the recent editorial titled “LURC change too risky,” the BDN continues to suggest a county role in planning and permitting that is beyond what is proposed in the current LURC reform effort. LD 1798 is a bill moving through the legislative process to reform the Land Use Regulation Commission. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Tue, 13 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1442&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Maine Government News Maine Labor Commissioner Robert Winglass met with the Maine Logger Education Alliance last week to discuss workforce challenges and training programs for workers seeking jobs and careers in Maine’s logging industry. “Maine is suffering from a shortage of skilled logging workers for a variety of reasons,” said Winglass. “The goal of this effort is to connect more Maine workers with opportunities for good paying careers in the industry and ensure an adequate supply of wood to mills and consumers in the state.” Maine Government News article link via Maine Environmental News en-us Tue, 13 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1443&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Tom Wood and Jeanne Curran Federal and Maine state officials will join local city and school officials this week to celebrate the completion of two energy projects designed to save Maine taxpayer money and create jobs. Officials with the Maine congressional delegation, U.S. Forest Service, Maine Department of Conservation (MDOC), Maine Forest Service (MFS), under MDOC, and Maine Office of Energy Independence and Security (OEIS) will take part in two ribbon-cuttings on Wednesday to mark the completion of the installation of biomass pellet boilers at the city of Gardiner and Waterville High School. Maine Government News article link via Maine Environmental News en-us Tue, 13 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1457&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Editorial Staff The Adirondack Council is calling on Governor Andrew Cuomo and the NYS Legislature to make sweeping changes to the rules for private land use and development in the Adirondack Park. “The current rules for development are too weak and outdated to protect the park’s pure waters, wildlife and unbroken forests,” said the Adirondack Council Executive Director Brian L. Houseal said in a statement issued last week. “Conservation science and smart growth principles have advanced a great deal since 1971. Unfortunately, the Adirondack Park Agency’s regulations have not.” Adirondack Almanac article link en-us Tue, 13 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1435&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Northern Research Station U.S. Forest Service scientists today released an assessment that shows forest land has expanded in northern states during the past century despite a 130-percent population jump and relentless environmental threats. At the same time, Forest Service researchers caution that threats to forests in the coming decades could undermine these gains. NRS article link en-us Mon, 12 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1452&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Staff There could be some good news out of Albany today for students and others who recently lobbied state lawmakers on behalf of the north country's poor, rural schools. Legislative leaders say they plan to shift $200 million from an incentive program back to traditional school aid when they release budget resolutions today. NCPR article link en-us Mon, 12 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Education/Arts/Entertainment http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1449&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Annmarie Timmins Northern Pass officials recently told investment analysts they had acquired a "substantial" chunk of the North Country land needed for a hydropower line from Canada. That's not untrue. Analysts, however, didn't hear the rest of the story. The project is having trouble bridging significant gaps in that most controversial part of the route because many landowners have refused to sell. Landowners like David and Karen Placey, a Merrimack couple in their 50s, rejected $1 million in October for their 230 acres in Stewartstown. Concord Monitor article link en-us Sun, 11 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1459&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Jamie Munks It’s a waiting game to see how stretches of warm weather will affect local maple syrup production, but that didn’t stop several local farms from inviting people in for tours and samples for the Thurman Maple Days kick-off weekend. "My biggest concern is the long-range weather forecast," said Randy Galusha, who owns Toad Hill Maple Farm, a participant in Maple Days. "If there are no freezing nights, it could have a negative effect on our production." Post Star article link en-us Sun, 11 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1436&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Lawrence Pyne It’s official: Canada lynx are indeed in Vermont. The recent discovery of multiple lynx tracks in the Northeast Kingdom simply confirms what has long been suspected. But it also raises more questions than it answers. Such as, why are the rare wildcats of the far north here now? How many are there, and are they here to stay? And what are the implications of having a confirmed population of a federally-listed threatened species in Vermont, both for forest management and the regulated trapping of other fur-bearing animals? Burlington Free Press article link en-us Sat, 10 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1444&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Alex Barber A final public forum with Piscataquis County Economic Development Council in conjunction with the Western Mountain Alliance will be held 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 27, at the Monson Community Center. The last of a series of forums is focused on exploring land use and the potential effect of new LURC legislation in western Maine’s Unorganized Territory. The forums feature a broad range of presenters including residential and woodlot property owners, policy experts and tourism interests. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Fri, 09 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1445&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Bob Hookway ...It's that time now, once again. But the all-nighters for the 1954 graduate of Woodstock High School are long over. No more grunting his way to the family sugarbush off Lost River Road, or the sugar camps on Mountainside. Still, the arrival of this year's season was a little more special than most. For the eighth and final time during his tour of duty as New Hampshire's governor, John Lynch did the honors of kicking off the start of maple sugaring season in the Granite State Thursday. Union Leader article link en-us Fri, 09 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1447&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Chris Jensen In New Hampshire we value rural character—a value that's reflected in a strong history of land conservation. Central to that history is conservation of privately owned land by means of what's called a "conservation easement deed" that limits future development. It's typically a family decision. A family chooses to conserve their land so that future generations will know the land as they do. The property stays on a town's tax rolls and its natural resources are protected in perpetuity. Land conservation benefits the public, and in most cases landowners are entitled to an income tax deduction similar to donating to a charitable organization. The public benefits include preservation of farm or forest resources, scenic or recreational values, or exemplary wildlife habitat—all spelled out in the IRS code. NHPR article link en-us Fri, 09 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1453&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Nora Flaherty About 300 people showed up for Friday's farm bill forum at North Country Community College in Saranac Lake. The US House Agriculture Committee hearing was one of only 4 to be held outside Washington, DC. The Farm bill is rewritten every four years--the last time the massive set of regulations was authorized was in 2008. The current farm bill expires in September. NCPR article link Eight farmers testify at House Ag Committee field hearing, Press Republican related article en-us Fri, 09 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1458&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Editorial Staff Word from Thurman maple producers is that the sap is flowing, evaporators are boiling and there will be syrup and all kinds of maple confections for those who venture out this weekend (March 10 – 11) for the first of six Thurman Maple Days, which extend over three weekends through this month. Each weekend offers tours of three maple operations – Adirondack Gold Maple, Toad Hill Maple and Valley Road Maple, all offering tours of sugarbushes and sugarhouses, with demonstrations and talks concerning tapping, evaporating, filtering and candy-making. Also opening their doors will be Martin’s Lumber, which is the home of a Certified Tree Farm and sawmill—this time of year featuring handsome maple slabs, and Lucyann’s Paper Bead Jewelry and Stained Glass Stepping Stones, all of which will be demonstrated. Tours and demonstrations at all sites run 10 a.m. till 4 p.m. Valley Road Maple Farm opens an hour early each day, serving pancakes and Oscar’s sausages from 9 till 1. Adirondack Almanac article link en-us Fri, 09 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1437&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Highstead Eighty-five organizations across the region today urged lawmakers to help meet New England’s economic challenges by investing in the region’s forests, outlining seven critical federal funding opportunities to conserve this vital resource and the green infrastructure it provides. Redding's Hamlet Hub article link en-us Thu, 08 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1439&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Jay Field Today's record-breaking temperatures and the possibility of more warm weather over the next two weeks is great news for anyone rooting for an early start to spring. But too many days like today would not be such a welcome prospect for Maine's more than 300 licensed maple syrup producers and countless other tree-tapping hobbyists. For the sap to keep flowing, there must be a consistent cycle of frost at night and daytime temperatures in the 40s and low 50s. Sugar shack operators in Maine and beyond are watching the weather this year with a little more angst than usual. MPBN article link en-us Thu, 08 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1448&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Sam Evans-Brown Spring weather is now starting to roll in, but just last week winter had its last hurrah. And when those big snow storms wallop the mountains, ski areas see dollar signs. A pair of Dartmouth economists are researching the tendency of ski areas to exaggerate snowfall reports especially on weekends, in hopes of luring more skiers to the slopes. But they found that interactive websites and Smartphone apps are turning those ski areas into honest brokers. NHPR article link en-us Thu, 08 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1450&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Mike Groll Skiing and snowboarding are now the official state sports of Vermont, thanks to some schoolchildren in Swanton. At the Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum in Stowe today, Governor Peter Shumlin signed a bill into law that was proposed by a group of fifth and sixth graders. VPR article link en-us Thu, 08 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1396&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Adirondack North Country Association CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS: The Conference is centered around five areas: solar, wind, hydro, biomass, and conservation. We are soliciting presentation topics to be considered for each of the above five areas. If you have something to share, an approach, an experience .... this is the place to present your story. Presentation nominations are due May 1st and we will reply back to you no later than May 17th. The Conference will take place in Lake Placid, NY on June 21-22 at the Lake Placid Conference Center. ANCA Conference link   en-us Wed, 07 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1397&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire and Vermont By: Clean Water Future The Northern Forest Watershed Services Project has launched a unique and exciting new website called Clean Water Future. This is a marketplace where private forest landowners, working with non-profit conservation groups, can post projects that restore, enhance and protect ecosystem services in the Connecticut River watershed of New Hampshire and Vermont. To visit Clean Water Future, go to www.cleanwaterfuture.org Northern Forest Watershet Services Project link en-us Wed, 07 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Ecosystem Services http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1398&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire Webinar - March 9, 2012 The Conservation Law Foundation (CLF), the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC), Conservation New Hampshire, the Nature Conservancy in New Hampshire, and the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests (SPNHF) will host a free webinar on Friday, March 9 at 2:30 pm on “Importing Canadian Hydropower: Energy and Environmental Concerns on Both Sides of the Border.” The webinar will complement the New Hampshire tour of the Canadian documentary Seeking the Current. The webinar will put the issues raised by Seeking the Current in the context of Northern Pass and similar projects and include a presentation of the findings of the most recent research regarding the greenhouse gas emissions of large-scale hydropower. Seeking the Current Director Nicolas Boisclair will join the webinar to provide a preview of Seeking the Current. Other speakers will include CLF Vice-President and CLF-NH Director Tom Irwin, CLF Staff Attorney Christophe Courchesne, AMC Director of Research Ken Kimball, and SPNHF Vice President for Policy and Land Management Will Abbott. Registration link en-us Wed, 07 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1399&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region March 21-23, Saratoga Springs, NY The fourth annual Northeast Biomass Heating Expo 2012 will feature two dedicated technical and economic development tracks for its March 21-23 conference and expo in Saratoga Springs, NY. Through an expanded expo hall and info-packed workshops, the 2012 event will provide an opportunity for commercial building and heating engineers, architects, municipal officials, general contractors, and companies with advanced wood heating technology to interact and discuss the tremendous potential of wood biomass heating and combined heat and power (CHP) in the Northeast. Register Today! en-us Wed, 07 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1400&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Terrilyn Simpson The much debated “Takings Bill” will be hammered out in round two of a legislative work session this week, with the Judiciary Committee expected to render a verdict as to how the bill will move ahead for full legislative consideration. LD 1810, An Act to Implement Recommendations of the Committee to Review Issues Dealing with Regulatory Takings — recommends compensation, mediation or variances in cases where privately owned land is devalued more than 50 percent of its total worth as the result of land use regulations. The Maine Wire article link via Maine Environmental News en-us Wed, 07 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1404&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Associated Press A proposal to overhaul the agency that regulates development in the nearly 10 million-acre region of Maine known as the Unorganized Territory is heading for votes by the full Legislature. A vote Thursday by the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee to send the bill to the House and Senate comes after nearly a year of deliberation, study and negotiation that was prompted by a bill to abolish the Land Use Regulation Commission. Morning Sentinel article link en-us Wed, 07 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1409&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Martha Foley The Adirondack North Country may be unified into one congressional district this year. A federal judge has issued a map that would consolidate the region into a new 21st District. The old NY-23 district, now represented by Democrat Bill Owens from Plattsburgh would be dramatically redrawn. Martha Foley has more. NCPR article link en-us Wed, 07 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Networks & Partner News http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1412&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Rene Ebersole They call it “Maple Moon”—that magical time each year when sap oozes from maple trees in the Northeast through eastern Canada and as far west as Minnesota. Nowhere in this country does that sweet stream spilling over our pancakes and filling the nooks and crannies of our waffles flow more steadily and surely than Vermont, which produced 1.4 million gallons of syrup last year—almost half the nation’s supply. Audobon Magazine article link en-us Wed, 07 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1415&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Chris Jensen After Isaacson Structural Steel was sold off in a bankruptcy auction last month it wasn’t certain what would happen to the employees. But NHPR’s Chris Jensen reports it’s clear now and the news is not good. NHPR article link en-us Wed, 07 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1424&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Brian Mann Yesterday, we reported on New York's growing reliance on electricity produced Canada. A new project now in the works would pipe enough energy from hydro dams in Quebec to power a million homes in New York City. The North Country has also seen a boom in energy production in recent years, with new wind farms, wood pellet plants, and biomass. But with more and more competition, and the lingering economic downturn, electric rates have plummeted. NCPR article link en-us Wed, 07 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1427&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Martha Foley Cold nights, warm days, sunshine: chickdees are busy, and the sap is rising. It all adds up to maple syrup season. Whether your operation includes a bulk holding tank and miles of plastic tubing, or just a few buckets hanging off the trees in the backyard, it all starts the same way, with a strategically placed hole in a sugar maple. NCPR article link en-us Wed, 07 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1428&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: The Wild Center Come to The Wild Center from February 25th until April 1st and see what makes early spring in the Adirondacks so sweet. Watch how the sweet sap of trees that grow in few places on Earth becomes one of the best sugars anywhere. Tapping used to be something that brought people together in our part of the world. Bring your friends and family and you can see how it still does. We will have a full sugaring operation on site, turning the tapped sap into syrup every day the sap runs. We'll have tapping tours where you can test your drill skills, and your taste buds, sampling syrup (you'll be amazed at the differences you can taste), sugar and the sweet sap itself that hints at what's to come. Event information en-us Wed, 07 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1431&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Editorial Staff Champlain Area Trails (CATS) has launched its Spring Travel-Writing Contest. “We invite people to write about using the trails, patronizing local businesses, and visiting New York’s Champlain Valley,” said Chris Maron, the CATS Executive Director. "The winner will earn $500. And People’s Choice prize is $250, so it is definitely worth the effort. The top entrees will be on our website and linked to many other websites, making it a good way to promote the Valley and give exposure to writers.” Adirondack Almanac articlel ink en-us Wed, 07 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1432&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Keishia Clukey Joann Curtis and her husband, Alan, wanted to see how their furniture was made. The Morris couple looked online and found out the Harden Furniture Co. gives tours. They drove almost two hours to see the McConnellsville company make everything from chairs to headboards out of locally grown trees. Observer-Dispatch article link en-us Wed, 07 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1433&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region Renewables make up nearly 12 percent of all energy produced in the U.S., such as fuels, electricity and thermal energy from biomass. Bioenergy reduces the nation’s risks from dependence on foreign oil, strengthens our economy and ensures the continued, sustainable management of our natural resources. Unfortunately, Congress has failed to grasp this important message. You can help change that. The 25x’25 Alliance, the Southeast Agriculture and Forestry Energy Resources Alliance, the Advanced Biofuels Association, and the Biomass Power Association have joined forces to host the Bioenergy Partners Capitol Hill Day, bringing together bioenergy leaders from across the nation to educate Congress on the opportunities and benefits of bioenergy and build support for bioenergy solutions. The event will take place on March 21, 2012 in Washington DC. There is no cost to attend. Register here! en-us Wed, 07 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1438&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Sarah Schweitzer Across the region, record winter temperatures are wreaking havoc with maple tree systems, forcing syrup producers to tap trunks early in the hope of catching the best, most sugary sap before it disappears with spring. At least one producer in Massachusetts, Turtle Lane Maple Farm in North Andover, has decided not to tap its trees because the unusual weather has affected the trees’ sugar, making the production of syrup too onerous and costly. Boston.com article link en-us Wed, 07 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Northern Forest News Digest http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1394&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Heated Up! A Rhode Island bill, HB 7371, would make the state the first eastern state to adopt the progressive policies of Washington and Oregon on wood stoves. The bill, introduced by representative Art Handy and four other delegates, would phase-out wood stoves without EPA certification in densely populated residential areas. Heated Up! article link en-us Tue, 06 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1395&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Anna Austin Wood pellet boilers are now classified as a conventional, primary heating source, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and consequently will now qualify for Federal Housing Authority Funding. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Shawn Donovan announced the news March 1. Biomass Magazine article link en-us Tue, 06 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1403&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Eric Russell In the 18th annual Measures of Growth report released Tuesday by the Maine Economic Growth Council, the state received gold stars for energy costs and international exports. But Maine received red flags for health care costs, wellness and prevention, research and development, transportation infrastructure and 4th grade reading scores, and some of those areas have been red flags for many years. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Tue, 06 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1408&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Stephen Singer The mild winter that has given many Northern farmers a break from shoveling and a welcome chance to catch up on maintenance could lead to a tough spring as many pests that would normally freeze, have not. Winters are usually what one agriculture specialist calls a "reset button" that gives farmer a fresh start come planting season. But with relatively mild temperatures and little snow, insects are surviving, growing and, in some areas, already munching on budding plants. Kennebec Journal article link en-us Tue, 06 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1414&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Jeffrey A. Johnson Mayor Ronald K. McDaniel Jr. has asked the state authority that regulates energy to require Northeast Utilities and NSTAR to seek new biomass generation projects as a condition of a proposed merger of the two utility companies. McDaniel, in comments that he made to the state's Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, said that a plan to convert one of Montville Power LLC's generation units into a biomass system is vital for the town. The Day article link en-us Tue, 06 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1418&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Staff The town of Long Lake bought a 46-acre tract of land from the Adirondack Chapter of The Nature Conservancy last week. The transaction, which was completed March 1, completes commitment initiated by both parties several years ago. Adirondack Daily Enterprise article link en-us Tue, 06 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1419&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Jeff Meyers An upcoming workshop will give local educators an opportunity to study climate change and develop strategies for teaching about it. The Champlain Basin Education Initiative is hosting a Climate Change Workshop on Saturday at St. Michael's in Colchester, Vt., for teachers of kindergarten through 12th grade. Press Republican article link en-us Tue, 06 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1425&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Brian Mann North Country congressman Bill Owens is praising a Canadian company for its plan to move forward with construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. Owens' backing for the controversial pipeline comes at a time when New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is also pushing a plan to import more hydro-electric power from Quebec. NCPR article link en-us Tue, 06 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1429&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Editorial Staff New York’s Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) supports industries that generate approximately $40 billion annually for the State’s economy and sustain hundreds of thousands of jobs, according to a recent analysis. Adirondack Almanac en-us Tue, 06 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1401&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Bryan Walsh The proposed Keystone XL oil sands pipeline is the environmental issue that will not go away. More than a month after President Obama rejected the initial plan for the pipeline—which would have moved some 830,000 barrels a day of oil sands crude from Alberta across the upper Midwest—barely a day goes by without partisans on both sides of the political divide arguing over Keystone. Republicans have seized on the President’s decision as proof that he’s not serious about expanding access to friendly sources of energy—a claim that is getting more traction as gas prices, now at an average of $3.77 a gallon, keep rising. “I’ll get us that oil from Canada,” Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney said at his victory speech after the Michigan primary last week. Time: Ecocentric article link via Maine Environmental News en-us Mon, 05 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1406&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Ryan McLaughlin For the second time in two years, Gardiner has chosen locally produced wood pellets to heat its municipal buildings. The city will host an open house from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 14, at City Hall. The public is invited to attend and help celebrate Gardiner’s continued success with renewable energy, enjoy light refreshments, see the new boiler installation firsthand and learn about the benefits of heating with a local and sustainable fuel, the city said in a press release. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Mon, 05 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1407&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Jen Lynds After the success of its inaugural conference last year, Northern Maine Community College is gearing up to hold a forum on the status and future development of alternative energy in Maine. The forum, FTN 2.0 Biomass and Beyond, will be held at NMCC on Wednesday, March 7. The daylong conference brings together stakeholders and those interested in all forms of alternative energy from across the state. The event also will look at the emerging biomass energy industry that has advanced significantly over the past two years, particularly in northern Maine. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Mon, 05 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1413&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I – Pulaski) encouraged students interested in learning more about biomass energy to become a summer intern. Eight paid summer internships will be available in Central New York for college students interested in biomass energy through the State University College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) and the Syracuse Center of Excellence and CenterState Corporation for Economic Opportunity. Oswego County Today article link en-us Mon, 05 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1417&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: VPR Staff Gov. Peter Shumlin says he's optimistic that federal tax credits for renewable energy scheduled to expire at the end of the year will be renewed. Shumlin says there's support for the tax credits from governors of both parties, which should help their chances in Congress. VPR article link en-us Mon, 05 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1426&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Staff U.S. Representative Bill Owens says it's a big deal that Saranac Lake was chosen to host a Congressional hearing on the 2012 Farm Bill. Owens says it's a chance for farmers and others to influence re-authorization of federal agriculture policy, which hasn't been done since 2008. "I feel really, very, very honored that the committee has selected the 23rd district for this type of event. There's only going to be four or so of them around the country. So this is very significant. This is an opportunity for us to talk about the issues that affect the north country." NCPR article link en-us Mon, 05 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1430&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Annette Nielsen It isn’t always easy to imagine farming in the Adirondacks with factors like a short growing season, or faraway markets – but you can find a thriving and vibrant community of farmers and producers here and maybe not as far away as you might think. One way farmers are able to have a more predictable revenue stream is through a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). Before the growing season begins, customers are able to purchase a share in the season’s harvest – your up-front investment typically entitles you to a weekly box of vegetables or fruit produced by the farm over the course of 4 to 5 months -- and often times you pick up the share at the farm. Adirondack Almanac article link en-us Mon, 05 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1402&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Judy Keen Tourism and conservation officials are protesting pending federal legislation that would repeal the National Scenic Byways Program, which since 1992 has helped lure tourists and their dollars off freeways and into communities along back roads. USA Today article link via Maine Environmental News en-us Sun, 04 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1416&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Annmarie Timmins Last March, nearly 30 communities used their town meetings to register firm but nonbinding objections to Northern Pass. This year, a handful of towns will consider a stronger stance: adopting a "home rule" ordinance that says local communities can block a project like Northern Pass even if it has federal and state approval. Concord Monitor article link en-us Sun, 04 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1420&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Bruce Rowland Some use high-tech spouts, vacuum tubes, reverse-osmosis machines and even computerized sugar houses. Others prefer metal buckets and wood fires. While the volume produced can be vastly different, the final result is the same — sweet, natural, North Country maple syrup. Press Republican article link en-us Sun, 04 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1422&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Michael Gormley Gov. Andrew Cuomo wants to devote $25 million of a job creation fund to expand broadband Internet access to rural upstate and underserved urban areas of New York that could create jobs and potentially provide far more cellular telephone coverage to the Adirondacks. Cuomo is working with legislators to devote $25 million from the $75 million New York Works Economic Development Fund in his proposed budget. Post Star article link Fiber-optic connections growing in region en-us Sat, 03 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1423&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Jon Alexander Hamilton County might not survive the next century, according to a statistical analysis conducted by researchers at Cornell University. Researchers from Cornell’s Department of Applied Demographics recently released a statewide study projecting New York’s demographic future through 2040, based on current trends. If things don’t change in Hamilton County, in about 25 years, there won’t be anyone left to respond to fires, drive ambulances or plow the roads, officials worry. Post Star article link en-us Sat, 03 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1405&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Julia Bayly What do Martha Stewart, Field & Stream magazine, “This Old House” and the 2009 movie “Straw Dogs” have in common? Each one has featured a piece of handcrafted northern Maine furniture. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Fri, 02 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1410&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Robin J. Cabin A consortium of forward-thinking environmental groups led by the Dogwood Alliance, major corporations such as Staples and Coca Cola, and large and small private landowners is demonstrating that even in today's tough economic times and post-post partisan political landscape, it is possible to create a thriving economy by protecting rather than destroying our natural resources. Huffington Post article link en-us Fri, 02 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Ecosystem Services http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1421&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Staff The Town of Moriah is sponsoring Energy Info meetings to provide local residents with information about free and low-cost energy services. Two sessions for homeowners will be held Monday: one at 12:30 p.m. at the Moriah Senior Center at the Port Henry Train Station, 14 Park Place and another at 6 p.m. at the Moriah Town Court House, 42 Park Place, Port Henry. Press Republican article link en-us Fri, 02 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1366&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest By: Dave Anderson Is there enough wood in the Northeast states to satisfy the current and projected demand from bio-energy facilities now and over the next decade? In one word: yes. Forest Journal article link en-us Thu, 01 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1389&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: NCPR Staff North Country assemblywoman Teresa Sayward says she won't see re-election this year. In an announcement released a few minutes ago (late yesterday), Sayward said she had reached the decision after "a great deal of careful thought and personal reflection." NCPR article link en-us Thu, 01 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Networks & Partner News http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1390&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Staff Some of the $103 million in grants the North Country Regional Economic Development Council won, will come out of the state's Environmental Protection fund. And the spokesman for the conservation group the Adirondack council says that makes sense. NCPR article link en-us Thu, 01 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1392&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Editorial Staff Glen Plake is skiing into Keene Valley from Chamonix, France to join The Mountaineer’s 10th annual Adirondack Back Country Ski Festival on March 3rd and 4th. The annual charity event supports the Adirondack Ski Touring Council and the New York Ski Educational Foundation and allows back country ski enthusiasts a chance to demo equipment take clinics and enjoy an evening with Glen Plake on Saturday night at the Keene Central School’s “Beaver Dome” in Keene Valley at 7:30 pm. Adirondack Almanac article link en-us Thu, 01 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1363&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Jonathan Weisman The looming Senate vote on a Republican plan to give employers the right to withdraw health care coverage based on religious and moral convictions put Senator Olympia J. Snowe in a tough but familiar position: weighing her own views as a Republican centrist against pressure from fellow Republicans to support the party position. New York Times article link en-us Wed, 29 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Networks & Partner News http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1374&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Julia Baylyl The very first musher to head out the start chute in the first Can Am Crown International 250-mile race 20 years ago will run his last race during the milestone event this weekend. John Kaleta wore bib number one at the event’s debut in 1993 and after more than 20 years of racing, training, breeding and living a musher’s lifestyle, the 48-year-old Fort Kent high school science teacher will step off the sled runners for good following his finish of the Can Am Crown’s 30-mile race on Saturday. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Wed, 29 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1375&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Nick Sambides Jr. The National Park Service has no plans to study environmentalist Roxanne Quimby’s proposal for a North Woods national park next year, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said Wednesday. Answering a long statement from U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, during an Appropriations Subcommittee hearing in Washington on his department’s 2013 budget, Salazar said the agency would not push for a study of a national park. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Wed, 29 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1378&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Barbara Tetreault he national spotlight will shine again on Lynn Tilton and Gorham Paper and Tissue. A crew from ABC News was at the Gorham mill last Thursday, shooting a piece on Tilton and the mill for the popular series 'Made in America' on ABC”s World News with Diane Sawyer. Mill Manager Willis Blevins said ABC correspondent Chris Cuomo spent about three and a half hours interviewing Tilton, Blevins, and mill employees. Tilton flew in for the interview and answered questions about her purchase of the mill last year and the new tissue machine that is being installed in the facility. Berlin Daily Sun article link en-us Wed, 29 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1388&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Staff The Lake George Land Conservancy announced Wednesday that it closed on a land purchase in Bolton that has been in the works for years. The organization’s executive director, Nancy Williams, said the organization now owns about 500 acres, including the headwaters of Indian Brook. Numerous wetlands and other environmentally sensitive ecosystems are also present on the parcel, Williams said. Post Star article link en-us Wed, 29 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1411&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Staff Reports New England Forestry Foundation has named Robert Perschel of Hudson as its new executive director. Perschel is well known to those working in forest conservation and he brings extensive forestry, forest management, conservation leadership and experience to the New England Forestry Foundation, according to the organization. Previously, Perschel served as co-founder and Eastern Forests Director of the Forest Guild, chairman of the Northern Forest Alliance, and Northeast Regional Director for The Wilderness Society. He was also founder of the Land Ethic Institute. The MetroWest Daily News article link en-us Wed, 29 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Networks & Partner News http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1373&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Aislinn Sarnacki Money was tight for the owners of Peacemeal Farm in Dixmont a few springs ago. Owners Mark Guzzi and Marcia Ferry were worried they couldn’t afford the supplies they needed for a successful growing season. So they turned to their longtime customers and offered them a deal — money for discounted vegetables. Thus, they joined Maine’s rapidly growing CSA community. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Tue, 28 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1380&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Jane Lindholm Vermonters never tire of maple syrup. And with such a warm winter, many sugarmakers in Vermont are following their instincts and beginning to produce their product ahead of schedule. VPR article link en-us Tue, 28 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1387&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: The Associated Press Two environmental groups are supporting an amended proposal to run a 330-mile power line from Quebec to Connecticut and New York City. Officials with Scenic Hudson and Riverkeeper on Monday announced their joint support for the Champlain Hudson Power Express transmission project first proposed by Transmission Developers Inc. in 2010. Press Republican article link en-us Tue, 28 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1364&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail International By: Katherine Airlie RWE’s Tilbury power station in southeast England, Europe’s largest biomass plant, was ablaze after a fire broke out in the facility’s wood-pellet stockpiles. About 120 firefighters were sent to the site after the incident at 7:45 a.m. London time, Kelly Brown, a company spokeswoman in Worcester, said Monday. The local fire brigade is covering the site in high-expansion foam and hopes to extinguish the blaze within three hours, it said in an update on its website at 12:35 p.m. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Mon, 27 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1371&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: The Associated Press A nonprofit group is promoting its new report aimed at giving Maine consumers facts about different home heating options. Environment Northeast says it has produced heating facts reports outlining the costs of different heating options in Maine and other New England states. They serve as guides to residential heating energy usage, costs and emissions information and will be updated monthly as prices change. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Mon, 27 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1372&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Nick McCrea Town councilors voted unanimously Monday night to join 105 other Maine communities in a program that aims to make home weatherization a more viable option for homeowners. The council’s adoption of a local Property Assessed Clean Energy, or PACE, ordinance will allow the town’s residents to apply for loans to help them increase energy efficiency in their homes. The town must adopt an ordinance before it is allowed to participate in the program, according to Town Manager Joseph Hayes. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Mon, 27 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1376&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Chris Jensen Hopes that someone would buy bankrupt Isaacson Steel in Berlin and continue the business are fading. NHPR’s Chris Jensen reports. Throughout Isaacson’s bankruptcy the hope has been that someone would buy the steel-fabricating firm, operate it and save about 130 jobs. NHPR article link en-us Mon, 27 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1377&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Chris Jensen The Federal Correctional Institute in Berlin probably won’t get its first inmates for about a year but it has begun hiring, says Deborah Schult, the warden. NHPR article link en-us Mon, 27 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1385&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: The Associated Press A proposed management plan for an Adirondack wilderness area in southern Essex County includes a segment of the North Country National Scenic Trail, a planned trail from North Dakota to Lake Champlain. Press Republican article link en-us Mon, 27 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1393&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Alliance for Green Heat Today the Alliance for Green Heat announced the public launch of a Next Generation Wood Stove Design Challenge that seeks to promote innovation in wood stoves. The Challenge will culminate in a Wood Stove Decathlon, modeled after the Solar Decathlon, which will take place on the National Mall in Washington DC in November 2013. Eminent stove, technology, air quality and combustion experts will judge this public exhibition of next generation wood stove designs. Stoves will be judged on emissions, efficiency, affordability, innovation and ease of use. Heated Up! article link en-us Mon, 27 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1362&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Joe Rankin You're driving down a Maine highway, following a logging truck that's teetering and swaying with a load of logs, belching diesel fumes, and, because your cell phone fell down between the seats, you have time to speculate about where those logs might be going. A paper mill? Small sawmill? Big sawmill? The log yard 20 miles ahead? Your mind is rolling over the possibilities when you see a loaded logging truck headed in the opposite direction. No, it does not make sense. In fact there was a comic who had a routine about that very thing. He always got a laugh. Forests for Maine's Future article link en-us Sun, 26 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1370&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Kevin Miller As one of a handful of organizations in Maine that holds snowmobile drag races every year, the Jefferson SnoPackers usually can count on hundreds of folks turning out to watch sleds rocket across frozen Damariscotta Lake. Those spectators’ donations, in turn, help support the Jefferson Area Food Bank, local fire departments and Cub Scout packs. But the charity event depends on the weather, and it hasn’t exactly been cooperative in recent years. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Sun, 26 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1386&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Staff The Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York (NOFA-NY) and FarmPlate.com, the largest online community of sustainable food businesses nationwide, have partnered to help the regional, sustainable food movement grow by offering farms and food-based businesses convenient and affordable online marketing. Press Republican article link en-us Sun, 26 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1369&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Kevin Miller The tapping of the maple trees, that sweet and sticky ritual that signals the changing seasons in New England, has started early this year for many of Maine’s maple syrup producers. Whether this year’s syrup season will be a boom or bust depends on what the weather decides to do next, however. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Sat, 25 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1384&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Lohr McKinstry The energy-conservation project is almost complete at Crown Point Town Hall. The Monitor Bay building received New York State Energy Research and Development Authority funding for the Energy Conservation Measures project, which must be finished by March 30, Town Supervisor Charles Harrington said. Press Republican article link en-us Sat, 25 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1367&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: David Robinson A wood pellet mill is expected to reopen in the next few days after a fire broke out early Thursday morning and damaged the plant, where 21 people work. Travis Viles was working alongside another man inside the Geneva Wood Fuels plant when they noticed hot embers falling from the ceiling about 8 a.m., just before smoke began filling the room where the men were bagging wood pellets. Morning Sentinel article link en-us Fri, 24 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1381&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: VPR Staff A Vermont group working to create jobs is getting a big boost thanks to $35 million in federal tax credits. The credits for the group Vermont Rural Ventures were announced yesterday by the three members of Vermont's congressional delegation. Vermont Rural Ventures is a subsidiary of the Burlington-based nonprofit group Housing Vermont. VPR article link en-us Fri, 24 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1391&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Julie Grant Funding for the federal program that helps people pay heating costs was cut dramatically this winter. St. Lawrence County social services says more than one-fourth of households in the county get money through HEAP - the home energy assistance program. Last October, we visited with Linda Jobes and her 85-year old father Leslie Howard. They live in separate houses on the same property in DeKalb. At that time, Jobes and Howard were worried about the coming winter. But it hasn't been as cold as most people expected. NCPR article link en-us Fri, 24 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1365&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: SUNY ESF Students with an interest in the Adirondacks have a new opportunity to spend a full semester living and studying in the heart of the 6 million-acre forest preserve. A 16-credit residential semester called, "Understanding the Park," will be offered this fall by the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) in Syracuse. Students will live and learn at ESF's Newcomb Campus on the 15,000-acre Huntington Wildlife Forest. SUNY ESF article link en-us Thu, 23 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Education/Arts/Entertainment http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1368&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Kevin Miller Members of a legislative committee began vetting a list of proposed reforms to the Land Use Regulation Commission on Thursday but opted to delay until next week debate on the most contentious issue surrounding the agency. A bill pending before lawmakers would restructure LURC in order to address criticisms leveled against an agency that oversees planning, zoning and permitting on more than 10 million acres in Maine. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Thu, 23 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1379&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Sara-Young Knox What do Wanaka, New Zealand, Telluride, Colo., and Chamonix, France, have in common with North Conway, N.H.? They're all on National Geographic Adventures' list of the world's top 25 ski towns. Union Leader article link en-us Thu, 23 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1382&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: VPR Staff The US Department of Agriculture is going to guarantee a $930,000 loan to a Vermont cheese producer. The state's congressional delegation says the loan guarantee for Jasper Hill Farms in Greensboro will support 20 existing jobs and create 14 new ones. VPR article link en-us Thu, 23 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1383&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Denise Raymo Layoffs begin next week at Chateaugay ReEnergy as the plant shuts down until May because of the poor economy. About 13 people were told at the beginning of the month that they would be out of work by the end of February. Press Republican article link en-us Thu, 23 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1346&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Staff After a four-year effort, Albany has acquired 310 acres for a town forest. The $800,000 cost came from a variety of sources, including $149,000 that Albany voters approved in 2010. The Conway Daily Sun article link en-us Wed, 22 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1351&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Staff Vermont Law School says the adoption of "smart grid technology" by the state's largest electric utility is going well. Smart meters communicate between a utility and its customers to monitor and reduce power use. Vermont Law School is studying the roll-out of the technology by Central Vermont Public Service and six other utilities around the country. VPR article link en-us Wed, 22 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1354&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Mike Lynch The Adirondack Park is well known for its natural places: vast forests, quiet backcountry ponds and rugged High Peaks. On Monday, state Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Joe Martens made an effort to point out a sometimes forgotten aspect of the Forest Preserve: the parts built by humans. Adirondack Daily Enterprise article link en-us Wed, 22 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1358&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Institue June 1-3, 2012 SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry's Northern Forest Institute announces its first annual symposium of interdisciplinary scholarship in land use and ethic This event will highlight research from across professions and disciplines on topics related to balancing individual and community priorities with respect to land use, and the associated expectations for human and ecosystem stewardship and social and environmental ethics. The aim of this symposium is to generate conversation around a variety of approaches to land use, the moral implications of these approaches, as well as the ways that they influence the ongoing debate over how to achieve social and environmental justice. New and in-process work from a range of disciplines and professional fields will be represented and integrated into the symposium discourse. Northern Forest Insitute event link en-us Wed, 22 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1347&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Abigail Curtis It seemed as if decades of simmering frustrations over Maine’s private property rights and environmental regulations came to a boil Tuesday afternoon during a public hearing on a controversial takings bill at the State House. Lawmakers on the Judiciary Committee heard hours of passionate testimony both in favor of and against LD 1810, a bill that would allow landowners recourse when their property value has been harmed by environmental or other regulations. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Tue, 21 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1348&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Holly Ramer, The Associated Press A mild winter across the Northeast is injecting extra uncertainty into maple syrup season, but many producers say they’ll just go with the flow, whenever it starts. Temperatures have been up and snowfall totals have been down throughout the region this winter, raising some concern for the maple syrup crop. But syrup producers say the weather during the six-week season when sap flows matters more than the weather leading up to it. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Tue, 21 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1349&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Brady Carlson The 21st of February means there's just one month left of winter, or what passes for winter these days. Meteorologist Gary Best tells All Things Considered host Brady Carlson about what this winter has and hasn’t brought us. NHPR article link en-us Tue, 21 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1352&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Associated Press Two key lawmakers say Vermont won't meet its goal of getting 20 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2017. And the chairman and vice chairwoman of the House Natural Resources and Energy Committee say they're scaling back a goal of 30 percent renewable by 2025 that had been outlined in legislation pending before the panel. Burlington Free Press article link en-us Tue, 21 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1355&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Dan Heath Beekeepers across the Northeast have experienced massive losses of bees this winter. Champlain Valley Beekeepers Association President Dick Crawford said the beekeepers he has spoken with are reporting deaths of 90 percent to 100 percent of their hives. Press Republican article link en-us Tue, 21 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1350&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Staff The Vermont outpost of a multinational company that makes medical products is considering an expansion of its St. Albans facility, which could add 150 jobs to the local economy. The St. Albans Messenger says the Vermont Economic Progress Council has given preliminary approval to $4.2 million in cash incentives to Mylan Technologies, Inc., should the company expand in St. Albans. VPR article link en-us Mon, 20 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1357&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: John Markoff In a brand-new factory here, Eric Kim, chief executive of Soraa Inc., cradles a palm-size light that he refers to as “LED 2.0.” The light has a circular snowflakelike cooling frame surrounding a lens that emits a bright white light. New York Times article link en-us Mon, 20 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1360&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Kevin Miller he Obama administration’s budget proposal for next year includes $1.8 million in federal funding to conserve more than 7,500 acres along East Grand Lake and several tributaries located along the Maine-New Brunswick border. Known as the East Grand Lake/Orient project, the initiative is seeking $1.8 million from the U.S. Forest Service’s Forest Legacy program for fiscal year 2013 to protect 7,526 acres of working forest north and south of the town of Orient in southern Aroostook County. The 2013 federal fiscal year begins Oct. 1, 2012. Banagor Daily News article link en-us Mon, 20 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1361&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: David Brooks In a sign of continuing inroads made by wood pellets in the state, their price is now being tracked by the New Hampshire Office of Energy and Planning, alongside traditional heating fuel sources such as oil, natural gas and propane. The information about average statewide costs for bulk-delivered fuels is derived from a survey of five companies providing bulk pellet delivery service in New Hampshire. It shows that wood pellets are far cheaper than heating by heating oil or propane, although more expensive than natural gas. Nashua Telegraph article link en-us Sun, 19 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1353&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Chris Knight he proposed final draft of the Hoffman Notch Wilderness Unit Management Plan, in the central Adirondacks, was presented to the state Adirondack Park Agency Board of Commissioners at its one-day meeting Thursday. State Department of Environmental Conservation Forester Ben Thomas outlined the highlights of the plan for the 38,500-acre wilderness area, which is located just west of the Adirondack Northway in the towns of North Hudson, Minerva and Schroon in Essex County. Adirondack Daily Enterprise article link en-us Sat, 18 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1323&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Nick McCrea Wood pellet heating is catching on at a slower rate than its leaders would like to see, but with some support from the federal government it could “go viral,” according to the owner of a local pellet producer. Representatives of Maine’s pellet industry, including three owners of wood pellet companies and Dutch Dresser, president of the Maine Pellet Fuels Association, met with Dallas Tonsager, undersecretary for U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development, on Thursday morning at Corinth Wood Pellets. They asked for the USDA’s support in boosting the alternative heating method. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1328&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Jay Field The struggle over the future of some of Maine's most pristine lands continued inside a hearing room in Augusta today. A bill incorporating changes proposed by a special commission would limit the power of the Land Use Regulation Commission and give land owners and counties more say over planning and zoning in the state's Unorganized Territory. Supporters told memebrs of the Legislature's Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee that the measure restores balance to a decision-making process too heavily weighted in favor of conservation. But environmental groups say the proposed changes will roll back 40 years of protections and destroy the character of Maine's North Woods. MPBN article link en-us Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1330&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Chris Jensen Town meetings begin next month. One issue some towns are looking at is a radical new tactic ultimately designed to challenge the legal power of corporations. Opponents of the Northern Pass hydroelectric project are at the forefront of the move. NHPR article link en-us Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1332&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Sam Evans-Brown The New Hampshire House of Representatives has passed a bill that would make it easier for the smallest farmers to break even. If it becomes law it would allow residents to sell some home-made baked-goods, preserves, and cheese at home or at farmers’ markets. When the homemade foods bill came out of a House committee, it had unanimous support. NHPR article link en-us Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1333&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Staff The developer of a proposed wood energy plant in Fair Haven has received the air pollution control permit it needs from the state of Vermont. The plant proposed by Beaver Wood Energy would produce 29.5 megawatts of electricity from biomass. It would also manufacture wood pellets for heating fuel. VPR article link en-us Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1336&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Nicole Gaudiano Vermont’s congressional delegation pledged to renew the fight for low-income heating aid following release of President Barack Obama’s fiscal 2013 budget proposal on Monday. The spending plan would provide $3 billion for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which helps families offset some of their heating and cooling costs. Burlington Free Press article link en-us Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1337&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Staff Providing a steady flow of locally grown food is challenging for an institution such as Paul Smith's College when winter hits. Now, though, a Chenango County-based food distributor is helping to serve up local food at Paul Smith's no matter the season. Press Republican article link en-us Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1338&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Martha Foley More than 100 demonstrators representing 50 environmental groups were in Albany yesterday, hoping to protect the state's Environmental Protection Fund. The EPF is traditionally a target in state budget negotiations. NCPR article link en-us Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1325&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Kevin Miller Lawmakers heard hours of passionate testimony Thursday on the economic and cultural importance of Maine’s vast, undeveloped forests as they began work on a bill that could affect planning and permitting on nearly half of the acreage in the state. To those who helped craft the compromise, the proposal to reform Maine’s Land Use Regulation Commission offers politically tangible fixes to a state agency in need of better balance between economic and environmental interests. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Thu, 16 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1341&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Editorial Staff Those in Tupper Lake can join a new community maple project, led by The Wild Center and one of the first of its kind in the state. The Wild Center invites community members to tap maple trees in their yards and have it collected by a Wild Center representative on a daily basis during the sugaring season (once the sap begins to flow). Once returned to The Wild Center, the sap will be boiled down into maple syrup. Participating community members will receive 50% of the finished product (pure maple syrup) from the sap they provide. (Generally 40 gallons of sap = 1 gallon of maple syrup = ½ gallon of pure maple syrup to supplier.) Organizations like Sunmount have already agreed to participate in the project. Adirondack Almanac article link en-us Thu, 16 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1359&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Northeast Biomass Heating Expo The fourth annual Northeast Biomass Heating Expo 2012 (nebiomassheat.com) will feature two dedicated technical and economic development tracks for its March 21-23 conference and expo in Saratoga Springs, NY. Through an expanded expo hall and info-packed workshops, the 2012 event will provide an opportunity for commercial building and heating engineers, architects, municipal officials, general contractors, and companies with advanced wood heating technology to interact and discuss the tremendous potential of wood biomass heating and combined heat and power (CHP) in the Northeast. Renewable Energy World article link en-us Thu, 16 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1320&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Matt Kanner It was 20 degrees below zero when farmer Jim Gerritsen got up on the early morning of Feb. 13. Gerritson operates Wood Prairie Farm in rural Bridgewater, Maine, near the Canadian border in Aroostook County, the most sparsely populated county east of the Mississippi River. With more land than Connecticut and Rhode Island combined, it’s home to only about 71,000 people. The Wire article link en-us Wed, 15 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1326&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshrie By: Barbara Tetreault he warmer than average winter has allowed work on the Burgess BioPower biomass plant to advance ahead of schedule. Cate Street Capital Vice President Richard Cyr said the mild weather has allowed more on-site activity than originally anticipated. Local reporters were given a tour of the 75-megawatt biomass project last Thursday by Burgess BioPower site manager Carl Belanger. Berlin Daily Sun article link en-us Wed, 15 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1342&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Enterprise Staff The One Square Mile of Hope Committee recently received notification from Guinness World Records that on Jan. 31, their claim for the "World's Largest Floating Raft" of canoes, kayaks and guideboats was approved. Adirondack Daily Enterprise article link en-us Wed, 15 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1343&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Jessica Collier This winter's lack of snow is having an impact on a variety of things, as town council members discussed at their Tuesday night meeting. Town Youth Activities Director Mike Fritts is hoping to hold a cross-country ski event this weekend, but he said he's not sure there will be enough snow for it. Adirondack Daily Enterprise article link en-us Wed, 15 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1327&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshrie By: Gail Scott Peter and Marie Canning have just installed a wood pellet boiler to heat the century-old, two-family house on Hillsboro Street that they have owned for 12 years. They expect to annually save 40 percent over their former oil fueled boiler heat. And, thanks to the fact that they are among the first of some 40 householders to take advantage of a new program—the Berlin Model Neighborhood Project—they are paying a fraction of the total estimated $25,000 cost. Only five of those coveted BMNP slots have been taken so far; as of last week there were still 35 openings for Berlin householders who want to make their homes energy efficient and cut their heating costs. Berlin Daily Sun article link en-us Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1331&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Sam Evans-Brown The House is again considering a bill that would repeal the state’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, or RGGI, a carbon cap and trade program. Opponents and supporters of RGGI wearily filed into the Statehouse, ready to go over the well-rehearsed talking points that they used the last time the program was on the chopping block. NHPR article link en-us Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1344&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: The Associated Press More than 100 demonstrators representing 50 environmental groups are seeking to protect the state's Environmental Protection Fund, traditionally a target in state budget negotiations. Adirondack Daily Enterprise article link en-us Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1318&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Chris Jensen A pilot project in Berlin is helping homeowners get sophisticated boilers that are automatically fed wood pellets. The idea is to persuade people throughout the region that they can save money and say goodbye to oil while bolstering the region’s forest economy. NHPR article link en-us Mon, 13 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1321&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Jonathan Riskind President Obama's proposed 2013 budget again cuts a heating assistance program that helps thousands of low-income Mainers. The budget released this morning calls for $3 billion for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which the Obama administration stresses is more than the $2.57 billion it requested as part of its 2012 budget. Morning Sentinel article link en-us Mon, 13 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1334&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: The Associated Press A Vermont renewable energy industry group is calling for the state to expand the amount of power Vermont gets from generators paid above-market prices set by the state. But other business groups say they worry that expanding the state's so-called standard offer program will drive up electric rates. VPR article link en-us Mon, 13 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1339&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Matt Richmond The U.S. government supports renewable energy with money for research and tax breaks. But as the Innovation Trail's Matt Richmond reports, that backing has come under political fire, and the industry is already feeling the effects. NCPR article link en-us Mon, 13 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1322&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: David Robinson Many resorts and businesses that rely on tourism dollars are hoping the Presidents' Day holiday week that begins next weekend can save a winter recreation season reeling from historically low amounts of snow. But despite the fact conditions have improved recently across many northern communities, the businesses still worry about attracting visitors from south of the area, where unseasonably warm temperatures have people skittish of taking a winter vacation. Morning Sentinel article link en-us Sun, 12 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1335&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Sarah Harris (Host) The federal low income heating assistance program, commonly known as LIHEAP, has had a lot of ups and downs this year. Funding levels are below what they were last year, even though the state's congressional delegation was able to pump another $5 million into the program. As VPR's Sarah Harris reports, even with that help, many Vermonters are still struggling to keep their heat on this winter. VPR article link en-us Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1345&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Chris Knight As you turn off state Route 86 and drive into Whiteface Mountain Ski Center, the view of the mountain's wide, ribbon-like ski trails and rugged, snow-covered slides is just as impressive this winter as it is any other year. But look a little closer. In the woods between the ski slopes, which have been blasted repeatedly with man-made snow, there's little to no natural snow on the ground. Grass, brush and rocks are visible under the Cloudsplitter Gondola. Large sections of the Hoyt's High trail, which has no snowmaking, are bare. Adirondack Daily Enterprise article link en-us Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1324&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Matt Wickenheiser Today Tonsager is the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s under secretary for rural development. He has spent a few days in Maine this week, meeting with entrepreneurs in the wood pellet sector, business and academic leaders leading the way in offshore wind power development and, on Friday, taking part in a round-table discussion with business leaders and U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1329&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshrie By: Jennifer Levitz For a while, it looked like northern New Hampshire's papermaking heritage was gone for good. When the region's last mill closed in 2010, 197 workers were out of good-paying jobs, and the pain of lost paychecks rippled through this tiny mountain town of 2,848. Many feared the digital age had finally felled the local tradition of producing paper for printing and writing. Wall Street Journal article link en-us Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1317&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Mechele Cooper The city will save an estimated $195,000 in heating oil costs during the next 25 years with its new pellet boiler. The boiler is expected to be running in a month or so. Gardiner is the first municipality in Maine to use a wood pellet boiler system, according to the Maine Municipal Association. Kennebek Journal article link en-us Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1319&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: George Smith Most Mainers agree that the state's 10 million acres of northern forest should remain intact, sheltering our wildlife, feeding our economy, feeding our soul. The owners of those lands share these goals. Mainers, however, are sharply divided on every other forest issue, from harvesting practices to development to recreational access. And that is why -- even though we agree on the biggest issue of them all -- a major battle is unfolding at the Legislature over the future of the Land Use Regulation Commission -- the planning and governing body for the state's unorganized territories including the northern forest. Morning Sentinel article link en-us Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1340&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Julie Grant New York is hosting a meeting of federal agencies, northeastern states, and tribal groups this morning in Albany to talk about adapting to climate change. Pat Riexinger, director of the division of fish, wildlife, and marine resources at the New York Department of Environmental Conservation, says we can see the weather changing: the intense storms last year, and the mild winter, with little snowfall. She says 16 federal agencies collaborated to write a strategy and action plan to deal with changing weather patterns. NCPR article link en-us Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1286&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region July 29-31, 2012 The Pellet Fuels Insistute's annual conference will take place from July 29-31, 2012 at the Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mahsantucket, CT. PFI has issued a call for speakers. Registration will begin in the Spring of 2012. PFI Conference link en-us Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1287&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region The Next Generation Wood Stove Design Challenge is now underway! The Challenge seeks to promote next generation stove designs, build a community of innovators and showcase stove innovation to the public. The Challenge is sponsored by the Alliance for Green Heat and Popular Mechanics Magazine. A growing list of institutions are supporters of the Challenge, including the EPA and the Biomass Thermal Energy Council. All the details of the Challenge are below, and applications are due in December 2012. The Challenge is sponsored by the Alliance for Green Heat and Popular Mechanics Magazine. A growing list of institutions are Challenge partners, including the EPA, the Biomass Thermal Energy Council. All the details of the Challenge are below, and applications are due in December 2012. Alliance for Green Heat article link en-us Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1294&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Meghan Pierce This year’s mild winter in New Hampshire has the potential to cut short maple syrup production, but sugar makers say you never can tell what a sugaring season will bring. “It’s a funny year because the way the weather has been trending, what happens in March will tell what happens in the season,” said Robyn Pearl, publicist for the New Hampshire Maple Producers Association. Union Leader article link en-us Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1298&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: The Associated Press Three Vermont groups are going to share up to $34 million as part of a five-year grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to promote energy efficiency. The organizations will provide technical, analytical and outreach assistance to the national ENERGY STAR program in the commercial, institutional, and industrial sectors. Vermont Public Radio article link en-us Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1301&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: The Associated Press The Adirondack Council says cuts in major environmental initiatives and staff losses at state regulatory agencies are threatening the Adirondack Park's natural resources and tourism. Adirondack Daily Enterprise article link en-us Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1308&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Staff writer A federal study shows New York needs $29.7 billion in upgrades to long-overlooked water and sewer systems. U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said Wednesday the study shows how important it is to continue funding levels for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund Program, which makes federal funding available to states to finance municipal water and sewer projects. Post Star article link en-us Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1309&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Thomas Dimopoulos Warmer than normal winter temperatures coupled with below-average snowfall has some maple sugar producers placing trust in a higher power. Cheryl Kenyon, co-owner of Adirondack Gold Maple Farm in Thurman, said she hopes the "weird winter" yields the good tapping weather of warm days and cold nights. Post Star article link en-us Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1314&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Editorial Staff The Adirondack Museum third 2012 Cabin Fever Sunday series, "Nature: From Howling Wilderness to Vacation Destination" will be held on Sunday, February 12, 2012. The event will be offered free of charge. Adirondack Almanac article link en-us Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1315&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Brian Mann It's been a big year for author and climate change activist Bill McKibben. His organization, 350.org, led a series of national protests against an oil pipeline from Canada known as Keystone XL. Critics say the pipeline would accelerate carbon pollution. Last month, President Barack Obama rejected the project, sparking a fierce debate in Congress. McKibben divides his time between North Creek in the Adirondacks and Ripton, Vermont. NCPR article link en-us Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1288&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Erin Cox Hometown Energy owner Ike Libby said Monday night that Americans have sent his company more than $100,000 since it was mentioned Saturday in a front-page article in the The New York Times on Mainers struggling to heat their homes this winter. He said he was too busy answering the phone at his business at 90 Weld St. in Dixfield to tally the amount of donations given to pay for heating fuel deliveries to the needy, especially the elderly. Bangor Daily News article link Read the New York Times article en-us Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1289&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Bill Trotter If a transportation bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives is approved as written, it could mean the end of a federal program that has brought $5 million to rural Maine over the past two decades. In Maine, there are 14 scenic byways, each of which is managed by a committee of residents and stakeholders who aim to attract tourists by improving and promoting the scenic roads. Since 1993, the byways have received more than $5.7 million in National Scenic Byway funds from the Federal Highway Administration. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1297&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: White Mt. News Staff Governor John Lynch used his final state-of-the-state address to close two doors on the Northern Pass Project. Lynch said, “One of the biggest issues facing our state and our environment is the proposal for the Northern Pass. I support bringing more renewable power to our state. It is in our long-term interests to diversify our power sources, and we should not dismiss out of hand the idea of hydropower from Canada. But the proponents of Northern Pass need to listen better. This project cannot happen without local support. And it should not happen with eminent domain.” White Mountain News article link en-us Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1299&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: John Dillon McKibben is an author, activist, and scholar in residence at Middlebury College. Over the past year, he's led protests against the Keystone XL pipeline that's designed to bring tar sands from northwest Canada to the Texas coast. But on Tuesday he was testifying in Montpelier before the House Natural Resources and Energy Committee. His message was that with climate legislation dead in Washington, Vermont and other states need to do all they can to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Vermont Public Radio article link en-us Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1302&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Staff The project that will carry power under Lake Champlain to the New York City area will add more than 1,000 jobs, a new report shows. London Economics International has released its analysis of the macroeconomic impacts of the Champlain Hudson Power Express project. Press Republican article link en-us Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1304&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Associated Press Environmental and energy groups and state and local officials are next in line to have their say on Gov. Andrew Cuomo's proposed 2012-13 budget. The ninth of 13 legislative hearings is being held Tuesday in Albany on Cuomo's $132.5 billion budget proposal. Press Republican article link en-us Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1310&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Casey Seiler Tuesday's joint legislative hearing on Gov. Andrew Cuomo's state budget proposal devoted a considerable amount of time to a subject that goes virtually unmentioned in its pages: hydraulic fracturing. State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Joe Martens told lawmakers his agency still had months of work to complete before it would even be possible to issue a limited number of permits for the controversial natural gas drilling technique. Post Star article link en-us Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1316&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: NCPR Staff We continue our series, the Adirondack Attic, with Andy Flynn. You may know Andy from his series of Adirondack Attic books on local history. He uses the objects people make, use and leave behind to tell stories about the life and times of the region. NCPR is collaborating with Andy and his sources at the Adirondack Museum and other historical associations and museums in the region to bring these stories to air. Today, we'll get the history and the back-story of Saranac Lake's Winter Carnival, and its famous Ice Palace. NCPR article link en-us Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1290&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Beth Quimby Several western York County organizations hope their campaign to protect that region's timberlands will gain the same kind of national attention as similar efforts in Maine's North Woods. The group Forest Works! has formed to keep western York County woodlands in timber production rather than lose them to development. The woods contain a lot of eastern white pine, a valuable source of construction lumber. The Portland Press Herald article link en-us Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1293&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Logan Yonavjak While much has been written from a theoretical perspective about markets for ecosystem services, few on-the-ground projects currently exist. Yet the projects that do exist provide one of the best windows onto what actually works in practice. WRI Insights article link en-us Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Ecosystem Services http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1300&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Jessica Collier Northern Challenge Ice Fishing Derby organizers were thrilled with the weather Saturday for the annual event that turns Lake Simond into an ice fishing village for the day. "You couldn't ask for any better weather," said derby Chairman Dave McMahon. "Ice conditions are perfect." Adirondack Daily Enterprise article link en-us Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1305&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Alvin Reiner There are no growling engines or belching exhaust from giant skidders on the Scragwood property here. Instead, there's the jangle of chains as literal horse power goes to work removing timber from the land. The pair of Suffolk punch draft horses can excise a log through a labyrinth of standing trees much like a surgeon removing a small growth without damaging the surrounding organs. Press Republican article link en-us Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1291&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: The Associated Press The Maine Forest Service says a survey crew has begun a search Down East for signs of an invasive insect that's already damaged trees along southern Maine's coast. A Forest Service crew is looking for evidence of hemlock-woolly adelgid on Mount Desert Island. The crew also will work with national park and U.S. Forest Service staff to survey in Acadia National Park before moving on to coastal Waldo, Hancock and Washington counties. The Portland Press Herald article link en-us Sun, 05 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1292&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Rene Bruemmer Calling it perhaps the largest environmental conservation project on the planet, Quebec Premier Jean Charest unveiled how the government plans to safeguard 50 per cent of the province’s northern territory — a region the size of France — from industrial development Sunday. Chief among the measures was the announcement that 20 per cent of the region will be declared protected areas by 2020, nearly twice the amount of land Quebec first pledged would be granted full protection. Montreal Gazette article link en-us Sun, 05 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1306&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Jeff Meyers Rare visitors from the Arctic tundra have drawn area bird-watching enthusiasts to the open water on Lake Champlain near Ausable Point State Park. Three tundra swans, two adults and a juvenile, have established a temporary presence just offshore from the access road to the campgrounds. They have been observed there for a few weeks now. Press Republican article link en-us Sun, 05 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1307&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Lohr McKinstry Warm temperatures have hammered usually vibrant ice fishing around Port Henry The frozen surface of Lake Champlain around Bulwagga Bay is usually speckled with dozens of ice fishing shanties by February. But not this year. Press Republican article link en-us Sun, 05 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1295&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Barbara Tetreault There has never been a better time for commercial property owners in Berlin to make energy efficiency improvements to their properties. Additional grant incentives are now available that cover not only the expense of the energy audit but also up to 45 percent of the cost of making improvements identified by the audit. Cimbria Badenhausen, community manager for Berlin BetterBuildings, said the opportunity for commercial property owners is too good to miss. The Berlin Daily Sun article link en-us Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1313&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Editorial Staff The Town of Newcomb has completed its purchase of 348 acres for a total of $256,591.00 from The Nature Conservancy. The town officials hope the purchase will boost economic development and public access, particularly along the Route 28N travel corridor, and other community objectives outlined in its Comprehensive Plan, which was updated in 2009. Adirondack Almanac article link en-us Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1285&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Luke Geiver The New Hampshire Office of Energy and Planning (OEP) is now the second state-affiliated energy information provider in the Northeastern U.S. to include average residential pricing for wood pellets used in home heating applications, following Maine, the first to include wood pellet pricing data in its weekly fuel report. As of January 30, 2012, the New Hampshire OEP fuel prices report shows that one ton of delivered wood pellets costs roughly $237. The price used on the OEP report is generated by averaging the price data provided by several wood pellet providers in the state. Biomass Magazine article link en-us Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1296&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Rick Ganley The USDA recently released a new growing zone map for the entire country. The Plant Hardiness Zone Map is the guide gardeners use to determine what plants and flowers will most likely thrive in their location. This is the first significant update in more than 20 years. The new online interactive map takes advantage of much more detailed data analysis, and it’s making news because it shows that warmer winters are sustaining plants that previously would have died off in colder climates. NHPR article link en-us Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1311&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Martha Ellen Four conservation organizations have asked Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli and Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman to halt approval of a state Department of Environmental Conservation-negotiated deal that would allow about 200 cabins to remain on state easement land owned by Heartwood Forestland Fund in St. Lawrence, Franklin and Lewis counties. The Journal article link en-us Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1312&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Christie Sausa For the 32nd year, the Empire State Winter Games, formerly hosted by New York State, will be held in Lake Placid February 2nd through 5th. Organized by the Lake Placid CVB and the Olympic Regional Development Authority, the Games incorporate winter sports including alpine skiing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, biathlon, figure skating, luge, speed skating, bobsled/skeleton, women’s ice hockey, ski orienteering, and freestyle skiing. Adirondack Almanac article link en-us Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1271&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: The Associated Press Registered snowmobilers in New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine can roam trails in all three states this weekend. Any snowmobile legally registered in one of the participating states is allowed on trails in all three from Friday through Sunday. All other host state regulations apply, including speed limits, youth laws and Vermont’s mandatory liability insurance. Bangor Daily Times article link en-us Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1272&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: The Associated Press Maine Forest Service insect experts say a "bark-peeling" workshop aimed at finding evidence of tree-killing bugs found no evidence of the insects. Using a method reminiscent of an old-fashioned husking bee, entomologists held two bark-peeling workshops that concluded this week. They looked for evidence of the emerald ash borer, an invasive insect threatening Maine's forests. Morning Sentinel article link en-us Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1276&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Editorial Staff The Mountaineer and Cloudsplitter Mountain Guides have teamed up to host the 10th annual Adirondack Backcountry Ski Festival on March 3 and 4, 2012. The event celebrates the ski experience both here in the Adirondack backcountry and in the greater ranges of the world. Adirondack Almanac article link en-us Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1278&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: NCPR Staff The Town of Newcomb in the central Adirondacks has purchased 348 acres from The Nature Conservancy for development projects along Route 28N. The deal is part of a series of transactions involving former Finch, Pruyn paper company lands bought by the conservancy five years ago. NCPR article link en-us Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1279&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Mike Lynch our New York conservation organizations say the state Department of Environmental Conservation didn't follow proper procedures when it renegotiated three conservation easements that were part of the 139,000-acre deal with Champion International Paper in 1999. Adirondack Daily Enterprise article link en-us Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1280&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Joseph Seymour On Washington D.C.’s mild winter days, I often look out my office window to the bare streets below and reflect on the challenges of growing biomass thermal businesses amid a sharply divided and seemingly distracted government. In those moments, I recall a dinner conversation with a small town central-Michigan insurance agent. Biomass Magazine article link en-us Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1281&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Lake Placid CVB / Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism In a gathering of their tourism industry peers and elected officials, the 2011 Destination Award winners were announced at the Lake Placid CVB/Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (LPCVB/ROOST) annual meeting and reception on January 12, 2012 at the Conference Center at Lake Placid. PRWEB article link en-us Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1282&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: US Forest Service The U.S. Forest Service is distributing $52.2 million in grants for 17 conservation and working lands projects across the United States this year. The two largest grants, $7 million each. go to projects on opposite coasts. Environment News Service article link en-us Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1283&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Amanda Loder Thanks to the ongoing Northern Pass controversy, eminent domain–when the government forces landowners to sell their property to benefit a project for the public good–has become one of the 2012 legislative session’s key issues. And thanks to the Forest Society, the issue’s gained a greater sense of urgency State Impact article link en-us Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1284&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: John Harrigan What do you do when a foreign for-profit company wants to run cheap, supposedly “green” electricity down through some of the most beautiful farm-and-forest countryside left in the Northeast — solely to make money in the lucrative southern New England market? The project is the controversial Quebec Hydro transmission line, better known as Northern Pass. Push is coming to shove on the controversial issue of eminent domain, the question of whether and when the state should allow a utility to take property against the owner’s will. It is an issue that strikes directly at the heart of landowners’ rights, right up there with family legacy, tradition and religion. NewHampshire.com article link en-us Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1277&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Trevor Alford The future of a plan to reduce St. Lawrence County's greenhouse gas emissions is still up in the air. County legislators voted this month to keep the Climate Action Plan on the table. NCPR article link en-us Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1273&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Chris Jensen The new owners of the Balsams resort in Dixville Notch are pulling together the money they need for a massive renovation. And, they hope federal programs will give them a big boost. NHPR article link en-us Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1275&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Ted Booker When Kenneth G. Tupper, owner of Hilltop Maple Treats in Canton, harvests maple syrup this March from the 1,200 trees on his property, he’ll be doing so using the best equipment on the market. Thanks to a five-year, low-interest loan of $20,000 from the Development Authority of the North Country, Mr. Tupper bought for $16,300 a reverse osmosis machine that will cut fuel use by about 75 percent, as well as a heavier pump that will produce more sap. Watertown Daily Times article link en-us Sun, 29 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1274&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Amanda Loder Recently the Concord Monitor reported on a Granite State Poll commissioned by a key Northern Pass rival–the New England Power Generators Association. The big news coming out of the study was 68 percent of the 500 respondents were against Northern Pass. But what interested us even more than the overarching sentiment toward the project was how opinions broke down along various demographic lines. NHPR article link en-us Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1256&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Matthew Daily The Obama administration says new rules to manage nearly 200 million acres of national forests will protect watersheds and wildlife while promoting uses ranging from recreation to logging. The Kennebec Journal article link en-us Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1267&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Jessica Collier The town-village joint planning board is preparing to get into the nitty-gritty of the Adirondack Club and Resort application now that it has approval from the state Adirondack Park Agency. Adirondack Daily Enterprise article link en-us Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1268&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Matt Richmond ...In its Energy Outlook for 2012, the Department of Energy has reduced its estimate of unproven "technically recoverable reserve" (TRR) natural gas in the Marcellus Shale from 410 trillion cubic feet to 141 trillion cubic. NCPR article link en-us Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1257&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Keith Edwards That bag of trash you leave curbside or take to the Hatch Hill landfill today could end up powering your diesel pickup truck in the future. City officials are in discussions with a Texas-based waste-to-energy company that proposes to build a $20 million plant at Hatch Hill to convert trash into diesel fuel. Councilors meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in council chambers at Augusta City Center and are scheduled to hear a presentation on the idea. The Kennebec Journal article link en-us Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1264&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Barbara Tetreault With the news last week that the U.S. Forest Service has granted the Androscoggin Headwaters Conservation Project $5 million, the effort now has raised enough money to fund three of its five phases. The project is working to protect over 31,000 acres of land around the headwaters of the Androscoggin River through a combination of conservation easements and land purchases. All of the land is owned by Plum Creek Timberlands LLC, the largest private timberland owner in the country. Berlin Daily Sun article link en-us Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1269&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Brian Mann ...One bright spot this winter has been the VIC at Paul Smiths. The facility was threatened with closure in 2010 when the Adirondack Park Agency decided that it was too expensive to operate. But Paul Smiths College and a group of local residents have worked to keep the VIC open. Brian Mann checked out the trails last week and has our story. Loading... NCPR article link en-us Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Networks & Partner News http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1254&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Kevin Miller Researchers examining the effects of mercury on wildlife found elevated levels of the neurotoxin in songbirds and bats from Maine to Virginia, prompting the study’s authors to call for more monitoring and stronger conservation measures. Researchers with the BioDiversity Research Institute, based in Gorham, and The Nature Conservancy compiled blood tests from nearly 1,900 birds and 800 bats collected over the past decade in the mid-Atlantic and the Northeast. Bangor Daily News article link Read more about the report here en-us Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1263&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Chris Jensen An ambitious plan to revitalize Berlin’s downtown and make it the social and economic focus of the city is finished and now officials are looking around for millions of dollars to carry it out. NHPR article link en-us Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1255&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Nick Sambides Jr. Maine’s federal delegation cheered news Monday that the U.S. and Canada extended a 5-year-old softwood lumber agreement through 2015, but called for more consistent enforcement of the controversial pact. Originally set to expire in 2013, the multibillion-dollar agreement aims at addressing unfair Canadian lumber subsidies undercutting American industry. Unlike American manufacturers, Canadian producers can be subsidized by their provincial governments in the form of smaller fees charged for timber harvested from government land. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Mon, 23 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1258&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Amy Calder new $11.25 million biomass plant at Colby College is now in operation, with officials expecting it will save the college about $1.5 million a year in heating costs. The 8,100-square-foot biomass plant on Campus Drive burns forestry products, including wood chips, bark, branches and treetops, producing steam that is distributed underground to all parts of the campus. The Kennebec Journal article link en-us Mon, 23 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1261&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: The Associated Press Lawmakers are looking at a bill aimed at improving relations between outdoor recreationists and private property owners. Assistant House Republican Leader Andre Cushing's bill, LD 1613, is up for a hearing this morning before the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee. It seeks to strengthen what's become a tradition in Maine of public recreational access to private land. With so much of the state privately owned, good relations with landowners are important to hunters and other outdoors enthusiasts. The Portland Press Herald article link en-us Mon, 23 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1262&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Sam Evans-Brown An industry group has put out a new study that disputes Public Service of New Hampshire’s claims about the number of jobs the Northern Pass project will create. The study cuts PSNH’s jobs prediction in half. A trade group representing power plant owners commissioned an independent analyst to study how many jobs the Northern Pass project might create. That analysis found that the project could expect to create just over 600 jobs in New Hampshire, about half of the 1,200 jobs figure released by Northern Pass. NHPR article link en-us Mon, 23 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1265&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Ben Leubsdorf New Hampshire is littered with old mills, factories and other sites where pollution presents a roadblock to any attempt at redevelopment. Stephen Heavener wants to help clean them up. Heavener, 57, is the executive director of the Capital Regional Development Council, a Concord-based nonprofit that provides financing and other services to area businesses and communities. Concord Monitor article link en-us Mon, 23 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1270&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Brian Mann On Friday, the Adirondack Park Agency voted to approve the largest project in the Park's modern history, giving the green light to a massive resort planned around the Big Tupper ski area. Supporters hope the project will bring hundreds of jobs to the Adirondacks, and revitalize the economy of Tupper Lake. Hundreds of people gathered in the village Friday night to celebrate the historic decision. NCPR article link en-us Mon, 23 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1253&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Clarke Canfield When oil prices skyrocketed to more than $4 a gallon four years ago, Dan Stevens got rid of his oil-burning furnace, oil tank and heating baseboards and began using wood to heat his home. He wasn't the only one. The number of households using wood as their primary heating source nearly doubled in Maine from 2000 to 2010, while growing by a third nationwide, according to U.S. Census figures. Boston.com article link en-us Sun, 22 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1259&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Doug Harlow The school board last week voted to go ahead with a wood-pellet boiler system for the high school and Bloomfield Elementary School, despite the possibility that a natural gas pipeline might someday serve the schools. If the proposed Kennebec Valley Gas Co. pipeline does come to the area, it could be used to augment the pellet system, school Superintendent Brent Colbry said. The Morning Sentinel article link en-us Sun, 22 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1260&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Beth Staples Dana Doran shared with Rep. Mike Michaud that Kennebec Valley Community College is onto something. Doran, KVCC's director of energy programs, gave Maine's 2nd District U.S. congressman a tour Friday of the college's Northeast Solar Heating and Cooling Instructor Training Project. The Morning Sentinel article link en-us Sat, 21 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1227&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Located in the heart of the six-million-acre Adirondack Park in Lake Placid, NY, the North Country School cultivates environmental leadership in its pupils from a location of extraordinary natural beauty. The core values of the boarding school -- and corresponding Camp Treetops summer camp --highlight a commitment to simple, sustainable living and to responsible decision making regarding natural resources. It’s fitting that the school has dedicated itself to finding renewable sources of fuel to heat the approximately 85,000 square feet of classroom and office space on campus. After investigating many options, installing a wood chip boiler emerged as the most environmental and economical choice, due in large part to the availability of wood chips that are a by-product of the campus’ forest woodlot. US DOE article link en-us Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1229&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: NASA NASA recently released a map showing where in the USA the above ground sources of woody biomass are located. BuzzFeed article link en-us Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1231&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: The Associated Press The LePage administration says the state has received federal grants totaling $8.7 million to conserve two forest properties in western Maine. Most of the money from the U.S. Forest Service Forest Legacy Program, $7 million, will purchase 11,800 acres on Crocker Mountain in the town of Carrabassett Valley. The lands are part of a working forest owned by Plum Creek and include a segment of the Appalachian Trail and opportunities for ATV and mountain biking trails. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1232&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Kevin Miller The forests surrounding Baker Lake in far northern Somerset County are remote, even by Maine standards. Few people other than loggers, truckers and some die-hard outdoor enthusiasts visit the area, reachable by driving about two hours north of Jackman on logging roads or taking a roughly 50-mile detour into Canada followed by another 25 miles on woods roads. The nearest hospital — in Saint-Georges, Quebec — is at least 40 miles away. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1243&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: The Associated Press Vermont is getting $21.6 million in federal emergency funds to help rebuild communities destroyed by flooding from Tropical Storm Irene. The funding from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced Friday will be used to rebuild homes and businesses flooded in the Aug. 28 storm. Burlington Free Press article link en-us Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1245&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Denise A. Raymo Using wood pellets instead of fuel oil as its primary heating source has saved Malone Middle School between $8,000 and $11,000 so far this winter. Since the system went online Nov. 27, 2011, the school has spent $3,700 on wood pellets at $185 a ton, compared to 3,800 to 5,000 gallons of fuel oil at $3 a gallon, said David Brooks, superintendent of buildings and grounds for the Malone Central School District. Press-Republican article link en-us Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1246&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Press-Republican Staff Snowmobilers can now ride from the hamlet of Wilmington's business district to Cooper Kiln Pond. "This trail will become an economic boon for the Town of Wilmington, now and for years to come," Wilmington Town Supervisor Randy Preston said in a statement. Press-Republican article link en-us Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1247&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Staff The state Adirondack Park Agency board voted 10-1 today to give a permit to the Adirondack Club and Resort, the largest project the board has voted on in its 40-year history. Commissioner Richard Booth cast the only "no" vote Adirondack Daily Enterprise article link en-us Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1230&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Kathleen Callahan The new owners of the Balsams Grand Resort Hotel have hired a North Country economic development organization to find ways to finance its long-overdue renovation. The nonprofit Northern Community Investment Corp., which serves northern New Hampshire and Vermont, will develop a finance plan to fund renovation of the historic Dixville Notch hotel....In March 2011, when an investor group he was part of was bidding against Ocean Properties for the property, Dagesse told NHBR that plans for the resort included installing a biomass heating system, which he said would cut operating costs by up to $1.3 million. Without the system, he said the hotel would be "doomed." New Hampshire Business Review article link en-us Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1233&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Nick McCrea The U.S. Department of Health and Human services announced Thursday that Maine will receive nearly $10 million more in Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program funding. That brings Maine’s total LIHEAP amount for this season to $39,981,695 — still well short of the $56.5 million the state received for the program in 2010-2011. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1240&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Chris Jensen The federal government has provided $5 million to help protect some of the most beautiful land in the North Country. The U.S. Forest Service is providing $5 million to purchase a conservation easement near Errol. NHPR article link en-us Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1266&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Glenn Russel ...Vermont is increasingly recognized as leading the nation in furniture production, and quintessentially, with a green twist. It deserves merit for its eco-friendly practices relying on forest products from sustainable sources. Vermont woodcrafters have also taken the practice to a new level, recycling reclaimed wood in furniture products. Burlington Free Press article link en-us Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1234&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Glenn Adams Leaders of a coalition that’s pushing for a referendum to mandate increased use of renewable energy in Maine said Wednesday their initiative would reduce dependence on foreign oil while lowering residential energy bills. Maine Citizens for Clean Energy leaders also said they’re confident they will collect more than 57,000 valid signatures needed by the end of January to get their question on next November’s referendum ballot. Bangor Daily News article link LePage challenges backers of Maine renewable energy initiative en-us Wed, 18 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1244&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Nicole Gaudiano Vermont climate activist Bill McKibben isn’t used to environmentalists scoring a win over the oil industry. But that’s what happened Wednesday when President Barack Obama rejected a permit for the controversial Keystone XL pipeline — a project McKibben has been fighting since August. McKibben said that since he wrote about climate change 23 years ago, “there have been few days when scientists got to smile and Big Oil had to scowl, and today’s one of them.” Burlington Free Press article link en-us Wed, 18 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1235&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: The Associated Press Registered snowmobilers in New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine will be able to roam trails in all three states during the last weekend in January. Any snowmobile legally registered in one of the participating states will be allowed on trails in all three during the Jan. 27-29 weekend. All other host state regulations will apply, including speed limits, youth laws and Vermont’s mandatory liability insurance Bangor Daily News article link en-us Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1241&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Chris Jensen A deal to bring the closed Groveton paper mill in the North Country back to life has fallen through raising the possibility it will be demolished. NHPR article link en-us Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1237&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: The Associated Press Maine Forest Service insect experts will lead what's known as a "bark-peeling" workshop aimed at finding evidence of tree-killing bugs. Using a method reminiscent of an old-fashioned husking bee, entomologists will hold two bark-peeling workshops on Tuesday and again on Jan. 24 to look for evidence of the emerald ash borer, an invasive insect threatening Maine's forests. The Portland Press Herald article link en-us Mon, 16 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1238&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Staff Reports The battle over management of Maine's North Woods may be one of the fiercest and longest-running feuds in the state Legislature. That's why lawmakers last year handed the issue to a task force and ordered it to leave the heated halls of the State House and come back with a compromise that stops the fighting. That's not going to happen. The Portland Press Herald article link en-us Mon, 16 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1242&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Chris Jensen he Forest Society says it has raised the $850,000 needed for a conservation easement at the Balsams Grand Resort Hotel in Dixville Notch. It blocks a right-of-way for the proposed Northern Pass hydro-electric project. NHPR article link en-us Sun, 15 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1252&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Garry Rayno The Senate finally starts rolling Wednesday, and one of the most hotly contested issues from last year — the proposed Northern Pass power line project — could be affected by the first vote. Union Leader article link en-us Sun, 15 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1236&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Nick Sambides Jr. A group opposing environmentalist Roxanne Quimby’s proposed 70,000-acre national park found that 87 percent of Patten-area residents called in a December survey rejected Quimby’s idea, the group’s founder said Friday. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1251&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Travel New England Staff Apply now for Stewardship and Youth Program internship positions with the Northern Forest Canoe Trail (NFCT). Work outside and hone your leadership, outdoor education, and trail work skills. The NFCT is recruiting four Stewardship Interns and three Youth Program Interns. Positions come with training, professional development, a stipend of $250 per week, and an opportunity to work with great people in super scenic locations. The season runs June 11 to August 16, 2012. Application and details can be found on NFCT’s website. The deadline for applications is March 12, 2012. Travel New England article link en-us Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1248&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Chris Knight Nurses at Adirondack Medical Center are now using barcode scanning technology to administer medications to their patients. Over the last few months, Adirondack Health has implemented a Bedside Medication Verification system at the Saranac Lake hospital. It's designed to prevent giving patients wrong or incorrect doses of medication. The system went live in all inpatient areas of the hospital in September. Adirondack Daily Enterprise article link en-us Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Health http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1249&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: The Post-Standard Staff While some Central New Yorkers may be enjoying the mild weather this season, it has members of the Winona Forest Recreation Association concerned. “At the moment, not having much snow is going to interfere with the events we have planned,” association president Carol Rees said last week. The Post-Standard article link en-us Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1250&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: NCPR Staff Anew report from the Brookings Institution finds investment in clean energy is paying off. The Innovation Trail's Ryan Delaney reports New York is reaping big benefits because it's taking a comprehensive approach. Brookings found the states known to have clean energy funds have invested $2.7 billion in renewable energy in the past decade. And they’re seeing that investment come back four-fold. NCPR article link en-us Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1204&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Paul Smith's College VIC Variety of upcoming events hosted by the Paul Smith's College VIC including the Northern Forest Center's Ways of the Woods grand opening on January 15, 2012. Ways of the Woods will remain at the VIC thorugh Spring 2012. Paul Smith's College events link en-us Wed, 11 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1205&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Lance Tapley The state has spent millions of dollars to prop up the Old Town pulp mill while steadily fining the mill’s owner for ongoing pollution. And now the biggest fine ever is imminent. The Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting has learned that the Maine Department of Environmental Protection is preparing to slap a $497,000 fine on Old Town Fuel & Fiber for excess air pollution over a 12-month period. Sun Journal article link en-us Wed, 11 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1207&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Aislinn Sarnacki Snow is a nuisance, say hibernating Mainers, while the snow rompers of the Pine Tree State crave every inch that buries their driveways. In January, without snowmobiling, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, they’re stir crazy. The good news is that it’s statistically improbable that this kind of weather will keep up. It is winter in Maine, after all. Snow will come. And when that winter storm coats the land in a fresh layer of snow, the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands is ready to roll out their new “party on wheels,” the Maine State Parks Ski and Snowshoe Trailer. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Wed, 11 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1215&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Chris Knight Gov. Andrew Cuomo's nomination of Sherman Craig to a seat on the state Adirondack Park Agency Board of Commissioners was approved by the state Senate Environmental Conservation Committee on Tuesday. The nomination of the Wanakena furniture maker and former Rochester-area school teacher and administrator still needs to be approved by the Senate Finance Committee and the full Senate. Adirondack Daily Enterprise article link en-us Wed, 11 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Networks & Partner News http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1216&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Chris Morris A brand new, high-efficiency biomass wood boiler is now in use at the Petrova elementary and middle school. The wood pellet boiler system was purchased from ACT Bioenergy of Schenectady and installed by B-S Industrial Contractors Inc. of Gouverneur. The total project cost $479,000, with all but $130,000 coming from a New York State Energy Research and Development Authority grant. Adirondack Daily Enterprise article link en-us Wed, 11 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1225&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region The Northeast Biomass Heating Expo is the successor to three very successful annual Heating the Northeast with Renewable Biomass conferences held in Manchester, New Hampshire. From March 21 through March 23, 2012, the City Center in Saratoga Springs, New York, will be the site of the 2012 Expo.The 2012 Expo venue is central to a vital area of growth for biomass heating stretching from Western Pennsylvania to Northern Maine. For more information visit the Northeast Biomass Heating Expo website en-us Wed, 11 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1208&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Eric Russell Members of a state task force created to reform the Land Use Regulation Commission urged lawmakers Tuesday to quickly pass changes to LURC’s structure and rules. Many lawmakers balked, saying quick action was premature. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1209&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Eric Russell The Maine Senate on Tuesday upheld a trio of vetoes from Gov. Paul LePage on bills that initially passed during last year’s legislative session. The bill sponsors, all Democrats, urged their colleagues to override the vetoes and even got some Republicans to join them on one vote, but none were successful. So far, the Legislature has upheld all 15 of LePage’s vetoes dating to last year. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1218&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Diane Chase With the snow finally here what better way to celebrate this cold season than Long Lake’s annual Winter Carnival. According to the Moonlighters Snowmobile Club President Jim Piraino, the Long Lake Winter Carnival is in its eighth year. Adirondack Almanac article link en-us Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1219&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Tom Kalinowski A significant part of climate is precipitation, and fundamental to any discussion on the impact that global warming is having on a region’s climate would have to include possible changes to the rain and snowfall patterns. While unusually prolonged periods of precipitation can turn a backcountry camping trip into a nightmare, discourage golfers, boaters, and other outdoor enthusiasts, and frustrate anyone trying to put a new roof on his/her home, or a coat of stain on the deck, too much rainfall, especially concentrated over a short span of time, can wreak havoc with the environment. Adirondack Almanac article link en-us Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1239&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Barbara Tetreault Berlin City Planner Pamela Laflamme has been named one of the state’s most influential people by Business NH Magazine. For its January 2012 edition, the magazine surveyed leaders around the state to create an ‘Influencer Index’ of 65 people, families, and organizations that it said “make it happen” in New Hampshire. The magazine said Laflamme may not be a household name throughout the state “but when it comes to getting things done in the North Country, she is among the people other leaders call”. The Berlin Daily Sun article link en-us Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Networks & Partner News http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1220&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Editorial Staff We hear of the need for businesses in the Adirondacks to develop a universal brand to attract tourists. This impulse indeed is strange. The Adirondacks has enjoyed a brand since the second half of the 1800s, one which has broadened and deepened its appeal. Adirondack Almanac article link en-us Mon, 09 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1224&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Chris Morris The Empire State Winter Games are ready to roll for 2012. The games now rely on local and regional support. Lake Placid tourism head Jim McKenna says as the finances changed, so did the games, for the better. Close to 1,200 athletes are expected to participate this year. McKenna is president of the regional Office of Sustainable Tourism and the Lake Placid Convention and Visitors Bureau. NCPR article link en-us Mon, 09 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1221&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Editorial Staff The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), Adirondack Architectural Heritage (AARCH), the Town of Newcomb, and the Adirondack Ecological Center have announced that historic Camp Santanoni in Newcomb will be open for three special long "open house" weekends this winter. Over these weekends, cross-country skiers and snowshoers will be able to visit the Gatelodge and Main Lodge, get short interpretive tours with AARCH staff, and warm up at the Artist’s Studio before the return trip. These weekends will be January 14-16, February 18-20, and March 17-18. Adirondack Almanac article link en-us Sun, 08 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1199&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Joseph P. Kahn The Appalachian Mountain Club, a national leader in promoting outdoor recreation and conservation, is to name its first new chief executive in 23 years today. The Boston-based organization, which has more than 100,000 members and supporters, has hired John D. Judge, a seasoned nonprofit leader, as its next president and chief executive. Boston.com article link en-us Sat, 07 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Networks & Partner News http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1202&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Annmarie Timmins A conservation group's fundraising effort to keep Northern Pass transmission lines off the historic Balsams' estate got a $150,000 boost yesterday. The Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests announced the anonymous gift and said it leaves the group just $241,000 shy of its $850,000 goal. Concord Monitor article link en-us Sat, 07 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1206&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: The Associated Press Gov. Paul LePage is urging residents not to sign a referendum petition aimed at requiring at least 20 percent of Maine's electricity come from new renewable energy sources by 2020. In his weekly radio address Saturday, LePage says the Maine Citizens for Clean Energy Coalition is collecting signatures for a November ballot initiative that would increase energy costs while "padding the pockets" of special interests. The Kennebec Journal article link en-us Sat, 07 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1210&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Bill Trotter Christmas has come and gone. So has New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. And, to the consternation of many in Maine, what little snow has fallen in the state hasn’t stuck around either. Between 1 and 2 inches of snow fell Friday in southern Maine, with trace amounts elsewhere, but still the amount of snowfall for much of the state is below average for this time of year. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Sat, 07 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1217&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Adirondack Daily Enterprise Staff Gauthier's Saranac Lake Inn has been awarded the Good Earthkeeping Award by the New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association. This award recognizes the motel's commitment to integrating superior environmental management practices that improve everyday operations and the bottom line, while maintaining quality service and meeting guest expectations in two or more of the following areas: energy conservation, solid waste reduction, emissions, water conservation, purchasing and business issues. The association gives out one award per category. Adirondack Daily Enterprise article link en-us Sat, 07 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1222&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Editorial Staff ADKCAP, The Wild Center’s Adirondack Climate and Energy Action Plan, recently hosted a sold-out workshop to contractors, code officials and homeowners about key steps to retrofitting your home. If you missed the workshop or if you just want to refresh your memory, videos of the workshop are now available online. Adirondack Almanac article link en-us Sat, 07 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1203&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: The Associated Press The big snowstorms of autumn are just memories in New England, where people who make their living off winter tourism are losing income and New Hampshire primary candidates lack picturesque winterscapes for photo ops. Tourists in the West play golf instead of skiing. In Midwestern hockey country, you can barely slog a puck through the slush. Ocala.com article link en-us Fri, 06 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1211&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Kevin Miller The Board of Environmental Protection has settled on a compromise that aims to reduce red tape for landowners who want to build near wetlands while maintaining protections for ducks, herons and other birds that depend on the habitat. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Fri, 06 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1212&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Kevin Miller The legal battle over Plum Creek’s Moosehead Lake development plan is headed to Maine’s highest court. Justices on the Maine Supreme Judicial Court will hear oral arguments Tuesday on appeals stemming from the September 2009 decision by the Land Use Regulation Commission to rezone nearly 400,000 acres of Plum Creek land in the North Woods. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Fri, 06 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1213&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Nick Sambides Jr. Steve Sanders thinks the tree stumps he keeps at his West Branch Heritage Timber LLC sawmill were part of a red oak that Henry David Thoreau paddled past in his famous canoe trip up the Penobscot River in 1846. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Fri, 06 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1223&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Bryon Ackerman With a long December behind them, Old Forge business owners and officials are hoping for more snow in 2012. A boost of snowfall earlier this week started a potential turnaround for the Old Forge area’s winter tourism season. But for many businesses, it’s already too late to fully recover from the slow December. The Observer Dispatch article link Watertown Daily Times related article link en-us Fri, 06 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1182&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Northern Forest Canoe Trail On January 19, 2012 at Paul Smith's College Visitor Interpretive Center, outdoors writer and photographer Mike Lynch will give a slideshow presentation about his trip on the 740-mile Northern Forest Canoe Trail. Lynch will talk about essential gear for this long-distance trip, challenges he faced along the way and some of the voyage’s highlights involving people, places and wildlife he encountered. Northern Forest Canoe Trail event link en-us Thu, 05 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1185&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Laura Know Two recent reports examined the impact of this Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative or RGGI on New Hampshire. One touts the energy savings that have come from the program, the other suggests that the Granite State may not be benefiting as much as other participating states. We’ll look closer at these two studies and how they may play into bills aimed at repealing or revising RGGI this year in the legislature. NHPR article link en-us Thu, 05 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1190&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Jon Alexander The most influential environmental group in the Adirondacks believes there are issues with reopening the Tahawus Line between Newcomb and North River and may join a petition filed by a smaller environmental group to stop Saratoga and North Creek Railway's plans. Post Star article link en-us Thu, 05 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1191&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Kim Smith Dedam The Olympic venues are waiting for New York's top youth athletes. The Empire State Winter Games begin Feb. 1 with a torch run, and regional planners expect some 1,000 winter competitors to test their training where world Olympians have played. Press Republican article link en-us Thu, 05 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1194&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Brian Mann Governor Cuomo's agenda for the coming year includes more than $20 billion for capital projects aimed at boosting the state's infrastructure. One of the big ticket items is a $2 billion plan to develop new high tech utility lines designed to feed electricity from producers in the North Country and Quebec to consumers downstate. Brian Mann reports. NCPR article link en-us Thu, 05 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1196&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: John Warren One of the great traditional Adirondack wintertime pastimes kicked of this past week - ice fishing. The stalled winter has had hard-water anglers itching to hit the ice, although a few hardy (some would say fool-hardy) early adventurers found just enough ice here and there to safely fish two weekends ago. All that is behind us now, as many smaller lakes have the minimum of three to four inches considered safe to travel ice on foot. The ice shanties are being readied, tip-ups and jig poles tested, new lines and leaders in place. This weekend will see small congregations of anglers sprinkled across the frozen surface of local lakes. According to a recent DEC survey, ice fishing participation has doubled over the past 10 years. Adirondack Almanac article link en-us Thu, 05 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1200&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Anna Austin en-us Thu, 05 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1201&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Anna Austin Five independent biomass power producers (IPPs) in New Hampshire have scored power purchase agreements (PPAs) from the state’s largest electric utility, thanks to support from local and state officials. The PPAs will allow the plants to continue to operate while the state’s renewable portfolio standard (RPS) undergoes some significant changes that will benefit them. Biomass Magazine article link en-us Thu, 05 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1172&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Kevin Miller While closing another budget gap will be their top priority, lawmakers are expected to grapple with a number of complex and potentially contentious issues dealing with the environment, land use and Maine’s energy mix during the shortened legislative session that began Wednesday. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Wed, 04 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1173&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Tom Walsh An effort to create a new 2,070-acre wildlife management area on the eastern shore of Washington County’s Pleasant Bay has been awarded a $980,000 federal grant to be used in acquiring 177 acres abutting Long Cove. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Wed, 04 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1192&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Jessica Collier Adirondack Club and Resort developers aren't worried about an environmental group's proposal last week to reopen a hearing on the project. Adirondack Wild, a green group that was a party to the state Adirondack Park Agency's adjudicatory hearing on the ACR, filed a motion Friday to reopen the hearing to gather more information about the project's potential impact on wildlife and possible alternative designs. Adirondack Daily Enterprise article link en-us Wed, 04 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1174&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Kevin Miller A timber management company is offering to donate one of the last remaining privately owned parcels of land around Katahdin Lake to Baxter State Park. Five years ago, Baxter State Park officials accepted the deed to roughly 4,000 acres surrounding Katahdin Lake and, in the process, achieved the original vision of the late Gov. Percival Baxter, who had been unable to obtain the lake property for the park he singlehandedly created. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Mon, 02 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1197&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Editorial Staff Environmental authors Bill McKibben and Curt Stager will be among the distinguished speakers participating in the Adirondack Mountain Club’s Winter 2012 Lecture Series at the High Peaks Information Center (HPIC). The Saturday evening lecture series begins Jan. 7 and runs through March 17. Adirondack Almanac article link en-us Mon, 02 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1198&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Tom Kalinowski Global warming has been the topic of numerous articles, lectures and books over the past decade, and while some of these works focus on its causes and on possible ways to slow this impending climate shift, others discuss the consequences of an altered weather pattern on the environment. While I have only limited insight into this extraordinarily complex phenomenon, I do have some opinions with regards to the potential impact that a more thermally energized atmosphere would have on the Adirondacks. Adirondack Almanac article link en-us Mon, 02 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1171&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Terry Karkos 2012 is looking great for the new Saunders Bros. dowel mill, a successful bare-bones start-up last year despite the country's worst recession and an overly long Maine winter...“Besides our financial goal, one of our goals was to become primarily a domestic manufacturer, meaning we were going to eliminate imports from China, which we have done now,” she said. “So you won't find a stick of anything from China in the mill. Every product now that we make originates in Maine." Sun Journal article link en-us Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1177&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Jason Singer In the last five days, three pieces of good economic news have added some post-Christmas cheer to Maine's economy. The Portland Press Herald article link en-us Sat, 31 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1175&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Jen Lynds A team of professors at the University of Maine at Presque Isle has received a substantial grant to continue broad-based research on sustainable development. Officials at the college announced recently that the $95,000 allocation from the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, or EPSCoR, will be used to continue research on the Aroostook River Watershed. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Thu, 29 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1195&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Nora Flaherty Many North Country Maple producers can now tap into a new loan fund to help them increase the amount of syrup they produce. The Development authority of the North Country, or DANC, set up the program after several studies showed most maple trees in the area aren't being tapped. That means producers are missing out on a lot of potential revenue. NCPR article link en-us Thu, 29 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1186&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Chris Jensen A new federal grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture will provide about $500,000 for North Country schools. It is the largest grant of its kind in more than a decade and educators hope it will greatly expand the horizons of students and teachers. NHPR article link en-us Wed, 28 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Education/Arts/Entertainment http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1189&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Matt Sutkoski Plunging temperatures and snow squalls Wednesday put a decisive end — at least for now — to a mild, dry early winter that was making ski area operators nervous and frustrating outdoor recreation fans. Now, Vermont ski and tourism officials are using every tool at their disposal, including social media, to get the word out. Burlington Free Press article link en-us Wed, 28 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1193&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Staff The Winter Carnival here is the second best worldwide, according to National Geographic Traveler magazine. Saranac Lake's annual event earned the No. 2 spot on National Geographic Traveler's list of the top 10 winter carnivals. Anchorage, Alaska's was ranked number one in the bimonthly magazine's January/February 2012 issue. Adirondack Daily Enterprise article link en-us Wed, 28 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1214&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Paula Tracy New Hampshire has 18 alpine and five cross country ski areas open and busy with vacationers this week. Union Leader article link en-us Wed, 28 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1176&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Lisa Rathke When Carol Shepard learned that she would get just $319 in home heating assistance — $500 less than last year — she broke down and cried, wondering how she and her 83-year-old aunt would stay warm this winter in the home they share in South Royalton...On Tuesday, the governor and legislative leaders said the state would add $6.1 million in reserve funding to the program to make up for the shortfall. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Tue, 27 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1178&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Kevin Miller A recent report commissioned for the National Park Service is urging support for seven interstate “recreation corridors” in New England — including three in Maine — as a way to reconnect people with the outdoors and spur economic development in riverfront and trailside communities. The report is not calling for the creation of new national parks or large-scale acquisition of private land for conservation. Instead, the authors are seeking to build public and private support for the completion or expansion of canoe trails, multiple-use trails and other multistate projects that would benefit residents and draw tourists. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Tue, 27 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1179&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Press Release Lead developer Adam Winstanley of Winstanley Enterprises announced today that the company has entered into a joint venture agreement with Weston Solutions, Inc. (WESTON®) of Concord, N.H. and West Chester, PA for the development of a 25-35 megawatt woodchip-burning electric generating plant in the North Springfield Industrial Park. Vermont Digger article link en-us Tue, 27 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1187&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Sam Evans-Brown A winter that has begun with warm nights and balmy days, has given the ski season a rocky start. According to SkiNH revenues at New Hampshire ski areas are behind the same point last year. NHPR article link en-us Tue, 27 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1180&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Deirdre Fleming Professor Richard Barringer likes to start at the beginning when he begins the tale of the outdoor funding windfall heading for Maine. But really, the good timing and hope in this story is in what could happen in 2012. The Portland Press Herald article link en-us Sat, 24 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1181&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Annmarie Timmins Northern Pass officials have increased their offer for land around the Balsams Grand Resort Hotel to $3 million, even though the land's owners have already signed a deal with the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests. And that deal was approved by the state attorney general's office late Friday evening. Northern Pass wants the right to run high-voltage transmission lines across 24 acres of the 5,600-acre parcel for its proposed hydropower line from Canada. The trust that owns the land rejected the company's $2.2 million offer earlier this month and instead agreed to sell both the conservation rights and utility rights for the whole parcel to the forest society for much less - $850,000. Concord Monitor article link NHPR related article link State Impact related article link en-us Sat, 24 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1184&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Barbara Tetreault The Public Utilities Commission has approved short-term power purchase agreements between five small biomass plants and Public Service of N.H. The agreements will allow the small biomass plants to continue to operate as part of the North Country economy but will add 55 cents to the average PSNH residential customer’s monthly bill according to testimony filed in the case. Berlin Daily Sun article link en-us Fri, 23 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1183&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Tricia L. Nadolny Public Service of New Hampshire and environmental groups diverged yesterday on how tough new federal limits on mercury emissions would affect the company's three power plants. PSNH spokesman Michael Skelton said state mercury limits passed in 2006 already place the company near or at compliance with Environmental Protection Agency regulations. Environmentalists yesterday disagreed, saying the limits could force significant changes or closure at some of the company's plants. Concord Monitor article link en-us Thu, 22 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1159&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: The Associated Press Maine Labor Commissioner Robert Winglass will present certificates to the first class of graduates from a new work force training program this week. The Portland Press Herald article link en-us Wed, 21 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Education/Arts/Entertainment http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1165&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Chris Jensen The Public Utilities Commission has approved a deal that should keep five, small biomass plants around the state operating. But PSNH customers are paying for it. NHPR’s Chris Jensen reports. NHPR article link en-us Wed, 21 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1188&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Amy Quinton More families in New Hampshire can now get help with their fuel bill this winter. Congress increased funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, this week. New Hampshire will receive a total of $26 million, rather than the $14.7 million dollars originally allotted. NHPR article link en-us Wed, 21 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1157&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Nick Sambides Jr. Exactly a week after he said that Great Northern Paper Co. LLC didn’t regard Roxanne Quimby’s proposed 70,000-acre national park a threat to his industry, Peter Hanson is no longer GNP’s president, company officials announced Tuesday. Hanson resigned on Monday as a result of what company spokesman Scott Tranchemontagne called “philosophical differences” between Hanson and other company leaders. Bangor Daily News article line en-us Tue, 20 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1160&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: The Associated Press The National Weather Service says the latest outlook opens the door to a sliver of hope for a white Christmas in northern New England. The Portland Press Herald article link en-us Tue, 20 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1164&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Sara Young-Knox The temperature was well below freezing late Monday afternoon as snow guns blasted clouds of white onto the lower slopes of Wildcat Mountain. Across Route 16, the Peabody River’s cold waters were slowing down around the rocks and boulders that are the riverbed. So slow was some of the flowing water that it froze in place, creating winter-still waterfalls. Union Leader article link en-us Tue, 20 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1167&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Editorial Staff American skiers Hannah Kearney (Norwich, Vt.) and Ashley Caldwell (Hamilton, Va.) will try to defend their World Cup crowns when the FIS Freestyle World Cup returns to Lake Placid and Whiteface Mountain, January 19-21. Lake Placid is one of only five U.S. sites selected to host a World Cup event this season. Adirondack Almanac article link en-us Tue, 20 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1168&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Editorial Staff With timber prices at historic lows, tax bills to be paid and the real estate market languishing, many owners of forest land are having a hard time making their woodlands pay their own way. The decisions involved can be anguishing, especially for those whose families have owned their land for several generations. On January 14, 2012, a team of industry and academic experts will outline a businesslike approach to managing family forest lands that can help landowners save money and perhaps find new sources of income from their woodlots. Adirondack Almanac article link en-us Tue, 20 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1170&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Jessica Collier Big Tupper Ski Area officials had hoped to open the slopes for the Christmas week, but it's not looking good. Jim LaValley, chairman of Adirondack Residents Intent on Saving Their Economy, said the forecast doesn't look like it will bring enough snow for Christmas skiing at Big Tupper, which is ready to begin its third winter running on mostly volunteer labor with no snowmaking capability. Adirondack Daily Enterprise article link en-us Tue, 20 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1166&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Chris Jensen Earlier this year the Gorham paper mill re-opened under new ownership. With about six months of work under its belt, managers and workers are optimistic that paper production will once again be profitable in the North Country. NHPR article link en-us Mon, 19 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1158&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Nick Sambides Jr. The executive director of the Maine Snowmobile Association, one of the prime engines to the state’s $300 million to $350 million snowmobile industry, isn’t particularly concerned about the state having its warmest November on record last month or being on track for its rainiest year ever. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Sun, 18 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1161&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Jim Fitzgerald, The Associated Press Spring won't be quite so springlike next year in some of the Northeast's best-known woodland settings. A freak snowstorm in October and Tropical Storm Irene in August combined to destroy or damage tens of thousands of trees, many of them popular favorites, in the region's parks and public gardens. The Portland Press Herald Article Link en-us Sun, 18 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1162&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Deirdre Fleming Wearing their ski togs and broad smiles, three teenagers from Freeport spent 6½ hours in the cold Saturday so they could be a part of Sugarloaf history -- to be among the first to ride the ski resort's new $3 million Skyline chairlift. The Portland Press Herald article link en-us Sun, 18 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1163&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Jonathan Riskind A federal home heating program that aids thousands of low-income Mainers still suffered a major cut in a broad year-end spending bill approved Saturday by Congress. The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program will receive $3.5 billion in the final 2012 spending bill that covers much of the federal government -- far less than the $4.7 billion LIHEAP received last winter. The Portland Press Herald article link en-us Sun, 18 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1169&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Christ Knight The finish line is in sight for the state Adirondack Park Agency's review of the Adirondack Club and Resort project. The agency board wrapped up the second of three monthly meetings devoted entirely to the project on Friday. Commissioners now have five weeks to gather their thoughts and compose any final questions before reconvening in mid-January, when a long-awaited vote on the massive resort development is expected to take place. Adirondack Daily Enterprise Article link Related Articles from NCPR: Did APA procedures and regulations fall short during Big Tupper review? Still no clarity on financing for big Tupper Lake resort en-us Sat, 17 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1128&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: The Associated Press A customer service and marketing company in Lewiston, Maine, plans to expand and add up to 50 jobs. Argo Marketing Group says it has acquired the former GCS call center in Pittsfield and plans to hire 20 customer care agents immediately, followed by 30 more within two months. The Portland Press Herald article link en-us Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1135&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Berlin Daily Sun Staff Fish and Game biologists have confirmed the presence of four Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) in northern New Hampshire. The fact that the lynx appeared to be kittens is evidence that the wild cats are breeding in N.H., an expansion of the population across the border in Maine. Berlin Daily Sun article link en-us Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1142&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: David Gram Gov. Peter Shumlin wants the state to satisfy 90 percent of its energy needs from renewable sources by 2050, largely eliminating its reliance on fossil fuels. Burlington Free Press article link en-us Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1146&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Molly Walsh ...For the past several years, the Kmetzes have received help from Project Warmth to pay a portion of their fuel bills in the winter. The statewide nonprofit pays emer­gency heating costs of up to $75 per month for needy families who might otherwise face disconnect notices and dangerously cold con­ditions. The program is paid for by individuals who tuck a little bit ex­tra into the envelope when they pay their own fuel bills. Utilities and fuel dealers also make dona­tions. Burlington Free Press article link en-us Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1150&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Chris Knight State Adirondack Park Agency commissioners delved into some of the thorny issues surrounding the Adirondack Club and Resort, proposed for Tupper Lake, on Thursday during the second of three monthly APA meetings devoted entirely to the development. Adirondack Daily Enterprise article link en-us Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1115&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Nick Sambides Jr. Great Northern Paper Co. LLC does not support environmentalist Roxanne Quimby’s proposed 70,000-acre national park, company leaders announced Thursday. Seeking to remove what they felt was ambiguity from Great Northern Paper President Peter Hanson’s statements Tuesday at a Katahdin Area Chamber of Commerce dinner, Great Northern CEO Richard Cyr and company spokesman Scott Tranchemontagne issued what they called “clarifying statements” on Thursday. Bangor Daily News article link Katahdin paper mills president says Quimby’s proposed national park doesn’t pose a threat   en-us Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1116&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Nick McCrea An anonymous Californian has donated $50,000 to help heat the homes of Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program participants, with the condition that author Stephen King do the same. King agreed, pushing his radio station’s fundraising goal for the program more than $100,000 over its goal, according to The Pulse “Morning Show” host Pat LaMarche. Bangor Daily New article link en-us Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1121&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Morning Sentinel Staff Sugarloaf Mountain Resort plans to open a new $3 million chairlift at noon on Saturday to replace the Spillway East lift that derailed last year. Morning Sentinel article link en-us Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1130&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Kelly Bouchard Today through Jan. 5, bird enthusiasts across North America and beyond will participate in the National Audubon Society's 112th annual Christmas bird count. Considered the world's longest-running citizen science survey, last year's count involved 62,624 volunteers who spotted more than 61 million birds throughout the United States, Canada and some of Latin America and the Pacific Islands, according to the society. Kennebec Journal article link en-us Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1143&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Burlington Free Press Staff Central Vermont Medical Center in Berlin and Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington, now affiliated as Fletcher Allen Partners, are jointly using a roving telemedicine unit to improve patient care without the need for transporting the patient to Burlington. Burlington Free Press article link en-us Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Health http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1151&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Chris Knight The state Adirondack Park Agency has filled a key economic affairs position that's been vacant for more than a year. Dan Kelleher was introduced as the agency's new special assistant for economic affairs at Thursday's meeting of the agency board. Adirondack Daily Enterprise article link en-us Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Networks & Partner News http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1152&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Chris Knight Trudeau Institute was one of the big winners in last week's announcement that the North Country has been awarded $103.2 million in state economic development funds. The nonprofit biotech research center will receive $1.2 million to modernize its laboratory facilities and recruit additional scientists and research teams. Adirondack Daily Enterprise article link en-us Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1117&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Steve Mistler A national environmental group says Gov. Paul LePage’s recent executive order expanding the standards for “green” timber required for state construction projects would lead to unsustainable wood harvesting. Bangor Daily News article en-us Wed, 14 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1122&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: The Associated Press Ski-area operators across the Northeast are dreaming of a white Christmas but seeing red as temperatures hover above optimal snowmaking levels. Northeast ski resorts generally try to open by Thanksgiving, but warmer-than-usual nighttime temperatures are delaying some openings, setting up less-than-ideal conditions on the few trails that are open, leading to canceled or postponed races and worrying business owners dependent on the shushing of skis and snowboards. Morning Sentinel article link en-us Wed, 14 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1129&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: The Associated Press Cornell University's Northeast Regional Climate Center lists probabilities of a white Christmas, based on a 50-year average. The Portland Press Herald article link en-us Wed, 14 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1138&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Dan Gorenstein The last bunch of Christmases up in Berlin, New Hampshire haven’t been terribly merry. For the last decade, the old pulp and paper mill city near the Canadian border has watched life-long neighbors leave, businesses go bust and economic dream after dream dissolve. But this Christmas there’s something in the air. NHPR article link en-us Wed, 14 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1139&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Jon Greenberg If there is a patron saint of modern Republican tax policy, it is economist Arthur Laffer. Laffer is best known for the Laffer Curve – a graph of the theory that under the right circumstances, a cut in tax rates produces higher tax revenues. The Laffer Curve was the keystone of so called Reaganomics. Laffer was in Manchester today to present a very different idea – one that so far Republicans have been slow to embrace. Arthur Laffer sees all taxes as essentially bad but some are worse than others. With that in mind, he would like to swap a tax on carbon for our current tax on income. NHPR article link en-us Wed, 14 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Ecosystem Services http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1148&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Ashleigh Livingston AuSable Valley Central School District strives for both eco-friendliness and budget-friendliness with two new biomass boiler plants. The facilities, located at AuSable Middle/High and Keeseville Elementary schools, were completed earlier this fall and house boilers that generate heat by burning wood chips. Press Republican article link en-us Wed, 14 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1149&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Voters have approved Saranac Central School District's proposed $5.6 million capital improvement project by a vote of 293 to 107. Press Republican article link en-us Wed, 14 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1112&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Craig Crosby Burning wood shavings have rarely made so many so happy. These shavings may be no different than what you might find on the floor of any carpenter shop, but when they are collected and processed for the new biomass boiler at Tex Tech Industries, they represent savings of hundreds of thousands of dollars and new jobs to the area workforce. Kennebec Journal article link en-us Tue, 13 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1123&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Dave Gram, The Associated Press Top officials in New England state governments said today they'll be hard-pressed to make up for planned cuts at the federal level in home heating aid. "It would be impossible for Vermont and probably most other states struggling financially to replace the (federal) funds," Gov. Peter Shumlin said on a conference call with Gov. Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island and the lieutenant governors of Massachusetts and Connecticut. Shumlin said the result could be residents "freezing in their homes." Morning Sentinel article link en-us Tue, 13 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1131&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Leslie Bridgers City officials from Biddeford and Saco plan to use the word "we" a lot more often. New Biddeford Mayor Alan Casavant and longtime Saco Mayor Mark Johnston want to start promoting the two cities as one, much as Lewiston and Auburn do but "even better," said Casavant. The mayors met at the Saco Transportation Center on Monday morning, along with department heads from both cities and a few city councilors, to talk about working together in ways that would save money and strengthen their image. The Portland Press Herald NHPR Related Article en-us Tue, 13 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1153&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Margaret Moran What are some of the places you should see before you die? One of them is the Adirondacks, according to Patricia Schultz, author of "1,000 Places to See Before You Die." Adirondack Daily Enterprise article link en-us Tue, 13 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1118&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Nick Sambides Jr. An independent poll conducted by a Portland research firm shows that 60 percent of Mainers statewide support a National Parks Service feasibility study of Roxanne Quimby’s proposed national park. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Mon, 12 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1124&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Doug Harlow State education officials and the local school board have approved a borrowing package of up to about $2 million for a biomass boiler system to heat Skowhegan Area High School and nearby Bloomfield Elementary School. The heating system would burn wood pellets to warm the estimated 850 students at the high school and the 380 students at the elementary school, switching from the high cost of oil to renewable energy, School Administrative District 54 Superintendent Brent Colbry said. Morning Sentinel article link en-us Mon, 12 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1132&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Annmarie Timmins Northern Pass paid $2.35 million late last week for a 118-acre Franklin campground where it would build a massive converter station if its proposed hydropower line from Canada is approved. The station, which would convert direct current from Canada into alternating current, would take up between 30 and 40 acres of the former Thousand Acres Family Campground, Northern Pass spokesman Martin Murray said Friday. The rest of the property will be left undeveloped, Murray said, to create a buffer around the building. Concord Monitor article link en-us Mon, 12 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1133&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: David Brooks Wood stoves are serious business in New Hampshire - as many as a quarter of homes in the state use firewood or pellet stoves as primary or secondary heat - so lots of people are likely to be interested in a project that could pay $1,000 or more to replace old, inefficient stoves. Concord Monitor article link en-us Mon, 12 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1144&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Free Press Staff Vermont has the potential to become a national leader in integrating renewable energy sources onto the power grid, officials said Monday morning in announcing a new research center and partnership at University of Vermont. UVM is to become home to the Center for Energy Transformation and Innovation, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., told the Burlington Free Press editorial board. He was joined by officials from Sandia National Laboratories, an arm of the U.S. Department of Energy based in New Mexico. Burlington Free Press article link en-us Mon, 12 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Education/Arts/Entertainment http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1154&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Adirondack Daily Enterprise Staff National Geographic magazine has named Lake Placid one of the "Best 10 Winter Trips 2012." The two-time Olympic village was one of only three United States destinations to make the international list. Adirondack Daily Enterprise article link en-us Mon, 12 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1119&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: The Associated Press Mount Abram in Greenwood is going all green to heat its ski lodge. The western Maine ski resort is using locally produced wood pellets, and no fossil fuels, to warm up its lodge. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Sun, 11 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1125&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Deirdre Fleming On a recent weekend, there were few hikers on the trails that wind through a pine forest at Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park before opening up to views of seabird nesting islands and mud flats. Out on the flats, Sanford Metayer was easy to make out, all alone among the rising seagulls, raking for clams. Morning Sentinel article link en-us Sun, 11 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1145&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Arthur Max, Associated Press A U.N. climate conference reached a hard-fought agreement Sunday on a far-reaching program meant to set a new course for the global fight against climate change. The 194-party conference agreed to start negotiations on a new accord that would ensure that countries will be legally bound to carry out any pledges they make. It would take effect by 2020 at the latest. Burlington Free Press article link en-us Sun, 11 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1120&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Darryl Fears and Robert Samuels, The Washington Post This Christmas, Vicki Freshley will proudly show off her prized fake fir. In her eyes, it’s a beautiful thing, as nice as any real Christmas tree: 9 feet tall, emerald and fluffy, and decked out with so many eye-popping trimmings that her brother stopped in his tracks when he saw it and said, “Oh my God.” Bangor Daily News article link en-us Sat, 10 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1126&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: The Associated Press The federal government has awarded more than $3.4 million in funding that aims to improve access to health care and education services in rural Maine. Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins say the U.S. Department of Agriculture funding will go toward expanding services such as home care for critically ill patients and technical skills training for adults to improve their employment marketability. The funding is going to educational and school programs in Houlton, Topsham, Waterville and Unity, and health care programs in Lewiston and Caribou. Kennebec Journal article link en-us Sat, 10 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1155&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Mike Lynch The state Department of Environmental Conservation has a new director in Region 5, the agency announced Friday. It will be Robert Stegemann, who worked for International Paper for 18 years. He starts his new job Monday. He replaces Betsy Lowe, who resigned last month. Adirondack Daily Enterprise article link en-us Sat, 10 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Networks & Partner News http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1141&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Staff, wire reports A new cell tower will allow skiers at Sugarbush and environs to stay plugged in, Gov. Peter Shumlin announced Friday at a news conference with Verizon Wireless. The cell site expands wireless voice and 3G data coverage at the Warren resort and surrounding areas, according to Verizon Wireless. Burlington Free Press article link en-us Fri, 09 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1127&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Mal Leary Gov. Paul LePage says efficiency and conservation should be part of the strategy to reduce Maine's overdependence on oil for home heating, but he is critical of the way those efforts are being implemented. Conservation is just another word for a Ponzi scheme in many respects," he said in an interview. "What I mean by that, it is not that conservation is bad, conservation is very, very good if you do it properly." LePage specifically criticized the home energy audit programs required by Efficiency Maine. He said anyone can get an audit, even if the person is unable to implement the recommendations. Kennebec Journal article link en-us Fri, 09 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1136&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Barbara Tetreault Needy families and senior citizens, worried about staying warm this winter, are hoping a bipartisan effort will be successful in getting Congress and President Obama to restore funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Berlin Daily Sun article link en-us Fri, 09 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1140&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Chris Jensen A large tract of some of the North Country’s most beautiful terrain has been protected from development. A new conservation easement is going to protect land around Pittsburg and the Connecticut River. NHPR article link en-us Fri, 09 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1113&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Andrew Nemethy The final draft of a report to the Legislature on the use of woody biomass in the state of Vermont won praise, vehement condemnation and everything in between Tuesday night. A 15-member panel established by the 2009 Legislature met 27 times over three years to develop 45 recommendations and a lengthy and in-depth report on the benefits and risks of using woody biomass — pellets and wood chips harvested from low-grade wood, blowdowns and logging residues such as tree tops. It also tackled the issue of what standards, guidelines and actions the state should take. Vermont Digger article link en-us Thu, 08 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1114&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Benzinga Contributor Locally owned and operated Biomass Commodities Corporation is installing a wood pellet heating boiler system at MASS MoCA slated to come online January 2012. According to Averill Cook, Biomass Commodities Corporation founder and president, “The project allows MASS MoCA to diversify a nice portion of its heating to a renewable fuel that is produced locally. Much of the raw material comes from our region as an otherwise waste byproduct of high quality timber production.” Benzinga article link en-us Thu, 08 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1137&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Barbara Tetreault The new tissue machine for Gorham Paper and Tissue has been purchased and company officials hope to have it operating by the end of September 2012. Berlin Daily Sun article link en-us Thu, 08 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1147&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Maury Thompson More than $1.1 million in state economic development funding will go toward the Gaslight Village/West Brook conservation project in Lake George. Post Star article link en-us Thu, 08 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1156&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Chris Morris The $103.2 million jackpot goes to ... the North Country. The North Country region was one of the four big winners today when Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the results of a statewide competition for economic development funds. Adirondack Daily Enterprise article link Cuomo announces top economic development projects statewide   en-us Thu, 08 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1076&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: ENews Park Forest Staff The recommendations of a state-appointed panel on biomass energy were criticized today by environmental groups because the plan for increased biomass energy would threaten the state’s forests and the health of its citizens, as well as undermine the greenhouse gas reduction goals set by the state legislature. ENews Park Forest article link en-us Wed, 07 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1078&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: David Vail, Keith Bisson, Kate Williams, and Mike Wilson The Northern Forest region, 30 million acres of northern New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine, has reached a critical point. With changes in industry mix, land ownership, and demographics, its economic future is in doubt...All four states promote tourism growth in their northern counties—and with good reason, as leisure and hospitality have long been economic mainstays. But with regionwide collaboration, tourism could further enhance economic vitality, benefiting struggling families and communities. Federal Reserve Bank of Boston article link en-us Wed, 07 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1082&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: The Associated Press An environmental group will unveil an interactive tool that highlights weather records set in Maine this year. The Natural Resources Defense Council says nearly 35 extreme weather records were broken in the state in 2011. The nonprofit says those records will be detailed for the first time Thursday with a new interactive mapping tool and year-end review. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Wed, 07 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1089&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: The Associated Press Three New England senators are pushing a bill to prevent deep spending cuts in the federal home heating assistance program that they say could hurt the poor and elderly this win The Portland Press Herald article link en-us Wed, 07 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1094&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Morning Sentinel Staff Rebecca Ryder, president and chief executive officer of Franklin Community Health Network and Gilly Hitchcock, vice chairman of the network's board, will be featured panelists at the New England Healthcare Assembly's annual trustee conference. Morning Sentinel article link en-us Wed, 07 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Health http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1097&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: The Berlin Daily Sun Staff Shelburne Trails Club (STC) recently received a national honor accompanied by a grant from the Kodak American Greenways Awards Program. The $1,000 grant will help STC produce a detailed hiking trails map for the locality of Shelburne to include all publicly accessible foot trails in both the Mahoosuc and Carter-Moriah Mountain ranges in Shelburne. In addition to receiving the grant award, the Shelburne Trails Club will be showcased as a national model for its innovative efforts to expand a greenway in Shelburne. The Berlin Daily Sun article link en-us Wed, 07 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1099&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Chris Jensen Part of the deal to sell the Balsams resort in Dixville Notch will apparently prevent the Northern Pass from using the land for its electric power lines. NHPR’s Chris Jensen reports. NHPR article link Balsams Resort Sold For $2.3 Million en-us Wed, 07 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1101&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Adirondack Daily Enterprise Staff A nonprofit organization has been created to push forward the idea of creating an all-terrain vehicle trail system in Franklin County. Adirondack Daily Enterprise article link en-us Wed, 07 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1107&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Nora Flaherty Many of us spend much of autumn getting ready for winter; we check our roofs and gutters, wrap our pipes, make sure our cars are in peak shape. But this year, winter has been late arriving. NCPR article link en-us Wed, 07 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1108&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Todd Moe Seventy years ago today, a group of young skiers climbed Whiteface Mountain to build the first racing shelter at the top of what is now known as Wilderness Trail. Later that day, they came down the mountain to find out that Pearl Harbor had been bombed by the Japanese. Many went on to join the military in the early years of World War Two. NCPR article link en-us Wed, 07 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1075&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: The Colebrook Chronicle Staff After two bids for the purchase of the Balsams Grand Resort Hotel failed earlier this year, the Tillotson Corp. made the decision to wait until the final closing before announcing any new owner of the property. On Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 6, word was received that a deal was in the process of being signed by contractor Dan Hebert, Jr., of Colebrook and Danny Dagesse, founder of Berlin City Auto. The Colebrook Chronicle article link en-us Tue, 06 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1083&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Nick Sambides Jr. Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Railway announced a tentative deal Tuesday to sell 25 miles of railroad tracks and effectively end a long-running dispute by allowing another shipper access to a Madawaska paper mill. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Tue, 06 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1090&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: The Associated Press The Maine Conservation Department says the Allagash Wilderness Waterway is providing winter campgrounds at Chamberlain Bridge and Kellogg Brook. Registration for the campgrounds will take place starting at 8 a.m., Saturday, at the Chamberlain Bridge ranger station. The 48 campsites will be allotted on a first-come, first-served basis. The Portland Press Herald article link en-us Tue, 06 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1096&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: The Associated Press The latest national health rankings show that once again Vermont is the healthiest state in the nation. The Portland Press Herald aticle link   en-us Tue, 06 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Health http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1098&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Barbara Tetreault The state is seeking proposals from private developers interested in building and operating a 200-site campground at Jericho Mountain State Park under a 20-year lease with the Division of Parks and Recreation. The Request for Proposals was announced yesterday with proposals due Feb. 16. A release from the Bureau of Trails, which is spearheading the search, said the state hopes to see construction underway by spring 2012 and initial sites ready for use by late summer. The Berlin Daily Sun article link en-us Tue, 06 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1105&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Diane Chase Though chances of snow in the Adirondacks for this weekend looks to be slim, the Adirondack Interpretive Center in Newcomb will still hold its first Full Moon Ski/Snowshoe and Chili party on Saturday, December 10 starting at 6:00 p.m. Adirondack Almanack article link en-us Tue, 06 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1109&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Emma Jacobs sterday, we brought you our first story on the pros and cons of increasing new York's imports of hydro power generated on Canada's northern rivers. Today we go to the source: the Churchill River. Innovation Trail reporter Emma Jacobs visited the site of a proposed plan that might send more power our way from the Canadian provinces of Newfoundland & Labrador. As Jacobs reports, the dam could create jobs there, and send more renewable here, but at a price. NCPR article link en-us Tue, 06 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1077&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Jeanne Merrill The USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service recently released a new guide, The Natural Resources Credit Trading Reference. The reference is intended for NRCS staff, policymakers, and others interested in the potential of the marketplace to incentivize conservation and ecosystem services from agriculture. National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition article link   en-us Mon, 05 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Ecosystem Services http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1095&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Doug Harlow George Regional Park Director Jeff McCabe is looking to 2012 -- the 20th anniversary of the park -- as a time for a new truck, a new lawn mower and a new map and brochure outlining the park's 10 miles of scenic trails. Morning Sentinel article link en-us Mon, 05 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1106&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York, Northern Forest Region By: Michael Rector Hope everyone has a great and safe holiday season. Here are some objects for the unaided eye for the month of December. All of these objects, although small, should be visible without the help of binoculars or a telescope, so long as you have clear dark skies. Adirondack Almanack article link en-us Mon, 05 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1091&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: The Portland Press Herald Staff Hundreds of skiers decked out in Santa outfits and beards hit the slopes today at Maine's Sunday River ski resort. The Newry resort says 250 skiers and snowboarders signed up for the 12th annual Santa Sunday to raise money for the Bethel Rotary Club's annual holiday toy drive. All 250 available spaces filled up in eight minutes on the Sunday River website. The Portland Press Herald article link en-us Sun, 04 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1092&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Glenn Adams As a public debate over a northern Maine national park becomes politicized and drifts toward personalities, a former Maine Senate president is calling for a broader look at the future uses of the region. The Portland Press Herald article link en-us Sun, 04 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1084&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Glenn Adams As a public debate over a northern Maine national park becomes politicized, a former Maine Senate president is calling for a broader look at the future uses of the region. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Sat, 03 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1085&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Roger Phillips Bike tire tracks snaked across the snow-covered trail, plotting my course up the mountain. They signaled the official start of winter riding season. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Sat, 03 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1086&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Roger Phillips If you love powder and want thousands of acres of untracked slopes with little or no competition from other skiers, the backcountry is your answer. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Sat, 03 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1102&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Chris Morris Shore owners have found a new milfoil colony on Lake Placid. Lake Placid Shore Owners Association President Mark Wilson said two members of his group were out kayaking last month when they discovered a swath of variable leaf milfoil near "False Outlet," which flows in and out of Brewster Bay. Adirondack Daily Enterprise article link en-us Sat, 03 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1079&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Stephen Wood In 1997, New York City decided to allocate $1.5 billion to preserve and restore the Catskill/Delaware Watershed, an ecosystem over 100 miles outside of the city limits. The venture was more than an act of ecological good will; it was a savvy investment in the well being of New York City’s 8 million residents. Sage Magazine article link en-us Fri, 02 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Ecosystem Services http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1087&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Abigail Curtis A major Central Maine Power line upgrade project that will be worked on this winter will mean that snowmobile riders must use caution when traveling on transmission line trails. Bangory Daily News article link en-us Fri, 02 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1088&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: The Associated Press U.S. Senator Olympia Snowe says the Environmental Protection Agency will propose a new rule that’ll help Maine’s biomass industry. The Maine Republican says the new rule is expected to clarify that biomass, which powers many Maine mills, will continue to be able to be used as a substitute for traditional fossil fuels. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Fri, 02 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1134&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Sara Young-Knox On Nov. 23, the day before Thanksgiving, the Mount Washington Observatory recorded 9.4 inches of new snow. Not all of it stayed on the summit, but by 6 a.m. Thanksgiving Day eight inches were still on the ground. Union Leader article link en-us Fri, 02 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1074&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Lisa W. Foderaro Jerry Jenkins, an ecologist with the Wildlife Conservation Society, narrates with encyclopedic precision the serene, timeless landscape of the Osgood River, as he moves past it with each dip of his canoe paddle...Mr. Jenkins, who is the author of the book “Climate Change in the Adirondacks: The Path to Sustainability,” spends much of his time on the water and in the woods, documenting the ecosystem with a notebook and a camera. He thus brings an unusual perspective to the scene. Where a casual observer might behold diversity and continuity, he projects decades into the future and finds absence and loss. New York Times article link   Documenting Climate Change in the Adirondacks (slide show) en-us Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1111&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Sky Barsch Gleiner How many times have you thought about canoeing that river that’s just a mile or so from your back door? If you’re a 10-year-old kid with that fantasy, then dreams really can come true. Last summer, 130 New England kids canoed miles of river from the Adirondacks in New York to the Allagash waterways of Maine, thanks to The Northern Forest Explorers Program, a program of the Waitsfield-based Northern Forest Canoe Trail that offers outdoor summer programs for children throughout northern New England and New York. Vermont Sports article link en-us Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1081&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Steve Zwick Wall Street layoffs have hit young professionals the hardest, and if you’re one of those who have been impacted, I offer you my heartfelt congratulations and an opportunity for a less lucrative but more rewarding life. Forbes article link en-us Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Northern Forest News Digest http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1093&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: The Associated Press A Maine environmental group says new federal regulations on mercury emissions should lessen the danger of eating fish from the state's waterways. The Portland Press Herald article link en-us Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1100&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Matt Sutkoski A web application that helps you calculate your carbon footprint during your travels has won a Vermont-based company a federal Environmental Protection Agency award. Burlington Free Press article link en-us Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1103&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Chris Morris The North Country Regional Economic Development Council presented its strategic plan to the state's review panel in Albany Wednesday morning. The council will compete with nine other regional groups for some $200 million in funding for targeted economic development projects. Additionally, Gov. Andrew Cuomo has levied $1 billion in state resources that will be split up among the regional councils. Adirondack Daily Enterprise article link en-us Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1104&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Jessica Collier The proposed Keystone XL pipeline seems like a long way away. But a group of students from a number of North Country colleges managed to get energized enough about the issue to fill a bus and travel all the way to Washington, D.C., to protest the project. Adirondack Daily Enterprise article link en-us Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1110&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Thomas Wathen As the forests of the East changed this fall into their seasonal reds and oranges, a remarkable migration of birds headed south. About 30 million ducks, cranes and other species cross the U.S.-Canadian border each autumn day. This fall's great migration in the Northern Hemisphere takes place during the waning months of the United Nations' International Year of the Forest. That the migration happens at the end of this public education initiative reminds us why efforts must continue to safeguard the wild places where these winged travelers live. CNN article link en-us Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1031&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont USDA Applications Due: January 20, 2012 Program Priorities: Nearly all business sectors can be assisted with the program. However, USDA-RD is placing specific emphasis on the following business sectors in 2012. Only initial application projects meeting one or more of these criteria can be considered for additional State Director points in this year’s program. 1. Projects that will develop, expand or enhance the viability of agricultural or forestry related value-added businesses. 2. Projects that impact locally produced / locally manufactured food networks and/or distribution systems. 3. Projects that assist in the development or expansion of cooperatively owned businesses (including healthcare). 4. Projects that support manufacturing. 5. Projects that integrate technology – i.e. web sales, web design, business IT assessment/planning Technical assistance (i.e. feasibility studies, marketing plans) and equipment purchases (grantee must retain ownership) are encouraged (i.e. shared biz incubator equipment). Projects involving construction or revolving loan funds are discouraged. Rural Business Enterprise Grant Program Link en-us Wed, 30 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Funding / Grant Opportunities http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1039&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Dave Gram The Shumlin administration on Wednesday formally announced something that had been expected: It is scrapping a rule put in place by the previous administration that opened up state lands to use by all-terrain vehicle riders. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Wed, 30 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1055&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: The Associated Press Vermont snowmobilers say that despite extensive damage from Tropical Storm Irene 95 percent of the state's 5,000-mile trail network has been repaired and is now waiting for snow. But the damage in a portion of the Green Mountain National Forest in Peru is so severe that it won't be possible to repair it until next year. Burlington Free Press article link en-us Tue, 29 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1057&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Blake Jones It has been a mild fall, but local officials are worried that, when the weather turns, major cuts to home heating aid will leave many residents in the cold. Every winter, the state's Home Energy Assistance Program provides grants for oil, propane, electric, natural gas and other heating bills. But this year, federal funding for HEAP has been slashed. Post Star article link en-us Tue, 29 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1065&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Susan Mende The first stretch of improvements to the 5-kilometer Remington Recreational Trail has been completed, thanks in part to community donations that exceeded the $10,000 fundraising goal set by the Friends of Canton Trail Committee. Watertown Daily Times article link en-us Tue, 29 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1068&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Phil Brown Last week the Watertown Daily Times reported that Lassiter Properties had put on the market nearly 2,300 acres in and near the Adirondack Park. Adirondack Almanack article link en-us Tue, 29 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1070&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Nora Flaherty Conservationists Amy Vedder and Bill Weber have spent decades in Rwanda, studying and working to preserve that country's famous population of mountain gorillas. They wrote the book "In the Kingdom of Gorillas." Both served as directors of the Wildlife Conservation Society's Africa Program. NCPR article link en-us Tue, 29 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1032&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: The Associated Press Husson University has launched a new program to foster student internships with corporations and nonprofits. The Bangor university’s College of Business said Monday the Internship Investment Bank will encourage work experience opportunities for students while providing educational benefits to employers. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Mon, 28 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Education/Arts/Entertainment http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1033&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: The Associated Press The U.S. Department of Transportation is sending Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine millions of dollars to help repair roads damaged in storms earlier this year. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Mon, 28 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1071&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Julie Grant A new report finds that New York may suffer disproportionate effects of climate change in the coming decades, when compared with other regions. The report was co-authored by scientists from Cornell, Columbia University, and Hunter College. It finds that because New York is a northern state, it has already warmed more than twice the global average--2.4 degrees Fahrenheit in the last forty years. NCPR article link en-us Mon, 28 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1034&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Nick Sambides Jr. When he heard that a Cape Elizabeth state senator had organized a citizens group to advocate for a 70,000-acre national park proposed by businesswoman and environmentalist Roxanne Quimby because a park would create jobs, Town Councilor Michael Madore immediately thought of a counterproposal, he says. Bangor Daily Times article link en-us Sun, 27 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1047&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Craig Crosby John Babb looks at the computer screen at his desk as numbers bounce up and down with the constant stream of information from Wall Street. On this day, crude oil is up to $3.82 per gallon and gasoline and heating oil prices have responded with a 10-cent increase. An increase like that would have been unthinkable less than decade ago, but now the only thing stable about the price of oil is its volatility. Kennebec Journal article link en-us Sun, 27 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1048&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Craig Crosby Reducing your energy bill means finding ways to use less. And while there are a number of big-ticket ways to cut costs -- such as replacing windows -- state and private energy experts say there is plenty of money to be saved on the cheap. Kennebec Journal article link en-us Sun, 27 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1049&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Craig Crosby Calling for an oil delivery these days can make one cringe. But homeowners are not the only ones who detest soaring oil prices, said John Babb, president of Manchester-based J&S Oil. Volatility, especially, and the rising cost of oil in general, has forced a number of dealers out of the industry. Morning Sentinel article link en-us Sun, 27 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1053&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: The Associated Press New Hampshire program aims to persuade Berlin homeowners to switch from fossil fuels to wood pellets to heat their homes. Officials for the Model Neighborhood Project say they hope to convince up to 40 homeowners to sign on to better the environment and the local economy. Concord Monitor article link en-us Sun, 27 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1056&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Burlington Free Press Staff The U.S. Forest Service is offering the public Christmas trees from Vermont's Green Mountain National Forest for $5. The permits can be purchased at any of the Forest Service offices in the state. Burlington Free Press article link en-us Sun, 27 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Networks & Partner News http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1059&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Dan Heath Many unfilled jobs exist in the 23rd Congressional District, but the difficulty is training people for them. Congressman Bill Owens recently met with representatives from workforce-development centers to explore ways to fill the more than 3,400 available positions in the region. Professionals from seven of the 11 counties in the district took part. Press Republican article link en-us Sun, 27 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1035&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: The Associated Press Central Maine Power Co. has begun construction on a new 39-mile transmission line. The $33 million line will extend from Moscow to Benton. Company officials say it will enhance the reliability of power in Somerset County and be able to accommodate wind-generated electricity in the future. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Sat, 26 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1036&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Glenn Adams Climbing Maine’s mile-high Mount Katahdin once is something to be proud of. Nelson Daigle’s done it 462 times, and the wiry, gray-haired 73-year-old retired paper worker aims to make it an even 500. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Sat, 26 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1046&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: The Associated Press Maine's deer-hunting season is coming to an end. The firearms season officially ends half-an-hour before sunset on Saturday. Bangor Daily Times article link en-us Sat, 26 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1054&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: The Associated Press Helped by this week's snowstorm, several New Hampshire ski areas are open for business, though most have limited lift service and only a handful of trails ready. Concord Monitor article link en-us Sat, 26 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1058&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Mary Thompson Glens Falls Hospital and city officials are exploring the "notion" of a training center on or near the hospital campus for health care information technology career. Post Star article link en-us Sat, 26 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Health http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1060&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Dan Heath Bombardier Transportation is one priority project identified by the North Country Regional Economic Development Council in its five-year strategic plan. Press Republican article link en-us Sat, 26 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1064&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Mike Lynch An Essex County school district has become one of the few in the state to use a wood chip gasification system as a source of heating, instead of the oil-burning boilers and furnaces that are standard in the North Country. Adirondack Daily Enterprise article link en-us Sat, 26 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1066&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Nancy Madsen The Jefferson-Lewis Workforce Investment Board has 1,400 job listings, and local leaders, with Rep. William L. Owens, are trying to figure out how to fill them. Watertown Daily Times article link en-us Sat, 26 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1037&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Matt Wickenheiser Tracy Darcy remembers one customer who came into her downtown Bangor store, Metropolitan Soul, during the holidays. A bit seasonally harried, he had stumbled on the alternative to big-box madness — shopping small, local. He bought a number of gifts, then was amazed when Darcy offered free gift-wrapping. He left for a coffee, then returned a half-hour later to get his wrapped parcels, happy and on his way. The next day, new customers came into Darcy’s funky shop, having been told about it by their friend — the harried shopper from the previous day. Bangor Daily Times article link en-us Fri, 25 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1038&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Kevin Miller Recent news of job losses at paper mills across Maine — including 125 positions cut at Verso Paper’s Bucksport mill — may suggest to some that employment in the state’s pulp and paper industry is shrinking, not growing. And in some mills that is true. But the average age of a paper mill worker in Maine is in the 50s. So even as mills throughout Maine face increased global competition, they also are bracing for a tidal wave of empty positions as those workers begin to retire after decades on the job. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Fri, 25 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1050&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Mechele Cooper All 99 Maine land trusts took part in a nationwide census that found 10 million new acres of land have been conserved since 2005, despite a down economy. The Portland Press Herald article link Related article - The Associated Press en-us Fri, 25 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1051&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Barbara Tetreault The city council is considering a tax incentive that it hopes will foster commercial and industrial construction in Berlin. City Manager Patrick MacQueen said there are interested parties looking at both industrial and commercial development in the city. The Berlin Daily Sun article link en-us Fri, 25 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1067&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Marc Heller A program that has helped spread high-speed Internet service in Northern New York and other rural areas has survived a challenge in Congress. Watertown Daily Times article link en-us Fri, 25 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1040&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Glenn Adams Clouds that shrouded mighty Mount Katahdin on a still November morning gradually lifted above its mile-high summit as the day wore on, just as a pale of gloom is giving way to a glow of optimism in two Maine towns below. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Thu, 24 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1041&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Steve Mistler Gov. Paul LePage’s plans to reduce Mainers’ reliance on heating oil and expand natural gas is creating pushback from the state’s consortium of oil dealers. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Thu, 24 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1042&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: The Associated Press The number of landlocked salmon that swam up the Winooski River from Lake Champlain this fall was the highest since a program began in 1993 to help the fish get around a series of power dams so they could reach their spawning grounds, officials said. Berlin Daily News article link en-us Wed, 23 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1063&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Adirondack Daily Enterprise More than 14 inches of natural snowfall helped Whiteface Mountain Ski Center be ready to open for its 54th skiing and riding season on Friday. If all that snow sticks around until Friday, it would be the most natural snow on the mountain's opening weekend in a decade. Adirondack Daily Enterprise article link en-us Wed, 23 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1072&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Todd Moe Theatre Kingston has welcomed its new Artistic Producer on board this season....Todd Moe spoke with Christopher about his goals, which include collaboration and community connections to keep local theater vibrant. NCPR article link en-us Wed, 23 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Education/Arts/Entertainment http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1030&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Lisa Gibson Through the Model Neighborhood Project, as many as 40 homeowners in Berlin, N.H., will receive subsidies to switch from heating oil systems to advanced wood pellet boilers in the next two years. Biomass Magazine article link Boston.com related article link   en-us Tue, 22 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1043&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Nick Sambides Jr. A state senator from Cape Elizabeth announced Tuesday the formation of what she called a statewide organization that will lead the effort to help environmentalist and businesswoman Roxanne Quimby donate 70,000 acres for the creation of a national park in 2016. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Tue, 22 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1052&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Barbara Teteault With the funding to open the federal prison now approved, the focus is quickly switching to preparing local people for jobs at the medium security facility. “Everyone has been waiting for so long, now it’s time to take action,” said N.H. Employment Security Berlin Office Manager Mark Belanger. Berlin Daily Sun article link en-us Tue, 22 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1073&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: NCPR Staff A busload of Canton college is heading to New York City this morning - to defend their local SUNY campus at the meeting of the state university's Trustees. NCPR article link en-us Tue, 22 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Education/Arts/Entertainment http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1029&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Jordan Lipschik Gov. Andrew Cuomo has tapped Leilani "Lani" Crafts Ulrich to be the new chairwoman of the Adirondack Park Agency and nominated Sherman Craig to be a new commissioner of the agency that oversees land use and building regulations inside the park's 6 million acres. Legislative Gazzette article link en-us Mon, 21 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Networks & Partner News http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1028&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Zeke Wright A "mega-trail" for bicyclists and pedestrians stretching from New York City to Montreal, Quebec, was the envisioned goal of a weekend conference at the Bennington Museum. Varied stakeholders attended the Western New England Greenway Conference, which organizers called a first chance for introductions and opportunity to coordinate future efforts. Bennington Banner article link en-us Sun, 20 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1061&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Jessica Collier State Adirondack Park Agency staff delved into some of the thornier issues with the Adirondack Club and Resort Friday. The sticky Issues 5 and 6 include the potential positive and negative fiscal impacts on the municipalities. Adirondack Daily Enterprise article link en-us Sat, 19 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1044&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Lisa Rathke Visitors to Vermont’s ski country may be surprised to find some restaurants and stores boarded up in the valley town near Mount Snow — one of the communities hardest hit by Tropical Storm Irene— but the skiing and riding should be the same depending on the snow. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Fri, 18 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1027&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Gardennews.biz staff U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell testified before Congress on the strengths and efficiencies of the agency’s draft new Planning Rule that, when finalized, will provide a framework for how all of the 193 million acres of national forests and grasslands will be managed in the future. Gardennews.biz article link en-us Thu, 17 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1045&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Christopher Cousins How much carbon did you send into the atmosphere today? Turning up the heat, driving your car or flicking on a light switch are all ways to release carbon and by extension contribute to global warming, but sucking carbon back out is a little more complicated. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Thu, 17 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Ecosystem Services http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1062&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Chris Morris The North Country Regional Economic Development Council's final strategic plan has been submitted to the state, and it identifies scientist recruitment at Saranac Lake's Trudeau Institute as one of its priority projects. Adirondack Daily Enterprise article link en-us Thu, 17 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1069&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Jeff Farbaniec Two inches. According to Olavi Hirvonen, owner of the Lapland Lake cross-country ski area in Northville, two inches of dense snow is all that’s needed to get at least a few kilometers of Lapland Lake’s trail network open for skiing. And if anyone should know, it’s Olavi: with 34 years experience grooming Lapland Lake’s trails on a daily basis, he’s considered to be the most experienced groomer in North America. Adirondack Almanac article link en-us Thu, 17 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=978&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region USDA Forest Service Northern Research Station Pre-proposals due: January 6, 2012 Research Areas / Themes: The 2012 Northeastern State Research Cooperative (NSRC) program will support four broad areas of research that are relevant to the Northern Forest region. Theme One focuses on integration of social, economic, and ecological issues. Theme Two focuses on sustaining ecosystem health. Theme Three focuses on forest productivity and products. Theme Four focuses on biodiversity and protected area management. Northeastern States Research Cooperative website NSRC RFP (PDF)   en-us Wed, 16 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Funding / Grant Opportunities http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=997&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Chris Jensen The new federal prison in Berlin – which has been sitting empty – could finally be funded this week, providing a huge economic boost to the North Country. NHPR’s Chris Jensen reports. Funding for the federal prison in Berlin is likely to be approved this week, according to Sen. Jeanne Shaheen. NHPR article link en-us Wed, 16 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=998&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Chris Jensen The Northern Pass hydro-electric project is interested in buying a section of land associated with The Balsams Resort. If such a sale went through it’s likely to create a furor in the North Country. NHPR’s Chris Jensen reports. NHPR article link en-us Wed, 16 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1002&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Steve Leone Drive deep enough into the White Mountains of New Hampshire, and you'll be on your way. Continue far enough past the ski resorts that make the region famous, and you'll head straight for some of the most rugged peaks in North America. Stay close enough to the unforgiving Androscoggin River, and you'll soon see the sign. "Welcome to Berlin, New Hampshire: The City That Trees Built.” Renewable Energy World article link en-us Wed, 16 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1004&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Terri Hallenbeck Photos of the damage Vermont suffered in Tropical Storm Irene went a long way, Rep. Peter Welch said. The images convinced a reluctant Congress that the need for federal aid was real. Sharing those photographs with every member of the House was one of several approaches Welch said helped win an agreement Monday between House and Senate budget negotiators to replenish a depleted federal emergency aid fund, lift a cap on aid available to each state and extend a deadline to complete emergency road repairs. Burlington Free Press article link en-us Wed, 16 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1008&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Suzanne Thompson It's the latest locavore mantra, certainly the most primal one: burn local. As we hunker down for the winter, the Nature Conservancy urges anyone with a fire pit, fireplace or wood-burning stove to make sure their wood comes from close to home. The Day article link   en-us Wed, 16 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1014&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: NCPR Staff New York begins public hearings on proposed regulations for hydro-fracking today. The state Department of Environmental Conservation convenes the first of the hearings in the Finger Lakes village of Dansville this afternoon at 1:00 pm. People hoping for three minutes to comment are expected to begin lining up hours before that. The state has put off permits for drilling in the Marcellus Shale formation since 2008, when it began a review of the high-volume hydraulic fracturing process used to blast wells into production. NCPR article link en-us Wed, 16 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1015&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Brian Mann For the first time, the North Country's Regional Economic Development Council created by Governor Cuomo has unveiled a list of priority projects. These sixteen projects that made the list are, in the Council's view, the best immediate hope for transforming the North Country's economy, and creating or saving roughly thirteen hundred jobs. NCPR article link en-us Wed, 16 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1017&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Kimberly Rielly What does ‘Adirondacks’ mean to potential visitors? There continues to be much discussion throughout the region centering around the topic of the Adirondack “brand”. As the destination marketing organization for a huge chunk of the Adirondacks, I thought we’d chime in, too. And we bring good news! There is clear evidence that “Adirondacks” does, indeed, mean something to potential visitors. Adirondack Almanac article link en-us Wed, 16 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1019&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Nancy Madsen The North Country Regional Economic Development Council is asking the state to contribute immediately to Newton Falls rail line restoration, Fort Drum rental housing and LED lighting technology by an Ogdensburg facility. Those projects are among the 16 highlighted in the council’s strategic plan for economic development, called “Transformational: Leading the Economic Renaissance of New York’s Small Cities and Rural Communities.” The plan, submitted Monday to the state’s Empire State Development Corp., focuses on adding and retaining jobs in manufacturing, tourism and agriculture in all seven counties in the region. Watertown Daily Times article link en-us Wed, 16 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1020&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Reena Singh Valerie H. Carrion, 16, polishes down an aged oak table with a stained washcloth in the Black River Valley Club’s reading room — even though she’s not an employee there. Watertown Daily Times article link en-us Wed, 16 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1023&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Debra J. Groom / The Post-Standard A community forum on energy sources and where they come from is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday at the SUNY Oswego Metro Center in downtown Syracuse. The one-hour program, titled "Where Is New York Getting Its Energy?," will include moderator Emma Jacobs, Innovation Trail reporter for WRVO, and panelists who will talk about what energy resources are available and what New Yorkers want to see powering their toasters and laptops in the years to come. Syracuse.com article link en-us Wed, 16 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1025&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Jeff Woodburn They are hardly "huddled masses" and far from "poor" or "wretched refuse," but they are foreigners and they want to become U.S. citizens. And, under the federal EB-5 visa program, they not only don't have to wait in line, they get a fast-track route to a green card and potential citizenship -- provided they invest $500,000 in a designated U.S. company's capital investment project. New Hampshire Business Review article link en-us Wed, 16 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1026&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont, New Hampshire Applications encouraged Deadline: January 20, 2012 Community Facilities serves non-profits and public bodies. Low interest loans may be used to renovate, repair, purchase or construct buildings which house community services. Money can also be used to purchase or repair equipment for the facilities. Detailed program information en-us Wed, 16 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Funding / Grant Opportunities http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=999&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Amy Quinton The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative faces an uncertain future in some states. New Jersey plans to end its participation and New Hampshire has considered legislation that would do the same. But a new analysis shows the carbon dioxide cap and trade program has saved consumers money and created jobs. Under the program, power producers buy pollution allowances at auction for each ton of carbon dioxide they emit. NHPR article link Concord Monitor related article: Report: RGGI nets NH $17 million en-us Tue, 15 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1000&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Barbara Tetreault Union officials Thursday night promised local workers will be hired to work on the Burgess BioPower biomass plant. “We put local people to work. We’re absolutely going to do that here,” said Shawn Cleary, business agent for Ironworkers Local 7. Cleary told the crowd of over 200 that attended the job fair for Burgess BioPower that there would be more local hiring for the biomass construction than occurred during construction of the federal prison which was not a union job. The Berlin Daily Sun article link en-us Tue, 15 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1001&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: New Hampshire Business Review Lynn Tilton, CEO and principal of Patriarch Partners LLC -- the firm that brought the former Fraser Papers mill in Gorham back to life -- will speak on "How to Save American Manufacturing" at the ninth annual New Hampshire Advanced Manufacturing and High Technology Summit. ynn Tilton, CEO and principal of Patriarch Partners LLC -- the firm that brought the former Fraser Papers mill in Gorham back to life -- will speak on "How to Save American Manufacturing" at the ninth annual New Hampshire Advanced Manufacturing and High Technology Summit. New Hampshire Business Review article link en-us Tue, 15 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1003&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Dave Gram Vermont's electricity utilities say they'll work during the next year to roll out new "smart meters" -- and digital networks to support them -- that will help them more closely monitor their power distribution networks and help customers save money. New questions are being raised about privacy, security and possible health impacts from radio waves emitted, particularly by the wireless systems Vermont's two major utilities intend to use. Burlington Free Press article link   en-us Tue, 15 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1006&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Alan Panebaker With the state’s final Comprehensive Energy Plan in its last phase, industry groups are making a final push for cheap, reliable energy. In addition to submitting comments to the Department of Public Service, the Associated Industries of Vermont, the Vermont Energy Partnership and other business organizations held a press conference last week to get their point across. Their main grievance: The plan focuses on climate change, renewable energy, and efficiency to such an extent that they have become goals in and of themselves. VTDigger article link en-us Tue, 15 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=987&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Jen Lynds A Presque Isle college broke ground Monday on a 900-kilowatt biomass boiler, further enhancing its efforts to use renewable energy as both a cost-saving measure and teaching tool. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Mon, 14 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=992&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Associated Press The cost of using an air conditioner -- whether it runs during the peak time for electrical usage or during off-peak hours -- is still the same for many electricity users across the country. The same goes for using a clothes dryer. Many utilities and state energy officials, some armed with federal stimulus money, think that should change and are advocating so-called "smart meter" technology in a growing number of states. Morning Sentinel article link en-us Mon, 14 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1005&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: The Associated Press The governors of Vermont and Massachusetts are urging Congress not to cut in half a federal program that provides home heating assistance for low income families. Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin and Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick are spearheading a bipartisan call on Congress by 15 governors to urge level-funding for LIHEAP, the low-income home heating program that faces up to a 50 percent reduction Burlington Free Press article link en-us Mon, 14 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1018&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Elizabeth Cooper Millions of dollars in state economic development funds are in play and the Mohawk Valley’s pitch is in. Observer-Dispatch article link en-us Mon, 14 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=988&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Matt Gouras No one can recall the last time an illegal immigrant hiked into the rugged and remote wilderness of Glacier National Park in an attempt to slip into the U.S. But that isn’t stopping some in Congress from proposing to give border agents control over environmental laws in protected areas such as the popular tourist attraction in Montana, Washington’s North Cascades National Park and all federal land within 100 miles of the U.S. border. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Sun, 13 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=993&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Deirdre Fleming One fatality and two other hunting-related shooting accidents over two days during the first week of firearm season for deer raised questions about Maine's hunter safety record...However, a comparison with several other states where hunting for deer and other big game is popular suggests hunting in Maine is probably no more dangerous than it is elsewhere. Morning Sentinel article link en-us Sun, 13 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=994&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Mal Leary Governor Paul LePage wants to cut in half Maine’s reliance on oil for heating homes and businesses, but while the goal is drawing praise, many doubt it is realistic. Bangor Daily News article link Related articles: Maine residents lead New England in cutting heating oil use en-us Sun, 13 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1013&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Ashleigh Livingston Nearly every habitat that exists in the 6 million-acre Adirondack Park can be found within 3,000 acres of land in Paul Smiths. There, beavers busily maintain their dam; native birds scour Heron Marsh for tasty insects; brook trout populate ponds; and humans travel miles of trails, winding through forests and passing along wetlands. The unique landscape belongs to Paul Smith's Visitors Interpretive Center, which became property of Paul Smith's College less than a year ago. Press Republican article link en-us Sun, 13 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Education/Arts/Entertainment http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1016&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Editorial Staff The Adirondack Park Agency (APA) will hold its regularly scheduled monthly meeting on Thursday, November 17 and Friday November 18, 2011 at APA Headquarters in Ray Brook, NY. The meeting starts at 9:00 AM. The normal monthly meeting agenda is changed to focus on the Adirondack Club and Resort project. The meeting will be webcast live. In addition, the public is invited to view the webcast live in Tupper Lake at The Wild Center. Adirondack Almanac article link en-us Sun, 13 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=989&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: George Danby Home Modification Specialists of Maine and Webber Energy are co-hosting a free Weatherization Seminar from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16, at T & B Celebration Center, 144 Madison Ave. Attendees will learn ways to reduce their energy costs by identifying and taking steps to prevent energy loss, easy fixes you can do yourself, when to call a professional, how you can qualify for financial incentives and rebates and much more. The seminar is open to all and will provide valuable information you can use now to save money this winter. For more information, call 872-5300 or visit www.homemodsofmaine.com. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Sat, 12 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=996&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Morning Sentinel Staff Snowmaking is under way at Maine's Sugarloaf ski resort. Officials at the Carrabassett Valley ski area say more than 40 snow guns were going on Friday as temperatures dropped into the mid-20s. Snowmaking operations are expected to continue when the temperatures are favorable during the upcoming week ahead of the mountain's scheduled opening this Friday. Morning Sentinel article link en-us Sat, 12 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1011&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Mike Lynch About 150 students and 30 teachers from 22 high schools and six colleges met at the Wild Center Wednesday and Thursday for the third annual Adirondack Youth Climate Summit. The purpose of the summit is to educate students about the science behind climate change, including how it's caused by humans' carbon dioxide emissions, and to encourage the teenagers to take actions in their schools to help fight it. Adirondack Daily Enterprise article link en-us Sat, 12 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Education/Arts/Entertainment http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1024&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Amy Cortese The residents of Saranac Lake, a picturesque town in the Adirondacks, are a hardy lot — they have to be to withstand winter temperatures that can drop to 30 below zero. But since the local Ames department store went out of business in 2002 — a victim of its corporate parent’s bankruptcy — residents have had to drive to Plattsburgh, 50 miles away, to buy basics like underwear or bed linens. And that was simply too much. So when Wal-Mart Stores came knocking, some here welcomed it. Others felt that the company’s plan to build a 120,000-square-foot supercenter would overwhelm their village, with its year-round population of 5,000, and put local merchants out of business. New York Times article link en-us Sat, 12 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=986&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail The Northern Forest Center and partners are launching the Model Neighborhood Project in Berlin, NH, to help move the Northern Forest region away from dependence on imported oil toward a local energy source that will create jobs and strengthen the forest economy. The project will subsidize the installation of new, state-of-the-art wood pellet heating systems in homes, affordable housing units and municipal buildings in pilot communities to demonstrate the efficiency, cost-savings and ease of use of these systems. en-us Fri, 11 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 HOME & PGM LANDING PG - Program Highlights http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=995&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Christopher Cousins U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud is using stories of strife from Mainers in an attempt to convince the House and Senate Appropriations Committees to restore funding to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Fri, 11 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1009&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Matt Wickenheiser The University of Southern Maine is moving forward on a plan that has been talked about for decades in the state — the creation of a tourism and hospitality major in the University of Maine System. Bangor Daily News en-us Fri, 11 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1010&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Chris Knight The U.S. Senate is considering a measure that would provide funding for infrastructure improvement projects along New York's border with Canada. Adirondack Daily Enterprise article link en-us Fri, 11 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1012&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Kim Smith Dedam Most of the 12 new ski-lift towers will be erect in what many hope will be snowfall today on Whiteface Mountain. Press Republican article link en-us Fri, 11 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1021&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Brian Amaral A man from Wanakena has become the first resident of a St. Lawrence County town within the Adirondack Park’s “blue line” to be nominated to serve on the Adirondack Park Agency board. Watertown Daily Times article link en-us Fri, 11 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Networks & Partner News http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1022&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Watertown Daily Times Staff ReEnergy Holdings LLC, Albany, bought a 20-megawatt biomass electricity-producing plant in Chateaugay, the company said Monday. The plant was one of five facilities the company purchased from Boralex Inc., Kingsey Falls, Quebec. The other four plants are in Maine. All five facilities, which cost about $93 million, rely principally on forest residue to produce electricity. Watertown Daily Times article link en-us Fri, 11 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=985&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail According to press articles, Northern Border Regional Commission grants in 2011 include the following. Detail on each of these projects can be found by clicking on the “News Articles” tab above. Maine $200,000 to the town of Van Buren toward the construction of a vegetable-processing plant to help expand markets for local farmers. $50,000 to Northern Maine Finance Corp. in Caribou to establish a public-private partnership aimed at linking entrepreneurs with investors to grow business and jobs in Aroostook and Washington counties.   New Hampshire $200,000 to Northern Community Investment Corp. for visitor information kiosks for tourists along Route 3 in New Hampshire’s North Country. $225,000 to the Grafton County Economic Development Council for construction of a business incubator in Plymouth. $225,000 to the Mount Washington Valley Economic Council to extend the access road to the Technology Village off Route 16 in Conway.   Vermont $128,500 to Lyndon State College and the Northeastern Vermont Development Association to create collaboration among Northeast Kingdom manufacturers and expand training programs. $78,190 to the town of Brighton to build a 2,100-foot lakeside walking path that will connect to downtown to enhance tourism and recreation in the community.   New York $250,000 to Clayton Local Development Corp. to install water and wastewater systems for the proposed $35 million Frink Hotel. $95,320 to Lewis County Development Corp. to rehabilitate a railway spur that connects to the former Lyons Falls Pulp & Paper mill site, which the agency is attempting to redevelop as a business park.   en-us Thu, 10 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 NBRC - Updates http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=990&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Nick Sambides Jr. As he stood at the podium Thursday near the $625,000 multiuse recreational trail named after him, U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud couldn’t help noting that one usually has to be dead to be so honored. The East Millinocket resident, the first recognized Franco-American from Maine to be elected to federal office, is very much alive and very grateful, he said, for the accolade. He said he hoped that the trail would add beauty and health to the Katahdin region. Bangor Daily News article link   en-us Thu, 10 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1007&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Chris Knight With just over a week to go before the state Adirondack Park Agency begins its review of the largest development project its ever seen, Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday named a new chair to lead the agency's board. Leilani "Lani" Crafts Ulrich, an Old Forge resident and an APA commissioner since November 2004, has been appointed as the agency's new chairwoman. She replaces Curt Stiles, who resigned as chairman this summer. Adirondack Daily Enterprise article link Related article from the Press Republican: Cuomo names Ulrich chairwoman of APA en-us Thu, 10 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Networks & Partner News http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=947&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Erin Rhoda With the help of renewable energy, a major lumber producer in Moose River Plantation is eliminating hundreds of thousands of gallons of oil a year and remaining competitive. The sawmill, Moose River Lumber Co., produces 85 million board feet of lumber each year and employs 75 people with the help of a biomass boiler that burns shavings and sawdust, said vice president Jeff Desjardins. Morning Sentinel article link en-us Wed, 09 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=959&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Free Press Staff Report Vermonters who experienced damage or losses as the result of Tropical Storm Irene have until Tuesday to register for assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and to apply for low-interest loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration. Burlington Free Press article link en-us Wed, 09 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Funding / Grant Opportunities http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=962&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Linda J. Peckel So often you hear about how the arts support a community, but what does that actually mean? In Saranac Lake, NY, the burgeoning Adirondack arts community, it means a check for $2000 from Saranac Lake ArtWorks—a collective of independent art galleries and the Adirondack Artists Guild (of 14 artists), the Pendragon Theatre, and local arts businesses working together to promote local artists—to Historic Saranac Lake. Adirondack Almanac article link en-us Wed, 09 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Education/Arts/Entertainment http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=973&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Jon Alexander Gov. Andrew Cuomo named Leilani "Lani" Ulrich on Wednesday as the first chairwoman of the Adirondack Park Agency. The announcement ends months of speculation that followed August's resignation of former Chairman Curt Stiles. Cuomo also appointed Sherman Craig, a woodworker and chairman of the Clifton-Fine Economic Development Corp. Five Ponds Partners subcommittee, to fill the seat on the 11-member board vacated when Stiles resigned. Post-Star article link en-us Wed, 09 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Networks & Partner News http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=977&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont Coos/Essex Cooperative Extention Join us on Friday November 18 as we revitalize the Coös/Essex cooperative Willow Tree Nursery in Brunswick VT. We will begin work at 9am, cutting and hauling old stems. A short presentation will occur around 11 am with information on propagating willow and other species from cuttings. These cuttings can be used for many uses from basket weaving to fiber production. Come early to help with the work or just the presentation at 11. We will have some cuttings for you to take home as well! For more info call: Steve Turaj – Coös Agriculture Educator Brendan Prusik – Coös County Forester 603-788-4961 Location   en-us Wed, 09 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=979&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Washington, DC Environmental & Energy Study Institute (EESI) Wednesday, November 16, 2011 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM 2322 Rayburn House Office Building The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) invites you to a briefing to learn about how clean, renewable, efficient biomass heating can contribute to job creation, economic development, and energy security in communities across the country, as well as ways in which policies can help overcome some of the existing challenges and barriers to biomass use in the residential, commercial, and institutional sectors. Additional event information en-us Wed, 09 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=991&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Peter Svensson Cable companies said Wednesday they will offer Internet service for $9.95 per month to homes with children that are eligible for free school lunches. The offer will start next summer and is part of an initiative the Federal Communications Commission cobbled together to get more U.S. homes connected to broadband. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Wed, 09 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=941&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Renee Ordway, Special to the BDN With poor, elderly and disabled Mainers facing deep cuts to the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program which helps keep them warm in the winter, Bangor’s most famous resident, author Stephen King, is stepping forward to help out. King — who owns Bangor radio stations WZON 620 AM, WKIT 100.3 FM and The Pulse 103.1 FM — said Tuesday that the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation would work with the radio stations to try to raise as much as $140,000 to be used for fuel assistance for low-income Mainers in the stations’ broadcast area. Bangor Daily News Article link Related article by the Morning Sentinel en-us Tue, 08 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=942&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Kevin Miller, BDN Staff The contentious issue of trapping in areas of Maine inhabited by Canada lynx is about to get a hearing with federal wildlife officials. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking the public’s feedback on Maine wildlife officials’ application for a permit to effectively shield the state from liability when trappers inadvertently capture Canada lynx, a federally protected species. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Tue, 08 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=952&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Leslie Bridges A $10.4 million upgrade of a section of the Mountain Division Rail Line, from Windham to West Baldwin, could begin in the spring if the Maine Department of Transportation is awarded a federal grant that would pay for most of the project The U.S. Department of Transportation will dole out $527 million next month through its competitive, three-year-old grant program called Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery, or TIGER. The Portland Press Herald article link en-us Tue, 08 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=953&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Deirdre Fleming What was intended to be a meeting to educate the public on a proposal to create a national park in northern Maine instead demonstrated how polarizing the issue is among state residents, including those in southern areas. Among its most controversial aspects is its principal advocate, Roxanne Quimby, co-founder of Burt's Bees and one of Maine's most prominent land conservationists. She would donate 70,000 acres of her land for the park. The Portland Press Herald article link Related Articles from the Morning Sentinel: E. Millinocket voters reject park feasibility study Quimby, snowmobile official differ on park backing en-us Tue, 08 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=960&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Terri Hallenbeck Monday’s opening of the new Lake Champlain Bridge marked more than a new route for travelers. It also pro­vides a new route for fiber-optic cable. Strung underneath the bridge’s deck is a metallic pipe carrying 96 strands of fiber-optic that could provide better cellphone, cable TV and other techno­logical services to rural stretches on both sides of the lake, said Joe Calzone, vice president of ION, the Albany, N.Y., company that won a $39 million federal stimulus grant to do the work. Burlington Free Press article link New Lake Champlain Bridge officially opens   en-us Tue, 08 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=963&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Editorial Staff As preparations for the third Adirondack Youth Climate Summit, on November 9th and 10th, are reaching a crescendo, science centers around the country and the world are in touch with The Wild Center in Tupper Lake to talk about using the Youth Summit model to create a shared summit platform that would allow students in different locations to share ideas and successes. The Summit will bring together more than 170 participants from 30 high schools and colleges across the Adirondacks and ultimately effect more than 25,000 students. Adirondack Almanac article link en-us Tue, 08 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=967&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Adirondack Daily Enterprise Staff U.S. Sens. Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand say flood-damaged upstate New York towns will get $2 million in emergency funding to fix roads and highways. The federal funding will be added to $5 million in state funding for highways that was previously announced. Adirondack Daily Enterprise article link en-us Tue, 08 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=970&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Staff Report The 2011-2012 Home Energy Assistance Program will open Nov. 16 for regular benefits and Jan. 3 for emergency benefits. Heating equipment repair and replacement began Oct. 3. The scheduled closing date for all three components is March 16. Observer-Dispatch article link en-us Tue, 08 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Funding / Grant Opportunities http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=974&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Julie Grant The North Country Regional Economic Development Council is sifting through project proposals this week. The projects it chooses will be entered into the state competition for the first round of economic development dollars. NCPR article link en-us Tue, 08 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Funding / Grant Opportunities http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=983&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire The Mount Washington Valley Economic Council has plans to add a second building at the Technology Village, and the non-profit organization has received a $225,000 grant to extend its access road off Route 16 in Conway. Conway Daily Sun Article en-us Tue, 08 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Pgm Rel Articles - Northern Border Reg. Comm. http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=943&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Matt Wickenheiser, BDN Staff Boralex Inc. of Montreal, Quebec, announced Monday it was selling its United States-based biomass electric plants — including four in Maine — for $93 million to a New York energy company. The Maine plants, which convert scrap wood to power, are in Ashland, Fort Fairfield, Livermore Falls and Stratton. The deal also includes a facility in Chateaugay, N.Y., according to a Boralex release. Bangor Daily News article link Related articles: Boralex on prowl for new projects after selling U.S. wood plants for US$93M ReEnergy Holdings to Acquire Biomass-to-Energy Portfolio in Maine and New York from Boralex Inc.   en-us Mon, 07 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=944&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Terry Karkos, Sun Journal Skiers and snowboarders have much to look forward to once the season starts in earnest at Western Maine ski resorts. Owners of Sunday River in Newry and Sugarloaf in Carrabassett Valley invested $8.3 million in capital improvements during the off-season. Sunday River’s projects included improved snowmaking, grooming and lifts, renovations to its South Ridge Base Lodge, road maintenance and creation of a new glade, spokeswoman Darcey Morse said Thursday by email. Additionally, two new real estate developments are being added. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Mon, 07 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=949&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: The Associated Press Maine tourism officials say registration is now open for the Governor's 2012 Conference on Tourism. The conference is being held Jan. 26 at Sunday River ski resort's Grand Summit Hotel in Newry. Morning Sentinel article link   en-us Mon, 07 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=950&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Doug Harlow Sappi Fine Paper North America's investments in renewable energy and green certification -- even a comedy video -- at the Somerset mill in Skowhegan have landed the company international award nominations. The South African-owned paper company is a finalist for four awards in the 2011 Pulp & Paper International Awards in three categories, according to a release from Amy Olson, Sappi's manager for corporate communications in Boston. Morning Sentinel article link en-us Mon, 07 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=951&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Ray Routhier Maine is wild, beautiful and worlds removed from bustling metropolitan centers like New York City and Los Angeles. So it's the perfect place for frazzled and sought-after celebrities to get away from everything. Except other celebrities. The Kennebec Journal article link en-us Mon, 07 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=955&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Annmarie Timmins Nita and Ed Erickson were up early Saturday doing chores at their Bradford farm - and boy were they happy about it. Two years after the 150-acre Battles Farm looked destined for subdivision and houses, local and state donations have preserved the land and the farm. That means the Ericksons, Nita 58 and Ed 60, will keep paying the property taxes and raising and selling organic food on the site. It also means nearly all the couple's 150 acres will remain undeveloped and open to hikers, snowshoers, hunters and anyone else in need of fresh air. Concord Monitor article link en-us Mon, 07 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=961&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Burlington Free Press Staff Vermont State Reps. Anne O'Brien, Terry Macaig and Jim McCullough will host a presentation on the smart grid at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Richmond Library. Robert Dostis from Green Mountain Power and Elizabeth Gamache of Vermont Electric Cooperative will talk about bringing greater reliability and operational efficiencies to the electric grid. VEC was the first utility in Vermont to install digital meters systemwide, a news release stated. Burlington Free Press article link en-us Mon, 07 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=964&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Editorial Staff Through his vision and leadership, Gov. Andrew Cuomo has offered to the communities of New York a major opportunity – with the potential for large rewards: The chance to set our own economic agendas, regionally, with the ten Regional Economic Councils. And, initially, a piece of the $200 million in state funding that goes along with them. The program is called "New York Open For Business," with the goal of developing the economy in and sustainability of the communities that make up New York State and increase the number of businesses and jobs locating here. Adirondack Almanac article link en-us Mon, 07 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=971&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Jimmy Lawton The St. Lawrence River Valley Redevelopment Agency has invested $100,000 in the St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency’s Microenterprise Revolving Loan Fund. IDA Deputy CEO Patrick J. Kelly said the program has been successful in helping businesses with startup and expansion costs, and has become popular over the past year. The loans are geared toward small businesses, with a $20,000 cap on each loan. Watertown Daily Times article link en-us Mon, 07 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=975&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Kris Bevill Details remain sparse as to which programs House and Senate agriculture committees will recommend to cut back or eliminate as part of the $23 billion in reductions they have proposed for the 2012 Farm Bill. Senators told attendees at a conference held Nov. 7 in Fargo, N.D., that retaining funding for renewable energy programs in the Farm Bill is a vital piece of the overall policy. Biomass Magazine article link en-us Mon, 07 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=976&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Lisa Gibson With a $2.6 million USDA grant set to cover almost the entire cost, a high school and nearby university in Maine will construct a biomass heating system with expected fuel savings of up to 80 percent. The University of Maine at Fort Kent and Maine School Administrative District 27 collaborated to apply for and develop an environmentally friendly initiative in an extension of their joint five-year-old College Community Project. The $3 million biomass district heating project involves an underground hot water distribution system connected to nine university buildings and two Fort Kent Community High School buildings. Biomass Magazine article link en-us Mon, 07 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=948&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Erin Rhoda For some employees of Madison Paper Industries, it was a scarier prospect to continue under ownership of Myllykoski Corp. than to be sold to another Finnish giant, UPM-Kymmene Corp. Morning Sentinel article link en-us Sun, 06 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=965&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Editorial Staff Looking for a Challenge? Try riding some of the Adirondack horse trails. There is something for everyone, from horse camping to mountain tops or lake shores - whatever scenery you are looking for can be found. If you don’t have your own horse, check with area Chambers of Commerce for names and contact information of stables that take people on public trail horseback rides. Adirondack Almanac article link en-us Sun, 06 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=966&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Jeff Meyers The state is creating a management plan for several tracts of undeveloped state land in northern Clinton County. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation held a public-comment session at Beekmantown Town Hall recently to jump-start the process of collecting ideas from the community for how those lands can be used. Press Republican article link en-us Sun, 06 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=969&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Haley Behre Fulton has lost more than 2,000 manufacturing jobs since 1995, according to the SUNY Oswego Small Business Development Center’s grant application. But with the grant it just received, the SBDC hopes to help the displaced workers start small businesses. The center plans to establish a temporary outreach office, for one year, to help the displaced workers, said Larry Perras, senior business adviser at the SBDC. The office will be in Fulton, but a location has not been picked. The grant will also help establish an e-commerce incubator for online business startups. The incubator will help potential business owners develop websites and manage businesses online. The grant was for $100,000. The Post-Standard article link   en-us Sun, 06 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=945&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Eric Russell, BDN Staff If Maine doesn’t receive its full allotment of federal heating assistance funds, Gov. Paul LePage said this week he would ask the Legislature to take from Efficiency Maine to bridge that gap. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Sat, 05 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=956&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Monitor Staff UNLESS A FEW more freak snowstorms change their thinking, these are the dates the state's ski resorts anticipate opening this year: Concord Monitor article link en-us Sat, 05 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=968&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Adirondack Daily Enterprise Staff For the 19th consecutive year, Whiteface/Lake Placid, has been selected as the top destination for off hill activities by readers of SKI Magazine. The 22nd annual survey also tabbed Whiteface as the fourth top ski resort in the eastern United States. The rankings were announced in the magazine's October special issue. Adirondack Daily Enterprise article link en-us Sat, 05 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=946&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Eric Russell, BDN Staff A Boston-based online storage company has relocated its customer service operations from India to Lewiston, bringing an estimated 150 new jobs to Maine. Gov. Paul LePage and Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner George Gervais credited recent steps that have been taken to ease regulations as the main reason for the move by Carbonite. Bangor Daily News article link Related article from the Morning Sentinel en-us Fri, 04 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=954&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Amy Quinton The Public Utilities Commission has awarded grants to fund renewable energy projects in the state. Four companies and one elementary school will receive part of a one million dollar grant for projects that reduce dependence on fossil fuels NHPR article link en-us Fri, 04 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Funding / Grant Opportunities http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=958&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Barbara Tetreault Members of the North Country’s tourism industry were urged to start small but think big and not to be afraid to try unique ways to promote their businesses and communities. Jeff Bercuvitz, one of the country’s leading experts on community engagement, spoke about developing creative strategies for innovative partnerships in his keynote address yesterday at the second annual Northern New Hampshire Conference on Tourism. Concord Monitor article link   en-us Fri, 04 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=972&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Post-Star Staff The Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Co. has donated another $20,000 to the West Brook Conservation Initiative at the former site of the Gaslight Village. The donation to the Lake George Association boosts the bank's total contribution to the $15 million environmental project to $25,000. Post Star article link en-us Fri, 04 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=898&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Karen Langley The U.S. Senate yesterday approved funding to open the Berlin federal prison, which has sat vacant since construction ended last year. A wide-ranging appropriations bill that passed the Senate 69-30 included $6.6 billion in funding for the Federal Bureau of Prisons and prioritizes funding to open the Berlin prison and two other new prisons that still sit empty. The language giving priority to opening the prisons was also included in a House version of the appropriation, granting $6.3 billion to the prisons bureau, that has passed a committee but not reached the full House. Concord Monitor article link Union Leader related article en-us Wed, 02 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=900&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Annmarie Timmins Northern Pass officials may find that widening existing power line easements from Groveton to Deerfield to bring hydropower from Canada requires more than finding landowners willing to sell. The Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests is challenging Northern Pass's right to use any of the 140 miles of existing right of way, arguing that Northern Pass is a private company, not the public utility that negotiated those easements decades ago. The society is urging landowners along the proposed route to research their property deeds for language that would prevent Northern Pass from erecting towers and transmission lines along the right of way. Concord Monitor article link en-us Wed, 02 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=901&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Dave Collins Crews worked feverishly today to restore power to nearly 1.2 million homes and businesses in the Northeast in the dark after a freak weekend snowstorm, while many schoolchildren again stayed home and some residents languished for a fourth day in shelters that provided heat and meals. Connecticut, the hardest-hit state, still had nearly 550,000 customers without power, down from more than 800,000. Huge swaths of the state also lost power for days to the remnants of Hurricane Irene in August, and residents were growing restless. Morning Sentinal Article Link The Portland Press Herald Related Article Times Union related article The Portland Press Herald Related Article The Kennebec Journal related article en-us Wed, 02 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=905&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Dennis Hoey PORTLAND — The Maine Public Utilities Commission will hold a public hearing tonight on a proposed $8.63 million increase in Unitil’s distribution base rate that would affect thousands of natural gas customers in Greater Portland. It would be the first distribution rate increase in 28 years for Unitil, which purchased Northern Utilities in 2008. There have been numerous increases in the second component of the company’s billing, for the gas itself, over that period, but those supply rates have been down significantly in the past several years. The Portland Press Herald article link en-us Wed, 02 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=907&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine All of that snow is getting hard-core tobogganers fired up for 22nd annual National Toboggan Championships at the Camden Snow Bowl in Maine. Registration is now open for the 22nd annual event that features zany costumes as two-, three- and four-person toboggan teams go down a 400-foot-long, ice-covered wooden toboggan chute and onto a frozen pond. Sleds go as fast as 40 mph and the runs take about 10 seconds. Categories include special awards for best costume, oldest team and fastest teams in divisions including high school and college. The event will be held from Feb. 10-12.The Portland Press Herald article link en-us Wed, 02 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=908&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: The Associated Press A group representing wood-related industries and a prominent outdoors group are joining Maine snowmobilers in opposition to a feasibility study on the creation of a 70,000-acre national park east of Baxter State Park. The Maine Forest Products Council said today it's joining the Sportsman's Alliance of Maine and Maine Snowmobile Association against the plan put forth by Roxanne Quimby. A major landowner and Burt's Bees founder, Quimby's proposed creating a 70,000-acre national park adjacent to Baxter. The Portland Press Herald article link en-us Wed, 02 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=913&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: The Associated Press NEWRY — Maine's Sunday River ski resort says it's opening this weekend to kick off the ski season. Sunday River is opening its Locke Mountain chairlift today, with plans to reopen it again Sunday and Monday. After Monday, it will shut down temporarily with plans to reopen next weekend. Kennebec Journal article link en-us Wed, 02 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=915&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Susan M. Cover Northern Maine needs less restrictive regulation in the unorganized territory to give it a better chance to attract jobs and other development, members of a group exploring changes to the Land Use Regulation Commission told lawmakers Thursday. What a retooled LURC — or panel with a new less politically charged name — will look like, is still very much up in the air, Department of Conservation Commissioner Bill Beardsley told members of the Legislature’s Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee. Beardsley is chairman of a 13-member group charged with making recommendations for changes to the oversight system. Kennebec Journal article link en-us Wed, 02 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=916&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Monitor staff and wire The Hospitality Management Students at the UNH Whittemore School of Business and Economics are setting the table for two gourmet dinners, and you're invited. The meals, multi-course selections of dishes made with New Hampshire maple products, will be held Dec. 2 and 3 at Stillings Hall, 20 Ballard St., Durham. Both evenings will begin with a cocktail reception at 5 p.m. followed by dinner and live entertainment. Tickets cost $60. Concord Monitor article link en-us Wed, 02 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=918&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By:Scott Waldman FEMA has extended to Dec. 15 the registration deadline for anyone who suffered damage from tropical storms Irene and Lee this summer. Times Union article link en-us Wed, 02 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Funding / Grant Opportunities http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=920&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Dan Heath he North Country Regional Economic Development Council will present its draft Strategic Plan on Friday at SUNY Potsdam. The Draft Strategic Plan can be viewed at northcountryopenforbusiness.com. The plan includes seven vision statements, with strategies to realize those goals. Press Republican article link en-us Wed, 02 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=921&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Denise A. Raymo St. Lawrence County may use some its slot-machine profits for the natural-gas pipeline being built through northern Franklin County. Press Republican article link en-us Wed, 02 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=923&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Shaun Kittle Wolves and raptors and ducks — oh my! Set back in the woods off Springfield Road in Wilmington, a family of mallards whose mother was hit and killed by a car waddle about, greeting visitors with a grumbling chorus of quacks. The ducks, like all of the residents at the Adirondack Wildlife Refuge and Rehabilitation Center, have lost something important to them. Press Republican article link en-us Wed, 02 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=928&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Marc Hieller For three New York lawmakers, serving on the Agriculture Committee is a badge of honor. But on the committee’s main order of business — crafting a five-year package of programs on dairy policy, farm subsidies and nutrition programs — they appear to be all but locked out of the barn. The farm bill usually deliberated every five years by the House and Senate agriculture committees is being hashed out this year behind closed doors by the committees’ top leaders and may ultimately be decided by the joint committee on deficit reduction, also known as the “supercommittee.” Unless the committee fails miserably — which is possible — all indications are that Sen. Kirsten E. Gillibrand, D-N.Y., and Reps. William L. Owens and Christopher P. Gibson, the only New Yorkers on any of the panels, will never be afforded a vote on a farm bill, let alone be able to offer provisions in the committees. Watertown Daily Times article link en-us Wed, 02 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=929&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Barbara Tetreault A job fair for people interested in working on the Burgess BioPower biomass plant will be held at city hall auditorium on Thursday, Nov. 10, starting at 6:30 p.m. The job fair is being held by the New Hampshire Building Trades Council which will be providing union workers for the construction of the facility. The Berlin Daily Sun article link en-us Wed, 02 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=934&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Brian Mann They say it takes a village to raise a child. But these days, it also takes a lot of extra effort to keep downtown business districts vibrant and busy. We just heard about Saranac Lake's new community store. But over the weekend nearly 200 people also turned out to help a local merchant move his store to Saranac Lake's main street. North Country Public Radio article link en-us Wed, 02 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=935&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Karen DeWitt New York's Environmental Commissioner says the review process on permitting hydrofracking on some private lands in New York State may take longer than expected. The DEC's Joe Martens even cast doubt on whether any permits would be issued in 2012. Governor Cuomo says he's willing to wait, if it leads to a rational decision making process on what's become a highly emotional issue. North Country Public Radio article link en-us Wed, 02 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=936&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Brian Mann This week the North Country Regional Economic Development Council will vote on a strategic plan that will be sent to Albany. The plan will be used to shape tens of millions of dollars in state spending our region. It will also compete with other regional plans submitted by councils in other parts of New York. North Country Public Radio article link en-us Wed, 02 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=938&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Scott Andrews The Ski Museum of Maine’s principal outreach program is a series of Fireside Chats, narrated digital slideshows that illustrate the history of skiing in Maine. Since 2008, approximately 3,000 people have seen at least one of the six programs currently available. Fireside Chats are hosted by ski clubs, ski resorts, civic organizations and historical societies all over Maine. To date they have been given in about 50 different communties the length and breadth of Maine, from Kittery to Fort Kent and Madawaska, from the New Hampshire state line to the New Brunswick international boundary. The Valley Voice article link en-us Wed, 02 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=906&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Seth Borenstein Freakish weather disasters — from the sudden October snowstorm in the Northeast U.S. to the record floods in Thailand — are striking more often. And global warming is likely to spawn more similar weather extremes at a huge cost, says a draft summary of an international climate report obtained by The Associated Press. The Portland Press Herald article link en-us Tue, 01 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=924&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Chris Morris A bill that would allow downed trees along Adirondack roadways to be cut up, removed and given to communities could gain some traction in the Democrat-led state Assembly. Assemblywoman Teresa Sayward, R-Willsboro, said Monday that legislation championed by her and state Sen. Betty Little, known as the "dead-wood" bill, could get sponsored by Assemblyman John McEneny, D-Albany. Sayward said a Democratic sponsor would get the bill, which has stalled for years, out of the Environmental Conservation Committee. Adirondack Daily Enterprise article link en-us Tue, 01 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=931&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Kimberly Rielly For two years in a row, my coworker and I have attended the eTourism Summit - a conference that brings travel industry experts together for presentations and networking to discuss cutting-edge online marketing issues and strategies - specifically for destinations. It’s a great opportunity to learn from, and with our peers from around the world, learning from experts on all things Internet, including representatives from the likes of Facebook and LinkedIn. Adirondack Almanac article link en-us Tue, 01 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=903&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Jonathan Riskine Producers of fake maple syrup aren't common in Maine -- at least not now. Federal legislation that would stiffen dramatically the penalty for producing fraudulent syrup is meant to keep it that way in a state where the industry is prosperous and growing, say Maine's U.S. senators and maple syrup makers Morning Sentinal article link Related article from the Kennebec Journal en-us Mon, 31 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=909&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Seth Borenstein WASHINGTON - A prominent physicist and skeptic of global warming spent two years trying to find out if mainstream climate scientists were wrong. In the end, he determined they were right: Temperatures really are rising rapidly. The Portland Press Herald article link Related article from the Kennebec Journal en-us Mon, 31 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=912&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Kennebec Journal Staff Gardiner Main Street and Maine Small Business Development Centers are sponsoring workshop sessions in the next month for small business owners. Patrick Wright, executive director of Gardiner Main Street, said the sessions will be hosted at the Bank of Maine's executive board room, at 190 Water St. Kennebec Journal article link en-us Mon, 31 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=919&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Dave Gram Fixing the state's roads and bridges after Tropical Storm Irene has cost much less than expected, with state officials lowering the estimated price tag for the largest portion of it Monday from $620 million earlier to $175 million to $250 million. Burlington Free Press article link en-us Mon, 31 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=926&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Stephanie Sorrell-White With cold weather starting to settle in, U.S. Rep. Richard Hanna spoke about the importance of weatherization efforts outside of a home currently undergoing such improvements. Hanna on Monday said homeowners can save hundreds of dollars when the proper weatherization renovations are completed. He said the federal Weatherization Assistance Program, which operates through the state Homes and Community Renewal agency, enables low-income families to reduce their energy bills by making their homes more energy efficient. Herkimer Telegram article link en-us Mon, 31 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=927&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Watertown Daily Times Staff Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County will host a training workshop on how to identify features of a motivational interviewing approach to counseling from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Nov. 30 at the extension office, 203 N. Hamilton St. Watertown Daily Times article link en-us Mon, 31 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=932&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Tom Kalinowski It is typically in November when ice forms on the many ponds and lakes across the Adirondacks. This inevitable transition from a watery world into an icy plain causes the loon to abandon its summer home in remote wilderness locations and seek out an environment in which it can survive until the spring. Adirondack Almanac article link en-us Mon, 31 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=904&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont, Maine By: David Robinson RANGELEY -- The success Vermont businesses have had with a unique federal program that helped them raise almost $250 million from foreign investors who created thousands of jobs in the state, could be the key to bringing similar economic development projects to Maine. That's what Christopher Farmer, Saddleback Mountain general manager, said this week about Franklin County and Livermore Falls being granted a special federal designation that will help the region attract foreign investors. Morning Sentinal article link en-us Sun, 30 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=922&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Dan Heath A new group has been formed to help another group turn ideas into action for regional economic development through 2040. Press Republican article link en-us Sun, 30 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=902&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Jonathan Riskine WASHINGTON -- The Obama administration's release of funding for a heating assistance program that aids low-income Mainers was criticized Friday by Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, who said it doesn't go far enough. Snowe joined Democratic Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island in criticizing the White House after they learned the administration was releasing $1.7 billion for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, with $23.9 million of that headed to Maine. President Obama's administration took action because Congress hasn't approved a final 2012 spending bill that includes the LIHEAP funding. But Snowe and Reed say the White House is sending too little money. They say the president set the funding level too low to begin with in the 2012 budget he proposed in February, which called for $2.57 billion nationally for LIHEAP, down from about $5 billion. Morning Sentinal article link Related Article by Morning Sentinal: Maine told heat aid cut by more than half Heating oil prices in Maine up 5 Cents per gallon Related article by The Portland Press Herald en-us Sat, 29 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=911&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Leslie Bridgers Today, the second of three sections of the Sebago to the Sea Trail officially opens. About 80 trail signs guide pedestrians and bicyclists on the added 13-mile stretch along riverbanks, city roads and wooded walkways, from Route 202 in South Windham to the Maine Turnpike in Falmouth. The Portland Press Herald article link en-us Sat, 29 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=914&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: The Associated Press Maine hunters are taking to the woods with the start of deer-hunting season. The 25-day firearms season begins today for residents, with non-residents allowed to start hunting on Monday. Kennebec Journal article link en-us Sat, 29 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=933&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Editorial Staff To better serve the entire Northeast Region, the Northeast Natural History Conference (NENHC) will now be rotated to a new location each year. With the cooperation of SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, the 2012 conference will be hosted in Syracuse’s OnCenter Convention Center. The conference has also been expanded to three days, April 15-19, 2012 Workshops and field trips prior to and/or following the main conference days are in the planning stages as well. Adirondack Almanac article link en-us Sat, 29 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=980&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Region By: Robert McCrum "Fall", as a synonym for autumn, is special to the United States. There, true to form, America makes the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness into something uniquely commercial, turning an Old English monosyllable into a diphthong, ("fa-all"), and scaring up big tourist opportunities. Go to New England and you find these incandescent leaves igniting a last burst of tourism before winter closes in. Here in Robert Frost territory the upstate "road less travelled" fills with camper vans, posses of stray bikers, retirees and "empty nesters". It helps that, as October rolls around, the foliage of Vermont and New Hampshire never fails to perform the role allotted to it by nature. Especially in some trees, such as the maple, glucose is trapped in the leaves after photosynthesis stops. The combination of sunlight and the first chills of autumn turns this glucose blood-red. The Observer article link en-us Sat, 29 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=925&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Adirondack Daily Enterprise Staff HULETTS LANDING - AT&T officials held a press conference here Thursday to announce the activation of eight new cell service sites and mobile broadband enhancements in the Adirondack Park. State Sen. Betty Little joined officals from AT&T to make the announcement at the Huletts Landing Volunteer Fire Company in Washington County, the site of a new cell tower that will serve AT&T customers. Adirondack Daily Enterprise article link en-us Fri, 28 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=930&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Barbara Tetreault he Gorham Paper and Tissue paper mill met a major milestone last week when it switched over to natural gas to operate its three paper machines. At the same time, the company is still going forward with plans to install a new tissue machine in the facility. The Berlin Daily Sun article link Related story from The Berlin Daily Sun en-us Fri, 28 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=872&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Mike Lynch Scientists have determined that the fungus Geomyces destructans is the cause of deadly white-nose syndrome in bats, according to research published Wednesday in the journal Nature. The study by U.S. Geological Survey scientists and partners, conducted at the USGS National Wildlife Health Center in Madison, Wis., provides the first direct evidence that the fungus G. destructans causes white-nose syndrome, a rapidly spreading disease in North American bats. Adirondack Daily Enterprise article link en-us Thu, 27 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=873&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: The Associated Press A regional agency that watches trends in colleges says that during the past five years, Maine community colleges had the lowest increases in in-state and out-of-state tuitions and fees in all of New England. The New England Board of Higher Education’s report is based on figures from schools in the six states collected during the summer. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Thu, 27 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Education/Arts/Entertainment http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=879&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: The Associated Press Route 141 in Waldo County has been named the winner of this year’s “Worst Road Contest.” Carol Kelley of Waldo received a $250 check for car repairs for the winning entry in the annual Maine Better Transportation Association contest to draw attention to the condition of the state’s roads. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Thu, 27 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=880&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Barbara Tetreult New visitor kiosks and wayfinding signs will be going up throughout Coos County as the result of a $200,000 grant received by Northern Community Investment Corporation. Construction will begin in the spring of 2012 and the project is scheduled to be completed in 2013. The kiosks will be located through the entire county, from Pittsburg to Twin Mountain. “Receiving this grant, and building the visitor kiosks and signage, are big steps in continuing our successful efforts to bring more visitors to Coos County,” said Cathy Conway, vice president of economic development for NCIC. Berlin Daily Sun article link en-us Thu, 27 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=884&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Barbara Tetreault Mayor Paul Grenier said he supports the concept of the Northern Pass but opposes the use of eminent domain to acquire private property for the transmission line. Grenier weighed in on the controversial project during Monday’s city council meeting. “I support the concept of the Northern Pass project,” Grenier said. But the mayor stressed he believes property owners must be willing to sell land or easements without having the line “jammed down their throat.” He said he would not support the use of eminent domain to acquire access for the transmission line. “I don’t agree with eminent domain for a private project,” said Grenier, who also serves as a county commissioner. Berlin Daily Sun article link en-us Thu, 27 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=897&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire Date: November 2nd Location: Mountain View Grand Resort and Spa An expert on coaching community leaders is the keynote speaker at the second annual Northern New Hampshire Conference on Tourism. Jeff Bercuvitz will discuss creative strategies for innovative partnerships in tourism at the conference. Registration information en-us Thu, 27 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=899&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Chris Jensen The Northern Pass electric project is searching for a new, less controversial path through the North Country. But a small group of landowners is determined to block the utility’s plan even though it means giving up hundreds of thousands of dollars. New Hampshire Public Radio article link en-us Thu, 27 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=910&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New England By: Tim Wall Climate change has many seeing red, but in New England warming temperatures have people seeing less scarlet this season. The iconic fiery fall foliage of the Yankee forest is showing up later as falls get warmer and winters milder. Though there hasn't been a comprehensive study of U.S. forests, the AP noted three studies which suggest New England's autumn colors are falling victim to climate change: Massachusetts – leaves change three days later than they did 20 years ago in Harvard Forest, according to a retired Harvard professor's data New Hampshire – Sugar maples are going dormant five days later than they did two decades ago, says data from the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest Vermont – Sugar maple growing season ended later than the statistical average seven years out of the last ten in the Proctor Maple Research Center Though many trees now change into their autumn wardrobes later, the red maple may loose its brilliant blush altogether. Discovery News article link en-us Thu, 27 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=981&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Visitor information kiosks for tourists are planned along Route 3 in New Hampshire’s North Country. The kiosks are planned from Pittsburg to Twin Mountain. Construction is scheduled to start in the spring of 2012 and finish in 2013. AP Article en-us Wed, 26 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Pgm Rel Articles - Northern Border Reg. Comm. http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=874&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Matt Wickenheiser John Ratzenberger remembers a different time in the country, when he grew up as a kid in Bridgeport, Conn., and had the luxury of being a kid. “Our parents would not allow us to be indoors, especially on a Saturday, and simply told us to go outside and play,” said Ratzenberger. “No cell phones, no GPS, no maps, no directions. The only rule was be home before the streetlights came on.” They’d build tree houses, fix their bikes, take things apart — the basic foundation of skills that would serve them well as adults who needed to know how to paint a house or fix a lawnmower. But at some point, society stopped letting kids just go play and began to devalue the skills that allow workers to make and fix things. That’s why, he said, manufacturing is declining across the country and why the United States soon may become a third-world country — where the plumbing won’t work, the lights may not go on and the infrastructure will crumble. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Wed, 26 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=885&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Editorial Staff Researchers at the New York State Museum recently published a new study indicating that some wolves have migrated into New York state and other areas of the Northeast. Museum curators Dr. Roland Kays and Dr. Robert Feranec used a new isotope test for the first time to determine whether eight wolves found in the Northeast over the last 27 years had been living in the wild or had escaped from captivity. This is an important question for species, such as wolves, that are not known to breed in New York state, but are occasionally discovered here. Adirondack Almanack article link en-us Wed, 26 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=886&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Phil Brown How much rain fell during Tropical Storm Irene? Seems like an easy question, but it’s not. The National Weather Service relies on volunteers to collect rainfall, and given the variance in rainfall and the finite number of volunteers, there are bound to be gaps in the data record. For the current issue of the Adirondack Explorer, Nancy Bernstein created a rainfall map based on the Weather Service’s own maps. It shows that more than seven inches of rain fell in Keene, Jay, and Au Sable Forks. But how much more? The Explorer’s publisher, Tom Woodman, measured eleven inches at his home in Keene. Adirondack Almanack article link en-us Wed, 26 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=888&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Karen DeWitt The state's environmental agency is putting the brakes on the process to approve hydrofracking on some private lands in New York. That's after a key advisory panel says it will miss a November 1 deadline to issue a report. In Albany, Karen DeWitt reports. North Country Public Radio article link en-us Wed, 26 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=893&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Chris Jensen Almost 1,100 acres of land in the North Country will be protected against development under a new conservation easement that will benefit loggers, people who enjoy the woods and perhaps most important of all – a devastated bat population. NHPR’s Chris Jensen reports. The easement will permanently protect more than 1,000 acres of land on Gardner Mountain in Lyman. It’s an important habitat for wildlife, but especially so for bats. New Hampshire Public Radio article link en-us Wed, 26 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=937&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Anna Austin Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., visited her home state on Oct. 24 to discuss the importance of biomass heat and how to level the playing field so that it is able to compete with other renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. Shaheen toured online wood pellet retailer WoodPellets.com’s facility in Goffstown, N.H., and met with staff, customers, experts in wood pellet heating and small business development professionals. John Strimling, CEO of WoodPellets.com, co-hosted the event. Biomass Magazine article link en-us Wed, 26 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=875&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Alex Barber Fourteen community health centers in Maine have been chosen to participate in the Advanced Primary Care Practice pilot program created by the Affordable Care Act. “The program changes how community health centers are reimbursed for the care they provide to Medicare patients by providing new incentives to keep patients healthier,” Rep. Mike Michaud said in a press release issued Tuesday. “This critical investment will allow our community health centers to provide the best quality health care services to Mainers,” Michaud said. “The findings from this pilot program will help providers keep patients healthier in the long term and lower costs in the health care system overall.” The health centers chosen are Fish River Rural Health in Eagle Lake; Health Access Network, Inc. in Medway; HealthReach Community Health Care centers in Bingham, Madison, Kingsfield, Rangeley, Strong and Livermore Falls; Katahdin Valley Health Centers in Island Falls and Patten; Sebasticook Family Doctors in Canaan, Dexter and Pittsfield and St. Croix Regional Family Health in Princeton. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Tue, 25 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Health http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=876&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: The Associated Press Challenges associated with Maine’s aging population were the topic of a daylong conference sponsored by the Maine Association of Area Agencies on Aging. More than 175 people attending the conference Tuesday at the Augusta Civic Center were told Maine’s population is aging faster than any other state’s. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Tue, 25 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=881&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Barbara Tetreault More than half of the people who attended the recent forums on the future of education in the Androscoggin Valley favor combining SAU 3 and SAU 20 into a single supervisory administration unit and consolidating Berlin and Gorham middle and high schools. Overwhelmingly people who attended the six public forums favored some form of consolidation of education systems. Combining the two SAUs and merging the middle and high school schools was the choice of 52 percent of the 152 residents who participated in a straw poll held at the end of each forum. Another 15 percent split their votes among three options - 1) combining SAUs, 2) maintaining separate SAUs but regionalizing middle and high schools, and 3) retaining separate SAUs and regionalizing grades eight through 12. Fifteen percent said they were undecided and another six percent wanted to see a study group formed. Berlin Daily Sun article link en-us Tue, 25 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Education/Arts/Entertainment http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=887&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Phil Brown “More monster snowstorms in the Northeast?” So asks the headline on AccuWeather’s website. And the answer appears to be yes. AccuWeather says the La Nina effect means the Midwest and much of the Northeast can expect a cold and snowy winter. Paul Pastelok, a meteorologist with the weather-forecasting service, predicts that arctic air blowing across the Great Lakes will generate above-normal lake-effect snowfalls. “Overall, precipitation is expected to be above normal throughout most of the Northeast from January into February,” according to AccuWeather. “With the exception of northern parts of New York and New England, temperatures are forecast to average near normal for the winter season.” Adirondack Almanack article link en-us Tue, 25 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=894&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Roger Amsden Sparks flew but the tone of the discussion remained remarkably civil as opponents and proponents of the proposed $1.1-billion Northern Pass proposal had their say at an information session held here Saturday. Nearly 100 people turned out for the meeting, hosted by the New Hampshire Forest Society, which was held at the Webster Place Chapel at the former New Hampshire Orphanage complex. The Forest Society has already come out in opposition to the project as it currently proposed. It envisions a 140-mile long direct current 1,200 megawatt transmission line built from Northern New Hampshire to Franklin, where the power would be converted to alternating current and travel through a 40-mile transmission line to PSNH’s Deerfield substation for distribution across southern New England. Laconia Daily Sun article link en-us Tue, 25 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=889&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York Leaders of the new North Country Economic Development Council say they're leaving the Rooftop Highway, dubbed I-98 by supporters, out of the mix when they send their proposals to Albany. The North Country Council is one of ten created around New York by Governor Andrew Cuomo in recent months. Each is forming an economic development plan. Those with the best plans and projects will be in line for millions in funding assistance from the state. St. Lawrence County legislators urged the Council to list a four-lane highway between Watertown and Plattsburgh as a priority. But council co-chair Garry Douglas says the first part of the state funding competition is for shovel-ready projects. North Country Public Radio article link en-us Mon, 24 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=890&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Chris Knight The cell tower building boom in the Adirondacks has slowed this year. Applications to the Adirondack Park Agency are down - the agency has only issued nine permits or amendments for cell projects as of early October. That's a big drop when compared to last year: 28 projects, and 2009, when the APA approved 27. Despite the trend, cell service providers say they're still planning to grow their wireless networks in the Park. North Country Public Radio article link en-us Mon, 24 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=940&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail The Center in collaboration with the Biomass Energy Resource Center (BERC) and the Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA) held a second information session for Town of Saranac residents. This led to a vote that approved a pre-feasibility study on biomass district heating. The study, to be completed by BERC, was made possible through funding from the U.S. Endowment to the Northern Forest Investment Zone and other private and public support. en-us Mon, 24 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Supported Biomass Projects - Updates http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=891&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Bob Hookway The ballroom at the Balsams is perhaps one of the most famous sites in America, at least to political junkies. Every four years, when New Hampshire Primary results from Dixville Notch are announced, the ballot box there gives the nation its first hint of who may become the next President of the United States. There’s a question this time around, however, of when exactly that box will be put to use. Granite State voters could see the time they have to examine the candidates sharply reduced. Depending on when Nevada chooses to hold its 2012 Republican caucus, this state’s presidential primary could be on Jan. 8, as it was in 2008. There was also talk — briefly — of an early December primary. Union Leader article link en-us Sun, 23 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=895&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Karen Langley statewide forest preservation group made its argument against a proposed power transmission line yesterday in Franklin, the city that would gain significant tax revenue from the project. About 100 people turned out for a discussion in Franklin led by the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests. The 110-year-old organization opposes plans to build the Northern Pass transmission line, which would bring hydroelectric power from Quebec through New Hampshire for distribution on the New England power grid. Reaction from attendees yesterday showed the wide range of views on Northern Pass. Concord Monitor article link en-us Sun, 23 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=896&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Keith Edwards City officials have agreed to a deal with a renewable energy development firm in an effort to have the largest city and school buildings powered and warmed more by the sun. Related headlines City councilors authorized a $52,000 contract with New Hampshire-based Revolution Energy to study the feasibility of installing solar panels, a biomass boiler and other alternative energy systems at City Center, Augusta Civic Center, Buker Community Center and the Cony High School/Capital Area Technical Center campus. If the city agrees to a long-term contract to purchase the energy produced by whatever renewable energy systems the study recommends, the $52,000 would be wrapped into the energy purchase contract instead of being due at the completion of the study. Kennebec Journal article link en-us Sun, 23 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=877&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Glenn Adams Helicopters bore down on the fleeting caribou herd as sharp-eyed biologists took careful aim with their tranquilizer guns. Over a couple of days, 27 of the animals would be dropped and airlifted to the edge of a southeastern Newfoundland barren and prepared for a nearly 800-mile trip to Maine. But leaders of the well-intentioned expedition aimed at restoring the caribou in Maine would soon see things go very badly. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Sat, 22 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=878&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Nick Sambides Jr. Gov. Paul LePage will visit the new Great Northern Paper Co. LLC mill at noon Monday as part of a brief ceremony celebrating the revitalization of the paper industry in the Katahdin region, officials said Friday. A tentative agenda of the scheduled 30-minute visit supplied by town officials has company President Peter Hansen greeting LePage with introductory remarks before the governor speaks. Remarks from local officials, including Mark Scally, chairman of the Board of Selectmen, and Millinocket Town Manager Eugene Conlogue will follow. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Fri, 21 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=882&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire Laidlaw Energy Group, Inc. and Cate Street Capital, Inc. announced they have reached a settlement in their dispute over payment of the purchase price by Newco Energy, LLC for Laidlaw Berlin BioPower LLC. Newco Energy will pay $3,562,500 to Laidlaw Energy to resolve all claims between the two parties. The payment makes the total consideration paid to Laidlaw Biopower for the acquistion of the membership interests of Laidlaw Berlin BioPower, LLC equal to $5,462,500. Both parties acknowledge satisfaction with the compromise. No further details were disclosed. Berlin Daily Sun article link en-us Fri, 21 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=883&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Barbara Tetreault A love of airplanes brought together John Halle of Cate Street Capital and Alan Klapmeier of Kestrel Aircraft Company. Halle, whose company owns the Burgess BioPower biomass plant under construction here, in turn suggested Klapmeier consider co-locating a plant on the former mill site. Klapmeier said he started his new company last year in partnership with Farnborough Aircraft LTD. Based at the former Naval Air Station in Brunswick, Maine, the company announced plans to produce the high performance prototype Kestrel as its first product. Calling it a “reasonably complicated economic proposal,” Klapmeier said it became clear that doing the entire aircraft at Brunswick was unlikely. He said he began looking for alternate locations to make the composite parts for the plane. Berlin Daily Sun article link Bloomberg Businessweek article link en-us Fri, 21 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=836&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Chris Jensen The second annual Northern New Hampshire Tourism Conference will be held November 2nd and 3rd at The Mountain View Grand Resort & Spa in Whitefield. The conference’s goal is to help people to find ways to work together to promote tourism and make their businesses more successful, said Marilinne Cooper, the executive director of the Women’s Rural Entrepreneurial Network. New Hampshire Public Radio article link en-us Wed, 19 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=846&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail UK By: Julia Griffin Writing this article came at a time when there was plenty to celebrate at B&Q UK. After 20 years of robust campaigning with other stakeholders, in February 2011 we reached a major milestone by fully completing the transformation of our timber supply chain, to become the first retailer in the UK to source 100% of our entire range of timber products from proven well-managed forests or recycled sources. TTJ Online article link   en-us Wed, 19 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=864&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Melissa Grima Ways to increase purchasing power for books, fuel, technology and possibly even transportation, health care and other staffing costs are the driving force for a new collaboration planned to reach across the entire North Country educational community. NCES (North Country Educational Services) Director Ray Healey was on hand at last week's meeting of the SAU 20 board to outline a plan to establish a collaborative working environment for educational and community leaders. He is scheduled to present the project at the Berlin School Board meeting this week as well. Berlin Daily Sun article link en-us Wed, 19 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Education/Arts/Entertainment http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=865&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Barbara Tetreault Some positive economic developments have taken place in Coos County recently that bode well for the long term according to Max Makaitis, economic development and housing director for Tri-County Community Action Program. Makaitis provided an overview of recent economic activity in the county to the city council Monday night and the Coos County Commissioners last Thursday. Makaitis’ position is partly funded by both the city and county. Berlin Daily Sun article link en-us Wed, 19 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=866&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail NYSERDA Due: November 30 The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has funding available to support the demonstration and evaluation of high-efficiency and low emission wood-pellet boiler heating systems with hydronic thermal-storage and bulk pellet storage; air pollution control technology for commercial wood pellet systems; and pneumatic bulk pellet distribution systems Link to application information en-us Wed, 19 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Funding / Grant Opportunities http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=867&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine The Governor’s Office of Energy Independence and Security (OEIS) is providing this “Grants Connector” resource to provide informational support for businesses, non-profits, government entities and other interested parties to pursue federal, state and private energy efficiency, conservation, renewable energy and other energy project grants and financial incentives. Link to grants connector en-us Wed, 19 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Funding / Grant Opportunities http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=869&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Since the Northeast Biomass Heating Expo was launched in 2009, over 900 individual attendees and 300 different businesses have attended one of America's fastest growing biomass energy conferences. This year the Program Committee is once again welcoming presentation proposals from those interested in speaking at the conference and helping to shape the program. Link to information en-us Wed, 19 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=870&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Technical Assistance for Customer-Sited Rural Biomass Energy Projects in New York State will assist private sector biomass projects in the state that have already moved past the "concept" phase, but have not been developed to the point that they can attract investment capital and finance. Selected projects will receive engineering and economic feasibility technical assistance focusing on engineering and economic issues in project design. Link to application information en-us Wed, 19 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Funding / Grant Opportunities http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=871&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) Request for Proposals (RFP) 2329 seeks proposals to develop a Biomass Heating Roadmap for New York ("the Roadmap"). NYSERDA application information en-us Wed, 19 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Funding / Grant Opportunities http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=892&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Sam Evans-Brown Massachusetts is expected to announce new rules that will raise the bar on the definition of green energy. NHPR’s Sam Evans-Brown reports that shift could cost NH electric producers millions of dollars. Massachusetts is on track to pass new regulations aimed at cutting the amount of greenhouse gasses going into the atmosphere. The focus is on power from biomass – basically, burning wood to make electricity. Dwayne Breger of the Massachusetts Division of Energy Resources, says there are two good reasons to get the most out of every tree. Breger: We have a limited resource of biomass material available to us through sustainable supplies, and we really want to reduce the carbon debt associated with the use of this biomass, we want to use the biomass in the most efficient way that we can. The new rule will require biomass plants to burn at 40 percent efficiency or more. New Hampshire Public Radio article link en-us Wed, 19 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=834&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Roger Amsden The Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests for a lively and informative discussion of the Northern Pass proposal on Saturday, October 22 from 9:30-11:30 am at the Webster Place Chapel, which is located on the grounds of the historic Daniel Webster property on Route 3 south of downtown Franklin. Participants will learn about and discuss the impact that Northern Pass is expected to have on Franklin and the state of New Hampshire. The city is in line to receive additional property tax revenue from a converter station which would be built as part of the project, which has drwn opposition from many groups, including the Forest Society, due to its adverse impacts on the landscape. Laconia Daily Sun article link en-us Tue, 18 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=840&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Stacey Lacey Consumers in the Northeastern U.S. who heat with oil may be facing substantial price increases this winter, according to the Energy Information Administration. The agency projects that heating oil prices will average $3.71 a gallon, or about 33 cents more than last winter. According to EIA, the average price paid by homeowners in the region has more than doubled in the last seven years. Think Progress article link en-us Tue, 18 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=841&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Tim Johnson Three of Vermont’s higher-education institutions have failed an annual financial responsibility test conducted by the U.S. Department of Education and could face stepped-up financial scrutiny by the agency. Two of the three — Green Mountain College in Poultney and O’Briens Aveda Institute, a cosmetology school in South Burlington — received relatively low scores but still are considered “financially responsible” by the department’s standards. The third — the New England Culinary Institute in Montpelier — was deemed “not financially responsible” and likely will be asked to provide a letter of credit to maintain eligibility for federal student aid. Burlington Free Press article link   en-us Tue, 18 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Education/Arts/Entertainment http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=843&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire Can heating with wood biomass save tax dollars and help the local economy? Carroll County United will be sponsoring a wood heating biomass tour on Nov. 4 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. to help people understand the issue better. Some schools, towns and businesses in New Hampshire and northern New England have had success reducing their energy costs by switching to wood-chip or pellet heat, while investing their local tax heating dollars back into the local economy. Conway Daily Sun article link en-us Tue, 18 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=849&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Lisa Gibson Once completed and operational, a 300,000-ton wood pellet mill near Portland, Maine, will export its product to European customers under contract. Since the Northeast U.S. only possesses two suitable ports for exporting, the mill represents a sizable accomplishment and milestone for the region. Maine houses those two ports, and the Portland mill, sponsored by Maine forest products company F.E. Wood & Sons, will send its product 28 miles by rail to reach one, according to David Perlman, managing director for the project’s investment banking firm, Fieldstone Private Capital Group Inc. The project will include the development of a storage facility at the port itself, Perlman said. Biomass Magazine article link en-us Tue, 18 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=861&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Roxanne Quimby Editor’s note: In Tuesday’s Letters to the editor, Roxanne Quimby apologizes for her comments about Maine in a recent article in Forbes magazine. I would like to convey my heartfelt and very sincere apology to BDN readers and the residents of Maine for the unkind remarks expressed toward them in my recent interview with Forbes magazine. I do not consider Maine a welfare state — in truth Maine can boast an impressive population of people who work tirelessly and show brave Yankee independence. Furthermore I do not think of Maine people as being overweight. All of us, including myself, deal with a range of health challenges — and I am proud of the way that Mainers face these challenges. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Tue, 18 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=862&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Nick McCrea The concept of community is changing. Before the Internet, community participation meant showing up at a meeting to voice your opinion. Applying for a job meant going to a store and sitting down with pen and paper. Promoting an event meant placing an ad in the local newspaper. Within a whirlwind of change, libraries and civic groups are trying to figure out how to avoid leaving people behind. Municipal officials, librarians, business leaders, educators and emergency response personnel from across the state and nation met at the Hilton Garden Inn in Bangor on Tuesday night as part of a two-day conference to discuss ways to assure that communities include everyone in the boom of digital information. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Tue, 18 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=982&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire The partnership to develop a business incubator in Plymouth received a hearty boost upon the news that the Grafton County Economic Development Council (GCEDC) received $225,000 for construction purposes. The grant, from the Northern Border Regional Commission, will be used to leverage federal funds that could complete the project by mid-2013. NHEconomy Blog Article en-us Tue, 18 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Pgm Rel Articles - Northern Border Reg. Comm. http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=842&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Tux Turkel Six years ago, Mike Sullivan ordered a few cords of what had been advertised as seasoned firewood. It wasn’t. The wood was so green, it barely burned in his stove. click image to enlarge Compressed wood fuel, or wood bricks, like the ones scene here at the Maine Biomass warehouse in Brunswick, are arriving on the alternative energy scene in Maine. That got him thinking about alternatives. Today, Sullivan is Maine’s sole distributor of Canawick Hardwood Bricks. The six-inch long blocks are made from pressed hardwood sawdust dried to a 6 percent moisture content. They burn very hot, with little ash and less air pollution than cordwood. Kennebec Journal article link en-us Sun, 16 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=857&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Editorial Staff Marty Podskoch's newest book Adirondack Civilian Conservation Corps Camps: Its History, Memories and Legacy of the CCC, is now available. The 352-page large-format book contains 185 interviews, over 50 charts and maps, and over 500 pictures and illustrations. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) began on March 31, 1933 under President Roosevelt’s “New Deal” to relieve the poverty and unemployment of the Depression. Camps were set up in many New York towns, state parks, and forests. Workers built trails, roads, campsites and dams, stocked fish, built and maintained fire tower observer’s cabins and telephone lines, fought fires, and planted millions of trees. The CCC disbanded in 1942 due to the need for men in World War II. Adirondack Almanack article link en-us Sun, 16 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Education/Arts/Entertainment http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=860&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Heather Steeves In the last decade, Maine’s youth population dropped by nearly 10 percent. As a result nearly every school district in the state has fewer students. This decline is predicted to continue for at least the next two decades. Yet spending on K-12 education continues to increase, putting these two trends on a collision course. “Over the next 20 years we’re looking at K-12 enrollment going down, absolutely,” said Laurie LaChance, director of the Maine Development Foundation, which researches Maine education and its effects on the state’s economy. “That will touch the entire system,” she said, explaining that those fewer young people will grow up and likely have even fewer children. “It strikes at the heart of why we have to rethink this.” Bangor Daily News article link en-us Fri, 14 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Education/Arts/Entertainment http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=863&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Barbara Tetreault A new study looks at how social capital - the ties or connections between people - was successfully used to help launch the county-wide New Hampshire Grand branding project. Michele Dillon, a professor of sociology and a senior fellow at the Carsey Institute at the University of New Hampshire, argues that social capital can be used to achieve regional cooperation in rural economic development. As an example, she said the branding project’s ability to launch a county-wide brand was facilitated by the effective use of the county’s social capital resources. Berlin Daily Sun article link en-us Fri, 14 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=844&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Susan Sharon Gov. Paul LePage says it's time to wean Maine off its dependence on oil, and turn instead to natural gas. And in remarks to a group of business people at the Cumberland Club in Portland last night, the governor said Maine should stop using oil to heat homes--period. The governor also reiterated his goal to eliminate the state's renewable energy portfolio standard as a way to be more attractive to business. Maine Public Broadcasting Network article link en-us Thu, 13 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=850&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Steve Mistler This past summer, Gov. Paul LePage addressed lawmakers to evaluate the hits and misses of the legislative session. A significant failure, in the governor's opinion, was the Legislature's inability to lower the state's energy costs. At the time, LePage blamed lawmakers for balking at his proposal to scrap a state mandate to increase power derived from renewable energy sources. Lawmakers countered that doing so would jeopardize a forward-thinking energy policy, cost jobs and do little to lower electricity prices. Sun Journal article link en-us Thu, 13 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=854&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Chris Jensen Last week Berlin got the news that a new company – which officials declined to name - could be bringing at least 150 manufacturing jobs to the city. NHPR’s Chris Jensen has talked to the chief executive officer of that company. The North Country could be getting into the high-tech end of the aircraft industry. Kestrel Aircraft Company of Brunswick Maine is seriously considering setting up a plant in Berlin. New Hampshire Public Radio article link en-us Thu, 13 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=855&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Tom Porter An environmental advocacy group has released what it calls a 'first-of-its-kind' analysis outlining how Maine--and the U.S.--can significantly reduce the use of oil over the next 20 years. Environment Maine unveiled the report called "Getting Off Oil" as part of a nationwide initiative. According to the study, the U.S. has the potential to cut its oil use by 31 percent below 2008 levels by 2030, a reduction of 1.9 billion barrels a year. And for Maine, the percentage could be even greater. Maine Public Broadcasting Network article link en-us Thu, 13 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=856&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Chris Jensen The former Wausau paper mill in Groveton in the North Country closed at the end of 2007. But it may be getting a new, green life. NHPR’s Chris Jensen reports. A North Country company wants to buy the old Wausau paper mill which closed almost four years ago and give it a new and very different life. “The facility will be a green technology, manufacturing, research and education center.” New Hampshire Public Radio article link en-us Thu, 13 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=859&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Steve Mistler This past summer, Gov. Paul LePage addressed lawmakers to evaluate the hits and misses of the legislative session. A significant failure, in the governor’s opinion, was the Legislature’s inability to lower the state’s energy costs. At the time, LePage blamed lawmakers for balking at his proposal to scrap a state mandate to increase power derived from renewable energy sources. Lawmakers countered that doing so would jeopardize a forward-thinking energy policy, cost jobs and do little to lower electricity prices. Now LePage is advancing a policy that lawmakers might be more willing to embrace: the expansion of natural gas. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Thu, 13 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=816&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Associated Press Sen. Charles Schumer says the cost of home heating fuel is expected to rise as much as 30 percent this winter. He also says action in Washington could reduce the heat subsidy that needy New York seniors get. Press Republican article link en-us Wed, 12 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=817&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Nick Sambides Jr Environmentalist Roxanne Quimby’s recent statements calling Maine “a welfare state” that has a large population of obese and elderly people “do not reflect the reality and true nature of Maine,” U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe said Tuesday. Responding to comments by Quimby published at forbes.com last week, Snowe said through a spokesman that she opposes a National Park Service feasibility study of Quimby’s plan to give the service 70,000 acres she owns adjoining Baxter State Park for a new national park. The senator also reiterated her opposition to a park. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Wed, 12 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=823&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Chris Morris It's been a complicated summer for Adirondack tourism businesses, with Lake Champlain flooded in the spring and travel routes through the mountains closed for weeks by tropical storm Irene in August and September. But an informal survey of shops in the Park found that the Columbus Day weekend was a busy one, driven in large part by visitors from Canada. North Country Public Radio article link en-us Wed, 12 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=824&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Brian Mann Yesterday, Brian Mann profiled a new project to expand trails and hiking opportunities in the Champlain Valley. That effort was inspired in part by a 2005 book written by Bill McKibben called "Wandering Home." It's a travel journal, but also an argument that the Champlain Valley could emerge as one of the most hopeful landscapes in the US. North Country Public Radio article link en-us Wed, 12 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=833&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Technical Assistance for Customer-Sited Rural Biomass Energy Projects in New York State will assist private sector biomass projects in the state that have already moved past the "concept" phase, but have not been developed to the point that they can attract investment capital and finance. Selected projects will receive engineering and economic feasibility technical assistance focusing on engineering and economic issues in project design This program is a collaborative effort of the New York Farm Viability Institute, the New York Biomass Energy Alliance, and SUNY/Cobleskill with funding provided by a U.S.D.A. Rural Development Rural Business Enterprise Grant program. Grant information (a pdf) Link to application (a pdf) en-us Wed, 12 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Funding / Grant Opportunities http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=845&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Kevin J. Kelley When Japanese student Takahiro Mise came to Vermont this fall to see the work of Douglas Brooks, a Vergennes builder of traditional Japanese wooden boats, he became evidence of a trend. Vermont’s tourism promoters have their sights set on Asia — and especially on Japanese tourists like Mise. Long before Tropical Storm Irene complicated the business of selling Vermont, state officials, resorts and tour agencies had been striving to increase the number of visitors to the state by tapping huge new markets overseas. 7dvt article link en-us Wed, 12 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=847&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Canada By: Alicia L. In just three minutes, you can take a non-stop, coast-to-coast Google Earth narrated tour of Earth’s “green halo:” the boreal forest. The Pew Environment Group takes you over the vast northern forests and waterways and unveils an ecosystem that stores twice as much carbon per acre as tropical rainforests, holds more freshwater than any other continental-scale ecosystem and teems with wildlife. Watch the tour below or download the KML file to view in Google Earth. Care2 article link   en-us Wed, 12 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=848&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Thankful, but keep it going We are lucky to live in northern Penobscot County. We have glorious natural resources in our backyard: Mount Katahdin, Baxter State Park, whitewater rafting on the Penobscot and endless opportunities for skiing and snowmobiling in the winter. It is a natural wonder rich with outdoor activity and possibilities. Rethink park idea Before I read Jim Robbins’ Op-Ed (“North Woods park unhealthy for Maine forest and economy,” Oct. 6) I thought that a new national park in Maine was a good idea. Now I think those of us who automatically favor parks or are dedicated tree-huggers need to take a second look. Bright, rich and a woman The Bangor Daily News seems to be of two minds in its treatment of Roxanne Quimby. One month she’s being lauded on the Editorial page as a magnanimous visionary whose only interest is improving the quality of life for northern Maine. This week she’s portrayed on the Editorial page in a myopic editorial cartoon as some sort of Ill-tempered she-devil and a brain-dead flat-earther. Which is it? Bangor Daily News article link en-us Wed, 12 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=853&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Kevin Miller A Colorado billionaire who purchased more than 1 million acres of commercial timberland in Maine and New Hampshire earlier this year has officially been crowned the nation’s largest private landowner. John Malone, who is chairman of Liberty Media Corp., edged out his friend and fellow media mogul Ted Turner for the title of the nation’s supreme land baron in the latest ranking of the Top 100 landowners by the magazine The Land Report. His land holdings total roughly 2.2 million acres, with nearly half of that acreage located in far eastern and western Maine. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Wed, 12 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=858&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Brad Viles This past Tuesday the woods around Upper Togue Pond in Baxter State Park were filled with the sounds of outdoor learning. Instructors with the New England Outdoor Center were explaining canoe strokes to their students. “OK, now you all have had instruction in the draw stroke. Let’s see you practice that stroke, just like you’re drawing the water towards the canoe,” said Dave Weatherbee, a registered Maine guide. The students were seventh-graders from Katahdin area schools participating in the newly formed Maine Outdoor Education Program, founded this past September. The program is funded by the Butler Conservation Fund and is provided free of charge to the schools. All busing costs, equipment and instructors are covered by the program. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Wed, 12 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Education/Arts/Entertainment http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=818&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Leslie H. Dixon Oxford Country remains the least healthy county in the state for the second year in a row, according to a nationwide, county by county health assessment report released late last week. The figures show a high rate for motor vehicle accident deaths, violent crimes and adult smoking in Oxford County. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Tue, 11 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=819&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine A wave of unseasonably warm weather currently bathing the state of Maine has benefited summer and fall seasonal businesses alike, with beaches, golf courses and apple growers among those seeing upticks in customers over the balmy Columbus Day weekend. Some even feel the good spirits that accompanied the summerlike weather will benefit business in the days after the temperatures cool off again. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Tue, 11 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=827&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Mark Hayward A subsidiary of Public Service of New Hampshire has recently closed several land deals in northern New Hampshire, including a 443-acre plot that — if used for a transmission line — would steer Northern Pass farther east than envisioned thus far. The plot in question is on the town line of Dixville and Columbia. It is south of Route 26 and encompasses Young's Reservation and all the Dixville land in the Roaring Brook watershed, according to deeds on file at the Coos County registry. Union Leader article link Additional article en-us Tue, 11 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=828&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Sara Young-Knox You never know what you’re going to find on the top of a mountain in New Hampshire. On Monday a group from the Korean Church of the Nazarene was singing hymns at the outdoor amphitheater on Loon Mountain. The Reading, Mass., group had come up for the day, and after going up the gondola skyride and viewing the awesome autumn scenery from the lookout tower, were together on the long benches off the path to the glacial caves. The beautiful singing leant a spiritual note to the day. Union Leader article link en-us Tue, 11 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=829&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire With chainsaw, clippers, branch loppers, mattock, shovel, and other trail tools in hand, five Granite Staters recently emerged from the forest around a bend on NH Route 3 six miles from the Canadian border and cut the last remaining brush and sapling trees to complete the 165-mile hiking pathway known as the Cohos Trail. The long-distance foot trail, twelve years in the making, is now complete end-to-end, from southern Crawford Notch at Harts Location to Fourth Connecticut Lake here, hard by the international boundary line. White Mt. News article link Additional article by New Hampshire Public Radio en-us Tue, 11 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=830&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Keith Shortall Jim Wellehan acknowledges the conflict in his life: The president of the Auburn-based shoe retailer Lamey-Wellehan describes himself as a fiscal conservative, who makes money by encouraging consumption. But he's also an outspoken environmentalist who is on a mission to convince other Maine companies to slow the process of climate change by reducing their carbon footprint. Wellehan says that no matter what a CEO's political beliefs, it's clear that investing in carbon reduction makes good business sense. Maine Public Broadcasting Network article link en-us Tue, 11 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=832&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Chris Jensen Opponents of the Northern Pass are taking their protest to the sky. NHPR’s Chris Jensen reports. Opponents of the Northern Pass say the 135-foot towers that could run the length of the state carrying electricity from Hydro-Quebec in Canada are just too high. To demonstrate that they are inflating 10-foot diameter orange balloons with helium and flying them 133 feet high. New Hampshrie Public Radio article link en-us Tue, 11 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=852&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Jerry Hagstrom Despite his earlier statements that the Obama administration would let Congress write the next farm bill, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack commented Oct. 3 and 4 on several sections of the bill, while there were indications that congressional leaders are preparing for the supercommittee in charge of deficit reduction to take some action on agriculture. “There is a belief the committee will set a budgetary framework,” Vilsack said in an Oct. 3 interview with Agweek. AGWeek article link en-us Tue, 11 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=868&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Graham Cox and Jon Erickson Two recent events focus on a sustainable economic future for the Adirondack North Country region. First is the creation of three regional economic development councils, each covering a part of the 6 million-acre Adirondack Park. The second is the creation of a $1.3 million federal fund by the Northern Border Regional Commission, to be awarded as grants to help stimulate development and job creation in Northern Forest counties. These efforts should take note of existing surveys — focus group interviews and extensive telephone interviews — that asked residents of the 30 Adirondack and Northern Forest counties for their priorities for sustainable investment projects in their communities. Press Republican article link en-us Tue, 11 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=821&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Tom Kalinowski It is part of human nature to be curious about future events, and with the approach of winter, many people are currently wondering about the severity of the upcoming season. In an attempt to gain insight into the weather conditions for the next 5 to 6 months, some people turn to the scientific community. The Climate Prediction Center, the very long range forecasting division of the National Weather Service, regularly provides its “best guess” weather scenarios for the next 12 months based on oceanic and atmospheric anomalies that are believed to influence global weather patterns. Adirondack Almanack article link en-us Mon, 10 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=822&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: MIchael Rector Here are some naked eye objects for the month of October. All of these objects, although small, should be visible without the help of binoculars or a telescope, so long as you have clear dark skies. Light pollution is a killer for seeing these objects with your naked eye. To find out how dark your location is, use the Google Map Overlay of light pollution. If you are in a blue, gray or black area then you should have dark enough skies. You may still be able to see some of these objects in a green location. If you aren't in a dark sky location you may still be able to see these objects with a pair of binoculars or telescope. Adirondack Almanack article link en-us Mon, 10 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=825&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Julie Grant Funding for the federal program that helps people pay heating costs is being cut dramatically this year. St. Lawrence County social services says more than one-fourth of households in the county get money through HEAP - the home energy assistance program. Administrators are worried, and are warning residents - expect your benefits to be cut in half. North Country Public Radio article link en-us Mon, 10 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=826&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York Martha Foley's neighors have been gathering to press cider for over 20 years. The hand-cranked press lives in an old milk house. It's a barrel-shaped contraption, with heavy slatted sides. Whole apples are washed, chopped and packed into the press. The cranking starts, the squeeze gets tighter and tighter, and eventually, the cider flows. The whole process is a team effort, starting outside with a bath for the apples. North Country Public Radio article link en-us Mon, 10 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=835&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Rick Callahan Foreign pests hitched their first ride to North America aboard ships carrying early European settlers, and many quickly developed an appetite for the continent's crops and trees. European earthworms lurking either in the settlers' potted plants or in the ballast that steadied their ships on the ocean crossing were among those initial invaders. The slimy intruders found a smorgasbord in the vast northern forests where glaciers had killed off all native worms during the last ice age, said Cindy Hale, a natural resources research associate at the University of Minnesota in Duluth. Article link en-us Mon, 10 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=851&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Chris Matera As Vermont considers the recently released Comprehensive Energy Plan and the draft air permit just given to a large proposed tree-fueled power plant in Fair Haven, it is urgent that citizens take a close look at just what is being proposed for Vermont’s energy and environment future because most Vermonters have no idea what policies are rapidly being cemented in place without much public debate or consultation. Bennington Banner article link en-us Mon, 10 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=820&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Kevin Miller As winter approaches and many animals prepare to enter hibernation, biologists in Maine and throughout the Northeast are gearing up once again to monitor for a bat-killing fungus that scientists fear could wipe out some bat species in the region. Since 2006, biologists have watched with alarm as white-nose syndrome has gradually spread in bat populations in the Northeast and beyond. An estimated 1 million little brown bats — one of the most common types of bat found in New England — already have died of a disease that afflicts the animals while they hibernate. And with no easy way to fight the fungus linked to the disease, biologists fear white-nose syndrome could decimate one of nature’s most effective forms of insect control. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Sat, 08 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=837&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Susan Spencer At 2:45 p.m. Friday, the traffic eastbound on the Massachusetts Turnpike in Charlton was already stop and go. State Police Trooper Christopher Brown of the Charlton barracks said there were reports of heavy congestion in Weston, too. Travelers were getting an early start to Columbus Day weekend, one of New England's biggest getaway holidays. “We have a fabulous weather forecast that bodes well for travel, particularly last-minute travel,” said Mary Maguire, Massachusetts spokeswoman for AAA of Southern New England. Telegram article link en-us Sat, 08 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=939&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail The Town of Colebrook received $100,000 from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation's Neil and Louise Tillotson Fund for a biomass district heating feasibility study. In addition, The Center is providing $40,000 for the study through funding from its USDA Rural Business Opportunity Grant and through its Northern Forest Investment Zone initiative, in conjunction with the Biomass Energy Resource Center (BERC). This feasibility study will focus on the engineering details which will lead to a better understanding of the benefits and challenges of integrating district heating or combined heat and power into the Town of Colebrook. The study will take six months to complete. en-us Sat, 08 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Supported Biomass Projects - Updates http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=814&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire New Hampshire tourism officials expect lots of visiting leaf-peepers and lots of people spending money during the upcoming Columbus Day weekend. However, at least one part of the industry has taken a bit of hit this fall: bus tours. Some tour operators believe the drop is due to a perception that roads are still damaged from Tropical Storm Irene. The roads have been repaired. Caledonian Record article link en-us Fri, 07 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=764&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine by MaineBiz news staff Two projects in northern Maine have received a total of $250,000 from the Northern Border Regional Commission, a multi-state organization charged with boosting development along the rural border regions of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and New York. MaineBiz article More coverage: River Valley Sun article   en-us Fri, 07 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Pgm Rel Articles - Northern Border Reg. Comm. http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=765&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry’s Northern Forest Institute invites submissions for its first annual symposium of interdisciplinary scholarship in land use and ethics, to be held at Huntington Wildlife Forest, Newcomb, NY. More information en-us Fri, 07 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Education/Arts/Entertainment http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=766&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York by Nadine Lemmon The signs of crumbling infrastructure in New York are everywhere, and state officials are actively discussing how to fix it given financial constraints. Paradoxically, momentum seems to be building for a $4 billion highway expansion project—the “Rooftop” Highway—in upstate New York. It’s a truly unlikely idea, perennially rehashed since the days of Richard Nixon, but it has already drained money and effort from the system: the federal government has chipped in $1.5 million to finance a study and the NY State DOT has issued two reports, within 6 years of each other. Mobililzing the Region article en-us Fri, 07 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=791&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine by Kevin Miller Atlantic salmon are returning to rivers in Maine and elsewhere along the North Atlantic this season in numbers not seen in years, suggesting to biologists and conservation groups that ocean conditions for the famed sportfish are improving after decades of decline. Bangor Daily News article en-us Fri, 07 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=806&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont by Tim Johnson Another of Vermont’s college presidents is stepping down. Will Wootton, who has presided over Sterling College since 2006, informed his colleagues Tuesday that he expects to leave office in October 2012, when he turns 63. Burlington Free Press article en-us Fri, 07 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Education/Arts/Entertainment http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=809&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine Associated Press ELLSWORTH — State regulators have approved plans to build a wind farm in eastern Maine. The Land Use Regulation Commission voted Wednesday to approve the $70 million energy project. It is to be built on 100 acres of private land owned by a forestry firm, Lakeville Shores. Kennebec Journal article en-us Fri, 07 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=767&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York by Christine Bourjade Trail work calls many a climber but with life getting in the way it’s only a lucky few who actually get to enjoy this dream job. One needs time and energy to spare to fully enjoy climbing a peak all the while trimming, chopping, and tossing. For us stalwarts, trail work is a kind of luxury. Year after year we observe the effects of weather and people on the mountains while marveling at the ever evolving beauty of wild flowers and other vegetation as our slow pace allows us to monitor the progress of spring and fall. Adirondack Almanac article en-us Thu, 06 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=768&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York The New York State Snomobile Association (NYSSA) has partnered with JIMAPCO, makers of road maps and mapping software, to provide snowmobilers with an online snowmobile trail guide. The online map was derived from the trail information provided by the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. The map includes all corridor and secondary trails funded through the NYS Snowmobile Trail Fund that have been mapped by GPS so far. Adirondack Almanack article en-us Thu, 06 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=769&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York State Senator Betty Little sounded a familiar note Tuesday when she called for big gaps in cell phone and internet service in the North Country to be closed--for safety's sake and for the economy. Norrth Country Public Radio story en-us Thu, 06 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=775&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire by Chris Jensen In a burst of good news for the North Country, officials broke ground today for a new biomass plant in Berlin. As NHPR’s Chris Jensen reports, along with it came news that a second project at the same location will add another 150 jobs. NH Public Radio story Additional coverage: Biomass Magazine article Berlin Daily Sun article en-us Thu, 06 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=805&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York by Chris Morris ELIZABETHTOWN - Lawmakers from Essex County will convene in AuSable Forks next month to discuss a long-term mitigation plan for the AuSable River after major flooding significantly altered its character. Adirondack Daily Enterprise article en-us Thu, 06 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=815&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: David Sharp Clocks may not be the only thing falling back: That signature autumn change in leaf colors may be drifting further down the calendar. Scientists don't quite know if global warming is changing the signs of fall like it already has with an earlier-arriving spring. They're turning their attention to fall foliage in hopes of determining whether climate change is leading to a later arrival of autumn's golden, orange and red hues. Burlington Free Press article link en-us Thu, 06 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=831&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Josie Huang Maine's controversial new health insurance law just took effect late last month and already small businesses up for insurance renewals are seeing the difference. Employers located in more-populated areas, near high-performing, cost-efficient medical centers are starting to seeing lower-than-usual rate increases, some decreases even, if their employees are healthy. Maine Public Broadcasting Network article link en-us Thu, 06 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=762&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont Vermont’s congressional delegation – Senators Patrick Leahy and Bernie Sanders and Representative Peter Welch – and Governor Peter Shumlin today announced that over $200,000 in Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) funds will go to support two economic development projects in Lyndon and Brighton. Press Release en-us Wed, 05 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Pgm Rel Articles - Northern Border Reg. Comm. http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=773&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York This evening in Lake Placid, Adirondack Life magazine will hold a public discussion on the future of communities in the Park. Tonight's conversation follows a meeting yesterday of the Adirondack North Country Association where economists gave their best estimates of where the region's economy is headed. North Country Public Radio story en-us Wed, 05 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=778&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire Berlin Reporter Editorial This week the City of Berlin — and the entire North Country — will celebrate another economic achievement — the ground breaking of the Burgess Biopower plant. The former Burgess Mill will undergo a nearly $275 million conversion into a wood-burning power plant. WhiteMtnNews.com en-us Wed, 05 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=780&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont by Andy Bromage Is biomass energy “carbon neutral,” as some proponents claim? That’s a key question confronting environment-concerned Vermonters as a proposed wood-burning power plant moves closer to final approval in Fair Haven. On September 15, the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources granted Massachusetts-based Beaver Wood Energy a preliminary air permit to construct a 34-megawatt generator along Route 4 near the New York border. Seven Days article en-us Wed, 05 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=784&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine The leaders of the National Park Regional Citizen Evaluation Committee (NPCC), started by residents of Medway, announced today that 16 groups have recently declared their support for a feasibility study for a National Park along the East Branch of the Penobscot River. Everyone agrees that a feasibility study will provide useful information to the citizens of the Katahdin Region and the people ofMaineas they consider options for the future. They all agree that their support is simply for the feasibility study, and does not mean that they have reached a position yet about the merits of the proposed national park. The Valley Voice article en-us Wed, 05 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=794&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine by Eric Russell AUGUSTA, Maine — Hoping to end a month-long battle with some northern Maine loggers, Gov. Paul LePage on Tuesday offered them a chance to meet with him in person Friday in Presque Isle. Bangor Daily News article en-us Wed, 05 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=795&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine by Alex Barber AUGUSTA, Maine — The Maine Community College System has grown so much in recent years — 83 percent since 2003 — that it is having to turn away many qualified applicants. Bangor Daily News article Related coverage: Kennebec Journal en-us Wed, 05 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Education/Arts/Entertainment http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=803&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York by Jessica Collier MALONE - After more than 30 years of owning Titus Mountain, the Augustine family has decided to sell it to another local family. Adirondack Daily Enterprise en-us Wed, 05 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=813&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York by Jaegun Lee and Steve Virkler Clayton Local Development Corp. and Lewis County Development Corp. have secured $345,320 in grant funding to support two proposed redevelopment projects in the north country. Watertown Daily Times article en-us Wed, 05 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=984&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Clayton Local Development Corp. and Lewis County Development Corp. have secured $345,320 in grant funding to support two proposed redevelopment projects in the north country. Watertown Daily Times Article en-us Wed, 05 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Pgm Rel Articles - Northern Border Reg. Comm. http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=771&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York Here in the North Country, as in much of the US, the economy and jobs top the agenda. It's what politicians and business leaders talk about. But in a time when many of the best jobs in government and education seem less and less reliable, it's also what workers and union leaders are focused on. North Country Public Radio story More coverage: Adirondack Daily Enterprise en-us Tue, 04 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=772&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York Attention leaf-peepers: peak season is nearly here in the Adirondacks. North Country Public Radio story en-us Tue, 04 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=777&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire by Jeff Woodburn NORTH COUNTY – Beyond the dark pessimism that hangs over the North Country economy, bankers of all people – see a glimmer of hope. A survey of local bank presidents reveals that the economy remains shaky with little consumer confidence and lots of worries, but they also point to several big projects that increasingly seem likely to happen and an economic stability that seems to be emerging. WhiteMtNews.com article en-us Tue, 04 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=785&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire by Chris Jensen With Congress looking for ways to cut the budget, a coalition of conservation groups fear one casualty will be a fund established almost five decades ago to protect forests and the state’s water quality. NHPR’s Chris Jensen reports. NH Public Radio story en-us Tue, 04 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=789&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire by Gail Scott BERLIN—A little rain never stopped a dedicated lumberjack, or so the few spectators who turned out for the 12th annual Lumberjack Festival at the Northern Forest Heritage Park discovered Sunday. Berlin Daily Sun article en-us Tue, 04 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=793&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine by Sharon Kiley Mack CALAIS, Maine — Calais city councilors are banding together with business and civic leaders to “turn the tide” on the city’s declining economy, Mayor Joseph Cassidy said Tuesday. Bangor Daily News article en-us Tue, 04 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=796&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York by Mike Zummo Jim Landrio had never seen traffic back up along North Comrie Avenue in Johnstown the way it did Monday. Leader-Herald article en-us Tue, 04 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=812&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York The North Country Regional Economic Development Council will hold four public forms for residents to provide suggestions on initiatives and strategies and aid in the creation of the council’s five-year strategic economic development plan for the region, which includes Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties. Watertown Daily Times article en-us Tue, 04 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=838&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail All Terrain of Sunapee, New Hampshire and Recreational Equipment Incorporated (REI) of Seattle, Wash., recently joined with other local businesses in the region to support the Northern Forest Canoe Trail (NFCT). Grants from All Terrain, a maker of natural care outdoor products, and REI, one of the nation’s largest retailers of outdoor gear, will help Northern Forest Canoe Trail manage the 740-mile water trail and engage rural youth in active outdoor pursuits. “The Trail is really about helping to empower local businesses and communities to benefit from this incredible resource,” says NFCT Executive Director Kate Williams. “Support from companies with a strong regional presence, like All Terrain, L.L. Bean, Old Town Canoe, and REI among many others, is a critical part of the equation. We are very fortunate that they too see the empowerment that comes from having such a recognizable recreational asset in their backyard.” Bangor Daily News article link en-us Tue, 04 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=770&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York Fishing groups, environmentalists and some local residents are ratcheting up pressure on the Cuomo administration, claiming that clean-up work following tropical storm Irene has spiraled out of control. North Country Public Radio story Related story: Adirondack Daily Enterprise en-us Mon, 03 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=776&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire by Paula Tracy Northern Pass opponents agree with New England Power Generators Association that the $1.1 billion hydropower transmission project is not about bringing clean green power to New England, but a battle for market share. Union Leader Article Additional coverage: Concord Monitor en-us Mon, 03 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=811&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York by Nancy Madsen Economic development officials in Jefferson and Lewis counties have a new baseline to understand what skills to expand in the region and what types of businesses to attract to use skills the local population already has. Watertown Daily Times article en-us Mon, 03 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=797&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York by Mike Zummo The New York State Energy and Research Development Agency has given people affected by Tropical Storms Irene and Lee some relief in the form of $8 million worth of rebates to those whose have seen appliances were destroyed by the recent flooding. Leader-Herald article en-us Sun, 02 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=802&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York PAUL SMITHS - Six teams of Paul Smith's College culinary students competed in a burger cook-off contest Wednesday, and a handful of judges picked the top three burgers. Adirondack Daily Enterprise article en-us Sat, 01 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Education/Arts/Entertainment http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=804&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont by Michael Hill MONTPELIER, Vt. - In the disastrous days after the remnants of Hurricane Irene sent stones and mud surging down swollen waterways, workers in Vermont and New York were given special permission to dig in river and stream beds without written permits. Adirondack Daily Enterprise en-us Sat, 01 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=810&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York by Matthew Bultman POTSDAM — The North Country Regional Economic Development Council is looking for community improvement projects and now has a standard on which those plans will be judged. Watertown Dialy Times article en-us Sat, 01 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=774&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail by Working Forest Staff The Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI®) welcomes a study by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) summarizing scientific findings that support the environmental and economic benefits of using wood in green building construction. Working Forest Newspaper articile en-us Fri, 30 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=781&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire by Donna Jordan It appears that the purchase and sales agreement of the Balsams Hotel in Dixville Notch has once again fallen through and the hotel is open to offers again, with the new deadline set for Oct. 14. Colebrook Chronicle article en-us Fri, 30 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=782&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire by Donna Jordan With a decades-old land acquisition arm of PSNH and Northeast Utilities already in place, the Northern Pass transmission lline project appears to have secured its foothold to cross the U.S. border at Hall’s Stream in Pittsburg in order to complete its routing and in order to construct the line in New Hampshire. Colebrook Chronicle article en-us Fri, 30 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=783&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont by Jon Margolis It was a terrible natural disaster, but the response by officials and ordinary citizens alike was remarkable, perhaps heart-warming. Vermont Digger article en-us Fri, 30 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=807&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont by Nancy Remsen Two apprentice weatherization technicians with Fresh Energy squeezed orange insulating foam into cracks between boards and spaces around wires in the attic of unit 421 at Northgate Apartments in Burlington on Wednesday. The foam forms a barrier that prevents warm air from leaking from the lower-level living space. Burlington Free Press en-us Fri, 30 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=788&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire by Barbara Tetreault GORHAM -- Testing of the No 1 boiler at Gorham Paper and Tissue is scheduled to get underway Oct. 17 and Plant Manager Willis Blevins said he hopes it will be operating permanently by Oct. 20. The boiler has been converted to burn natural gas which is expected to save the mill as much as $1 million a month over No. 6 fuel oil. Blevins said new burners and controls have been installed on the boiler. Berlin Daily Sun article en-us Thu, 29 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=798&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York   WASHINGTON - The state of New York will get emergency funds to address damage to highways and bridges caused by Tropical Storm Irene. Adirondack Daily Enterprise article en-us Thu, 29 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=799&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York Oversight seen as inadequate by Mike Lynch Standing near Styles Brook in the town of Keene Tuesday, Mary Lashway looked around at the dirt-covered landscape that was first torn up by Tropical Storm Irene and was now being worked over by heavy machinery. Adirondack Daily Enterprise article en-us Thu, 29 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=800&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York by Chris Morris and Mike Lynch While the work continues in the field, pushing to finish up before the Oct. 8 deadline, lawmakers from Essex County say a river management plan is needed in order to mitigate future flooding in communities along the AuSable River and its tributaries. Adirondack Daily Enterprise article en-us Thu, 29 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=779&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine by Joe Rankin Jim walked slowly up the path, as he had done ten thousand times before. Almost every day for decades. Through the woods. His woods, he thought. But . . . not really his. Just The Woods. It was a crisp, fall day. Red maples, golden beech, purple ash against the almost black evergreens. The ferns at his feet had turned bronze. It was autumn for him too. He turned 88 two weeks ago. He knew he wouldn't live forever. His beloved woodlands would go on, of course. He hoped they would, anyway. Forests for Maine's Future article en-us Tue, 27 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=786&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) today announced that New Hampshire has been awarded a competitive $19,974,792 grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to train workers in advanced manufacturing skills. Berlin Daily Sun article en-us Tue, 27 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=787&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire GROVETON -- North Country Council (NCC) has announced they have received a $150,000 grant from the US Dept. of Commerce/Economic Development Administration to assist with the redevelopment effort at the former Wausau and Groveton Paperboard Mill site in Northumberland. These funds are matched by a $100,000 grant from the Neil and Louise Tillotson Fund of the NH Charitable Foundation. Berlin Daily Sun article en-us Tue, 27 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=790&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine by Christopher Cousins BANGOR, Maine — Gov. Paul LePage continued his administration’s focus on public education as an economic driver with bold suggestions to the University of Maine System trustees for substantial reforms. Bangor Daily News article en-us Mon, 26 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Education/Arts/Entertainment http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=839&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail A recent analysis of two decades of USDA Forest Service Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) data shows the live volume of hemlocks in the eastern United States still increasing despite spreading infestations of hemlock woolly adelgid. FIA scientists from the Forest Service Southern Research Station (SRS) and Northern Research Station (NRS) published the information as an SRS e-Science Update in early August. Physorg.com article link en-us Mon, 26 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=808&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail WASHINGTON (AP) -- With Congress expected to gut a federal home heating aid program, possibly cutting it in half, New England states are preparing to reduce benefits or the number of households receiving aid just as fall begins. Caledonian Record article en-us Sat, 24 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=718&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine Nick Sambides Jr. MEDWAY, Maine — Environmentalist and conservationist Roxanne Quimby has offered snowmobile clubs five years of access to snowmobile trails on her lands in exchange for support for her national park plan in an apparent offer that plan opponents call coercive and divisive. Bangor Daily News aticle en-us Fri, 23 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=720&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine BANGOR, Maine — The Northern Maine Development Commission will receive about $1.9 million to establish a Renewable Energy Industry Cluster with the goal of creating jobs by replacing or supplementing fuel oil furnaces in homes and businesses with wood biomass units. Bangor Daily News article en-us Fri, 23 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=726&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine Jay Field Next week, state environmental officials will decide whether to issue a key permit, as part of the deal to get two mills in the Katahdin region up and running. The license would allow the State Planning Office to take over a landfill filled with waste from years of papermaking. The mills' new owner, needs the transfer to be finalized, before it can begin operations. But an environmental law group argues that the state statute authorizing acquisition of the landfill violates the Maine constitution. MPBN story en-us Fri, 23 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=732&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York David Sommerstein Many anglers consider carp the mucky, ugly bottom-feeders of the fish world in this country. But in Great Britain and Europe, carp are prized fighters and millions of anglers fish day and night to haul in a trophy catch. The World Carp Championship kicks off today on the St. Lawrence River near Waddington and runs through next week. North Country Public Radio story en-us Fri, 23 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=739&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire Melissa Grima GROVETON — A group of Northern NH businessmen have signed an agreement to purchase the former Wausau and Groveton Paper Board mill. Ken Miller, Executive Vice President of NJ-based Perry Videx, the company that currently owns the property, confirmed the “property is under agreement of sale.” Miller said he could not disclose the names of the potential purchasers, but did say that they were New Hampshire businessmen and guessed that they plan to use the property for multiple business ventures. Berlin Daily Sun article en-us Fri, 23 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=748&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Yorlk Margaret Moran KEENE - Some goods and volunteers are still needed three-and-a-half weeks after Tropical Storm Irene hit Aug. 28. With the approach of winter, donations of dry firewood are needed. Those wishing to help are encouraged to contact volunteer coordinator Joe Pete Wilson at 518-708-3396 or wilsonjoepete@gmail.com. Adirondack Daily Enterprise article en-us Fri, 23 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=754&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont Candace Page A seldom-seen sight has become legal and commonplace in parts of Vermont after Tropical Storm Irene: Excavators and bulldozers sitting in the middle of rivers to quarry gravel, rechannel the current and pile protective rock along eroded banks. Burlington Free Press article en-us Fri, 23 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=755&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont Associated Press MONTPELIER — The deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture will be in Vermont next week to meet with farmers recovering from the flooding caused by Irene. Burlington Free Press article en-us Fri, 23 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=761&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont Taylor Reed ST. JOHNSBURY -- St. Johnsbury School is bucking the statewide declining enrollment trend. "We continue to have a growing enrollment instead of a shrinking enrollment," Superintendent Nicole Saginor said this week. Caledonian Record article en-us Fri, 23 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Education/Arts/Entertainment http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=719&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine Christopher Cousins ASHLAND, Maine — A subsidiary of First Wind that already has three wind farms in Maine and two other applications pending is seeking to erect a series of test poles in a remote area of Maine’s Unorganized Territory. Bangor Daily News article en-us Thu, 22 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=721&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine Kevin Miller BANGOR, Maine — Members of a task force exploring ways to reform the Land Use Regulation Commission pledged to approach their task with open minds on Thursday and quickly crafted a list of values they believe should guide decisions affecting Maine’s Unorganized Territory. Bangor Daily News article en-us Thu, 22 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=729&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire CONCORD - On Monday, September 12, 2011 four representatives of the Sugar Hill Advisory Committee on Northern Pass – Nancy Martland, Dolly McPhaul, Jamie White and Doug Evelyn – and Margo Connors, Chair of the Sugar Hill Select Board, met with Governor Lynch and his Energy Advisor, Jamie Richardson. The group asked Lynch to take a leadership role in opposing Northern Pass (NP) as proposed before it is too late. They asked the Governor to press Public Service of New Hampshire (PSNH) to look at alternatives to the existing NP project, specifically burying the lines. WhiteMtNews article en-us Thu, 22 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=749&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York OMAR RICARDO AQUIJE Kevin Durant, the interim vice president for academic and student affairs, said enrollment for the fall semester is down 3.3 percent from the previous fall, but the college will have a firmer number in October. In August, projections had fall enrollment dropping 7 percent, with much of the decrease due to students who were enrolled last year but were not returning. But the college used a more aggressive recruitment strategy to increase enrollment. Despite the drop in the number of students, the Wilton Center has seen a 17 percent increase in enrollment and a 35 percent increase in credit hours from last fall. President Ronald Heacock said a 1 percent decrease in enrollment equals a $140,000 loss in revenue at the college. Post Star article en-us Thu, 22 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Education/Arts/Entertainment http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=756&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont Associated Press RUTLAND — U.S. Forest Service officials want people to know that Green Mountain National Forest has been reopened except for specific areas after extensive damage from the remnants of Hurricane Irene. Burglington Free Press article en-us Thu, 22 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=760&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine Associated Press EAST MILLINOCKET — The East Millinocket paper mill bought by a New Hampshire group last week will be producing paper again by Oct. 10. Great Northern Paper's new CEO says the mill needs to ship its first order by Oct. 30. The plant will start with a staff of 215 workers. Kennebec Journal article en-us Thu, 22 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=722&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine WASHINGTON — A provision that would allow 100,000-pound trucks on Maine’s interstate highways permanently took another step toward success Wednesday, but the measure still faces major obstacles, such as the House of Representatives. Bangor Daily News article en-us Wed, 21 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=747&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York Watertown, NY -- Agricultural leaders said more jobs can be created in Upstate New York if the regulatory burden on farm families is reduced. Syracuse.com article en-us Wed, 21 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=750&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont Associated Press EAST HAVEN — A tiny school with 11 students in Vermont's remote Northeast Kingdom is going to be closing its doors. On Tuesday voters in East Haven overwhelmingly approved closing the school and sending children to larger schools in other communities. Burlingtion Free Press article en-us Wed, 21 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Education/Arts/Entertainment http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=751&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont Associated Press MONTPELIER — Major Vermont roadways are continuing to reopen to traffic after flood damages from Tropical Storm Irene have been repaired. On Monday, the Vermont Agency of Transportation opened a storm-damaged bridge along U.S. Route 7 in Clarendon. The reopening of the bridge means Route 7 is operating normally along its entire length, from Massachusetts to Canada. Burlington Free Press article en-us Wed, 21 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=752&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont Candace Page In Lower Granville, a roadside line of multicolored, hand-lettered signs advertised a community's gratitude, Burma Shave-style: "Thank You to everyone for putting this town back together again. Thank you Red Cross. Thank you National Guard. Thank you State crews. Thank you CVPS. Thank you State Police..." en-us Wed, 21 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=725&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine Jocelyn Hubbell and Jeanne Curran AUGUSTA, Maine – Maine residents and visitors alike will be able to experience the brilliant beauty of the fall foliage season next month with 10 special outdoors events at Maine state parks and lands, according to Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands (BPL) officials. River Valley Sun article en-us Tue, 20 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=727&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont Anne Galloway Three weeks after Tropical Storm Irene whacked southern and central Vermont, local and federal officials are getting closer to a grand total for the damage. The pricetag? Nearly $1 billion — so far. Vermont Digger article en-us Tue, 20 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=740&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire Barbara Tetreault BERLIN --Funding for the federal prison in Berlin moved another step closer to reality Thursday. The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee voted 29-1 to approve a subcommittee spending bill that includes funding for the Berlin prison. The bill now moves to the full Senate for consideration. Berlin Daily Sun article en-us Tue, 20 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=741&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire Melissa Grima A dispute over payment has broken out between Laidlaw BioPower and Cate Street Capital. On Friday, Laidlaw Energy Group, a publicly traded company and member of Laidlaw BioPower, issued a press release accusing Newco Energy, an affiliate of Cate Street, of failing to make good on a purchase and sales agreement to the tune of about $5 million. Berlin Daily Sun article en-us Tue, 20 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=759&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine EAST MILLINOCKET — Hundreds of Mainers are hoping to go back to work in the East Millinocket paper mill that is being reopened after it was on the verge of having its equipment sold off. An estimated 340 people have applied for jobs at the new Great Northern Paper Co. mill in East Millinocket since applications were first accepted on Thursday. Kennebec Journal article en-us Tue, 20 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=723&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire Chris Jennsen Seventy-seven competitors – a record - have registered for the 12th Annual Lumberjack Competition and Festival which will be held in Berlin on Sunday, October 2nd. NH Public Radio story en-us Mon, 19 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=731&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York Daniel McDonough U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is introducing legislation to aid the upstate economy following the recent damage caused by Tropical Storms Irene and Lee. Her desire to provide immediate relief to upstate communities has been accentuated by the natural disasters which have left in shambles a region that was already struggling economically. Legislative Gazette article en-us Mon, 19 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=734&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York David Chanatray It's estimated there are about 8 billion ash trees in North America, and every one of them could be killed by a tiny invasive insect called the emerald ash borer. It was first found in Detroit 9 years ago, probably after arriving on a cargo ship from Asia. Since then the ash borer has devastated forests in the upper Midwest and has broken out into surrounding states. North Country Public Radio en-us Mon, 19 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=737&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York Brian Mann Three weeks after tropical storm Irene swept through the Adirondacks, new questions are being raised about environmental impacts of the clean-up effort. Governor Andrew Cuomo suspended most environmental laws and regulations to accelerate the recovery. But green groups say some of the projects now underway are unnecessary and could do more harm than good. North Country Public Radio story Related story: Press Republican en-us Mon, 19 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=757&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York Jimmy Vielkind ALBANY -- Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced several new state initiatives to help people hurt in floods from tropical storms Irene and Lee, but balked at the idea of adding state funds to the federal grants that will aid washed-out residents. Times Union article en-us Mon, 19 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=730&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire WHITEFIED – The Mountain View Grand was pick by AAA as one of the top places to enjoy fall colors. From September to October each year, trees across many areas of the U.S. and Canada put on a brilliant show of color, from dazzling reds to brilliant oranges and vibrant yellows. To help travelers plan where to stay, AAA polled its professional inspectors for ideas on notable hotels that enhance the experience. Read the highlights of their 10 top picks across the continent, coast to coast, beginning in the West. WhiteMtNews article en-us Sun, 18 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=735&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York Mike Lynch Of the locations in the High Peaks that have been affected by Tropical Storm Irene, perhaps none is more recognizable than Marcy Dam.... Today, that view is altered. New slides have stripped the mountainsides of vegetation and the pond is a mere mudflat with a small brook running through it. North Country Public Radio en-us Sat, 17 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=724&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire Amy Quinton Governor John Lynch announced that Route 302 in Hart's Location will reopen Saturday, more than a week ahead of its repair schedule. NH Public Radio story en-us Fri, 16 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=738&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York Chris Knight Support is reportedly building behind Lani Ulrich to assume the chairmanship of the state Adirondack Park Agency. Ulrich has served as an APA commissioner since 2004. The Glens Fall Post-Star reported yesterday that local government leaders and environmental groups in the Park have come together to push Gov. Andrew Cuomo to nominate her to the position. North Country Public Radio story en-us Fri, 16 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Networks & Partner News http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=742&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire Barbara Tetreault BERLIN -- An optimistic tone dominated the second listening session for the Moving Downtown Forward initiative. Consultant Jay Poulin noted the city and downtown have come a long way in the five years since the pulp mill closed. Things, he said, are moving in the right direction. “Downtowns are the heart and soul of any city,” he said. Berlin Daily Sun article en-us Thu, 15 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=692&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Sharon Kiley Mack Terri Glidden, farm manager at The Apple Farm in Fairfield, said this year’s apple crop is doing very well. “We might be a week later in picking some varieties, but overall it should be a great season,” she said Friday. Matt Treworgy at Treworgy Family Orchard in Levant said this year could be his farm’s biggest crop ever. “It is going to be really, really good,” he said Friday. At the Mildel Farm in Plymouth, Mildred Levesque echoed that assessment. “It’s going to be a great harvest,” she said. “We had no weather problems this year, except for Irene.” Levesque said Hurricane Irene caused a small amount of loss when some undersized apples dropped from the trees. “Other than that, it is going really well,” she said of the harvest. Whether it is a large farm like the one that Glidden manages — two locations, 100 acres of production — or a small one such as the Levesque’s — 350 trees — experts are predicting a bountiful apple harvest this year. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Wed, 14 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=696&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Barbara Tetreult In 1993, Babcock & Wilcox installed the recovery boiler at the then James River pulp mill at a cost of almost $100 million. Now, almost 20 years later, the company’s construction business has been awarded a $186 million contract to convert that boiler into a 75-megawatt biomass plant. The North Carolina-based company yesterday announced Babcock and Wilcox Construction Co. Inc., has agreed to engineer, procure, and construct the biomass plant for Berlin Station. A subsidiary of B&W, Delta Power Services, was awarded a six year contract worth more than $19 million to provide operations and maintenance services for the plant. Berlin Daily Sun article link en-us Wed, 14 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=698&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York After months of talk, and relatively few details, Governor Cuomo's regional economic development councils have begun their work on his new plan to revive new York's economy. Cuomo is pushing a fast-track approach that pits regions across New York against each other in a competition for state funding. There's been mixed reaction to the plan. North Country Public Radio article link en-us Wed, 14 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=703&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont Flooding 2011 In the aftermath of Hurricane Irene, the state of Vermont has been hit with what the Governor is calling the worst flooding in a century. Many roads and bridges are out, and some towns have been cut off. For the latest information on the Vermont floods, see: * VT Governor Peter Shumlin on Twitter * Vermont Agency of Transportation * Vermont Travel Information Service * Vermont Outage Map * CVPS Outage Information * VT Response en-us Wed, 14 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=710&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail DUE: SEPTEMBER 30, 2011 The Community Forest Fund is designed to support the creation and expansion of community forests in northern New England. The Fund achieves its mission through (1) matching capital grants and loans for the purchase of land and conservation easements and (2) support grants for planning, transaction and stewardship activities for community forest projects. The Open Space Institute (OSI),administers the Fund and makes grants and loans to qualified non-profit organizations and municipalities. OSI has established an advisory board, comprised of representatives from the region, which makes recommendations on implementation of the Fund to OSI’s board. Fund Criteria The Fund supports projects that integrate community, economic and conservation goals, e.g, efforts that create and retain jobs, promote sustainable forestry, conserve land, and increase and deepen community involvement in land stewardship. More specifically, to be eligible for funding, projects must meet all of the following criteria: * Result in municipal or community ownership (such as through a regional or local land trust) of forestland; * Preserve productive forestland at a scale that can sustain forest-based economic activity; * Conserve the full suite of forest values; * Ensure community involvement in management and use of the forest; * Ensure community access to the economic and non-economic benefits of the forest, and * Achieve permanent protection through a conservation easement or other legal mechanism that restricts development and ensures sustainable forest management. The Fund will give preference to projects that also meet the following supporting criteria: * Are contiguous to, or part of a plan to protect, a large block of forestland; * Implement new and promising approaches to managing and/or financing community forests; * Achieve significant financial leverage, with a minimum match of 4:1, and, * Are executed in a cost-effective manner, providing the greatest benefit at the least cost. Link to grant information en-us Wed, 14 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=711&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire Plan a foliage trip for most vibrant colors by location and date. Yankeefoliage live map en-us Wed, 14 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=743&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire Barbara Tetreault GORHAM -- The new burners for the No 1 boiler at Gorham Paper and Tissue should be installed by the beginning of next week as the mill moves closer to switching over to natural gas. Plant Manager Willis Blevins said work on the boiler was underway yesterday and engineer Andrew Hartford has assured him the conversion will be completed by Sept. 19. Once the conversion is complete, the boiler will be able to burn natural gas which is expected to save the plant as much as $1 million a month in lower energy costs. The mill has been burning No. 6 fuel oil. Berlin Daily Sun article en-us Wed, 14 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=746&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York OSWEGO, NY – Brookfield Renewable Power announces that it has implemented enhanced safety tools and warnings for anglers who recreate on or near the company’s Varick Hydropower Dam on the Oswego River. These new tools and warnings supplement the already existing system of warnings, which included signage and a Fishermen’s Alert System, among other features. Oswego County Today article en-us Wed, 14 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=685&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Glenn Adams The ranks of the nation’s poor have swelled to a record 46.2 million — nearly 1 in 6 Americans, according to a Census Bureau report released Tuesday. And the number without health insurance has reached 49.9 million, the most in over two decades. The figures, based on the 2010 census, also show more Mainers living in poverty, but in a departure from the national trend, fewer Mainers were lacking health insurance. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Tue, 13 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=687&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Barbara Tetreault A group of Maine investors have stepped forward to purchase the Balsams Grand Resort Hotel. A purchase and sales agreement was signed over the weekend, the Tillotson Corporation Board of Directors announced Monday. No details were released about the new investors but the corporation said it hopes to close on the purchase this fall. In a brief release, the board said the new ownership will invest a significant amount in the restoration and renovation of the property over the winter with the goal of a grand reopening next summer. There’s a new buyer for the stately hotel and resort where the first-in-the-nation presidential primary ballots have been cast for 50 years in New Hampshire. Berlin Daily Sun article link Bangor Daily News article link en-us Tue, 13 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=697&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Tom Kalinowski It is inevitable. Regardless of how nice the summer has been, a time comes in September when the first frost of the season coats every exposed surface with a layer of ice crystals and brings about the official end of the growing season. Adirondack Almanack article link en-us Tue, 13 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=699&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York The North Country Economic Development Council wants to hear from people about how to improve the region's economy. The group is among 10 regional councils appointed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo. They're under a November deadline to come up with a plan to compete for millions of dollars in state grants and loans. The North Country council opened its regular Monday meeting in Potsdam to the public yesterday before heading on to Plattsburgh last evening for the first of seven more public meetings. North Country Public Radio article link en-us Tue, 13 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=701&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Jeff Woodburn I had a few scheduled activities a business opening, tour of a small manufacturing company, and a couple interviews, but mostly I poked around. I walked up Berlin’s Main Street, sat through a few sessions at the court house, had lunch a local hot-spot, and I drove around the neighborhoods. I peered in at memorable places of my youth – the long-gone Joilet Snowshoe Club, the venerable Notre Dame Arena and my late mentor Louie Delorge’s old house... There is hope both hope and history in the air in Berlin and whole lot of great people and stories that need to be told. Berli White Mt. News article link en-us Tue, 13 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=708&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Chris Jensen James G. McCann says just one look made him want to buy the Balsams. “Anybody that drives by – and that is what I did – and doesn’t think this is the best thing this side of heaven…” McCann said he and two other investors from Maine hope to close on the deal at the end of the month. He said the trio had agreed not to discuss their plans for the hotel until the closing. New Hampshire Public Radio article link en-us Tue, 13 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=686&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Nick Sambides Jr Town leaders will meet at 9 a.m. Tuesday to discuss and possibly approve a proposed property-tax agreement with the would-be buyer of the two Katahdin region paper mills. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Mon, 12 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=700&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Lisa Gibson The theme of the final panel discussion at the North American Biomass Pellet Export Conference, which was held Sept. 8-9 in New Orleans, was that the pellet industry is growing rapidly, and sustainability is of utmost importance. Biomass Magazine article link en-us Mon, 12 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=712&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Non-native, wood-boring insects such as the emerald ash borer and the Asian longhorned beetle are costing an estimated $1.7 billion in local government expenditures and approximately $830 million in lost residential property values every year, according to study by a research team that included scientists with the U.S. Forest Service, Northern Research Station. Redorbit article link en-us Mon, 12 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=733&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York Lee Keet (opinion piece) It's time for the Tri-Lakes area to reject failure and embrace success.Our newly formed citizen group, Adirondack Recreational Trail Advocates, opposes current plans to build a recreational trail that parallels the Adirondack Scenic Railroad from Lake Placid to Ray Brook, a project that would incur endless costs on local taxpayers for maintaining this 5-mile trail through wetlands, essentially a "trail to nowhere." The town of North Elba will end up stuck with a trail built on fill and boardwalk, with the continuing cost burden on local taxpayers to maintain the trail. Everything considered, it is a terrible compromise. Adirondack Daily Enterprise en-us Mon, 12 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=688&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Associated Press The Maine Department of Conservation’s fall foliage website, www.mainefoliage.com, goes online this week. Leaf peepers who want to follow the changing of the colors can go to the state website starting Wednesday. Regular reports on fall foliage conditions continue through Oct. 19 or until the entire state has reached past-peak conditions. State forest rangers collect data and observations in seven zones throughout the state and provide the information to the public and media. Their data are collected and compiled on the fall foliage zone map included on the website. Bangor Daily News article link Link to site en-us Sun, 11 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=689&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Randolph E. Schmid Imagine a nation without the Postal Service. No more birthday cards and bills or magazines and catalogs filling the mailbox. It’s a worst-case scenario being painted for an organization that lost $8.5 billion in 2010 and seems headed deeper into the red this year. “A lot of people would miss it,” says Tony Conway, a 34-year post office veteran who now heads the Alliance of Nonprofit Mailers. Businesses, too. The letter carrier or clerk is the face of the mail. But hanging in the balance is a $1.1 trillion mailing industry that employs more than 8 million people in direct mail, periodicals, catalogs, financial services, charities and other businesses that depend on the post office. Who would carry mail to the Hualapai Indian Reservation in the Grand Canyon? To islands off the coast of Maine? To rural villages in Alaska? Only the post office goes to those places and thousands of others in the United States, and all for 44 cents. And it’s older than the United States itself. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Sat, 10 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=702&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Jeff Woodburn The last two remaining movie theatres in Coos County have closed. Lancaster’s Rialto Theatre and Berlin’s Princess Theatre, both owned by TBA Theatres, have closed due the poor economy and decreasing sales. White Mt News article link en-us Sat, 10 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Education/Arts/Entertainment http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=713&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont It's a time of change in Vermont. Crisp air and amber leaves usually draw tourists from around the country. But in the shadow of Irene, business owners are concerned. "We have lost some of that business because people don't think it's feasible logistically," said Louis Pattis, who owns the Brandon Inn. Pattis says foliage season is crucial to their bottom line. "Our major bulk of the business is from New England states of course New York and New Jersey," Pattis said. Many of the tours from those areas that come for a week and stay in packs of more than thirty people have canceled. Pattis says without those tours the Inn could lose upwards of sixty thousand dollars. "That can hurt. That can make the difference between being profitable or being in the red," Pattis said. WCAX article link en-us Sat, 10 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=736&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Damages in the Northeastern Adirondack Park of New York State from the 2011 flooding as a result of Hurricane Irene were extensive. Nine to eleven inches of rain fell in a 12 hour period August 28, 2011. Slideshow en-us Sat, 10 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=690&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Judy Harrison State government must continue working with county officials to create a meaningful partnership for Maine’s future, Secretary of State Charles E. Summers Jr. told the annual gathering of the County Commissioners Association on Friday. “When you look at the future, in so many ways, Maine is at a pivotal moment,” Summers told the nearly 200 people gathered at the Hilton Garden Inn. “The question is: are we ready to move ahead and do what works?” The answer to that question includes the state improving its strong relationship with the 16 counties, many of which existed before Maine became a state, he said. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Fri, 09 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=691&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Nick Sambides Jr Unions representing more than 400 workers will meet Wednesday to vote on a contract offer from a New Hampshire-based investor seeking to buy the two Katahdin region paper mills, a union official said Friday. United Steelworkers Locals 152 and 37 and the Katahdin Trades Council announced Friday the conclusion of negotiations with Cate Street Capital of Portsmouth. They would not reveal the offer’s terms. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Fri, 09 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=693&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Eric Russell Gov. Paul LePage gathered two dozen Maine employers from a broad cross-section of industries to the Blaine House on Friday to talk about strategies for improving the sluggish job market. The problem, the governor learned, is not a lack of jobs. The problem is that Maine’s labor force is not adequately skilled to fill the jobs that are available. That needs to change, LePage said. “One of the most disturbing things I heard is that our education system is geared to send all students to a four-year college,” the governor said after Friday’s round-table discussion. “Sports management is a great career path if your intent is to leave Maine from day one, but if you’d like to remain, we’d like to get you into a career path where you can earn a living.” According to the most recent statistics, there are roughly 24,000 Mainers collecting unemployment. By contrast, LePage said there are currently 21,000 job postings statewide, predominantly skill jobs or jobs that require expertise in a particular trade. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Fri, 09 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=704&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Lisa Rathke The major east-west roads across Irene-ravaged sections of Vermont will reopen in the next week and a half, but they might be in rough shape, Gov. Peter Shumlin said yesterday. Route 9 from Bennington to Brattleboro, through devastated areas of Wilmington and Marlboro in southern Vermont, will reopen this weekend, Shumlin said. And Route 4 from Woodstock through Killington to Rutland, the major artery across the state's midsection, will be back in service next weekend. “That is extraordinary for anyone who has seen the damage inflicted on Routes 9 and 4,” the governor said. VT Valley News article link en-us Fri, 09 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=705&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Rick Ganley A new study finds the Asian longhorned beetle may spread to maples faster than other tree species, but there's hope the pest can be eradicated. Trees infested with the beetle may eventually become so weak they fall apart. Since the invasive species was first found in New York City in 1996, it’s been concentrated in mostly urban forest areas, and not thought to be a strong traveler. This study, conducted in woods around Worcester Massachussetts, suggests that may be changing. Kevin Dodds is a Forest Service Entomologist and co-author of the study. New Hampshire Public Radio article link en-us Fri, 09 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=706&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Jamie Munks The weather just became full of new teachable moments with the launch of the New Visions alternative energy program offered through the Jefferson-Lewis Board of Cooperative Educational Services. Now, the sunniest and windiest days will provide ample opportunities for students to collect data. “I think there’s a great opportunity for after this — there are many opportunities to get a job in solar or wind,” said Deryck H. Montante, 18, a student at Thousand Islands Central School, Clayton. “I had an interest in electrical wiring for a while. When I heard this was coming up, I wanted to jump into it.” Watertown Daily Times article link en-us Fri, 09 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=716&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Fall foliage is just around the corner and the folks at the Northern Forest Canoe Trail have the inside scoop on the best seats in the house. Grab a paddle and view the northern forest oranges, reds and yellows from your canoe or kayak. Here are a few of the great fall paddles you might try: 1.New York: From the town of Saranac Lake, the Saranac River flows peacefully for 10 miles before reaching Class II-III Permanent Rapids. Paddlers journey a meandering course through mature flood plain forest, and are greeted with vistas of mountains, big and small. Go to the article to view the rest of the states! Bangor Daily News article link en-us Fri, 09 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=694&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine A family-owned lumber company was honored Thursday by the Maine Department of Conservation and the Maine TREE Foundation with the eighth annual Austin H. Wilkins Forest Stewardship Award for outstanding contributions to forest management and stewardship. Praising the Robbins family and its commitment to forest stewardship, Gov. Paul LePage made the presentation to James L. Robbins, president of Robbins Lumber Co. of Searsmont, a Maine company that owns and manages 30,000 acres of its own forests and operates a sawmill complex and warehouse. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Thu, 08 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=714&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Associated Press The flood damage in New England is all but certain to hurt Vermont's vital leaf-peeping season, when thousands of tourists come to see the autumn colors, pick apples, visit craft fairs and, at the end of the day, go to sleep under a down comforter at a historic inn. Some inns have closed because of damage to roads or rooms from the rainy remnants of Hurricane Irene. A few harvest festivals scheduled for mid-September, when the leaves begin to turn, have been called off. The Daily News Online article link en-us Thu, 08 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=715&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont Even though sustaining damage themselves, ski resorts around New England and New York are helping to lead the recovery effort from damage caused by the flooding rains of Tropical Storm Irene even as the remnants of Tropical Storm Lee are again inundating the region. Over the next two weekends, Jiminy Peak Mountain Adventure will be for a good cause as 50 percent of the ticket sales from the Massachusetts ski resort’s two summer activity parks, the Aerial Adventure Park and Mountain Adventure Park, will be donated to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund for Hurricane Irene and to year-round staff members from Jiminy Peak’s sister resort, Bromley Mountain in Manchester, Vt., who were directly affected by damage caused by Irene. First Tracks Online article link en-us Thu, 08 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=717&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Allison Crimmins How do you value an ecosystem? Putting a dollar value on natural systems such as forests has long beset economists. Forests provide “non-use values,” such as the pleasure of knowing that a natural system exists, and recreational values, such as hunting, fishing and wildlife viewing. But recently, ecologists have also sought to value a broader set of “ecosystem services,” or the goods and services that ecosystems provide to a market economy. Ecosystem services related to land include conventional food and forest products, as well as the potential to produce biofuels. But ecosystems also have the ability to store carbon. If a price on carbon were established, an incentive to enhance carbon storage would be created. This new ecosystem service would need to be balanced against conventional food, forestry and biofuels production services. As the number of ecosystem services expand and are fully priced in a market, the demand for land naturally increases. MIT.edu article link en-us Thu, 08 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=745&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire Melissa Grima GORHAM — The Commissioner of the Department of Resources and Economic Development (DRED) along with members of his staff and representatives from the US Forest Service and Sen. Jeanne Shaheen's office gathered in Gorham on Wednesday to check in with local towns in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Irene. The towns of Shelburne, Randolph, Gorham and Berlin were all invited to take part in the session, which focused on the towns sharing their needs with the government officials, while the guests suggested the best contacts and strategies for ongoing issues. Berlin Daily Sun article en-us Thu, 08 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=661&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: David Robinson Irene caused raging floodwaters that washed away the two bridges over the waterways, just 300 yards apart where the road provides access to Sugarloaf Mountain Resort. People who rely on the bridges daily, including emergency responders, were forced to use lengthy detours after the washouts, making the temporary replacement project a top priority in Maine's storm response. With the emergency storm repair finished, and with hundreds of other storm repairs needed for roads and bridges statewide, some lawmakers' attention is turning to how the repairs will be paid for. Online Sentinel article link en-us Wed, 07 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=662&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Brian Amaral The north country’s state legislators will lose thousands of residents in the next round of redistricting, mostly to New York City, because of a new law on counting prisoners. The 2010 law mandates that when the state redraws its political boundaries to account for population shifts — a way of making sure each New Yorker has roughly equal representation — prisoners must be counted at their last known address, instead of the prison in which they reside. Last known addresses are often in New York City; of the state’s 67 correctional facilities, 58 are north of Westchester County. Watertown Daily Times article link en-us Wed, 07 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=663&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Diana Bowley Environmentalist and conservationist Roxanne Quimby has added to her land holdings with the purchase of 965 acres of forestland that includes Little and Big Wilson Streams in Elliotsville Township. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Wed, 07 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=672&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that federal aid has been made available to the State of New Hampshire to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected Tropical Storm Irene beginning on August 26, 2011, and continuing. Berlin Daily Sun article link en-us Wed, 07 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=682&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail In 2011, Clean Air-Cool Planet will support groups in New York, New Jersey and the six New England states that are focused on improving the environmental sustainability, health and economic well-being of small towns through energy use reduction, public engagement and the promotion of environmental stewardship. Grants in this program will range in size from $250 to $2,500 per project. There are no deadlines for grant submission, and we will review proposals on a rolling basis. We will endeavor to respond to all requests within 30 days of receipt. Clean Air Cool Planet en-us Wed, 07 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Funding / Grant Opportunities http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=683&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail In this contest, teams develop proposals outlining how they believe the 21st century global economy should evolve. Winning proposals will be included in briefings now being planned for policy makers at the United Nations and U.S. Congress. For more information, check out the contest overview. If you would like to see a sample of a successful proposal, look at the finalists from the 2010 contest. Climate CoLab en-us Wed, 07 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Funding / Grant Opportunities http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=684&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston recently published 12 reports on issues from 'Low-and moderate- income issues in New England', to 'New-business creation in rural New England'. Link to publications en-us Wed, 07 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Education/Arts/Entertainment http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=695&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Nick Sambides JrWhen Rudy Pelletier and his crew finish building it, the Katahdin region’s first multiuse recreational trail will connect to all-terrain vehicle trails statewide. Pelletier bets that ATV riders who sample the statewide network will find that the best section will be the one that was under his feet on Wednesday. “We’re going to do it and do it right,” Pelletier said. “This is a road that you could drive 2,000 pounds on. We’re not hauling 2,000 pounds here, but you could.” Pelletier estimated that the job, which region ATV trail organizers hoped to have finished by Labor Day, is about 80 percent finished. He and other trail organizers hope to have the trail operational and open to ATV riders in time for Millinocket’s third annual Trails End Festival, which runs Sept. 16-18, Pelletier said. Bangor Daily News article link   en-us Wed, 07 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=707&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Erin Cox It was business as usual for NewPage Corp. and town officials in the wake of the paper company's announcement Wednesday that it had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. "I think when you hear 'bankruptcy' it has a negative connotation," Town Manager Carlo Puiia said. "I believe it's to the company's advantage to restructure and come back as a stronger paper mill that can create jobs." Sun Journal article link en-us Wed, 07 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=728&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine Keith Edwards AUGUSTA -- Armed with dump trucks, loaders, excavators and other pieces of heavy equipment, and a desire to help neighbors in need, 149 Maine Department of Transportation workers are off to Vermont to help rebuild roads and bridges ravaged by Tropical Storm Irene. Morning Sentinel article en-us Wed, 07 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=664&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Kevin Miller The remnants of Hurricane Irene and other recent storms may have dislodged some loose leaves, but the wet weather isn’t expected to hurt Maine’s fall foliage season. Or at least that’s the hope as businesses catering to tourists transition from summer visitors to leaf peepers. Although the strong winds that accompanied Irene last week caused some tree damage around the state, they were not as destructive as feared. And the recent heavy rains actually could help trees still stressed from an unusually hot and dry July. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Tue, 06 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=665&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Associated Press A Maine conservation group is giving out its grades to lawmakers for their votes on the top environmental bills from this year’s session. Maine Conservation Voters graded lawmakers on issues including energy efficiency, clean water, children’s health, wildlife and the North Woods. The scorecard includes a new feature: It was released as a free iPhone app for the first time, making it easier for people to find their legislators’ scores and to contact them directly. Scores also are listed on the group’s web site, www.mainescorecard.org. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Tue, 06 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=666&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine Maine is receiving $1 million in emergency federal funds to help repair or rebuild roads and bridges damaged by Tropical Storm Irene, according to members of Maine’s congressional delegation. “The Maine Department of Transportation reports that nearly 200 roads and a dozen bridges were damaged or destroyed by heavy rain and flooding,” U.S. Sen. Susan Collins said in a prepared statement issued Tuesday. “This funding will help our state repair and replace this important infrastructure as soon as possible.” Banogr Daily News article link en-us Tue, 06 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=673&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Kate Fish Recent news that the Lake Placid to Saranac Lake rail side recreation path project received a $1.2 million grant should put to rest any debate about what “should” be done with the northern portion of the 119-mile Remsen-Lake Placid Travel Corridor. Adirondack Almanack article link en-us Tue, 06 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=674&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northeast By: Julie Grant U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has been touring New York's agricultural areas to hear from farmers. The Senate is already starting debate on the 2012 Farm Bill. Gillibrand is the first New Yorker on the Senate Agriculture Committee in 40 years. North Country Public Radio article link en-us Tue, 06 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=677&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Amy Quinton The 75-MW facility is expected to create 400 construction jobs and 40 permanent jobs. Berlin Station, which has a 20-year agreement to sell its power to Public Service Company of New Hampshire has all the required permits and approvals to begin construction. A settlement agreement was reached with six smaller independent biomass plants. Berlin Station will sit on the Androscoggin River in downtown Berlin on property that was once part of the Fraser Papers pulp mill. It's expected to start generating power by late 2013. New Hampshire Public Radio article link   en-us Tue, 06 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=667&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Sharon Kiley Mack Geography and timing played key roles this year in the success — or failure — of Maine’s blueberry harvest. If blueberries were in blossom when this year’s wet, cold spring struck, producers are reporting a crop less than half the size of last year’s. If the blossoms already had faded, that same rain was beneficial. At the Passamaquoddy Tribe-owned Northeastern Blueberry Co., based in Columbia Falls, field supervisor Jeramy Wentzell said last week that the harvest was going well but what was most surprising was that it was still going. “This has been a long harvest for us,” Wentzell said. “We would usually have been done a week ago.” Bangor Daily News article link en-us Mon, 05 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=676&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Polly Leger The beetle that decimated Halifax’s Point Pleasant Park has appeared in New Brunswick, but a Nova Scotia forestry expert says the bug could pose more of a threat to trade than to trees. The brown longhorn spruce beetle feeds on spruce trees, which are the “mainstay” of woodland owners in Atlantic Canada, said Andrew Fedora, executive director of the Federation of Nova Scotia Woodland Owners. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Mon, 05 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=680&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Chris Hawley Northeastern states struggling to rebuild hundreds of roads and dozens of bridges in the wake of Hurricane Irene are facing another natural threat: winter. The end of construction season is fast approaching in New England and upstate New York. By November it will be too cold to lay asphalt, and by December snow and ice will cover the mountains, leaving towns dangerously isolated and possibly dissuading tourists during the region's ski season. Vermont officials said Monday they are renting quickly built, military-style temporary bridges as a stopgap measure. TImes Union article link en-us Mon, 05 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=668&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Garry Rayno A high number of Maine and New Hampshire’s rural roads and bridges are in poor or deficient condition, according to a report from a national transportation research group released Thursday. The release of the report, which ranks Maine 15th and New Hampshire ninth-worst in the country for the poor condition of its rural roads, and 12th and 11th-worst, respectively, for deficient rural bridges, comes several days after some bridges and roads were destroyed by Tropical Storm Irene. Bangor Daily News article link Additional article Additional article Additional article en-us Sat, 03 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=675&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Brian Mann As we've been hearing, communities across the North Country are still reeling this morning from tropical storm Irene. But for the first time, we're also starting to get a clearer picture of phenomenal damage done by this storm to the Adirondack backcountry. North Country Public Radio en-us Fri, 02 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=669&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Matt Wickenheiser Maxwell Payne works quickly through the stacks of dirty dishes piled high after the lunchtime rush at the Tavern at Brunswick Station. His dishwasher job is one of the lowest rungs in the tourism jobs ladder. For many, it’s what comes to mind for the types of jobs offered in tourism, from busing tables to cleaning hotel rooms — low-end, go-nowhere. Payne’s making a living in this position — it’s hard, but in this economy, he reasons, what’s easy? But he doesn’t plan on washing dishes forever. He’s got a passion for food service, and he hopes to move into preparation, and on to culinary arts. “There’s always room for improvement, progress in the kitchen,” said Payne, 26, of Lisbon Falls. “As long as you’re willing to work at a fast pace, there’s always room at the ladder.” That’s the facet of the tourism trade that insiders say many just don’t see — the upward mobility for those willing to work at it, regardless of education level. And while many scoff at a career in tourism, it is Maine’s largest economic sector and offers opportunities for advancement. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Thu, 01 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=670&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: David Sharp The Farmers’ Almanac has a hole punched in the corner, made for hanging it on a hook in the outhouse “library” in the olden days. These days, though, there are some higher-tech options, including social networks, cellphones and e-readers. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Thu, 01 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Education/Arts/Entertainment http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=679&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Randy Boswell A new study published in a Canadian forestry journal says the Asian longhorned beetle - an alien invader chewing its way through North American trees over the past decade - has a marked preference for maples. The findings prompted alarm in New England and southeastern Canada about the potential long-term impact of the pest on the colourful fall foliage that drives tourism throughout the region and on the maple syrup industry that's an economic staple for Quebec and Vermont. Vancouver Sun article link en-us Thu, 01 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=641&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire Some potential buyers are expressing interest in acquiring the northern New Hampshire resort where the first-in-the-nation presidential primary ballots are cast. The Tillotson Corp. board of directors is having "positive discussions" with the interested parties about the Balsams Grand Resort Hotel in Dixville Notch, but no decision has been made yet, Tom Deans, a spokesman for the group, said Wednesday. "I hope for everybody's sake this is not a long process," he said. The 7,700-acre resort is still closing, at least temporarily, on Sept. 15, the date the property was to be transferred to a new owner, Ocean Properties. The sale fell through earlier this month. "We have determined that all of the conditions required for us to finalize the purchase of the resort cannot be fulfilled," Tom Varley, senior vice president of Ocean Properties in Portsmouth said in a statement. Ocean Properties had planned to close the 150-year-old Balsams for renovations and reopen it sometime next year. Deans said Wednesday the board has not made a decision yet about when the resort would reopen. Caledonian Record article link en-us Wed, 31 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=646&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Todd Moe The public is invited to a closer look at North Country wildlife -- coyotes, foxes, owls -- at the annual Habitat Awareness Day in Wilmington on Sunday (11am - 4pm). Steve and Wendy Hall own and operate the Adirondack Wildlife Refuge and Rehabilitation Center, which helps injured creatures. Steve told Todd Moe that it's important to offer visitors the opportunity to learn about the wildlife that shares our habitat. North Country Public Radio article link en-us Wed, 31 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=648&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New England Are new England's iconic maple trees at risk? If a beetle has its way, the answer may be yes. Results from the first study of the Asian longhorned beetle ( ALB ) in forests show that the invasive insect can easily spread from tree-lined city streets to neighboring forests. Media Newswire link en-us Wed, 31 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=652&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest The Regional Wood Products Consortium, a collaboration between Sustainable Forest Futures and the wood products manufacturing industry in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and northern N.Y., will conduct a series of specialized one-day innovation workshops this fall called "Enhancing Economic Competitiveness through Going Green." Woodshop News article link en-us Wed, 31 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=671&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northeast By: Michael Hill and Samantha Henry Swollen rivers began falling Wednesday in much of the Northeast, allowing relief crews to reach the last of the tiny Vermont towns that had been entirely cut off from help by Hurricane Irene’s fast-moving floodwaters. The receding water eased the flooding that had paralyzed parts of the region and revealed more damage to homes, farms and businesses across the flood-scarred landscape. Repair estimates indicated that the storm would almost certainly rank among the nation’s costliest natural disasters, despite packing a lighter punch than initially feared. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Wed, 31 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=643&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Diana Bowley You might be itching to pick up that fluffy-looking grayish-white caterpillar but beware, you could be itching if you do. The hairs of the Hickory Tussock caterpillar, which has black tufts on its back and black spikes, can cause an allergic reaction or rash for some people who make contact with the insect. The caterpillars are being seen in abundance pretty much throughout the state, but more so in the northern part of the state, according to Charlene Donahue, forest entomologist with the Department of Conservation. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Tue, 30 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=644&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Nick Sambides Jr The installation of natural gas lines and “a separate renewable fuel project” involving wood are part of a New Hampshire-based investor’s plans to buy and run the two Katahdin region paper mills, Gov. Paul LePage’s office said Tuesday. Cate Street Capital of Portsmouth, N.H., which describes itself as a national leader in developing green energy companies, signed an asset purchase agreement on Tuesday for the Millinocket and East Millinocket mills for an undisclosed price. The closure of the deal could come as early as mid-September, state officials said. Bangor Daily News article link Berlin Daily Sun article link Maine Public Broadcasting Network article link en-us Tue, 30 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=678&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Jay Field Two idle paper mills in the Katahdin region have a buyer. Cate Street Capital, a New Hampshire-based, green energy company, signed a preliminary agreement today to purchase the mills. The deal, rumored for weeks, comes after months of behind-the-scenes meetings between the LePage administration and potential buyers. Maine Public Broadcasting Network en-us Tue, 30 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=642&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail At least 15 towns in Vermont, New York isolated CBS article link Obama signs Irene disaster declaration for NY Press Republican article link Cuomo tours Itene-battered North Country; Obama declares federal disaster North Country Public Radio article link Irene forces flood-plagued Adirondack towns to think hard about their futures North Country Public Radio article link Nearly 55,000 still without power as Irene clean-up continues in Maine Bangor Daily News article link Irene leaves widespread damage in the Adirondacks Adirondack Almanack article link Vermont, devastated by Irene, looks ahead to cleanup and a tough tourist season North Country Public Radio article link Lynch says northern New Hampshire hurt most by Irene New Hampshire Public Radio article link North Country businesses feeling pinch of Irene New Hampshire WMUR article link   en-us Mon, 29 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=653&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest By: Deirdre Fleming It took Russ and Jeremy Collett 35 days to paddle the 740-mile Northern Forest Canoe Trail. But that's not what's most impressive about the father-son team's effort. They carried their canoe and gear for 100 miles of it. From June 24 to July 30, the two Gorham residents tackled the water trail that stretches from New York to Maine and was first mapped out for the public in 2006. Portland Press Herald article link en-us Sun, 28 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=654&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Beth J. Harpaz An exhibit of Edward Hopper’s paintings of Maine is breaking attendance records at the Bowdoin College -Museum of Art in Brunswick, but it’s just one of three top-notch shows at museums around Maine this summer and fall. Combine a trip to see all three — the others are an -Andrew Wyeth show at the Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland and a 1930s photography exhibit at Colby College in Waterville — with shopping in Freeport, the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay, leaf-peeping, dining and maybe a trip to a spa, and you’ve got an ideal itinerary for a September getaway Boston Herald article link   en-us Sun, 28 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=645&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York “Thatcher’s Peak Finders for Ten Historic Fire Towers in the Adirondacks” is now available. The new Peak Finder deck identifies the summits and landmarks seen from ten popular Adirondack fire towers: over 8,000 square miles of mountains, lakes, history, and watersheds, including 42 of the 46 Adirondack High Peaks. Adirondack Almanack article link en-us Sat, 27 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=639&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire September 7 Science Center, Keene, NH New Hampshire farmers and landowners have always been independent, self-reliant and inventive. We offer this Institute because we believe outreach education is the best way to reach these entrepreneurs and help strengthen the economic viability of New Hampshire’s agricultural and natural resource businesses. Participating in this institute will help you develop an operational plan for your business proposal and meet USDA Farm Service Agency borrower training requirements. You can also earn continuing education units (CEUs) through the UNH Professional Development and Training program. Link to event flyer (a pdf) en-us Thu, 25 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=640&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Martha Foley There is actually more mature forest in the Northeast now than there was a century ago, but it is a very different kind of forest from the ancient pre-colonial woodlands. Dr. Curt Stager and Martha Foley take to the woods. North Country Public Radio article link en-us Thu, 25 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=647&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Dr. Curt Stager and Martha Foley There is actually more mature forest in the Northeast now than there was a century ago, but it is a very different kind of forest from the ancient pre-colonial woodlands. Dr. Curt Stager and Martha Foley take to the woods. North Country Public Radio article link en-us Thu, 25 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=650&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Goran Persson and Janet Ranganathan Over the past 150 years, industrialisation has taken its toll. All too often, forests have been sacrificed in the face of expanding business and national interests. In the future, forests could act as a backbone of sustainable economies by providing a multitude of renewable goods and services. The successful forest companies of the future will recognise this opportunity, use it to advance their own bottom line, and help ensure that forests survive and thrive. Climate change, population growth, and soaring demand for food, energy, water and other resources are changing the way the world sees and values forests. A vision is emerging of a new kind of company – the forest services company. Greenwise Business article link   en-us Thu, 25 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=655&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Leslie H. Dixon The state has adapted regulations that will allow rapid introduction of a new wood pellet boiler system to Mainers and others, and bring new jobs to Bethel. Maine Department of Environmental Protection has accepted European Union emission tests and certifications as comparable to the EPA emission certification for Phase 2 wood and pellet boilers. Maine is the first state in the country to do so. The decision allows the DEP to issue certifications to Maine Energy Systems in Bethel, owned by Les Otten and Dutch Dresser, for five models of ÖkoFEN pellet boilers, which the company can now sell in the state, the first in the nation to do so, according to a statement released Wednesday by the DEP. Sun Journal article link en-us Thu, 25 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=619&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Associated Press Twelve Maine businesses have been named to Inc. magazine’s annual list of the nation’s fastest growing companies. The 2011 Inc. 500/5000 list recognizes the nation’s fastest-growing private companies based on percentage of revenue growth from 2007 through last year. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Wed, 24 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=628&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Barabara Tetreault An agreement has been reached between the small biomass plants and Public Service of N.H. that the parties hope will pave the way for development of the 75-megawatt Berlin Station biomass plant. Berlin Daily Sun article link Biomass Magazine article link   en-us Wed, 24 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=629&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire The Board of Directors of the Tillotson Corporation was informed that Ocean Properties has decided not to purchase the BALSAMS Grand Resort Hotel in Dixville Notch, NH. "We are surprised, and saddened by this unexpected news," the directors said in a press release. "The Tillotson Corporation has put an enormous amount of work into securing the future of the hotel for the North Country. However, despite this setback, our goal remains the same: to find a new owner for the BALSAMS that will benefit the economy, environment, and people of the North Country. Berlin Daily Sun article link en-us Wed, 24 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=631&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail National By: Marie Cusick President Obama unveiled a new jobs initiative for rural America last week. Not targeting roads and bridges, but doctors and nurses. The Innovation Trail's Marie Cusick explains why federal officials believe more doctors could be good medicine for struggling rural economies. North Country Public Radio article link en-us Wed, 24 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Health http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=658&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Danielle Waugh By burning wood pellets instead of foreign oil, the Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor saves $1.5 million each year. That means in two years, the lab will earn back its investment in the $4 million project. WLBZ 2 article link en-us Wed, 24 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=617&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Nancy Remsen If successful, the train link to Montreal could strengthen economic and cultural ties between Vermont and Quebec that have been burgeoning thanks to Burlington’s growing status as an attraction for Canadian visitors Burlington Free Press article link en-us Tue, 23 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=620&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine New England Travel Magazine has named Maine Eastern Railroad winner of Best of New England Travel 2011 – Attraction — Way to Beat Summer Traffic in its recent publication, “ The Best of New England Travel 2011,” according to a news release Tuesday from Maine Eastern Railroad. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Tue, 23 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=621&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Associated Press The ConnectME Authority says it has awarded 23 grants to expand broadband communications services to unserved pockets across Maine. The authority was created to expand broadband access in the most rural areas of the state. The latest grants totaling $1.6 million will be used for projects totaling nearly $2.4 million that will expand services to an estimated 2,300 households and businesses. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Tue, 23 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=632&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: David Sommerstein The Adirondack woodsman is a North Country archetype - brawny, independent, deeply versed in the ways of the North Woods. There are still loggers working in the forests of the Adirondacks and Tug Hill Plateau, though most are aided by chain saws and huge machinery today. At Paul Smiths College, a summer school program is keeping the skills and ethos of the Adirondack woodsman alive. North Country Public Radio article link en-us Tue, 23 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=635&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Lisa Gibson The New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission is enhancing its rebate program for residential pellet heat, offering a 30 percent system and installation rebate of up to $6,000 on bulk-fed wood pellet central boilers and furnaces. The previous program required an 85 percent efficiency increase in order to qualify for the rebate, but now only requires 80 percent. In addition, the previous version required units be self-cleaning, whereas the new one allows for some routine cleaning. Biomass Magazine article link en-us Tue, 23 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=660&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Mike Sielski A blue beer cooler at his feet, John Vandenberg stood at the lip of a grove of ash trees here earlier this month and clasped his hands together in anticipation. The next phase of a great conflict was about to commence at his word. Inside the cooler, beneath a bag of Styrofoam peanuts, rested four clear plastic soda cups, and inside those cups buzzed 482 bugs that might just rescue an iconic instrument of American sport: the baseball bat. Wall Street Journal article link en-us Tue, 23 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=618&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York September 18-20 A pair of North Country counties will host the annual New York State Maple Tour, scheduled for Sept. 18 to 20.The Watertown Daily Times reports reports the event will be based in Lowville in Lewis County, with activities also slated for neighboring Jefferson County. Syracuse blog article link en-us Mon, 22 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=622&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Associated Press Scientists at the Dartmouth College Medical School are going to use an $11 million grant to work with their colleagues throughout northern New England to study the way genetics and the environment work together to trigger and prevent disease. The grant from the National Institutes of Health will help Dartmouth establish a Center of Biomedical Research Excellence. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Mon, 22 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Health http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=623&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Associated Press An official with the Maine Forest Service said a wet spring is the reason maple leaves are falling from trees across the state weeks earlier than usual. The Forest Service’s Bill Ostrofsky said calls from concerned homeowners about the unusually early loss of leaves have been pouring in. Ostrofsky said the wet weather this spring provided ideal conditions for two particular types of fungi to flourish. The variety of tree most affected is Norway maple. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Mon, 22 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=657&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Whit Richardson When Ken Smith took over as superintendent of the Millinocket School Department in July 2010, he inherited a tough challenge: Revenue was falling as enrollment continued to shrink. The high school had fewer than 200 students last year, compared to 700 in the 1970s. The school department budget had a $1.1 million hole that needed to be filled, otherwise Smith would be faced with spending his first year on the job cutting education programs and laying off staff. Rather than accept the story line that Millinocket is a dying mill town with no hope of the schools regaining enrollment, Smith decided to change the narrative. While Millinocket wasn’t attracting new students from domestic sources, Smith noticed the rising number of international students who wanted to travel to the United States for an American high school experience. With the support of the local school board, he launched a program to recruit international students for Stearns High School. The decision was novel enough to warrant an article in the New York Times that October. Maine Biz article link en-us Mon, 22 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Education/Arts/Entertainment http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=659&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Kevin Woster Battle lines in the war against the mountain pine beetle are shifting north in the Black Hills, as hordes of the burrowing bugs emerge from dying pine trees to infect whole new sections of forest. The spread of the beetle, which has already been estimated by U.S. Forest Service specialists to have damaged 400,000 acres of the 1.2-million acre Black Hills National Forest over the past 14 years, is painfully clear this summer in new swaths of the forest marked by the red-brown color of dead trees. Rapid City Journal article link en-us Mon, 22 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=624&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Associated Press A new study says harvest levels of Maine’s spruce and fir trees can be increased significantly over the next 20 years while inventory levels remain steady. The report by Old Town natural-resource consulting firm James W. Sewall Co. examines Maine’s private, state and commercial timberlands, excluding federal lands, amounting to slightly more than 17 million acres. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Sun, 21 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=656&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Merrylyn Sawyer Small dam owners have a window of opportunity to generate hydropower and aid fish migration. The Bangor Daily News recently ran an article about meetings the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) planned to hold in Maine to discuss small dams that impede Atlantic salmon migration. I thought: These dams could provide hydropower in addition to being refurbished with fish ladders. Kennebec Journal article link en-us Sat, 20 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=625&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Nick Sambides Jr Environmentalist and millionaire businesswoman Roxanne Quimby should create her own park on the 70,000 acres she wants to donate to the National Park Service to show whether the concept can work, one of her proposal’s leading critics said Friday. Town Councilor Mike Madore, who spoke out against the park plan at a meeting with U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar at Stearns High School on Thursday, said he worried that Quimby’s refusal to take no for an answer was undermining the political process. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Fri, 19 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=636&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Irwin Gratz Maine 2nd District Congressman Mike Michaud has opposed the idea of a North Woods National Park in the past. But in a call-in program today on MPBN, the Millinocket Democrat discussed a number of topics, and told host Irwin Gratz that he's open to input from constituents on whether to support a park feasibility study. Maine Public Broadcasting Network article link en-us Fri, 19 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=637&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Jay Field The idea of establishing a Maine Woods National Park has sparked conflict in the Katahdin area since it was first introduced almost 20 years ago. On Thursday, the man who oversees the park service came to Millinocket to witness the debate first hand. U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar says he hasn't taken a position on a second national park in Maine. But his mere presence suggests that, despite widespread opposition from elected officials and others, the federal government is willing to explore the possibility. Maine Public Broadcasting Network article link en-us Fri, 19 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=626&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Nick Sambides Jr Federal feasibility studies recommend against 50 percent of the proposed parks they study, and the dimensions of Roxanne Quimby’s proposed North Woods National Park would be controlled by laws and legislatures, not bureaucrats bent on controlling northern Maine, the federal government’s top land manager said Thursday. Speaking occasionally and more often listening to more than 300 people at Stearns High School’s auditorium, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar refuted criticisms that Quimby’s proposal would grow beyond 70,000 acres if it became a reality and that a park feasibility study would be guaranteed to find in favor of a park. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Thu, 18 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=633&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Brian Mann A state Supreme Court judge has sided with environmental groups in a ruling that could lead to new restrictions on the kind of recreation allowed on Adirondack lakes and rivers. The decision this week found that the water and bed of Lows Lake in the central Adirondacks should be treated as an official wilderness area. North Country Public Radio article link en-us Thu, 18 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=638&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Nancy Madsen The new owner of the Lyonsdale biomass electric facility is putting millions of dollars into refitting the facility, a company principal said Wednesday. ReEnergy Holdings LLC, Latham, bought the plant, 3823 Marmon Road, on May 1 from Central Hudson Enterprises Corp., a subsidiary of CH Energy Group Inc., Poughkeepsie, and is upgrading the boiler and the power generation system to increase the reliability of the facility. Watertown Daily Times article link en-us Thu, 18 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=649&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Patrick Donges They're only about an inch long, but Asian longhorned beetles, or ALB, are considered a threat to the ecosystem and industry of the entire Northeast United States. August 17, the Berkshire Environmental Action Team, or BEAT, led a beetle briefing for local residents on how to identify both ALB and the emerald ash borer beetle, or EAB, which has not been detected in Massachusetts, but has been found just across the border in New York. WAMC News article link en-us Thu, 18 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=651&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Alison Aloisio Community forests, which often address goals similar to those set out in the Bethel consent agreement for the Bingham Trust land, are becoming more popular in the region. Bethel Citizen article link en-us Thu, 18 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=605&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York The State Department of Transportation is continuing to check for illegal firewood transports. One person received a ticket for transporting firewood more than 50 miles without certification that it was heat treated. The ticket was issued during two checkpoints held by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Environmental Conservation Police in the Adirondacks over the past 10 days. Press Republican article link en-us Wed, 17 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=606&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Joe LoTemplio North Country Congressman Bill Owens says the White House plan to help rural communities create jobs will provide much-needed opportunities. 'As I speak with constituents in upstate New York, job creation is expressed as the top concern in communities around the district," Owens said. Press Republican article link en-us Wed, 17 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=616&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: George L. Tibbetts Jr. Maine Forest Ranger Samuel Heffner of the Maine Forest Service, under the Maine Department of Conservation, won first place in the Regional “Game of Logging” during the annual competition held on Saturday, Aug. 13, at the Forest Heritage Days event. The Valley Voice article link en-us Wed, 17 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=627&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Nick Sambides Jr. The state’s largest snowmobiling organization accused environmentalist Roxanne Quimby’s land manager on Wednesday of using coercive tactics to get support for a federal feasibility study of her proposed national park. Bangor Daily News article link   en-us Wed, 17 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=630&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire The Randolph Forest Commission has established a number of permanent transects on the Randolph Community Forest with the goal of monitoring water quality and trends in the populations of plants, plant communities, birds and wildlife. The transects are marked routes through the forest in various areas. Now the Commission hopes to find students, private organizations, local clubs or groups who would like to traverse one of the fixed routes at periodic intervals, studying and making note of these populations and/or water quality. Berlin Daily Sun article link en-us Wed, 17 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=634&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York The western New York Regional Council held its first public meeting in Buffalo yesterday. It's one of 10 councils the Cuomo Administration has set up in a new regional approach to economic development. The North Country council is co-chaired by Clarkson University president Tony Collins, and Garry Douglas, president of the North Country Chamber of Commerce based in Plattsburgh. The meeting yesterday provided a glimpse into how this new initiative will work. North Country Public Radio article link en-us Wed, 17 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=602&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Sarah Palermo Managing the forest is the job of the U.S. Forest Service, and its playbook is the forest plan, most recently updated in 2005 after almost a decade of public input. Leaders and representatives of several Granite State organizations said that while the planning process for the White Mountains might have been contentious at times, the final document is the product of New England common-sense compromises. Concord Monitor article link en-us Tue, 16 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=603&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Tricia L. Nadolny Legislators concerned over a lawsuit they say threatens recreational freedoms are rushing to draft legislation that will increase protections for the state's landowners who don't post their property. "Everyone who walks on a piece of land in the state should be concerned about this scenario," said Glenn Normandeau, executive director of the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. "We could easily see a lot of recreational opportunities of all sorts get throttled if landowners, especially big landowners up north who have corporations that are extremely liability averse" post their land. Concord Monitor article link en-us Tue, 16 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=610&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Barbara Tetreault Gorham Paper and Tissue continues to ramp up production with different machines running as orders are received. Plant Manager Willis Blevins said the No 9 towel machine shut down about a week ago and is slated to resume operations on Aug. 21. He said he expects the machine will run for about three weeks when it starts up Sunday. Berlin Daily Sun article link en-us Tue, 16 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=611&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Barbara Tetreault Negotiations between Berlin Station and the six independent biomass plants are still on-going although progress is reportedly slow. “All parties are talking. Negotiations are on-going,” said Richard Cyr, vice president at Cate Street Capital. “We have high hopes it will be coming to a resolution soon,” he added. Cyr credited Gov. John Lynch and his office with keeping the process moving forward. He said Lynch has been instrumental in working through the highs and lows of the negotiations and keeping the parties together. Berlin Daily Sun article link en-us Tue, 16 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=613&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Matt Soberg Although biomass-generated energy provides significant benefits, it has not been without controversy, according to the Biomass Thermal Energy Council. Community concerns have been raised regarding emissions, feedstock sustainability and incentives for biomass systems. A BTEC produced webinar, “Public Perceptions of Biomass Thermal Energy: Identifying Sentiment, Overcoming Challenges,” is designed to ease concerns through education. The presentation will be held Aug. 30 at 1 p.m. ET and will include three industry speakers sharing research findings and practical experiences. Biomass Magazine articel link en-us Tue, 16 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=615&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Susan Sharon Since 1973 the Maine Department of Conservation has had as its mission to promote stewardship and ensure the balanced use of Maine's land, forest, water and mineral resources. Commissioner William Beardsley, who's been on the job for less than a year, is taking that mission to heart. He's putting together an inventory of Maine's natural resources--everything from uranium to potential hydro-power--and he plans to make it available to policymakers and the public for future land use planning and more. Maine Public Broadcasting Network article link en-us Tue, 16 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=597&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Fletcher Kittredge Maine's golden opportunity comes on the technological innovation front. Advances in telecommunications are making Internet networks orders of magnitude faster, more reliable and cheaper. These new high-speed networks make business methods and organizations possible today that would not have been feasible even a few years ago. That means Mainers are now able to sell their services to a much wider, even global market -- and that people and companies who would not even have considered locating in Maine a few years ago, could find it advantageous to do so today. Here are three examples. Portland Press Herald article link en-us Mon, 15 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=604&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New England By: Glenn Adams LePage warned that Maine’s LIHEAP funding from the federal government could be cut in half, from $54 million for this year to about $26 million. He noted that the reduction could come as the cost of heating fuel rises above last year’s level. Burlington Free Press article link en-us Mon, 15 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=607&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Eric Russell Maine Republicans and Democrats presented widely differing plans Monday for redrawing the state’s two congressional districts and, despite both sides’ insistence to keep politics out of the discussion, injected a partisan tenor into the process. Bangor Daily News article link Additional article en-us Mon, 15 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=612&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Gino Geruntino Non-native plants and animals will readily invade a local ecosystem if they get the chance--think kudzu or zebra mussels. Now scientists with the state Department of Environmental Conservation are tracking a new threat to New York, the Emerald Ash Borer. North Country Public Radio article link en-us Mon, 15 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=601&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine/New Hampshire By: John Christie If you only plan on one river paddle during the summer, let me suggest that you consider a delightful trip along the Maine-New Hampshire border. Start in Wilsons Mills, Maine, head down the Magalloway River into Umbagog Lake, and then down a short section of the Androscoggin River to Errol, N.H. Or, for that matter, try any section of this quiet and scenic paddle. Portland Press Herald article link en-us Sun, 14 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=608&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Lindsay Tice When potential customers call Electricity Maine, their tone is often incredulous, their questions borderline accusatory. “Is this for real?” “What’s the catch?” “Is this some type of scam?” Danielle Beckwith takes the calls. She’s heard it all. And she understands. Save money on your electric bill by doing something that’s about as easy as signing up for a library card? “It sounds too good to be true,” said Beckwith, customer service project manager for Maine’s newest electricity supplier, based in central Maine. But it’s an option that Maine’s large businesses have known about for years. Rather than accept the “standard offer” for electricity — an available-to-everyone electricity rate accepted by the Maine Public Utilities Commission and automatically calculated as part of a Central Maine Power or Bangor Hydro bill — they go with a lower rate quoted directly to them by a provider. Think retail versus wholesale. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Sun, 14 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=614&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Kathy McCormack This will be one fall foliage season without any views from the Balsams. The northern New Hampshire resort where the first-in-the-nation presidential primary ballots are cast is shutting down, at least temporarily, on Sept. 15. That's the day the Tillotson Corp. planned to transfer ownership of the 150-year-old hotel and grounds to a new owner, Ocean Properties. Ocean planned to close the Balsams Grand Resort Hotel for renovations and reopen it in 2012. But the sale fell through, the Tillotson Corporation said Thursday. Concord Monitor article link en-us Sun, 14 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=600&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Jen Lynds Two years ago, Northern Maine Community College launched a first of its kind in New England with the wind power technology program. The college secured a teacher, students and classroom space. The only thing they didn’t have was a windmill — until now. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Sat, 13 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=599&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Quebec, Canada "Quebec has introduced legislation today that would create the single largest land conservation plan in history. This combination of conservation and development measures is designed to meet the needs of the frontier region. Once enacted, it would guide a generation of responsible economic progress. By bringing together businesses, scientists, conservationists, aboriginal leaders and local communities to identify ways to balance environmental and economic interests on a landscape scale, Quebec has created a new global model for sustainable development. Newswire article link en-us Fri, 12 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=609&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Jen Lynds A winning streak that started at the University of Maine at Fort Kent seven years ago shows no signs of ceasing, as the college once again secured a prestigious accolade from the Princeton Review. University officials declared themselves in “seventh heaven” Friday after they learned that UMFK was ranked as a “Best Northeastern College” by the publication. The honor marks the seventh-consecutive year UMFK has been designated among the top schools in the 11-state northeastern region. Bangor Daily News article link   en-us Fri, 12 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Education/Arts/Entertainment http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=586&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Gabrielle Hovendon A St. Lawrence University professor has received a $74,639 grant from the Northeastern States Research Cooperative to study community satisfaction in the Adirondack Park. Watertown Daily Times article link en-us Wed, 10 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=589&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Gail Scott The 10th anniversary of the Randolph Community Forest was observed Saturday with a gathering of many of the people who made the unique community establishment possible. Berlin Daily Sun article link en-us Wed, 10 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=592&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Sarah Harris All kinds of creatures make their home in the North Country, including a number of native butterflies. Sarah Harris visited the butterfly house at the Paul Smith's Visitor Interpretive Center (VIC) on a rainy Friday afternoon, talked to educator Sue Grimm, and has today's Heard Up North. North Country Public Radio en-us Wed, 10 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=593&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Matt Soberg The “Community Roadmap to Renewable Woody Biomass Energy: A Step-by-Step Decision-Making Tool for New Hampshire Communities” was developed as an evaluation process to help communities determine whether woody biomass technology makes sense at a facility or district level. The guide provides information to organizations interested in utilizing renewable energy to achieve energy-related goals. Biomass Magazine article link en-us Wed, 10 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=598&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine With the help of wildlife biologist Bill Hancock, Maine Huts & Trails has defined two unique self-guided bird walks at each of the three Maine Hut sites. Bangor Daily Times article link en-us Wed, 10 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=580&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail The Regional Wood Products Consortium is bringing national experts to the region for a series of workshops this fall for small- and medium-sized wood product companies in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and northern New York. Sustainable Forest Futures, The Center's subsidiary, is hosting the workshops, which are cosponsored by the Regional Wood Products Consortium. Workshop topics include: Business and Profit Growth through Sustainability; Marketing Wood Products in a Green-Conscious Marketplace; Promoting Energy Efficiency; Minimizing Production Materials Waste; and Opportunities and Challenges of Chain-of-Custody Certification. Details and registration. en-us Tue, 09 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Sust. Foresty & Wood Products - Updates http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=585&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail White House report calls for increased attention to ecosystem services in federal agencies. The President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) has released a report calling for the federal government to increase its efforts to assess biodiversity and ecosystem services including their social and economic values. The report, Sustaining Environmental Capital: Protecting Society and the Economy, emphasizes two main ideas. First, the economic and environmental dimensions of a healthy society are “both indispensable, as well as tightly intertwined.” Second, the Nation’s ecosystems and the biodiversity they contain provide ‘ecosystem services’ that “underpin much economic activity, as well as public health, safety, and environmental quality.” Benthos article link en-us Mon, 08 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Ecosystem Services http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=587&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: The Associated Press U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud is seeking input from manufacturers in Maine. Michaud has created an online survey to find out why businesses choose to make their products in Maine and what type of federal policy changes they’d like to see to help them succeed. The survey can be found on Michaud’s website, www.michaud.house.gov. It includes questions about obtaining credit, finding skilled employees and hiring. Bangor Daily News article link   en-us Mon, 08 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=590&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Brian Farenell In the many discussions concerning the present and future of the Adirondacks, one of the foundational assumptions is that the region is being held back by the controversial Adirondack Park Agency (APA). An analysis of population data shows something quite different: the Park's population is growing at a significantly faster rate than the rest of New York since the creation of the APA. Adirondack Almanack article link en-us Mon, 08 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=583&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Lee Hammel With the dreaded Asian longhorned beetle eating its way through Worcester's maples and white birches, do neighboring states look at people from the heart of the commonwealth as Typhoid Marys? Actually, many of them express sympathy for those who have seen nearly 30,000 of their trees chopped down to keep the destructive pest from spreading outside the 98-square-mile quarantine area that includes Worcester, West Boylston, Boylston and parts of Holden, Shrewsbury and Auburn. Telegram article link en-us Sun, 07 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=591&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York The state owned lands of the Adirondacks are identified in the New York State Constitution as forest preserve lands and protected by the State constitution to “be forever kept as wild forest lands.” Currently, there are 2.7 million acres of forest preserve lands in the Adirondacks. The Department of Environmental Conservation, under State law, has “care, custody and control” of the forest preserve lands. Adirondack Almanack article link en-us Sun, 07 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=594&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Jeff Woodburn A new initiative to build a regional food system and revitalize the local agriculture economy was kicked off on Sunday evening with a film and panel discussion at the Colonial Theatre. Around 150 people turned out to support the Keep Growing initative, celebrate local growers and farmers and find out ways to improve conditions locally. White MtNews article link en-us Sun, 07 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=577&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail The Center and partners were asked to hold a biomass information session for community leaders in Saranac on August 5th. The Biomass Energy Resource Center shared details of woody biomass and explained how district heating works. NYSERDA shared information about emissions from woody biomass. We will continue conversations and education with the 20+ participants and look forward to meeting more residents and businesses interested in a biomass district heating project. en-us Fri, 05 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Supported Biomass Projects - Updates http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=565&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Jeffrey Collins Jennifer Pharr Davis set the unofficial record for the fastest hike of the entire Appalachian Trail, yet she said she never ignored the beauty of the 2,180-mile trek from Maine to Georgia. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Wed, 03 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=588&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Nick Sambides Jr. Several town officials have formed a committee that will work in tandem with environmentalist and entrepreneur Roxanne Quimby to push Congress to authorize a feasibility study of her plan to turn 70,000 acres adjoining Baxter State Park into a national park, they said Wednesday. Bangor Daily News article link   en-us Wed, 03 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=571&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: George Earl The US Postal Service has listed more than 3,000 post office locations it plans to close throughout the country as email and other paperless communication methods continue to replace old-fashioned snail mail. North Country Public Radio article link en-us Tue, 02 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=552&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail October 22, 2011 Manchester, NH The New Hampshire Timber Harvesting Council cordially invites you to join us in celebrating the logging profession with loggers and truckers from across the state. With generous support from the forest products industry, the Convention brings together the logging community to discuss issues, socialize and recognize the new graduates of the New Hampshire Professional Loggers Program. Look for the brochure in the mail or on the website soon. Or call the office at (603) 224-9699 and speak with Deb Park. en-us Tue, 02 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=553&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail We are pleased to announce the launch of the new website for the RUPRI Rural Futures Lab. The Lab aims to use this site to engage people and organizations across the country in conversations about the future of rural America. On the website, you will find new materials on local and regional food systems, transitions to alternative energy, and the future of disability in rural communities. We are also building a portfolio of profiles and case studies on important on-the-ground initiatives. The Lab's bi-weekly blog will feature contributions from rural thinkers and practitioners from around the nation. We will be adding new materials and links in the next few days and weeks as we make the site fully operational. Link to RUPRI site The Northern Forest Center profile   en-us Tue, 02 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=556&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire More than $7.64 million has been awarded through the Community Development Finance Authority Tax Credit Program to twenty-one New Hampshire organizations for projects which made local communities thrive and become more resilient. The CDFA Board of Directors has approved the funding – in the form of state tax credits – for projects including business incubators in Plymouth & Portsmouth, arts and cultural facilities on the Seacoast, and affordable housing in Keene and Berlin. The tax credits allow for nearly $48 million in leverage for these projects. “Companies who donate to these projects receive a 75% state business tax credit,” said CDFA Executive Director Kathy Bogle Shields. “It allows these businesses to maximize their impact on their communities, and it makes it easier for the nonprofits to get the resources they need to continue their work.” CDFA article link en-us Tue, 02 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Funding / Grant Opportunities http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=564&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire A lack of jobs and a declining population are considered the most pressing problems facing the North Country by the residents of Coos County, who increasingly favor using natural resources to create jobs instead of for conservation, according to new research from the Carsey Institute at the University of New Hampshire. “Challenges stemming from the economic restructuring of the past decade have been deepened by the most recent recession, and issues of limited economic opportu­nities, financial hardship, and population decline have become more pronounced. Given these trends, it is not surprising that residents’ priorities have shifted toward job creation rather than the conservation of natural resources,” the researchers said. Carsey Institute article link en-us Tue, 02 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=566&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: The Associated Press A former Maine ski resort CEO will serve as chairman of a task force charged with coming up with recommendations for expanding high-speed Internet in rural Maine. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Tue, 02 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=563&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire Paying homage to the past, organizers of New Hampshire's longest rail trail have marked the efforts of two counties and the route that spans them with their own "golden spike." In 1996, the state acquired 60 miles of the Northern Railroad, one of the longest surviving rail corridors in New Hampshire when it stopped carrying passengers and freight by the early 1970s. The goal was to convert the route into a recreation trail. Since then, volunteers have worked to remove old rail ties, clean up the area and help secure grants and donations to resurface the route for year-round use. Today, 46 of the 60-mile Northern Rail Trail have been completed in western and central New Hampshire, including an 8.3-mile chunk recently finished near where Grafton and Merrimack counties meet. Caledonian Record article link en-us Mon, 01 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=584&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Dick McCarrick The small state of Vermont isn’t often a hotbed of national news. Nonetheless, the Green Mountain State does pride itself on its progressive attitudes towards the environment and alternative energy. For example, the state enacted one of the country’s first feed-in tariff, the Vermont Energy Act of 2009, to encourage the generation of small-scale alternative energy by providing long-term contracts to producers. More recently, in May Vermont passed a wide-ranging renewable energy bill, designed to promote “home grown” electricity. Environmental Leader article link en-us Mon, 01 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=595&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Daniel Glick The link between energy and water is not always apparent, but the two are as intertwined as the hydrogen and oxygen atoms in a bottle of Evian. Daily Climate article link en-us Mon, 01 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Ecosystem Services http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=567&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Nick Sambides Jr. Opposition from the Town Council to environmentalist Roxanne Quimby’s plan to give 70,000 acres she owns to form a national park, or to a study of that proposal’s feasibility, doesn’t much faze her land manager. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Sat, 30 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=574&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail David Stradling, Professor and Graduate Studies Director at the University of Cincinnati, is author of The Nature of New York: An Environmental History of the Empire State. This recent (Fall 2010) survey of over four hundred years of New York's environmental history has received praise from historians and environmental policy experts. Adirondack Almanack article link en-us Sat, 30 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Education/Arts/Entertainment http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=572&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Karen DeWitt Governor Cuomo was at SUNY Potsdam Thursday afternoon, announcing the launch of the North Country's "Regional Economic Development Council". He's been traveling the state all week with similar announcements; The councils are intended to help boost New York's regional economies by setting up competition for pieces of a $200 million job-creation grant. North Country Public Radio article link en-us Fri, 29 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=549&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail On July 15 the House approved a fiscal year 2012 Energy and Water Appropriations bill containing $1,350,000 for the Northern Border Regional Commission and continuing a waiver of the 10% cap on the Commission’s administrative expenses. The bill must pass the Senate before becoming law. The Commission received $1.5 million in annual funding in FY10 and FY11. en-us Fri, 29 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 NBRC - Updates http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=551&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail The region’s congressional delegation announced July 26 that the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) will begin accepting applications for federal assistance beginning August 1st, with the goal of awarding approximately $1.25 million by September 30th. Eligible projects must develop the infrastructure of the region; assist in providing job skills and employment related education; provide basic health care and other public services for areas that are severely economically distressed; promote resources conservation, tourism, and recreation; or promote the development of renewable and alternative energy sources. Applications are due August 29.   As with last year, the application process is different in each state. Contact the appropriate group listed below to get more information.   Maine Contact your local economic development district: Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments in Auburn, (207) 783-9186 Eastern Maine Development Corporation in Bangor, (207) 942-6389 Kennebec Valley Council of Governments in Fairfield, (207) 453-4258 Northern Maine Development Commission in Caribou, (207) 498-8736   New Hampshire Contact North Country Council (603) 444-6303   Vermont Contact one of the Vermont delegation’s district offices by calling: Ted Brady (Senator Leahy): 802-229-0569 David Weinstein (Senator Sanders): 802 862-0697 Brent Raymond (Representative Welch): 802-652-2450   New York Application forms and additional information are available at www.dos.ny.gov/communityprojects/funding.html. Submissions must be postmarked by August 29, 2011 and mailed AND emailed to: New York Department of State, Attention Kyle Wilber, One Commerce Plaza, 99 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12231, (518) 473-3355, nbrcgrant@dos.state.ny.us en-us Fri, 29 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 NBRC - Updates http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=554&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Denise A. Raymo Gov. Andrew Cuomo tapped North Country Chamber of Commerce President Garry Douglas on Thursday to co-chair the North Country Regional Economic Development Council. It is one of 10 regional groups the Cuomo administration has created to spur job growth, reverse New York's exodus of businesses and young people and use economic strategies generated locally by those who know best what's needed here to stimulate the economy. Each council will compete for a share of $1 billion by creating a development plan unique to their region. Each will submit a single application for funding through existing programs already set up within nine state agencies. Press Republican article link k   en-us Fri, 29 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=576&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Due: August 29, 2011 The Northern Border Regional Commission has announced a new round of funding for economically strapped Canadian border regions of Maine, New York and Vermont. The commission plans Aug. 1 to begin accepting applications for the money and to announce how it will award the $1.25 million available by Sept. 30. Boston.com article link en-us Fri, 29 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Funding / Grant Opportunities http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=568&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Matt Wickenheiser Officials held a press conference at the Loring Commerce Centre in northern Aroostook County earlier this month to celebrate the expansion of a high-speed fiber optics network through the old airbase as part of the Three Ring Binder project. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Fri, 29 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=569&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Kevin Miller Roxanne Quimby has been labeled many things in the 27 years since she built a line of beeswax beauty products, sold the business for hundreds of millions of dollars and then turned her attention to Maine’s North Woods. She has been alternately hailed as a savvy entrepreneur and pilloried as a cold-hearted businesswoman, praised as a visionary conservationist by supporters and demonized by critics as a dangerous environmental crusader. Yet devotees and detractors agree Quimby is also determined. The question facing Quimby now, however, is can she persuade not only her local critics but federal lawmakers to support her most ambitious endeavor to date: a new national park in Maine? Bangor Daily News article link en-us Fri, 29 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=573&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Martha Foley At North Country Public Radio's annual meeting last night in Old Forge, the Adirondack Community Trust announced a partnership with NCPR to help create the next generation of public media professionals. North Country Public Radio article link en-us Fri, 29 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Education/Arts/Entertainment http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=536&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By Jody Enck and Tommy Brown, Cornell University Succession is the ecological process in which one kind of plant community naturally replaces another one over time. Early successional forests have lots of trees that are small in height and thickness, and are made up of shrubs and trees that need lots of sun. Other kinds of trees that don’t require as much sun grow in over time, eventually leading to an older forest made up of long-living tree species that grow tall and thick. Some wildlife and plant species require either early or later successional forests. A very few species require both. The amount and distribution of successional stages across the landscape is important - depending on the species. Research and Policy Brief Series article link (a pdf) en-us Thu, 28 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=538&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest While technically not in the White Mountains, this is by far the wildest and longest quietwater paddle available for those visiting the Whites, and for paddlers who relish wildlife watching, it is well worth the hour-long drive from the Gorham, N.H., area. REI map link en-us Thu, 28 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=541&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Due: August 29, 2011 The Northern Border Regional Commission has announced a new round of funding for economically strapped Canadian border regions of Maine, New York and Vermont. The commission plans Aug. 1 to begin accepting applications for the money and to announce how it will award the $1.25 million available by Sept. 30. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Thu, 28 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Pgm Rel Articles - Northern Border Reg. Comm. http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=570&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Associated Press People traveling through Maine have noticed purple objects strung in trees alongside the road, vaguely resembling the kite-eating tree in “Peanuts” cartoons. Maine Forest Service officials said they are traps set up to ensnare a major threat to the state’s ash trees: emerald-colored beetles called ash borers. State Entomologist Dave Struble said Maine ash trees appear to have no native resistance, and the borer kills trees fast. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Thu, 28 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=543&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Matt Wickenheiser The U.S. Postal Service said Tuesday it would study closing about 3,700 of its branches across the country, including 34 in Maine. The agency currently has almost 32,000 retail offices across the nation. The plan would save an estimated $200 million. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Wed, 27 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=547&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Corey LaRue “This is one of the biggest events in the city in my lifetime. Now, if we can just cross the finish line.” Those were the words of Mayor Paul Grenier after the city council unanimously approved a 22 year PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) agreement with Berlin Station LLC. Berlin Daily Sun article link en-us Wed, 27 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=548&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire An appearance by Smokey the Bear, live music, a vintage car rally, plein air painters, an afternoon tea, scavenger hunts, and old-time activities like croquet and badminton are among the 100 exciting activities planned for Weeks State Park on Saturday, August 13 and Sunday, August 14, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the passage of the Weeks Act. This important federal legislation, named for Lancaster native John W. Weeks, led to the creation of the White Mountain National Forest and more than 50 other national forests. Berlin Daily Sun article link en-us Wed, 27 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=535&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Nick Price Using markets to protect and restore ecosystems – and the many services they provide – is gradually becoming a reality. Market-based systems have already protected hundreds of thousands of acres of land while still meeting human economic and development needs. They can help ensure that environmental benefits, from wildlife habitat to water purification, will be preserved for future generations. World Resources Institute Insights article link en-us Tue, 26 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=542&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Nick Sambides, Jr. The Toronto-based corporation that owns the two Katahdin region paper mills is giving Gov. Paul LePage more time to close a deal with a potential buyer of the mills, he said Tuesday. “We are cautiously optimistic that a deal can be reached to re-establish the long history of papermaking in the Katahdin region to create economic prosperity,” LePage said in a brief statement. But neither LePage nor Dan Whyte, vice president of Brookfield Asset Management, which owns the East Millinocket and Millinocket mills, would say how much of an extension on the mills’ decommissioning deadline Brookfield has granted. Whyte declined to comment when contacted on Tuesday. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Tue, 26 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=558&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Erin Kelly By year's end, the Obama administration will announce a new plan to manage the nation's 155 national forests for the next 15 to 20 years. At stake is the future of 193 million acres that are the nation's single largest source of drinking water and are home to more than 15,000 species of plants and wildlife. The forests also attract more than 170 million Americans a year to hike, camp, hunt, fish, go boating or whitewater rafting, ride horses, ski, and drive snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles. Visitors spend an estimated $13 billion a year in communities surrounding the national forests, supporting more than 224,000 jobs. The Spectrum article link en-us Tue, 26 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=544&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Nick Sambides, Jr The school committee will be the next Katahdin region governmental body to consider whether to support a study of the feasibility of environmentalist Roxanne Quimby’s idea of siting a national park next to Baxter State Park, Superintendent Quenten Clark said Monday. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Mon, 25 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=545&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Sharon Kiley Mack Rippere and his wife, Nita, welcomed dozens of visitors to Coyote Creek Farm Sunday, one of more than 112 farms across the state that flung open the farm gates for the Maine Department of Agriculture’s Open Farm Day. At goat farms they were able to make cheese, at grass farms they took rides and at dairy farms they were able to milk cows. At Coyote Creek, they bottle-fed a baby lamb and gently petted a three-day old Hereford calf. Bangor Daily News article link Related article en-us Sun, 24 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=546&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Glenn Adams With four grid-scale wind projects already built in Maine and another two under construction, the state is poised to surpass an important milestone as it moves toward its 2015 wind-power generation goal. After last week’s ribbon-cutting at the Rollins wind farm in Penobscot County, Maine has four major wind farms, including Kibby Mountain in Franklin County, Mars Hill in Aroostook County and Stetson Mountain in Washington County. Rollins will soon join the others in generating power. Construction is under way at two more; Spruce Mountain in Woodstock and Record Hill near Rumford. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Sun, 24 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=550&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail The Northern Border Regional Commission, created by Congress three years ago to boost the economy in Northern New York and New England, has such a small budget it can’t afford a website, its chairman says.Now it may have to brace for an even smaller budget in 2012. Watertown Daily Times article link en-us Sat, 23 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Pgm Rel Articles - Northern Border Reg. Comm. http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=514&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Nick Sambides Jr. A local businessman and former Katahdin region paper mill worker said he has pitched his plan for buying the region’s two paper mills to one of Gov. Paul LePage’s top economic advisers. Galen Hale, owner of a Medway retail stove store and an East Millinocket scrap metal salvage operation, met Wednesday with Senior Economic Adviser John Butera at the State House, he said. “The meeting went very well,” Hale said in a statement released Friday. “We had a good discussion on the needs of the communities and how the Hale Family Business plan for the mills would address those needs. Bangor Daily News article link   en-us Fri, 22 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=515&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail According to the “rules” of the event, you can paddle any distance you wish and on any section of river, lake or brook that is part of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail. The organizers only ask that you pre-register and report back on the mile or miles you paddled. The goal is to have multiple paddlers across the Trail contributing a total number of miles paddled that meets or exceeds 740 miles. Travel New England article link   en-us Fri, 22 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=516&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Hillary Nangle Using the Appalachian Mountain Club’s new Gorman Chairback Lodge and Cabins as a base, spend a few days hiking in this region northeast of Greenville. The lodge was built as a private camp in 1867. The AMC has completely renovated the lakefront facilities, which comprise a main lodge, where homestyle meals are served, eight rustic cabins, a bunkhouse, and a central bathhouse with hot showers and a sauna. Boston.com article link   en-us Fri, 22 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=517&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Abigail Curtis Tourism is Maine’s most important industry, generating more than $531 million in tax revenues and supporting 176,633 jobs in 2006, according to the Maine State Planning Office. “What we’re seeing, I think, is a good, solid season,” Dan Bookham, the executive director of the Camden-Rockport-Lincolnville Chamber of Commerce, said Friday. “There’s a nice feel in town. Retailers are happy, lodging seems pretty happy. It helps that there are these weekend events. It contributes to a real buzz in the midcoast.” Bangor Daily News article link   en-us Fri, 22 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=518&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: David Sommerstein Environmental issues can be tough to convey to the public and to policymakers because they're landscape-scale. Flying high above, say, a forest, a factory, or a wetlands complex can give better perspective. But few environmental groups can afford to pay for private flights. For 30 years, the not-for-profit Lighthawk has been bringing together volunteer pilots and environmental causes. North Country Public Radio article link   en-us Fri, 22 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=519&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Kevin Miller Two Washington County land conservation projects totaling more than 48,000 acres are among 22 proposals statewide selected for funding from the Land for Maine’s Future program. The winning projects were selected from 38 proposals seeking a share of $9.25 million available in what will likely be the last major round of Land for Maine’s Future funding for at least one year and maybe longer due to lack of money. Bangor Daily News article link   en-us Fri, 22 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=520&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Jennifer Levitz A millionaire's plan to donate 70,000 acres of Maine's storied North Woods for a national park will, depending on whom you ask, either save this struggling region or doom it. Wall Street Journal article link   en-us Fri, 22 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=521&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Nick Sambides Jr. Roxanne Quimby sees a national park as a jobs creator, not an employment killer. Speaking before more than 200 people at Stearns High School on Monday, the noted environmentalist and cofounder of the Burt’s Bees business empire presented a vision of the Katahdin region transformed by the presence of the national park she would want to see there. Bangor Daily News article link   en-us Fri, 22 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=522&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Sharon Kiley Mack On Sunday, July 24, more than 112 farms throughout all 16 counties will open their gates to offer the public an opportunity to learn about the business of agriculture. Maine Department of Agriculture Commissioner Walt Whitcomb said the annual Open Farm Day gives families and visitors the chance to experience life and work on Maine’s farms. This is the 22nd year of celebrating Maine’s Open Farm Day. Bangor Daily news article link   en-us Fri, 22 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=523&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Nick Sambides Jr. The Katahdin Area Chamber of Commerce supports a study of the feasibility of creating a national park near Baxter State Park, its president said Wednesday. With members Deb Roundtree and Thomas Malcolm absent, the Chamber’s board of directors voted 9-0 on Tuesday to support the study, which board members recommended concentrate on three basic areas, President Chip Lamson said. Bangor Daily news article link   en-us Fri, 22 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=524&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine's loon tally could go down this year following last year's record numbers because of the wet spring. Up to 1,000 volunteers across the southern half of the state aim to find out Saturday as they scout out lakes and ponds in Maine Audubon's 28th annual loon count. Loon surveys are being held the same day in New Hampshire and Vermont. Calendonian Record article link   en-us Fri, 22 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=525&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire New Hampshire is strengthening a ban on out-of-state firewood because of concern over non-native invasive insects. Two years ago, a joint state-federal regulation restricted firewood movement on state reservation lands and national forest lands within New Hampshire, which includes campgrounds. Caledonian Record article link   en-us Fri, 22 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=526&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail The Board of Trustees of the Adirondack Museum at Blue Mountain Lake has announced the selection of Jerry Jenkins as the recipient of the 2011 Harold K. Hochschild Award. Adirondack Daily Enterprise article link   en-us Fri, 22 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=527&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail The Biomass Thermal Energy Council (BTEC) today applauded the formation of the first Congressional Biomass Caucus. Led by Representatives Charlie Bass (R-NH2) and Peter Welch (D-VT), this coalition will seek to support the development of biomass and elevate the renewable resource’s profile in Congress. Biomass Thermal article link   en-us Fri, 22 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=528&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Chris Garofolo Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin is optimistic the New England states can reaffirm their commitment to renewable energy sources and reducing greenhouse gases. Speaking on a Monday conference call from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Shumlin said a regional collaboration of New England states and eastern Canadian provinces has taken steps to develop a more complete renewable energy portfolio and strengthen the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). Brattleboro Reformer article link   en-us Fri, 22 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=529&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Union Leader For months, Public Service of New Hampshire has dismissed the Northern Pass alternatives suggested by residents who did not want to see big transmission towers cut through their communities. And then a competitor came forward with a plan to build its own transmission lines - underground. Almost immediately, PSNH backtracked. The company maintains that burying traditional power lines would be too expensive. But on Friday it hinted that maybe - just maybe - it could bury the type of line that National Grid has proposed for its Northeast Energy Link project. Union Leader article link   en-us Fri, 22 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=530&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin says an agreement between some of Vermont's electric and telecommunications businesses will give the state more control over energy consumption, expand access to broadband and create jobs. Caledonian Record article link en-us Fri, 22 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=531&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Ellen Abbott The state task force that will draw up new electoral maps in New York State was in Syracuse yesterday to begin a string of public hearings. New York's losing two congressional seats because of population losses reported in the last Census. As WRVO's Ellen Abbott reports, the task force, known as "Latfor", heard all about why neither of those seats should come from the districts that span central and northern New York. North Country Public Radio article link   en-us Fri, 22 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=532&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Find a list of funding opportunities available from New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. NYSERDA webpage   en-us Fri, 22 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Funding / Grant Opportunities http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=533&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Chris Knight Adirondack Park Agency Chairman Curt Stiles will not seek reappointment to the APA board. Stiles made the surprising announcement at the end of Friday's agency monthly meeting in Ray Brook. He said he sent a letter to Gov. Andrew Cuomo last week that said he will not accept reappointment as chair or commissioner of the Park Agency. North Country Public Radio article link   en-us Fri, 22 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Networks & Partner News http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=534&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire Several New Hampshire authors and poets are being featured at a book fair at the very first Northern Forest Heritage Park in Berlin. Boston.com article link en-us Fri, 22 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=555&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Mark Hayward Among North County business owners, there's a new buzzword making the rounds - mass customization. It's akin to the former business model of mass production, in which a factory owner predicted markets, produced lots of product such as dining room sets, and crammed a warehouse to fill orders. Mass customization retains the efficiency and production techniques of the 20th century. But it uses information and manufacturing technology to allow an entrepreneur to customize product for the end user. Union Leader article link en-us Fri, 22 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Funding / Grant Opportunities http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=537&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine This summer an innovative program has been gaining attention in the small town and cities of northern New York and New England. One hundred fifty youth, ranging in age from 10-14, are getting out on the rivers of the region as part of a program that is tailored specifically to providing rural youth experiences in nature. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Thu, 21 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=539&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Bill Opalka A utility merger in New England hangs in the balance. The future of renewable energy in the region is in flux. And recent action by Massachusetts has made a difficult transaction even more complicated. Renewable Biz article link en-us Thu, 21 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=681&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail The new collection of original essays revealing the unique character of northern New Hampshire is now available for purchase at retail outlets throughout New Hampshire and on the web. Beyond the Notches: Stories of Place in New Hampshire’s North Country was jointly published last month by the Monadnock Institute of Nature, Place and Culture at Franklin Pierce University and Bondcliff Books of Littleton. Featuring more than 40 essayists from around the Granite State, this unique 400-page volume includes historical retrospectives and contemporary commentaries about this special region of New Hampshire. Berlin Daily Sun article link en-us Wed, 20 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Education/Arts/Entertainment http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=557&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Nick Sambides Jr. Roxanne Quimby sees a national park as part of her potential legacy and hopes to make a gift of 70,000 acres for a park to the federal government in 2016. But the millionaire co-founder of Burt’s Bees and noted environmentalist said during a meeting at Stearns High School on Monday that Maine’s two Republican senators, Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, must be convinced that a national park enjoys the support of the people around it before they would consider supporting the proposal. Both senators expressed strong skepticism Tuesday about Quimby’s proposal. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Tue, 19 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=578&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail In today’s North Country, innovation and resourcefulness is key. NCBA’s approach to energy issues has been largely informed through their successful work with Colebrook energy groups. Over the last 10 years Colebrook residents have committed time andexpertise to implement various efficiency and renewable projects. For example, the installation of a solar powered aeration unit and methane recapture project save the town $70,000 annually. In addition, the Colebrook groups have made energy efficiency improvements to their Town Hall, schools and town streetlights. They were also involved in the early review of a manual, Community Roadmap to Renewable Woody Biomass Energy, which helps community groups increase stakeholder engagement and ensure that communities meet their goals when considering energy projects.   The NCBA is exanding their reach to help other communities advance thinking about the community benefits realized through energy projects: jobs,recirculated dollars, community voice and environmental integrity. They are ahead of the curve and we believe their understanding of and commitment to community benefits can and should be shared with other communities across the region. This approach to community benefits will accelerate efforts to initiate, support, and expand fair and thoughtful energy activities in the North Country. As an economic development partner with NCBA, the Center sees great value in these activities. We look forward to continuing our partnership to advance the project objectives.   en-us Thu, 14 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Reg. Renewable Energy Advisory Network - Updates http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=490&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Nick Sambides Jr Katahdin region businessman Galen Hale said Tuesday he will meet one of Gov. Paul LePage’s senior advisers Wednesday to discuss his proposal to revitalize the region’s two paper mills. Senior Economic Adviser John Butera contacted Hale and will meet with him at the State House to review Hale’s sale and revitalization plan a week after Hale announced some details of his plans to the Bangor Daily News. Bangor Daily News article link   en-us Wed, 13 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=497&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Chrissy Prichard Local and state officials gathered in the Town of Webb meeting room on Wednesday, June 29, for an announcement made by the Adirondack Council. The environmental advocacy group announced it’s new concept of an area of interconnected lands and waters in the Western Adirondacks referred to as the Bob Marshall Wild Lands Complex. The area includes over half a million acres of public and private lands offering endless opportunities for eco-tourism in any season. The complex includes nearly 450 lakes and ponds, close to 70 miles of NY State classified Wild, Scenic and Recreational Rivers, and large boreal wetlands. The complex also contains some of the largest old-growth woodlands and one of the largest tracts of roadless wilderness in the eastern United States. Tourist maps of the region were also released by the Adirondack Council on Wednesday. The first 10,000 copies of the free waterproof map are now available and can be found at the Town of Webb Visitor Center. Adirondack Express article link   en-us Wed, 13 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=501&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Sarah Haase nclosed in a tent of netting, four pairs of hands gripped bats out of the air, like dollar bills in the fair's cash booth. Biologists from Fort Drum and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services were collecting and tagging little brown bats from a bat box on post. The information collected from Tuesday night's tagging will be used to get an estimate of bat populations and about white-nose syndrome. Watertown Daily Times article link   en-us Wed, 13 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=502&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Barbara Tetreault With the future of the Berlin Station biomass plant in doubt, another developer is interested in Berlin for a plant that would convert biomass into ultra-clean synthetic fuel as well as produce electricity and process heat. William Fortune of Industrial Consultants Inc., of Lee, said unlike a convention biomass plant is which is about 35 percent efficient, his proposed plant would be 85 percent efficient. The plant would use a gasification process to convert the biomass to ultra-clean synthetic diesel and jet fuel. Fortune said the U.S. military, for one, has indicated its intention to use renewable fuels. Berlin Daily Sun article link   en-us Wed, 13 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=503&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Barbara Tetreault More than a week has passed since Cate Street Capital announced its plans for a 75-megawatt biomass plant in Berlin were dead. No new negotiations have been scheduled between Cate Street Capital and the six small biomass plants that have challenged the 20-year power purchase agreement between Cate Street Capital and Public Service of N.H. And both sides are blaming the other for the breakdown. The two parties admit they were close to an agreement that would see the wood-fired Independent Power Producers withdraw their state Supreme Court appeal. A spokesman for the IPPs said they believe there is an opportunity for both sides to benefit and are still willing to negotiate. Berlin Daily Sun article link   en-us Wed, 13 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=504&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail August 8-10 Wild Center, Tupper Lake, NY As the cost of home heating oil rises and oil reserves decline, the need for alternative renewable energy sources such as solar has never been greater. Help kick the oil habit by learning to install solar photo-voltaic systems at The Wild Center, in Tupper Lake. From August 8 – 10, the HeatSpring Learning Institute will host a Solar Photo-Voltaic Installer Boot Camp Training course targeted for electrical contractors, general contractors, roofers, engineers and home installers. Link to event information   en-us Wed, 13 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=511&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail July 19, 2pm By: Lisa Gibson Ten percent of homes in the U.S. use wood or pellet heat but barriers remain in the way of rapid growth in the sector, according to the Alliance for Green heat. The Future of Residential Wood & Pellet Heat in America, a webinar co-hosted by the Alliance for Green Heat and the Biomass Thermal Energy Council, will address those barriers and discuss how the federal and state governments can prepare for an increase in residential wood heat. The event will be held July 19 at 2 p.m. ET and will feature a number of speakers. Biomass Magazine article link   en-us Wed, 13 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=512&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail August 8-10 Wild Center, Tupper Lake, NY As the cost of home heating oil rises and oil reserves decline, the need for alternative renewable energy sources such as solar has never been greater. Help kick the oil habit by learning to install solar photo-voltaic systems at The Wild Center, in Tupper Lake. From August 8 – 10, the HeatSpring Learning Institute will host a Solar Photo-Voltaic Installer Boot Camp Training course targeted for electrical contractors, general contractors, roofers, engineers and home installers. Link to event information en-us Wed, 13 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=493&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Lisa Gibson A yet-to-be-released report by nonprofit group Alliance for Green Heat shows that wood heating in America dominates the residential renewable energy market, even with virtually no government subsidies to support it. “Transforming Wood Heat in America: A Toolkit of Policy Options” found that a $1,000 stove incentive could reduce as much fossil fuel as a $10,000 solar incentive, drive consumers toward low-emitting units and help ordinary Americans afford their utility bills. Biomass Magazine article link   en-us Tue, 12 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=505&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Peter Hirschfeld Gov. Peter Shumlin says Vermont could be valuable real estate to Canadian energy companies looking to transport hydropower to high-consumption metropolises in southern New England. But the potential transmission corridor through Vermont, he says, has nothing to do with the bidding war among Canadian firms for Vermont’s largest electrical utility. As the generation capacity of hydro companies in Canada exceeds the demand there, Shumlin said Monday, energy firms will seek new customers in New England cities. Their quest for a reliable route into the New England market, he said, creates an economic opportunity for Vermont. Times Argus article link   en-us Tue, 12 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=508&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Matt Wickenheiser The majority of Maine’s 12,212 clean jobs were in three main segments – conservation (2,287 jobs), waste management and treatment (2,224 jobs) and public mass transit (1,408). The fastest growing segments were biofuels/biomass, air and water purification technologies, professional energy services, sustainable forestry products and green architecture and construction services. Bangor Daily News article link   en-us Tue, 12 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=499&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: The Almanack Staff Advocates of combating invasive species in the Adirondacks are hoping local residents and visitors will become familiar with invasive species at activities planned for the 6th annual Adirondack Invasive Species Awareness Week, July 10-16. Adirondack Almanack article link   en-us Mon, 11 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=500&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Kevin Miller A special board will meet Tuesday to decide which of nearly 40 proposals seeking to protect more than 80,000 acres in Maine should receive a share of $9.25 million available through the Land for Maine’s Future program. But Tuesday’s meeting will all but empty the land conservation program’s coffers, which are reliant on voter-approved bonds. And with no bond proposals scheduled to appear on Maine ballots in 2011, it could be a year or two before the politically popular Land for Maine’s Future program has funding to distribute to conservation projects. Bangor Daily News article link   en-us Mon, 11 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=509&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Carsey Institute Rural workers have less access to sick leave, forcing them to choose between caring for themselves or family members, and losing pay or perhaps even their jobs when faced with an illness, according to new research from the Carsey Institute at the University of New Hampshire. Carsey Institute article link Link to full report   en-us Mon, 11 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=494&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire Balville LLC., owned by the Walsh Family who own and operate more than 100 hotels across North America, is expected to close in early September on the purchase of The BALSAMS Resort from the Tillotson Corporation Trustees, owner since 1954. The 7,700-acre resort is considered the centerpiece of the Great North Woods of New Hampshire. White Mountain News article link   en-us Sun, 10 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=498&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: The Almanack Staff Beginning today members of the Adirondack Forest Preserve Education Partnership (AFPEP) will contribute to the Adirondack Almanack about Adirondack outdoor recreation. AFPEP shares a vision with Almanack founder John Warren that outdoor recreationists will know, share, and protect the park and themselves. AFPEP hopes to provide Adirondack visitors and residents information about having safe and enjoyable recreational experiences, while protecting the Forest Preserve for future generations. Adirondack Almanack article link   en-us Sun, 10 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=506&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire Anyone driving through the North Country these days might be startled to see bright orange signs erected in front of homes expressing outrage at the Northern Pass project. More than a few of these hand-painted displays are profane in their opinion about the controversial project that would bring market-rate power from Hydro-Quebec through New Hampshire, where it would be added to the New England power grid. The energy deal, outlined in a story two Sundays ago by staff writer David Brooks, has raised the ire of property owners, natural gas power producers and environmental groups. Nashua Telegraph article link   en-us Sun, 10 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=507&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Susan Johnson Streamlining cross-border trade between Atlantic Canada and New England is critical to the economic rebound of both regions, the U.S. ambassador to Canada says. Despite protectionist sentiments fueled by fears of job losses and lax border security, David Jacobson believes the neighboring countries need to work together to lower the level of border bureaucracy caused by burdensome tariffs, regulations and the lack of adequate infrastructure and technology. Bangor Daily News article link   en-us Sun, 10 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=491&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Sara Young-Knox Gorham Paper and Tissue Inc., a Lynn Tilton company and operator of the Gorham paper mill, took a big step last week in putting down deeper roots in the Androscoggin Valley, while at the same time sending jitters through a nervous community, as the tissue machine that was online was taken out of production for a couple weeks. Union Leader article link Related article Berlin Daily Sun link   en-us Fri, 08 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=492&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Barbara Tetreault Gorham Paper and Tissue yesterday announced a temporary shutdown of the mill, starting Monday, July 11. In a written release, the company said it anticipates restarting the No. 9 towel machine by Sunday, July 24. The company said the shutdown was planned as part of the gradual ramp-up strategy for the mill. Berlin Daily Sun article link   en-us Fri, 08 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=510&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire There’s a new name on the Director’s desk at Tri-County CAP, but the man behind the desk is not new to the agency. Joe Costello has served on the board of directors of Tri-County CAP for ten years and has been president and chairman of board of directors for the past seven years. He comes to the CEO position with a working knowledge of its people and programs. Berlin Daily Sun article link   en-us Fri, 08 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Networks & Partner News http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=472&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Nick Sambides Jr. A local businessman who already owns a retail stove and alternative fuels store and is part owner of a scrap metal business wants to be the next owner of the two Katahdin region paper mills, he said Tuesday. Bangor Daily News article link   en-us Wed, 06 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=473&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Graham Cooper A controversial motion recognising the environmental value of forests for storing carbon has been passed by the general assembly of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). The motion, proposed by Greenpeace International, says an explicit inclusion of carbon stocks in the organisation’s ‘Principles & Criteria’ “is vital to ensure that the carbon value of forests is adequately recognised and sustained”. Environmental Finance article link   en-us Wed, 06 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=474&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York The Newton Falls Fine Paper company will not reopen in October, according to a release the company sent to the St. Lawrence County Industrial Development agency. The Company, in the Adirondack town of Clifton, laid off about eighty employees last December with hopes they'd be hired back this fall. North Country Public Radio article link   en-us Wed, 06 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=475&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Martha Foley The North Country is breathing a sigh of relief today after Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that none of the state prisons slated for closure will be in our region. North Country Public Radio article link   en-us Wed, 06 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=476&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York The next time you are planning a day's outing or week's stay in the central Adirondacks, make your job easier with the NY Recreation Web Map interactive trail map and trip planner. Link to map   en-us Wed, 06 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=477&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Associated Press The Maine Conservation Department said state park passes are available on a reconfigured online site this season. Bangor Daily News article link Link to online park pass system   en-us Wed, 06 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=478&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Associated Press Lots of people like to spend their summers in Maine. But few can say they’ve been doing it longer than Elizabeth Jones. Jones, who’s 95, hasn’t missed a summer getaway to Maine since 1946. She arrived on June 18 for a three-week stay that marks her 66th consecutive vacation at Linekin Bay Resort in Boothbay Harbor. Bangor Daily News article link   en-us Wed, 06 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=479&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Sarah Palermo Many trails lead into the White Mountain National Forest. The road through Sandwich Notch also offers visitors a path to the past. Within the Notch, cellar holes, granite thresholds and overgrown orchards bear witness to a quintessential New Hampshire community now long gone. Concord Monitor article link   en-us Wed, 06 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=480&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York Genetic analysis at the state museum confirms what biologists squishing through Adirondack bogs already knew: New York's population of the spruce grouse, a chicken-like bird of the boreal forest, is nearing extinction. Bennington Banner article link   en-us Wed, 06 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=481&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Eric Blokland As farmers have abandoned fields over the last 150 years, Vermont’s landscape has dramatically shifted from a largely agricultural terrain to forests that now blanket three-quarters of the state. Forest is still converted to fuel here: Many residents burn cordwood in rural areas as a primary source of heat. VT Digger article link   en-us Wed, 06 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=482&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Barbara Tetreault The proposed Berlin Station biomass project is dead after negotiations with the wood-fired Independent Power Producers failed to reach an agreement. A spokesman for Cate Street Capital said the company had a June 30 deadline to come to an agreement that would see the six smaller biomass plants withdraw their state Supreme Court appeal of the power purchase agreement between Berlin Station and Public Service of N.H. “The June 30 deadline was real,” said Scott Tranchemontagne. Berlin Daily Sun article link Related article link Related article link   en-us Wed, 06 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=483&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Chris Jensen If the White Mountain National Forest okays Northern Pass' request to run a new power line along an existing right-of-way it would mean new roads and a considerable visual impact. NHPR article link   en-us Wed, 06 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=484&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Annmarie Timmins The latest ads about the Northern Pass project are unmistakably folksy. "Doug" loves "just about everything" in New Hampshire and supports the hydro-electric project for its renewable energy and new jobs. "Christine and George" from Franklin like the promise of tax revenue and the state's forests. "Jack" is a retired nuclear engineer interested in cleaner energy and hiking. Until this statewide media blitz, Northern Pass officials - guys in ties - had been trying to sell their controversial and complicated $1.1 billion energy project to New Hampshire residents. With the opposition growing, they've handed the sales job off to locals, hoping neighbors can win over neighbors. Concord Monitor article link   en-us Wed, 06 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=485&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Dan Heath Clinton County is set to receive more than $1.4 million for new runway lighting at Plattsburgh International Airport. The county will receive $1,425,000 in U.S. Department of Transportation funds to replace existing incandescent lights along taxiway Alpha with an energy-efficient light-emitting diode system. Press Republican article link   en-us Wed, 06 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=486&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Associated Press Federal Emergency ManagementAgency inspectors have gotten a look at an Adirondack town's roads that wereseverely damaged by flash floods in late May. The flooding over the Memorial Day weekend caused anestimated $7 million dollars in damage to roads in the Warren County town ofThurman and another $6 million to public infrastructure in the northern portionof the county. North Country Public Radio article link   en-us Wed, 06 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=487&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Nick Sambides Jr. They have two schools to consolidate, but other than that massive job, the new Great Northern School System AOS 66 was operational Thursday, just in time to avoid $108,000 in fines for violating the state’s school consolidation law, Superintendent Quenten Clark said. After elections that saw the residents of East Millinocket, Medway and Woodville vote overwhelmingly in favor of creating the alternative organizational structure from the former Union 113, the AOS 66 school board held its first organizational meeting on Wednesday and elected its members, Clark said. Bangor Daily News article link   en-us Wed, 06 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Education/Arts/Entertainment http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=488&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Barbara Tetreault Over the past four years, more than $2.4 million has been spent identifying and cleaning up contaminated industrial and commercial buildings in Berlin. The money has come from a variety of sources – federal Environmental Protection Agency and N.H. Department of Environmental Services Brownfield grants, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds, and DES Oil Remediation and Compliance funds. Berlin Daily Sun article link   en-us Wed, 06 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=495&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Michael Doyle At Acadia National Park, the number of visitors between January and May fell by nearly 50,000, or roughly 17 percent, from the same five-month period in 2010, according to Acadia officials. For the month of May alone, visitation was down 23 percent from the previous year, from an estimated 288,000 visitors to 238,000. The smaller crowds thrilled park visitors but worried the businesses that depend on them. Bangor Daily News article link   en-us Wed, 06 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=496&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Abigail Curtis On sticky-hot summer days when dogs pant in the shade and air conditioning seems like the best invention ever, Helen Sahadi keeps cool in a different way. The Thorndike resident and Belfast merchant whiled away the warmest hours Wednesday at her downtown yarn store by plotting her next long-distance swim in one of Maine’s multitude of lakes and ponds. And after she goes for that swim, she’ll write about it in her website, SwimMaine.com, which she hopes will become a resource for others who are also enamored with swimming in the fresh air and open water of the Pine Tree State. Bangor Daily News article link   en-us Wed, 06 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=455&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Matt Wickenheiser The heavy, moist smell of chemical and paper dominates the air as decades-old machinery churns out hundreds of tons of pulp at the Fuel & Fiber mill. In another part of the mill campus, where tissue paper machines once roared, relatively new machinery hums along. There’s a sugary smell in the air, reminiscent of a maple sugar shack. It’s the past and the future tied inexorably together in the mill. Bangor Daily News article link   en-us Fri, 01 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=456&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Ken Picard The state doesn’t track the number of loggers working in its forests, but logging jobs tend to rise and fall with sawmill demand. Since 2005, the number of sawmills in Vermont has plummeted, from about 200 to 130 today. During that same period, lumber production fell from 220 million board feet per year to about 170 million board feet, according to data from the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation. Those numbers are consistent with the trend throughout the Northeast, where the sawmill sector has shrunk by nearly a third, according to USDA Forest Service estimates. Seven Days article link   en-us Fri, 01 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=457&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Bill Burke New Hampshire Grand’s Logs to Luxury Tour transports visitors from the state’s 19th century logging industry to the height of opulence at one of the state’s Grand resorts. Forestry and hospitality mingle to create a timber-influenced fusion that combines the rustic with the extravagant. The tour begins with the Log Drive along the Androscoggin River, where immigrants found opportunity in the region’s mills from Berlin to Errol. Boston Herald article link   en-us Fri, 01 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=458&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Tim Jones If your budget is limited this summer (whose isn't?) but you still like the idea of getting outdoors, getting some real exercise (for a change) and spending quality time with new friends, consider volunteering for one of the great organizations that helps maintain hiking and biking trails, parks, campsites, canoe launches and natural areas throughout the Northeast. It's something you can do with your family or friends, and I can guarantee you'll get more from the experience than you give. Concord Monitor article link   en-us Fri, 01 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=459&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Conor Mihell On Monday, June 27, Skip Ciccerelli will set out to shatter the speed record for paddling the Northern Forest Canoe Trail, which stretches from Old Forge, N.Y. to Fort Kent, Maine. His goal is to complete the 740-mile journey in 27 days; the current record, held by Mike Stavola (aka Kayakathon Man), is just over 32 days. To do it, Ciccerelli, a high school shop teacher from a small town in central Massachusetts, will need to average 27 miles per day, traveling up- and downstream over rugged portages and across some of the biggest lakes in the eastern United States. Canoe Kayak article link   en-us Fri, 01 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=460&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail The Northern Forest Canoe Trail, or NFCT, that stretches from Old Forge, N.Y., to Fort Kent, Maine, was named “Best Canoe Trail 2011” in the July issue of Outside magazine. Bangor Daily News article link Link to Outside article   en-us Fri, 01 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=461&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Shinobu Price Deep in Maine’s Hundred-Mile Wilderness,the Appalachian Trail runs into the Gulf Hagas Loop, an eight-mile day hike through a dramatic slate gorge. Highlights include sheer vertical drops, waterfalls, two river fordings, and natural pools that form swimming holes. The easiest access is from Katahdin Iron Works Road, off Route 11. Outside article link   en-us Fri, 01 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=462&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Julia Bayly An area farm family and some gardeners have teamed up with the St. John Valley Soil & Water Conservation District to promote local food production. A grant from the Quimby Foundation has helped create a food sustainability education campaign “Local Foods for Healthy Tables” and it’s in full swing at the Carroll Theriault farm where a new community garden is springing up next to a successful new commercial operation. Bangor Daily News article link   en-us Fri, 01 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=463&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Nick Sambides, Jr. oxanne Quimby has another chance to sell town leaders on a national park. Almost 2½ hours of discussion on a resolve condemning efforts to create a park ended Thursday with the Town Council voting to table the matter until Quimby presents her national park plan at a meeting next month. Bangor Daily News article link   en-us Fri, 01 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=464&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine A Maine Woods National Park isn’t going to become a reality any time soon. The National Park Service doesn’t have the resources to manage the properties it already owns and vocal opposition in Maine has kept the state’s congressional delegation lukewarm, if not outright cold, toward the idea. But, rather than pass resolves opposing a look at the idea of a park — which the Maine Legislature did quietly this month and the Millinocket town council is considering — those who support and object to the idea should work together to figure out the best ways to improve the economy of the Katahdin region. Such an effort takes on added urgency as the future of the paper mills in Millinocket and East Millinocket remains in limbo. Bangor Daily News article link   en-us Fri, 01 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=465&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Chris Jensen There’s a plan for a huge increase in the conservation land around Errol in the North Country. The first land should be purchased Wednesday. New Hampshire Public Radio article link   en-us Fri, 01 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=466&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: David Brooks Ever since people started generating their own electricity a century ago, the rule has been that we all want more, just as long as we don’t have to hear or see anything, pay much or get inconvenienced in the process. With that in mind, it’s no surprise that a proposal to cut a huge gash in 40 miles of northern New Hampshire forest and then build large towers along 140 miles of existing power lines in the rest of the state in order to feed electricity from massive Quebec hydropower projects into the New England power pool has produced an enormous amount of debate. Nashua Telegraph article link   en-us Fri, 01 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=467&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Abigail Curtis When the voters of SAD 29 in Houlton decided earlier this month to cut the total local share of the school budget by nearly 18 percent, they were taking advantage of a relatively new state law that aims to provide local communities some financial relief. Bangor Daily News article link   en-us Fri, 01 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Education/Arts/Entertainment http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=468&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Associated Press New school nutrition guidelines issued by the Department of Agriculture in January could push up the costs of cafeteria lunches in northern New England schools. The guidelines call for more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fat-free and low-fat milk, and lower levels of sodium, saturated fat, trans fat, and calories in school meals. Bangor Daily News article link   en-us Fri, 01 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Education/Arts/Entertainment http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=469&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail The Value Added Producer Grant Program (VAPG) is a program in the 2008 Farm Bill. VAPG’s goal is to help new and existing rural independent agricultural producers. Grants are made to enable viable agricultural producers (those who are prepared to progress to the next business level of planning for, or engaging in value-added production) to develop businesses that product and market value added agricultural products. There are two types of grants available, Planning and Working Capital. Link to grant information   en-us Fri, 01 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Funding / Grant Opportunities http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=470&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By; Andrew Neff For many people, a stagnant economy, stock market declines and increased unemployment have made money pretty tight the past few years. With less disposable income around, charitable organizations now are feeling a philanthropic pinch. Giving by all 327 charitable foundations in Maine that are registered with the Internal Revenue Service decreased 6 percent between 2008 and 2009, from $133 million to $127 million, according to figures released last week in an annual report by the Maine Philanthropy Center. “It’s probably more a case of it being a spike in 2008 than it is a precipitous drop in 2009,” said Janet Henry, Maine Philanthropy Center’s president. Bangor Daily News article link   en-us Fri, 01 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Funding / Grant Opportunities http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=471&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine June 27 and 28, 2011 The Maine Woods Consortium and Northern Forest Center in collaboration with The Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce, Oxford Hills Chamber of Commerce, River Valley Growth Council, River Valley Chamber of Commerce and Western Maine Economic Development Council will offer "Give ’em the Pickle" customer service workshop from 9 a.m. to noon Monday, June 27, in South Paris and Tuesday, June 28, in Rumford. The cost is $20 per person and includes all materials. Sun Journal article link en-us Fri, 01 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=596&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail The Town of Colebrook is continuing their efforts to secure funding for a biomass district heating feasibility study. The Center recently helped the town apply for $140,000 worth of grants. Completion of the feasibility study will give Colebrook detailed engineering and capital expense estimates. en-us Fri, 01 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Supported Biomass Projects - Updates http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=442&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Kathy McCormack A cheaper source of fuel, a dedicated sales team and workforce, and an investment in a tissue machine will help the last paper mill in New Hampshire’s North Country succeed, state and mill industry representatives say. Bangor Daily News article link   en-us Wed, 22 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=443&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine The Aroostook County summer photo contest begins June 21 and ends Aug. 19. The contest’s five categories include Aroostook County scenic views, wildlife, outdoor recreation, festivals and events and cities and towns. The photos must represent Aroostook in the summer. Bangor Daily News article link   en-us Wed, 22 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=444&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Esha Samajpati I will let you in on a secret here, if you want to enjoy a vacation in style without being overwhelmed by crowds, drive the few extra miles to the hamlet of Dixville Notch, a secluded passage in the White Mountains, far in the Great North Woods. Go Nomad article link   en-us Wed, 22 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=445&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Julie Bayly Ah, the dulcet sounds of summer in northern Maine: the haunting cry of a loon across a still woodland lake; the song of a robin as she approaches her nestlings; the steady breeze whispering through a stand of mature pines; the incessant, brain-numbing whine of mosquitoes, black flies and moose flies. Bangor Daily News article link   en-us Wed, 22 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=446&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will begin developing a unit management plan (UMP) for the 42,408-acre unit called Tug Hill North. The Unit is located in the Lewis County towns of Harrisburg, Martinsburg, Montague and Pinckney and the Jefferson County towns of Lorraine, Rodman, Rutland and Worth just outside the Adirodnack Park. Adirondack Almanack article link   en-us Wed, 22 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=447&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Denis Paiste The U.S. Department of Energy has issued a conditional loan guarantee for Granite Reliable Power LLC for up to $135.76 million to develop a wind generation project in Coos County. Union Leader article link   en-us Wed, 22 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=448&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Polly Leger Irving Transportation Services rolled out a new railway this week, with high hopes of putting the near-defunct freight route back on track. Bangor Daily News article link   en-us Wed, 22 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=449&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont A group working to wire 23 towns in east-central Vermont with high-speed Internet access says it's ready to hook up its first town this summer, Barnard. Caledonia Record article link   en-us Wed, 22 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=450&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail On June 15 the House Appropriations Committee approved a fiscal year 2012 Energy and Water Appropriations bill containing $1,350,000 for the Northern Border Regional Commission and continuing a waiver of the 10% cap on the Commission’s administrative expenses. The bill must pass the full House and Senate before becoming law. The Commission received $1.5 million in annual funding in FY10 and FY11.   en-us Wed, 22 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=451&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail This week in Highgate and on the Missisquoi River, a group of ten college students and recent graduates from around the nation are participating in a four-day leadership training led by the Northern Forest Canoe Trail (NFCT). Upon completion of the training, the participants in the NFCT summer intern program will fan out to New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Québec and Maine to collect data, and maintain and steward the water trail. Northern Forest Canoe Trail article link   en-us Wed, 22 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Networks & Partner News http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=452&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Two of our paddling guides, Nate and Sue, paddled a 23 mile section of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail (NFCT) along the Connecticut River . Their goals- scout the river and locate campsites for a four day Northern Forest Canoe Trail Explorers Youth Program being offered through Great Glen Trails in August. YouTube video link   en-us Wed, 22 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Networks & Partner News http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=453&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail With summer officially arriving next week, High Peaks Alliance will host an All Trails Celebration on Saturday and Sunday, June 25 and 26. The alliance is a group of local people working to preserve and enhance recreational access to forest lands in northern Franklin County. It was formed in 2008. Sun Journal article link en-us Wed, 22 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=454&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail With summer officially arriving next week, High Peaks Alliance will host an All Trails Celebration on Saturday and Sunday, June 25 and 26. The alliance is a group of local people working to preserve and enhance recreational access to forest lands in northern Franklin County. It was formed in 2008. Sun Journal article link en-us Wed, 22 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=436&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail The Northern Forest Center is one of several organizations presenting Green Fire: Aldo Leoopold and a Land Ethic for Our Time at Red River Theatres in Concord, NH, June 15 – 19. Green Fire is the first full-length, high-definition film ever made about legendary environmentalist Aldo Leopold. The documentary highlights Leopold's extraordinary career, tracing how he shaped and influenced the modern environmental movement. Leopold remains relevant today, inspiring projects all over the country that connect people and land. New Hampshire Public Radio link Movie times and information en-us Thu, 16 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=437&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Tucked away in Elliotsville Plantation, some 10 miles northeast of Monson, a special treasure awaits nature lovers and hikers. The Borestone Mountain Audubon Sanctuary, developed, owned and operated by Maine Audubon, comprises more than 1,600 acres of northern hardwood and boreal forest that has been uncut for more than a century, three small ponds and two craggy summits just south of the Appalachian Trail and Maine's northern forest. Portland Press Herald article link en-us Thu, 16 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=438&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Alice Appleton and Carl Lucero The new Farm of the Future project profiles working farms, forests, and ranches that are participating in environmental markets or receiving payments for ecosystem services. In the five case studies just released, landowners changed their management practices to provide water quality, wetlands, wildlife habitat, and carbon benefits—generating new revenue from the sale of ecosystem services to supplement traditional income. USDA Blog link en-us Thu, 16 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=439&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Saturday, June 18th Berlin, NH Don’t miss the Northern Forest Heritage Park’s River Day Boat Float on Saturday, June 18th! Canoes, kayaks, motorboats, rafts and anything else that floats are all welcome! Ferg Lea from the Androscoggin Watershed Council challenged, “Let’s see how many boats we can get out to enjoy and celebrate our mighty Androscoggin! Berlin article link en-us Thu, 16 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=440&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail On June 15 the House Appropriations Committee approved a fiscal year 2012 Energy and Water Appropriations bill containing $1,350,000 for the Northern Border Regional Commission and continuing a waiver of the 10% cap on the Commission’s administrative expenses. The bill must pass the full House and Senate before becoming law. The Commission received $1.5 million in annual funding in FY10 and FY11. en-us Thu, 16 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 NBRC - Updates http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=414&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Brian Mann One of the Adirondack Park's most important furniture makers is closing its doors and will lay off 11 full time employees. Old Adirondack, located in Willsboro, made the announcement last week. North Country Public Radio article link en-us Wed, 15 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=415&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Gabrielle Hovendon This summer, four St. Lawrence University students and recent alumni are taking the road — or river — less traveled. Silas D. Streeter, a rising senior from Newbury, Mass.; Evan P. Haynes, a rising senior from Norwich, Vt.; Wesley D. Norton, a May graduate from Peaks Island, Portland, Maine, and P. Alex Comeau, a May graduate from Essex, are canoeing the rarely paddled 740-mile Northern Forest Canoe Trail. The four men, all of whom are or were guides for St. Lawrence University's Outdoor Program, are braving bugs, floods, wind and hailstorms in the name of adventure this month. Watertown Daily Times article link en-us Wed, 15 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=416&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the release of a new map that characterizes the health and condition of National Forest System lands in more than 15,000 watersheds across the country. The U.S. Forest Service's Watershed Condition Classification Map is the first step in the agency's Watershed Condition Framework, and is the agency's first national assessment across all 193 million acres of National Forest lands. Vilsack made the announcement at a USDA event in Washington highlighting the United Nation's International Year of Forests. Wisconsin Ag Connection article link en-us Wed, 15 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Ecosystem Services http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=417&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Pennsylvania By: Martin DeAngelis Irv and Kirk Jarvis, a video-production team from Tuckerton, were working on a documentary on the history of New Jersey's pinelands when they needed to talk to a forest expert - somebody who knew the trees themselves. A friend suggested a guy named Bob Williams. The father/son filmmakers met Williams, a forester by profession, in the pinelands - at an annual cultural festival called "Lines On The Pines," in fact. And before their interview was over, the filmmakers had decided to put their history project on hold and make a documentary on healthy forests, focusing on the pinelands. Press of Atlantic City article link en-us Wed, 15 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=418&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine If you heat your home by burning wood, you are already thinking about that coldest night of the next winter. You know that unless you cut, split (or buy), stack and store your firewood over the next few months, the wood stove in the living room or kitchen will be of little use. Since Maine is the most forested state in the lower 48, we have a special relationship with firewood. But a more comprehensive study of that relationship, and its potential to wean Mainers off their high dependency on oil heat, is needed. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Wed, 15 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=419&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail The White House today announced the establishment of the first White House Rural Council. While rural communities face challenges, they also present economic potential. To address these challenges, build on the Administration’s rural economic strategy, and improve the implementation of that strategy, the President signed an Executive Order establishing the White House Rural Council. Whitehouse.gov link en-us Wed, 15 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=420&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Associated Press An international holding company is in negotiations to buy the shuttered Maine paper mills in Millinocket and East Millinocket for $1. Dan Whyte, vice president of Brookfield Asset Management, the current owner of the two Katahdin region mills, told the Bangor Daily News a company called International Grand Investors Corp. is interested in the mills. IGIC represents international investors in pulp trade and imports. Morning Sentinel article link Related Bangor Daily News article en-us Wed, 15 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=421&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: John Curran Vermont’s capital city is going ahead with a plan to expand state government’s wood-fired heating system into city schools and government buildings.Montpelier voters approved the plan Tuesday, saying yes to a $2.75 million bond issue to help finance a $20 million biomass project that would hook up City Hall, the police and fire stations, and two schools to the wood chip-burning system that’s been heating the Statehouse and other state buildings for more than 20 years. Burlington Free Press article link Related Timesargus Article link   Related Bennington Banner article link en-us Wed, 15 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=422&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Dan Heath Empire State Development has named a new North Country regional director. Roseanne Murphy, most recently deputy director of the North Country Region, has 23 years of service at Empire State Development. She will now oversee the Watertown and Plattsburgh offices. Press Republican article link en-us Wed, 15 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=423&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Associated Press The Maine Department of Conservation says residents are reporting increasing damage throughout the state to eastern white pine trees, particularly a yellowing, browning and loss of needles. Officials say homeowners, landowners and foresters should expect to see unusual and excessive shedding of infected, 1-year-old tree needles over the next few weeks. Needle diseases, caused specifically by three fungi, have reached epidemic proportions around the state. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Wed, 15 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=424&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Associated Press Maine’s Department of Environmental Protection says a Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative auction has gained $769,000 for the state to go toward energy efficiency programs and job creation. The 10-state cap-and-trade collaborative’s auction of carbon credits was held last week. A total of $25.5 million was made available through proceeds from its 12th auction of carbon credits. Maine is a member state of the collaborative. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Wed, 15 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=425&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Associated Press More than 140 people in Maine are undergoing training in wildland firefighting. Put on by the Maine Forest Service, the annual Maine State Wildfire Training Academy provides instruction on how to battle fires in Maine’s vast forestlands. Topics include digging fire lines, deploying fire shelters, cutting down trees with chain saws and using water pumps. Bangor Daily News article link   en-us Wed, 15 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=426&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Nick Sambides Jr. A national Chinese newspaper set off a cold war of words among town leaders and a national U.S. magazine this week by deriding Stearns High School and calling Millinocket a place where “the biggest kick for kids is hanging out in a supermarket parking lot.” In a strange turn in the Millinocket School Department’s quest to enroll 60 Chinese high schoolers at Stearns in September, the Global Times, a Chinese- and English-language newspaper, ran a withering editorial column on Millinocket’s effort, and The Atlantic magazine responded by calling the Times a tool for communist propaganda. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Wed, 15 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Education/Arts/Entertainment http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=427&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Sharon Kiley Mack Despite a winter season that just wouldn’t let go, Maine’s maple syrup production was up 14 percent for the 2011 season, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics released Thursday afternoon. Many sugar makers claimed 2011 as a record production year. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Wed, 15 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=428&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Associated Press An official says a $400,000 federal grant should be enough to complete the cleanup of a former industrial site along Maine’s Kennebec River in Augusta. City Development Director Michael Duguay says that so far, the assessment of the former Statler Tissue Mill has found it to be relatively clean, although there are spots in the soil that contain residual amounts of PCBs and heavy petroleum. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Wed, 15 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=429&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Steve Mistler With strong backing from the Republican majority, the Senate on Wednesday rejected a late attempt by the LePage administration to reduce the state’s buffer zone for vernal pools, temporary wetlands known for helping sustain larger animals such as deer and bears in the spring. The Senate voted 29-6 against a floor amendment that would have reduced the current 250-foot buffer to 150 feet. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Wed, 15 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=430&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Kevin Miller A federal proposal to remove wolves in Midwestern states from the Endangered Species Act is causing alarm in Maine among wildlife advocates who fear the delisting also could end legal protections for wolves in the Northeast — if they exist, that is. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Wed, 15 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=431&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Barbara Tetreault Preaching her message of rebuilding America’s industrial base, Patriarch Partners founder and CEO Lynn Tilton was cheered and thanked by local mill workers at Friday’s party celebrating the planned re-opening of the Gorham paper mill. Berlin Daily Sun article link en-us Wed, 15 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=432&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Barbara Tetreault Laidlaw Energy Group is one of 17 companies that has had its trading halted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All 17 trade in microcap or penny stocks on the over-the-counter market. Berlin Daily Sun article link en-us Wed, 15 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=433&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Steve Knight A dozen post offices in the North Country may close by the end of the year. These closings are part of the post office's response to record losses and declining mail volume as more people communicate electronically. The post office says they plan to close 2000 locations by next year. North Country Public Radio article link en-us Wed, 15 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=434&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Brian Mann The Adirondacks are a world-famous destination for hiking and climbing. But the North Country also offers a vast network of old logging roads and rail beds lanes that are perfect for taking long walks. North Country Public Radio article link en-us Wed, 15 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=435&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Jeff Woodburn Ned Quigley, a talented videographer and Whitefield native, kindly shared with us a video he produced about the Old Man of the Mountian. It provides a vivid reminder of the uniqueness of the natural feature itself, but also the long-standing, yet ultimately unsuccessful efforts to keep it in place. White Mountains News article link en-us Wed, 15 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=394&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch will be in the North Country next friday with the new owner of the Gorham Cascades mill to celebrate the mill’s revival. White Mt News article link en-us Wed, 08 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=395&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Sabri Ben-Achour Beyond beautiful views and nice hikes, nature actually does stuff for us. So how about throwing a little cash its way? Marketplace article link en-us Wed, 08 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=396&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine Replace this paragraph with your article text. You can also modify the link below to point to your website or place where additional information can be found. Main Biz article link en-us Wed, 08 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=397&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Kevin Miller Citing potential constitutional issues, Gov. Paul LePage on Tuesday vetoed a bill that would have prohibited the Maine Department of Conservation from employing foreign laborers at logging operations on state-owned land. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Wed, 08 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=398&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire To commemorate the centennial of its founding, the New Hampshire Timberland Owners Association (NHTOA) has released New Hampshire’s Forests, New Hampshire’s People: 100 Years of the New Hampshire Timberland Owners Association. UNH Cooperative Extension en-us Wed, 08 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=399&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Mary Phillips-Sandy Until its operation ground to a halt this spring, the mill in question was a surviving pillar of Maine's papermaking industry, the dominant force in the small northeastern town of East Millinocket. Right next door in Millinocket there is another paper mill, also idle. The same Canadian asset management company owns both mills and is so anxious to be rid of both of them, its asking price is one dollar (American, but they'd probably take Canadian, too). If the LePage administration and local officials cannot find a buyer by June 15, liquidators will move in to dismantle the machinery and sell it on the busy used-mill-equipment market. The Awl article link en-us Wed, 08 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=400&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Trevor T. Alford The summer season is rapidly approaching and although prices at the pump are hovering around four dollars a gallon, the state's hospitality industry is confident the upcoming tourism season will be a prosperous one. The New York State Hospitality and Tourism Association conducted a survey of its members following Memorial Day weekend and found optimism running rampant in their membership, backed up by good numbers. Legislative Gazette article link en-us Wed, 08 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=401&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: David Goodman My ash paddle slices into the black water of Lake Umbagog, silently propelling our canoe forward. A great blue heron peers lazily at me as we drift by, part of an odd flotilla of seven caramel-colored boats glowing in the evening light. A bald eagle circles overhead, coldly assessing whether we're worthy of becoming his lunch. He passes us over in favor of tastier fare: Suddenly spiraling, then dive-bombing, talons outstretched, he snatches a fish and soars off to feast in his nest high atop a nearby tree. Birds, fish, humans, earth, water, sky--out here, the boundaries between species break down. We are one in this watery ecosystem. Yankee Magazine article link en-us Wed, 08 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=402&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Deirdre Fleming Sometimes big stuff happens through grass-roots efforts, like the 1,400-mile International Appalachian Trail that runs from Maine to Canada, or the 740-mile Northern Forest Canoe Trail that connects New York with Maine. Both came out of big dreams and permission-based trails. The folks at High Peaks Alliance in Farmington think they can do the same thing. They're working on a 45-mile permission-based historic trail that would connect five western Maine communities and showcase their mountain region. The trail also would teach people about a local fishing legend, Cornelia "Fly Rod" Crosby. Portland Press Herald article link en-us Wed, 08 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=403&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Douglas Rooks Roxanne Quimby talks about her plans for the land she owns in Millinocket and the surrounding region during a public meeting at the Northern Maine Timber Cruisers snowmobile club in Millinocket recently. More than 100 people attended the meeting at which Quimby took questions from the audience. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Wed, 08 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=404&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Brett Zongker If you've ever wondered what type of tree was nearby but didn't have a guide book, a new smartphone app allows users with no formal training to satisfy their curiosity and contribute to science at the same time. Burlington Free Press article link en-us Wed, 08 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=405&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Kathleen Callahan Operators of four New Hampshire biomass plants that employ nearly 100 workers say they could face imminent closure if they're not able to secure short-term energy contracts with Public Service of New Hampshire. The four wood-fired biomass plants - in Bridgewater, Bethlehem, Tamworth and Alexandria - have teamed up in an attempt to secure power-purchase agreements with the state's largest electric utility, which has held firm against entering agreements with the plants. NHBR article link en-us Wed, 08 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=406&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Elizabeth Lyons State Sen. Patricia A. Ritchie, R-Heuvelton, is asking Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo to help advance a $50 million biomass energy project that she says could create as many as 50 jobs at the city plant and 200 construction and forest industry jobs. Watertown Daily Times article link en-us Wed, 08 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=407&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Barbara Tetreault The state Site Evaluation Committee Friday approved a joint motion allowing Laidlaw Berlin BioPower LLC to transfer its permit to build a biomass plant on the former mill site to Berlin Station. Berlin Daily Sun article link en-us Wed, 08 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=408&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Paula Tracy Northern Pass hired its own appraiser to review the huge drop in value landowners Jim and Sandy Dannis were told they would suffer if the project's high-transmission lines bisected their 135 acres and mountain views. Martin Murray, spokesman for Public Service Co. of New Hampshire, said the 60 to 90 percent declines in property value quoted in a certified appraisal to the Dannises is off the charts. Union Leader article link en-us Wed, 08 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=409&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Associated Press A low-budget movie shot in Maine two years ago is getting a better run than writer-director Allen Cognata had expected. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Wed, 08 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Education/Arts/Entertainment http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=410&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York People are still waiting to hear about federal aid for repairing and rebuilding in the areas damaged by the flooding that started in April. North Country Public Radio article link en-us Wed, 08 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=411&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Joel Banner Baird Burlington-based nonprofit Smart Growth Vermont has merged with the much larger, longer-established Vermont Natural Resources Council, leaders of both groups announced today in Montpelier. Burlington Free Press article link en-us Wed, 08 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Networks & Partner News http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=412&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Berlin, New Hampshire June 11, 2011 The Northern Forest Heritage Park in Berlin, N.H., is holding its fourth annual cultural/heritage festival. * Tweet Be the first to Tweet this! * ShareThis It's the first major event of the year at the park, a replica of late 1800s-early 1900s logging camp where men lived and worked for months at a time without going home. Boston.com article link en-us Wed, 08 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=413&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Berlin, NH September 24 Contact Berlin BetterBuildings to participate as a vendor or sponsor to promote your energy efficient product or servic Cimbria Badenhausen Community Manager 603.326.6166 CimbriaB@NHCDFA.org en-us Wed, 08 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=391&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest Center policy director Joe Short chairs the ecosystem services working group of the Coalition for Eastern Forests & Communities, which developed this issue paper for meetings with federal agency and delegation staff in Washington, D.C. in May 2011. en-us Tue, 07 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Northern Forest Ecosystem Services http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=381&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Clarke Canfield A Canadian flag flies beside an American one outside the beachfront Friendship Oceanfront Suites motel, beckoning tourists from north of the border. Inside the rooms, the motel’s rules are spelled out in English and French, the predominant language of Quebec. With Memorial Day weekend marking the unofficial start to the summer tourism season, businesses have high hopes that the strong Canadian dollar will bring lots of Canadian travelers to northern New England. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Wed, 01 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=382&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire Sen. John Gallus, R-Berlin, announced Tuesday that three North Country rest stops slated to close July 1, will remain open for at least a year thanks to recent amendments to the state budget passed by the Senate Finance Committee. The locations include: US-Route 1 in Colebrook, US-Route 2 in Shelburne and the I-93 stop in Littleton. Berlin Daily Sun article link en-us Wed, 01 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=383&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Associated Press More cities are inviting travelers to stop and smell the roses, hoping that they’ll also taste the food, see the sights, hear some music — and spend some money. Washington Post article link en-us Wed, 01 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=384&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont On Sunday, May 22 the husband and wife team of Arden and Sherry Olson of Cumming, Georgia completed a 740 mile canoe journey, capping a speedy adventure that took more than three weeks. Northern Forest Canoe Trail article link en-us Wed, 01 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=385&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Ann S. Kim The Black Point Inn in Scarborough is gearing up for what it hopes will be a good start to a strong 2011 season. A poll of the tourism industry reveals most are optimistic. The Memorial Day holiday weekend will be the inn's busiest time since it opened Mother's Day weekend. Bookings look good, thanks in part to an aggressive promotion to encourage visitors to add a third night to their stay. General Manager Phil Kronenthal is very optimistic about the season, provided that the weather cooperates. Returning visitors who book months in advance account for about a third of the inn's business. The rest fills in according to the weather -- always the wild card for Maine's largely drive-to market. Kennebec Journal article link en-us Wed, 01 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=386&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail The importance of forestry, forest management and the ­forest-products industry is the focus of a lecture series, "Working Forests Working for You," that will be offered through November at the Adirondack Interpretive Center in Newcomb, N.Y. ESF article link en-us Wed, 01 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=387&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine Last night we reported on how white-nose syndrome, a disease that's killed more than a million bats in North America, has now been found in two caves in western Maine. As it turns out, independent producer Joe Rosenberg was with the team of biologists on the day they surveyed one of those sites in early April, and found evidence of the disease. Maine Public Broadcasting Network link en-us Wed, 01 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=388&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Kent McFarland Find yourself a sphagnum-covered bog in Vermont or New Hampshire, and you’re likely to find a pitcher plant. Peer a little closer, and you’ll find a miniature food web living within each leafy pitcher. Bennington Banner article link en-us Wed, 01 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=389&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Kathy McCormack The debate over a proposed biomass plant in northern New Hampshire has intensified. State regulators this week suspended an order giving conditional approval to a 20-year purchase power agreement for the Berlin plant after other wood-power plants filed objections, including one with the state Supreme Court. Meanwhile, the head of a steel company, a steelworkers union and a group representing construction workers have taken out large newspaper ads in New Hampshire telling the plants to withdraw their opposition. Westport news article link en-us Wed, 01 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=390&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Marianne Patinelli-Dubay This week I happily begin work as a public environmental philosopher at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry’s Northern Forest Institute. Naturally I’ve been thinking quite a bit about how I can be of service to the Adirondack community in this position, so I thought this might be a good forum to explain a little bit about what it means to do philosophy followed by what we’re actually planning to do. Adirondack Almanack article link en-us Wed, 01 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Education/Arts/Entertainment http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=393&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail The Center’s policy director Joe Short spent several days in Washington, D.C. in mid-May visiting agency officials and Congressional delegation staff. He joined other rural advocates from the Coalition for Eastern Forests & Communities and the Rural Voices for Conservation Coalition in a broad range of meetings about the next Farm Bill, federal renewable energy policy, community forests and ecosystem services. Northern Forest delegation offices visited included Senators Shaheen, Snowe, Sanders, and Gillibrand and Representatives Michaud, Bass, Welch, and Owens. From conversations during the week we learned that current work on the Farm Bill is on the Senate side, with the Senate Ag Committee beginning field hearings in May. The House has yet to begin significant work on the bill. Uncertainty was a consistent theme in Farm Bill conversations, whether it was on the exact timing of the bill or on how the fiscal climate will impact authorization and funding for rural development, forestry, and conservation programs that are important to the Northern Forest region. Yet there was an eagerness for Farm Bill policy ideas that are innovative, flexible, efficient, regional, and leveraged—all characteristics of the initial ideas that began to emerge from the recent Summit for the Northern Forest.   en-us Tue, 31 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Farm Bill - Updates http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=367&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Nick Sambides Jr. A committee of state legislators on Wednesday rejected state Rep. Herbert Clark’s attempt at a state law that would help cushion East Millinocket against the economic shock of losing 450 jobs and about $810,000 in municipal tax revenue in the fiscal year beginning July 1. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Fri, 27 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=353&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today invited agricultural producers and rural small businesses to apply for loans and grants to implement renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements. In addition, the program also provides funding to complete feasibility studies for renewable energy generation systems and energy efficiency improvements. For information on how to apply for assistance, contact Steven Epstein in the Concord, New Hampshire office at 603-223-6041. The deadlines for submitting completed REAP applications are June 15 and June 30, depending on the type of project to be funded. Link to grant information en-us Fri, 27 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Funding / Grant Opportunities http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=366&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail June 4, 2011 Berlin, New Hampshire The Cultural Heritage Festival is a full day of festivities for all ages. Canadian, German, Irish, Italian, Native American, Norwegian, Russian and Scandinavian decedents will not want to miss this festival. The festival is centered on cultural foods and the Food Fair will be outstanding. Link to event information en-us Fri, 27 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=368&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail A new network of business and economic development organizations will host a series of training workshops to help Oxford County tourism businesses apply innovative marketing strategies and improve the service they offer visitors to the region. Sun Journal article link en-us Fri, 27 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=369&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Heather Steeves Wallet-stripping gas prices? No problem. Down economy? Also not a problem for this summer’s Maine-bound tourists. In fact, these two factors likely will boost the number of visitors to the state, according to industry officials. The only thing that can hold back the traffic is the weather. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Fri, 27 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=370&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Travel and tourism officials say about 540,000 visitors are expected to come to New Hampshire from out-of-state this Memorial Day weekend, slightly higher than last year. Boston Globe article link en-us Fri, 27 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=371&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Dan Levy Higher gas prices and higher expectations characterize the early tourism season in Lake George. On Friday night a parade of power boats and muscle cars welcomed in the new season. And if the middle of May is any indication of what's to come, Lake George businesses may have good reason for exuberance and optimism. WNYT story link en-us Fri, 27 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=372&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Heather Steeves There are monsters lurking in some Maine lakes and attempting to take them over. Volunteers fighting on the front lines are tearing the tiny beasts off boats and hunting them down in lakes trying to prevent their spread. The villains of this story: milfoil and four other invasive aquatic plants that have infiltrated more than 30 lakes in as many years. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Fri, 27 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=373&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: John Holyoke A disease that could eventually kill three-quarters of the northeastern U.S. population of hibernating bats has been confirmed in Maine for the first time. State and federal wildlife officials announced during a Tuesday phone press conference that bats infected with White-Nose Syndrome were found in two Oxford County hibernacula, or wintering shelters, during surveys conducted during the winter hibernation season. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Fri, 27 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=374&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Aaron Weiskittel, assistant professor of forest biometrics and modeling, joined the faculty in the University of Maine's School of Forest Resources in 2008 and is the Irving Chair of Forest Ecology Management. He spent the earlier part of his career working on Douglas-fir in the Pacific Northwest as a graduate student at Oregon State University and as a research forester for a large forest products company. He brought his expertise in tree growth and yield along with his knack for working with mathematical modeling tools to Maine’s mixed northern conifer forests. "My research focuses on tools that help land managers, policy makers, and scientists project the future structure and composition of the forest," Aaron describes. UVM Research profile link en-us Fri, 27 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=375&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine Eleven oil-to-wood heating projects in Maine are receiving $3.2 million in federal stimulus funds, according to Gov. Paul LePage. The Wood to Energy Grants Program grants are the third and final round awarded under the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Fri, 27 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=376&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Lisa Gibson Vermont has rich wood resources and the opportunity for further development of that local fuel and its local biomass equipment manufacturing. Thus, the governor has requested the state develop and implement incentives to spur a switch from oil to wood pellet heat in residential and commercial applications. Biomass magazine article link en-us Fri, 27 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=377&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Lisa Gibson In the late 1980s, the state of New Hampshire made sure it was economically wise and feasible to construct new biomass power plants that would help reach renewable energy goals, even though its renewable portfolio standard (RPS) was not implemented yet. Part of the state’s push for the new, clean power included forcing its largest power distributor, Public Service New Hampshire, to enter into 20-year power purchase agreements with six independent biomass power plants. So with long-term revenue assurance in hand, those plants were constructed and each began producing between 15 and 20 megawatts (MW) for distribution to the utility’s ratepayers. Fast-forward to today. Four of those power agreements have expired and PSNH has no interest in renewing them Biomass Magazine article link en-us Fri, 27 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=378&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Massachusetts By: Bob Cleaves Recently, the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources made official a policy that was long in the making—the effective “delisting” of biomass electricity as a qualifying technology under that state’s renewable portfolio standard (RPS). By imposing efficiency standards that are technologically and financially unachievable, Massachusetts has become the only state in the nation—and perhaps unique in the world—in deciding that biomass is not a form of renewable energy. Biomass Magazine article link en-us Fri, 27 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=379&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire WMUR video link en-us Fri, 27 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=380&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) seeks outstanding candidates for the 2012 Kendall Science Fellowship on expanding U.S. clean energy choices through technology and policy innovation Link to fellowship information en-us Fri, 27 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Education/Arts/Entertainment http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=392&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail A regional public policy working group met at the May 4-5 Summit for the Northern Forest to outline draft priorities and a preliminary work plan to develop a Northern Forest Farm Bill platform. Action items from the session included: • ‘Refresh’ the messaging of the Northern Forest Sustainable Economy Initiative recommendations as a basis for engaging state and federal elected officials to advance policies that support regionally-identified priorities. • Refine Northern Forest priorities for regional advocacy in the coming year. The group will solicit input and share draft priorities with other Summit participants and other regional networks, and develop an outreach strategy for key officials to engage with the ideas. • Conduct a regional sign-on campaign to convey continued community, business, and landowner support for the Sustainable Economy Initiative strategy • Engage the region’s governors and congressional leaders to advance identified policy priorities for federal FY12, the Farm Bill, and other legislation.   Contact Joe Short or join Northern Forest Center policy email/RSS list for updates and to learn how you can get involved in developing priorities and in advocacy efforts. en-us Mon, 23 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Farm Bill - Updates http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=317&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail October 11-12 Burlington, VT This year, we celebrate a decade of advancing renewable energy in Vermont and throughout the Northeast. Join homeowners and businesses, renewable energy installers, policy makers, energy advocates, builders and architects, electricians, plumbers and others with a keen interest in advancing renewable energy in Vermont for this two-day event. Event information en-us Thu, 19 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=350&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail The continuing resolution for the remainder of federal FY11- passed by Congress on April 15- includes $1.5 million in appropriations for the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC). Northern Forest Center news updates en-us Thu, 19 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Funding / Grant Opportunities http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=354&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Dawn Gagnon The aroma of freshly cut wood and the high-pitched whining and buzzing of chain saws, sawmills and chippers filled the air at Bass Park on Friday as the 2011 Northeastern Forest Products Equipment Exposition opened Friday morning to sunny skies and record attendance. Despite the weak economy, foreign competition, high fuel costs and the closure of paper mills, pulp operations and sawmills in Maine and other Northeastern states, the show’s opening day attracted thousands involved in the woodlot, logging, sawmill and trucking businesses. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Thu, 19 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=355&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Barbara Tetreault The sale of the Gorham paper mill to New York-based Patriarch Partners was finalized Friday morning and the new owner announced it will begin refurbishing the mill immediately with plans to resume production within five weeks. Berlin Daily Sun article link en-us Thu, 19 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=356&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail The Northern Forest Canoe Trail (NFCT) connects northern New York, Vermont, Québec, New Hampshire, and Maine, following age-old Native American travel routes across the Northern Forest Region. Maine's 347 miles of the NFCT route traverses some of the most scenic, remote, and rugged landscapes the state has to offer. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Thu, 19 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=357&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Reactions were predictably mixed to Premier Jean Charest’s announcement of details of his government’s Plan Nord for the development of Quebec’s territory above the 49th parallel. Link to Montreal Gazette article en-us Thu, 19 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=358&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Matthew Daly The Interior Department launched a national plan Tuesday to combat a mysterious disease that has killed more than a million bats in the eastern and southern United States and is spreading west. The disease, called white-nose syndrome, is caused by a fungus that fatally disrupts the animals' hibernation. The disease has spread to 16 states, from New Hampshire to Tennessee, and three Canadian provinces. Burlington Free Press article link en-us Thu, 19 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=359&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Cornell University Cooperative Extension Warren County was awarded a New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets grant to develop a Warren County Farm Guide and encourages farmers to participate. Adirondack Almanack article link en-us Thu, 19 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=360&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Javier Espinoza According to the Rnewables 2010 Global Status Report, in 2008 about 19% of global final energy consumption came from renewables, with 13% coming from biomass, which is mainly used for heating, and 3.2% from hydroelectricity. Some believe that a massive take-up of renewable energy will move governments away from using traditional carbon emitting sources of energy such as coal, oil and gas. Link to Wall Street Journal en-us Thu, 19 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=361&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Eric Kingsley Standing in front of 200 New Hampshire loggers on a cold night last February, it was my job to explain electricity markets and why biomass power projects are facing a tough time. For these guys, it wasn't an academic discussion of the influence of natural gas prices on wholesale power prices. It wasn't a class on supply and price interactions in the market for Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). It was about their jobs. Renewable Energy World article link en-us Thu, 19 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=362&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Lynette F. Cornell Although no single industry is taking center stage in venture capital funding, the renewable energy sector has emerged as a standout in New England, according to Valerie Foo, a senior research manager at financial information firm Dow Jones & Co. Mass High Tech article link en-us Thu, 19 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=363&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York Adirondack towns and villages have a unique opportunity to be included in a project that seeks to improve wireless cell and broadband availability in the Adirondack Park. Adirondack Almanack article link en-us Thu, 19 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=364&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Eric Russell Nine communities will split $2.3 million in funds from the Federal Aviation Administration to make various improvements to their local airports, members of Maine’s congressional delegation announced. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Thu, 19 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=365&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail May 24, noon- 1:30, $30 By: Lisa Gibson Sustainable forest management goes hand in hand with responsible biomass energy production and is in fact one of the main concerns voiced by biomass opponents. Without sustainable forest management plans, forest-grown and purpose-grown biomass cannot be the carbon neutral, base-load resource it is. To address the sustainability issue, the Biomass Coordinating Council is holding a webinar on May 24 from noon to 1:30 p.m. ET titled Sustainability and the Biomass Industry: Integrating Renewable Energy, Land Use, Production & Management. Link to registration en-us Thu, 19 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=328&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail May 18-19, 2011 High Peaks Resort, Lake Placid, NY As a forum for the exchange of information, the Annual Conference on the Adirondacks offers the opportunity to network with well-known experts and colleagues from communities, businesses, local and state governments, and educational institutions, and to establish new friendships and strategic connections. This is an opportunity to build on and expand partnerships among those that share and can use current natural and social science research and information relevant to the Adirondacks. Link to event information en-us Wed, 11 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=329&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Steve Virkler Despite relatively high flows on the Beaver River now, low water levels four months ago effectively shut down a 150-year-old lumber business's water-powered operation, leaving the company's future in jeopardy. Watertown Daily Times article link en-us Wed, 11 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=330&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire Maple producers have recorded some of the most impressive totals for syrup production in the history of New Hampshire. Foster's Daily Democrat article link en-us Wed, 11 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=331&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail National By: Gerry Gray Private forests are essential to the environment, culture and economy of our country. While traditionally valued primarily for wood products — lumber and paper — these forests also provide numerous public benefits referred to as ecosystem services, such as clean water, carbon sequestration, and wildlife habitat. The Hill article link en-us Wed, 11 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=332&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Eric Kingsley Standing in front of 200 New Hampshire loggers on a cold night last February, it was my job to explain electricity markets and why biomass power projects are facing a tough time. For these guys, it wasn't an academic discussion of the influence of natural gas prices on wholesale power prices. It wasn't a class on supply and price interactions in the market for Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). It was about their jobs. Renewable Energy World article link en-us Wed, 11 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=333&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Connecticut By: Anna Austin An 18-acre greenhouse in Somers, Conn., has reduced its annual heating costs by 70 percent by switching out its old oil burners for a new biomass boiler system. During the process, the family-owned company has learned a great deal about the wood fuel supply chain. Biomass Magazine article link en-us Wed, 11 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=334&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Jennifer Keefe Gary Grossman is anticipating some heightened business this summer at his inn on York’s Long Beach, but not from Maine residents or even those from New Hampshire and other surrounding states. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Wed, 11 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=335&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Kathleen Callahan The Canadian dollar is now at its strongest level in three years when measured against the U.S. dollar – a value that could lead to an influx of Canadian tourists to New Hampshire, according to state tourism officials. White Mt News article link en-us Wed, 11 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=336&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine tourism officials are touting a new brochure guide and website that feature performing arts organizations, venues and events around the state. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Wed, 11 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=337&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Kathy McCormack Despite rising gas prices, New Hampshire tourism officials are forecasting an increase in visitors and spending this summer over last year. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Wed, 11 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=338&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Dick Hamilton In the days and weeks, months and now years that followed came a surge of sorrow and sympathy from thousands of people from all over the world. Eight years later, the Old Man of the Mountain Legacy Fund is pleased to tell you that the first phase of a memorial to the Great Stone Face will be completed by June 12. White Mt News article link en-us Wed, 11 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=339&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail If you are looking for work in Vermont’s travel and tourism industry, you might want to learn a lot about social media. That increasingly is the case as websites such as Facebook have transformed not only how travelers choose destinations but how those destinations connect with travelers. Burlington Free Press article link en-us Wed, 11 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=340&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: George M. Walsh A major infestation of the destructive emerald ash borer in New York’s Hudson Valley is the farthest east discovered so far in the United States, and forestry experts are trying to map its extent as they worry about the threat to New England’s forests and streetscapes Bangor Daily News article link en-us Wed, 11 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=341&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Diana Bowley Roxanne Quimby, a conservation philanthropist who wants to donate more than 70,000 acres she owns next to Baxter State Park to establish a national park, met face to face Thursday with more than 100 park supporters and opponents. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Wed, 11 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=342&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Associated Press The Maine Forest Service says it will release more than 1,000 predator lady beetles at a state park so they can feast on insects that kill hemlock trees. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Wed, 11 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=343&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont Law School student Ben Leoni ’11 has been selected by the Burton Awards for Legal Achievement as a winner of the 2011 Distinguished Legal Writing Awards. Leoni is the first VLS student to win the award, which is the highest honor in legal writing in the United States. VT Digger article link en-us Wed, 11 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=344&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Canada By: Renata D'Aliesio It’s no longer a matter of if, but when the destructive mountain pine beetle will spread east of Alberta through Canada’s northern boreal forest, say provincial forestry experts in Manitoba and Ontario. The Globe and Mail article link en-us Wed, 11 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=345&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Martha Ellen & Larry Robinson Newton Falls Fine Paper and Potsdam Specialty Paper each will receive $2 million from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority toward the cost of power generation projects to improve energy efficiency. The awards, announced Thursday by NYSERDA, are part of $20 million invested by the authority in combined heat and power generation projects. Forest Business Network article link en-us Wed, 11 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=346&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail After substantial changes to its power purchase agreement (PPA), developers of Laidlaw Berlin BioPower LLC’s Berlin project in New Hampshire are hoping the project will still be viable. Biomass Magazine article link en-us Wed, 11 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=347&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Tara Ballenger Nestled on the western side of the White Mountain National Forest, Lincoln is a town of less than 1,700 whose economy is based on tourism - people come to spend money on hotels, outdoor equipment and second homes so they can hike, camp and ski on the peaks. Residents from across the state are protesting the Northern Pass, a plan to build 180 miles of high-voltage power lines that will carry 1,200 megawatts of hydroelectricity from the Canadian border to Deerfield. Concord Monitor article link en-us Wed, 11 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=348&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: David Sommerstein Our series on New York's aging infrastructure continues this morning with a look at a crumbling dam in Lewis County and why it threatens a community's identity and culture. North Country Public Radio article link en-us Wed, 11 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=349&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Craig Lyons On the day of its grand opening celebration, the New Hampshire Preservation Alliance recognized the town of Gorham for its rehabilitation for the town hall. Linda Upham- Bornstein, board member of the N.H. Preservation Alliance, presented the town with the achievement award Saturday afternoon. She said the alliance recognizes projects that protect the heritage and history of New Hampshire and has given 162 awards since 1989. Berlin Daily Sun article link en-us Wed, 11 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=351&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York State Sen. Patricia A. Ritchie, R-Heuvelton, met with the legislative representative to the Spending and Government Efficiency Commission, Hudson Valley Republican Sen. Greg Ball, on Monday in Albany to make the case for the Tug Hill Commission. The commission helps local governments and groups with grant applications, environmental conservation and planning. John K. Bartow, the group's executive director, also participated. Watertown Daily Times article link en-us Wed, 11 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Networks & Partner News http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=352&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail May 12, 6pm Foxcroft Academy The Maine Farmland Trust, a statewide nonprofit working to protect and preserve farmland, will hold a landowner workshop. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Wed, 11 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=513&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Read the keynote address from the 2nd Summit for the Northern Forest, held May 4-5 in Whitefield, New Hampshire. en-us Tue, 10 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 HOME & PGM LANDING PG - Program Highlights http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=319&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail The Center participated in a committee that supported the publication and promotion of the Community Roadmap to Renewable Woody Biomass Energy, a civic decision making tool meant for evaluating the viability of woody biomass heating systems for New Hampshire communities. This tool gives communities the opportunity to test if the cost savings and environmental benefits of woody biomass heating technologies fits their needs. Contracted by North Country Resource Conservation and Development Area Council, Yellowwood Associates, Inc and Biomass Energy Resource Center partnered to develop the Roadmap. Plymouth State University was a lead partner in shaping the Roadmap. The project received financial support from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) administered by the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission and the US Department of Energy. Roadmap FAQ (pdf) Using the Electronic Roadmap (pdf) Community Roadmap to Renewable Woody Biomass Energy (pdf) Roadmap Feedback Form (Word doc) en-us Mon, 09 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Biomass Maps, Tools & Resources - Updates http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=320&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Barbara Tetreault Lynn Tilton, CEO of Patriarch Partners, said she expects to reach a deal to buy the Cascade mill by Monday. “Hopefully we will be able to agree to a deal by Monday,” said she said yesterday afternoon, after touring the facility and meeting with state, local, and union officials. Berlin Daily Sun article link en-us Fri, 29 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=321&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Nick Sambides, Jr. It is, at least according to stereotypes, an unlikely pairing: A traditional logging company working with one of the nation’s largest environmental preservationist groups. Yet The Nature Conservancy and the Pelletier family will be featured at 10 p.m. this Friday on the Discovery Channel’s “American Loggers” reality TV show as the Pelletiers cut trees from several acres of Nature Conservancy land in the St. John Forest near the Quebec border in the bitter January cold. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Fri, 29 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=322&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By Martha Ellen and Larry Robinson Newton Falls Fine Paper and Potsdam Specialty Paper each will receive $2 million from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority toward the cost of power generation projects to improve energy efficiency. Watertown Daily Times article link en-us Fri, 29 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=323&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: David Vail The Bangor Daily News’s March 2 editorial “Don’t Forget Tourism” was a forceful reminder to our new governor and Legislature that tourism is crucial for Maine’s economic prosperity and that the Maine Office of Tourism’s marketing campaign is a key, high-return investment. However, promotion alone will not achieve the full economic potential of Maine’s extraordinary tourism sector. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Fri, 29 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=324&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Nick Sambides, Jr. Noted environmentalist and Maine national park advocate Roxanne Quimby will make a rare public appearance on May 5 to discuss her land holdings, officials said Tuesday. The meeting at the Northern Maine Timber Cruisers Clubhouse on Lake Road will begin at 6:30 p.m. It is probably the first time Quimby has ever spoken at a public event in The Magic City, Town Manager Eugene Conlogue said. The public is invited. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Fri, 29 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=325&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Barbara Tetrault Coos County is exploring the concept of a community forest as a means to protect the working forest and forest-based economy of the county. The Coos planning board listened to a presentation on community forests and then held an open discussion on the topic at its meeting Wednesday night. At the conclusion of the two-hour session, Board Chair John Scarinza declared it was clear there was a consensus to go forward with looking at opportunities for a county forest, working with local communities and landowners Berlin Daily Sun article link en-us Fri, 29 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=326&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Lisa Gibson Out of concern for energy independence and a desire to boost the use of locally sourced fuel and equipment, the governor of Vermont has called on Efficiency Vermont and the state Department of Public Service to create a program that will incentivize a switch to wood pellet heat. Biomass Magazine article link en-us Fri, 29 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=327&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Anna Austin The State University College of Environmental Science & Forestry will use a $963,000 state grant to install a biomass combined-heat-and-power (CHP) system. Biomass Magazine article link en-us Fri, 29 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=318&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail The continuing resolution for the remainder of federal FY11- passed by Congress on April 15- includes $1.5 million in appropriations for the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC). The Commission was funded at the same level in FY’10, when it awarded over $1 million in grants to economic development projects across the Northern Forest. With the FY11 appropriation, NBRC Federal Co-chair Sandy Blitz reports that the Commission will have a grant award program this year. He expects the grant announcement to be available in June. The FY11 appropriations bill also includes a waiver of the 10% cap on NBRC administrative expenses.   en-us Mon, 25 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 NBRC - Updates http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=288&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail USDA Rural Development, in conjunction with the Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development, has released details of “Stronger Economies Together” (SET), a new program that provides strategic planning and other technical assistance to bolster projects in multi-county areas in rural Vermont and New Hampshire. Southern Rural Development Center program information en-us Thu, 21 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Funding / Grant Opportunities http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=301&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Kevin Miller Capitalizing on favorable weather and solid demand for wood, the Maine Department of Conservation harvested more than 70,000 cords from state-owned wood lots last winter, a near record that generated more than $2 million for the state. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Thu, 21 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=302&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Barbara Tetreault Patriarch Partners CEO Lynn Tilton yesterday said she has signed a letter of commitment to purchase the Gorham mill from Counsel RB Capital LLC. Tilton said she hopes to finalize the sale within three weeks. Once the sale is finalized, she estimated it would take a month to get the first paper machine up and running. Berlin Daily Sun article link en-us Thu, 21 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=303&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Dave Anderson Dave Anderson explains the relationship between trees and your taxes. Welcome to Tax Day! Wait, before you wince at the expenses side of the forest conservation ledger, lets look at some revenues. Forests are "Green Infrastructure" that deliver "free" ecosystem services including oxygen, clean water, diverse wildlife habitat and recreation. New Hampshire Public Radio article link en-us Thu, 21 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=304&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Graham L. Cox, Ph.D. The April 3 Perspective article, "Adirondack Showdown," by Gerald Delaney fails to recognize the changing economics of the commercial forest products industry. The global market has increased competition for Adirondack and Northern Forest timber companies. Combined with pressure from real estate development, the market is causing companies to sell off timber lands, while keeping their pulp and paper plants. These economic factors have, in part, over the last 20 years led to the sale of forest lands by International Paper, Domtar, Finch Pruyn and others in the Adirondacks. Times Union article link en-us Thu, 21 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=305&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Nick Sambides Jr and The Associated Press The owner of two shuttered paper mills in Maine said Thursday that the state could purchase them for $1, and East Millinocket’s leader wants the mills’ towns to buy them, but the plants likely will be scrapped if a buyer doesn’t step up soon. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Thu, 21 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=306&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire Come along on a journey through history, when the great rivers of the north teemed with logs and the men who drove them. And when visitors, accustomed to “the good life” and luxury, found what they were looking for in a wilderness that was untamed. Link to tour information (a pdf) en-us Thu, 21 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=307&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire may be the home of North America's first summer resort (Wentworth-By-the-Sea), the first state to declare its independence from Mother England and the spot where the first potato was planted north of the Rio Grande, but it's also an eclectic easy-to-reach vacation destination for Ontario and Quebec families. Toronto Sun article link en-us Thu, 21 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=308&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York When you buy a car or a refrigerator, you receive an owner’s manual. But when you buy a piece of land, you’re on your own. Until now, that is. A new owner’s manual is now available for New York landowners, and it’s free. Cornell Cooperative Extension is working with the publishers of Northern Woodlands magazine to distribute this new publication that will provide New York landowners with essential information for taking care of their land and getting the most out of it. The guide, called The Place You Call Home: A Guide to Caring for Your Land in New York, is being distributed free of charge to people who own 10 or more acres in New York. Adirondack Almanack article link en-us Thu, 21 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=309&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Jessica Marshall The mountain pine beetle is one step closer to crossing North America and turning eastern pine forests into the same bleak landscapes that have scarred the Mountain West in recent years. Discovery News article link en-us Thu, 21 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=310&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Barbara Tetreault The amount of land in Coos County protected as conservation land has doubled since 1988. The vast majority of that land, however, has remained in active timber production according to Appalachian Mountain Club Senior Staff Scientist David Publicover. Publicover outlined his figures at last week’s Coos County planning board discussion on the county’s interest in a community/county forest. Berlin Daily Sun article link en-us Thu, 21 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=311&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Nick Sambides Jr. Writer Henry David Thoreau once canoed the East Branch of the Penobscot River and might have stood on the land that conservationist Roxanne Quimby will turn into an artistic and scientific center, she announced Tuesday. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Thu, 21 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=312&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Dierdre Shesgreen The smoldering debate over climate change will move from Congress to the Supreme Court on Tuesday, when the justices take up a high-profile Connecticut case to determine whether states have the power to curb polluting greenhouse gases... In addition, New England's hardwood forests will not be able to thrive in hotter temperatures, cutting short Connecticut's fall season and dealing a blow to tourism. The CT Mirror article link en-us Thu, 21 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=313&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Dave Gram Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin said Tuesday he has asked the state Department of Public Service and the statewide energy conservation program Efficiency Vermont to set up a new incentive program to get people to switch from heating with oil to wood pellets. Forbes article link en-us Thu, 21 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=314&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Dave Gram Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin on Monday unveiled his plan to pay for promoting renewable energy development without relying on a surcharge to customers. The governor said he wants to use money in the Clean Energy Development Fund to pay for the up-front grants, rather than tax credits. Burlington Free Press article link en-us Thu, 21 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=315&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Pam Allen ReEnergy Holdings LLC, a renewable energy company in Latham, New York, has acquired Lyonsdale Biomass Facility, a 22-megawatt renewable energy plant in Lyons Falls, Lewis County Business Review article link en-us Thu, 21 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=316&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine Maine’s three largest hospital systems have teamed up with the University of New England to release a statewide assessment of health care needs. The 262-page report, released Tuesday and posted on the websites of Brewer-based Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems, Augusta-based MaineGeneral Health and Portland-based MaineHealth, identifies access to effective primary care as a significant challenge across the state. Bangor Daily News article link Link to report (a pdf) en-us Thu, 21 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Health http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=246&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail The Adirondack North Country Association teamed up with the Biomass Energy Resource Center, the Northern Forest Center and the Wild Center to offer a workshop that answered some of the questions communities have about converting to Biomass-based heating systems. The workshop took place April 19th at the Wild Center in Tupper Lake. en-us Wed, 20 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Supported Biomass Projects - Updates http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=289&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail This video outlines the woodchip supply chain told through the expertise and experience of actual industry players. Link to YouTube video en-us Wed, 13 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=290&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Pacific Northwest By: Joel Millman Logging waste, cheap and abundant in the heavily-forested Olympic Peninsula, has been widely touted along with solar and wind power as a clean and abundant alternative to imported oil and coal. But environmentalists are trying to block industry's rush to use wood waste here—even at the cost of closing a large employer. Wall Street Journal article link en-us Wed, 13 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=291&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail The North East State Foresters Association (NEFA) has recently released The Economic Importance of New Hampshire’s Forest-Based Economy 2011. Link to full report ( a pdf) en-us Wed, 13 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=292&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Dan D'Ambrosio The president and chief executive officer of Jay Peak says a strong Canadian dollar means more tourists for Vermont, pointing out that some 25 million Canadians live within a six-hour drive of the state. Burlington Free Press article link en-us Wed, 13 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=293&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: David Sharp Conservationist Roxanne Quimby has some convincing to do if she’s to sell her idea of another national park in Maine, starting with the state’s congressional delegation. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Wed, 13 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=294&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail A growing number of environmentalists, scientists, and economists have embraced the concept of putting a price tag on nature, which is reframed as “natural capital” and “ecosystem services.” Rather than casting nature as some abstract, awe-inspiring entity, or as a luxury trumped by economic imperatives, they see it as a provider of an array of specific, identifiable services that are vital to our well-being. Boston Globe article link en-us Wed, 13 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Ecosystem Services http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=295&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail The New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission is conducting a study of energy efficiency and sustainable energy in New Hampshire and would like to get your input. Link to survey (open until April 30) en-us Wed, 13 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=296&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Susan Keese A Vermont Public Service Board ruling means new hurdles for a company that wants to build "biomass" energy projects. Beaver Wood Energy wants to build two plants. Each would generate electricity by burning wood left over from logging operations. Both plants would then recycle heat wasted in producing power to manufacture wood pellets for commercial sale. But the state says the project needs an extra layer of regulatory review. Vermont Public Radio article link en-us Wed, 13 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=297&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Ross Sneyd Congressman Peter Welch is fighting a proposal in Washington that would prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating greenhouse gases. Vermont Public Radio article link en-us Wed, 13 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=298&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Tara Ballenger Northern Pass is expected to ask the U.S. Department of Energy to take five alternative routes out of consideration for a project that would bring hydroelectricity through the state via 180 miles of power lines. Concord Monitor article link en-us Wed, 13 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=299&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont The first closing of Coastal Ventures III LP brought in $5.5 million from banks, foundations and individuals to invest in Maine companies that will generate social, economic and environmental benefits to their communities. Maine Biz article link en-us Wed, 13 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=300&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Matt Wickenheiser ...a report released this week by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston’s New England Public Policy Center, titled “How Does New Hampshire do it?” ... The report, authored by Senior Policy Analyst Jennifer Weiner, breaks down New Hampshire’s revenue streams, where its governments spend money and compares the data to the regional average and to other New England states. Bangor Daily News article link Link to report en-us Wed, 13 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=280&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Gail Scott On March 30, 100 years after its founding at the Mt. Madison Hotel in Gorham, the New Hampshire Timberland Owners Association celebrated its centennial at the Brown House on Main Street, observing that W. R. Brown of the Berlin's Brown Co., was a moving force in the establishment of the organization in 1910. Berlin Daily Sun article link en-us Wed, 06 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=281&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Sandy Bauers U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell recently traveled to Philadelphia — city of many street trees — to unveil a new version of the service's i-Tree software. Not quite an app — but the same idea — it helps both planners and regular citizens assess the monetary value of the street trees, plus quantify the environmental services the trees provide. Denver Post article link en-us Wed, 06 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=282&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Kathy McCormack More than 1.6 million visitors from overseas — not including Canada and Mexico — came to New England in 2009, a slight decrease from the year before because of the global economy. But projections indicate a growth in overseas visitors through at least 2015, according to Discover New England, a marketing alliance for the six-state region that's holding its annual tourism summit Monday. Burlington Free Press article link en-us Wed, 06 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=283&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Joel Banner Baird Vermont Coverts tries to ensure that privately owned forests remain economically viable and attractive to wildlife. John McNerney, who owns about 60 forested acresaround his Monkton home, has been trained as a "cooperator" in the Coverts program - that is, he alerts neighbors to habitat-preservation strategies Burlington Free Press article link en-us Wed, 06 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Education/Arts/Entertainment http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=284&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Shawn K. Wickham The White Mountain National Forest will be featured in a new series of state quarters honoring "America the Beautiful." Union Leader article link en-us Wed, 06 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=285&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Steve Virkler An Albany-area renewable energy firm plans to purchase the wood-chip-burning cogeneration plant in Lyonsdale, but no major changes to the operation are expected. Watertown Daily Times article link en-us Wed, 06 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=286&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Nick Sambides Jr. Eastern Maine Railroad will be the primary freight carrier on 233 miles of state-owned rails in northern Maine deemed vital to the state’s economy, but that might not compel what was once the line’s largest customer to use the tracks, officials said Tuesday. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Wed, 06 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=287&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Clarke Canfield Northern Maine is 7,000 miles and a world away from China, but that’s not stopping a school superintendent from recruiting Chinese students to attend public high school in this remote mill town. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Wed, 06 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Education/Arts/Entertainment http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=244&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Over the past 20 years the Northern Forest region has undergone an historic shift in land ownership, forest management and employment patterns – with more than 20 million acres of land changing hands and forty Northern Forest communities experiencing the permanent closure of forest products mills since 1990. This same time period has seen growing concern about climate change and rapidly increasing costs associated with fossil fuel based energy and heating systems. The Model Neighborhood Project (MNP) is a collaboration between the Northern Forest Center, Maine Energy Systems and other business and NGO partners to help reverse these regional trends while providing direct benefits to the region’s citizens and businesses. It focuses specifically on installation of wood-pellet fueled residential and commercial heating systems and related public outreach and education to advance long-term goals.   en-us Sat, 02 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Supported Biomass Projects - Updates http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=245&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail The Town of Colebrook is one of the northernmost communities in New Hampshire. Community leaders in Colebrook have been researching the viability for a biomass district heating or combined heat and power system since 2008. They are interested in reducing their reliance on fossil fuels while maintaining the health of local forests and supporting the local forestry industry. The system would use woody biomass to provide heat and power to downtown facilities and possibly some residents. Colebrook is one of few rural communities to work towards the integration of a district heating system. They completed a feasibility study in 2010 which deemed the project viable. Their next step is to complete a full feasibility study that will focus on detailed engineering and financial modeling. en-us Sat, 02 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Supported Biomass Projects - Updates http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=258&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: David Gabel According to a recent United Nations report, forested areas in Europe, North America, the Caucasus, and Central Asia have grown steadily over the past two decades. While tropical areas have steadily lost their forests to excessive logging and increased agriculture, northern areas have seen increases caused by conservation efforts. However, the long-term health and stability of northern forest lands may be imperiled by the effects of climate change. Environmental News Network article link en-us Thu, 31 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=257&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Associated Press Quimby wants to give more than 70,000 wild acres next to Maine’s cherished Baxter State Park to the federal government, hoping to create a Maine Woods National Park. She envisions a visitor center dedicated to Henry David Thoreau, the naturalist who made three trips to Maine in the 1800s. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Thu, 31 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=256&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Jeff Woodburn The sap is running in the North Country, and maple sugar-makers are reporting a good flow, so far. “The weather,” David Fuller said, “is favorable,” which means mid 20s at night and mid 40s during the day and a mix of snow and rain. These conditions push the sap from the trees and eventually, when the season is over, cause the trees to bud. “We’re right on track,” he added for this early point in the season. White Mountain News article link en-us Thu, 31 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=254&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Stephanie Sorrell-White With the maple syrup industry growing over the past few years, U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer hopes to see New Yorkers tap into its potential with the help of a new act that could bring jobs and millions of revenues to the state. Herkimer Telegram article link en-us Thu, 31 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=255&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Sharon Kiley Mack As sweet smelling steam swirled through his sugarhouse Sunday and his nephew stoked the wood fire under the evaporator, maple syrup producer Walter Getchell predicted a banner year. Getchell has tapped trees at Auger Hill Farms in Marshfield, tucked high on Pumpkin Ridge, since 1998, and this season could break all records. It’s the extended cold, he said. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Thu, 31 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=259&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Christopher Pala For conservationists, the promise seems almost too good to be true — and some worry that it is. The Canadian Boreal Forest Agreement, a deal between the forestry industry and environmental groups, aims to set aside nearly 30 million hectares of northern wilderness and subject a further 42 million to strict tree-harvesting standards. Nature article link en-us Thu, 31 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=260&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Barbara Tetreault Despite legal bills tallying over $300,000 so far this fiscal year, the city council voted unanimously Monday night to file for intervenor statue in the latest N.H. Site Evaluation Committee proceedings on the Laidlaw project. Berlin Daily Sun article link en-us Thu, 31 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=261&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail April 29, 2011 Tour Middlebury College’s combined heat and power biomass gasification system and 10 acre pilot willow site (harvested this past January) with Jack Byrne, Director of the Sustainability Integration Office and Nan Jenks Jay, Dean of Environmental Affairs. The tour will begin at the Franklin Environmental Center with an overview and proceed to the willow site and then the biomass plant. UVM information link Registration link en-us Thu, 31 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=262&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire Two North Country journalists and the PSNH’s chief debate the Northern Pass on NH Outlook on NH Public Televison. Below is a link to watch it. White Mountain News article link Related article: Northern Pass foes celebrate a win in eminent domain fight en-us Thu, 31 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=263&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Karen Langley The success of the Northern Pass project will hinge on whether Public Service of New Hampshire can win over local communities, Gov. John Lynch said. Concord Monitor article link en-us Thu, 31 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=264&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Meg Haskell Mainers living in Hancock County are the healthiest in the state, while Oxford County residents are the least healthy, according to a new county-by-county national report from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Thu, 31 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=265&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Barbara Tetreault Closing the state prison would be a significant hit to the Androscoggin Valley’s economy, which is still suffering from the closing of the local paper mills. “Obviously the impact would be substantial because of the jobs that are there,” said Tri-County Community Action Program Housing and Economic Development Director Max Makaitis. Commissioner of Corrections Commissioner William Wrenn earlier this month stated his department would be forced to look at closing the Berlin prison if a series of budget cuts proposed by the House Finance Committee go through. Berlin Daily Sun article link en-us Thu, 31 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=243&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Participants in the Northern Forest Carbon & Ecosystem Services Network will hold a working session as part of the 2nd Summit for the Northern Forest, May 4-5 2011 at the Mountain View Grand Resort in Whitefield, NH. The working group aims not only to share ideas, but to develop plans and proposals for future Payments for Ecosystemt Services (PES) projects. The draft session agenda focuses on the following: Brief Reports of Current PES Projects – What payments have been made or are in the pipeline? Who are the buyers and sellers? What specific challenges must be overcome before PES markets can expand? The Federal Response – What specific language can be inserted into the next Farm Bill to encourage federal policy and funding for PES activities in the Northern Forest? How can the region’s congressional delegations be energized? (The working group will be asked to respond to draft language prepared by others working on various aspects of the Farm Bill.) A New PES Marketplace for the Northern Forest – What frameworks or infrastructure are needed to make the Northern Forest region a major player in innovative PES thinking? Should these include financial resources (a revolving loan fund, for example), a collaborative marketing effort, maps or registries (e.g., LandServer), the formation of a new regional entity? What can be learned from efforts in other parts of the country? To learn more about the session or to inquire about participating, please email David Sleeper or Laury Saligman   en-us Thu, 24 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Carbon & EcoSys Network - Updates http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=9&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail The Center gathers information about renewable biomass energy activity in all four Northern Forest states. This information is organized into interactive informational maps that document existing and proposed renewable energy projects as well as the drivers that affect project viability. New Hampshire Biomass Visual Index Maine Biomass Visual Index Vermont Biomass Visual Index New York Biomass Visual Index Detailed instructions for reading the Visual Indices en-us Fri, 18 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Biomass Maps, Tools & Resources - Updates http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=217&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail A syrup photo slideshow. Burlington Free Press article link en-us Thu, 17 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=218&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Nick Sambides, Jr. A roll of paper taller than a man, about 7 feet across and weighing about 4 tons rolled onto a huge spool at the Lincoln Paper and Tissue LLC on Friday as two workers cut it from the giant machine that made it . “These are small, old and slow paper machines,” LP and T co-owner Keith Van Scotter said as he watched the spool get pulled away, “and the only reason that they are in operation is that we have the pulp, the cost structure and the product quality so that we can be competitive in the marketplace.” Bangor Daily News article link en-us Thu, 17 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=219&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Nick Sambides Jr. A San Francisco investment firm seeking to buy two Katahdin region paper mills for $1 has new proposals it hopes to share Thursday with leaders from the mills’ towns, officials said Wednesday. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Thu, 17 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=220&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Pacific Northwest By: Cate Gable Just as some of these species await the fall of a giant tree to open up a space for their own growth, a profusion of small companies and landowners are looking for new opportunities now that Weyerhaeuser doesn’t cast such a long shadow. Chinook Observer article link en-us Thu, 17 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=221&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Craig Lyons Members of Local 75 of the United Steel Workers Wednesday approved a new contract with the buyers of the Gorham mill. Local 75 announced that the proposed contract with Gorham Papers, LLC., the new buyers of the former Fraser Papers mill. The proposed contract was approved by a 152- 4 vote. “I’m very, very happy the membership supported the contract,” said Local 75 President Spanky Lozier. Berlin Daily Sun article link en-us Thu, 17 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=222&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: The Working Forest The National Alliance of Forest Owners (NAFO) told the House Committee on Oversight and Regulation, Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs that changes in several EPA regulations could shift the economics of private forestry in the U.S., pushing more land into non-forest uses and costing U.S. jobs. Working Forest article link en-us Thu, 17 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=223&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Canada's boreal forest is the world's largest forest and a pristine ecosystem, and a group of American scientists say it is also a keeper of the planet's fresh water. The Pew Environmental Group released an extensive report Wednesday, detailing decades of research. The report, A Forest of Blue: Canada's Boreal Forest, the World's Waterkeeper, highlights the boreal forest's lakes, river systems and deep carbon storage capacity. Toronto Sun article link en-us Thu, 17 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=224&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail In the ongoing modern debate about the best way to certify "green" forestry practices, the focus has been on the competing certification guidelines issued by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI). The FSC is widely considered as having the tighter standards of the two, as the SFI has ties to timber and paper companies. But upon close inspection, says Forever Redwood CEO Raul D. Hernandez, neither certification program goes nearly far enough. In order to have healthy forests over the long term, the industry needs to stop quibbling about "sustainable" forestry practices and adapt a restoration forestry program instead. San Francisco Chronicle article link en-us Thu, 17 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=225&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Associated Press Conservation officials are offering grants to Maine schools to plant trees on school grounds as part of the 2011 Arbor Week celebration and to give recognition to Maine’s forest industry. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Thu, 17 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=226&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine Douglas Denico of Madison has been appointed Maine State Forester. In this capacity, he will oversee the Maine Forest Service, in the Maine Department of Conservation. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Thu, 17 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=227&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Barbara Tetreault The Tillotson Corporation has reached an agreement to sell the Balsams Grand Resort, including approximately 7,700 acres of land, to the owner of the Wentworth By the Sea Hotel and Spa in Portsmouth. Berlin Daily Sun article link en-us Thu, 17 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=228&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail One of the 20th century’s most exemplary capitalists, Henry Ford, had this to say about spending money to make money: “A man who stops advertising to save money is like a man who stops the clock to save time.” That advice should be applied to tourism, Maine’s biggest industry. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Thu, 17 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=229&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Phil Brown Phil answers questions about the Adirondack cougar! Adirondack Almanack article link en-us Thu, 17 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=230&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Associated Press An environmental group says off-the-shelf solar hot water technology could save more than 7 million gallons of oil in Maine at a time when oil prices are rising. Bangor Daily News article link Link to report en-us Thu, 17 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=231&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Barbara Tetreault Announcing a corporate reorganization and a change in its major contractor and fuel supplier, Laidlaw Berlin BioPower is asking the N.H. Site Evaluation Committee to approve the changes. Berlin Daily Sun article link en-us Thu, 17 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=232&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: The Working Forest Bioenergy Project of the 2011 features an ACT Bioenergy Boiler installed at the Wild Center Natural History Museum in Tupper Lake, NY. The Award recognizes the highest calibre projects, innovations and leaders from the North America in the renewable energy industry. The award was announced March 8th in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Working Forest article link en-us Thu, 17 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=233&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Tara Ballenger Unlike the first meeting the department held in Pembroke on Monday night, where strong opposition dominated the discourse, the hearing in Franklin seemed to have at least as many supporters as detractors. Many who spoke in favor of the project were from Franklin, where a $250 million converter station is planned. Proponents said that the city is struggling economically and could use the boost to the tax base. Concord Monitor article link en-us Thu, 17 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=234&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail On February 24, the Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital board of directors authorized a letter of intent directed to Androscoggin Valley Hospital and Weeks Medical Center to enter into a joint-ventured Hospital Services Company. Colebrook News and Sentinel en-us Thu, 17 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Health http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=235&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail When Rob Burbank, director of media affairs with Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC), asked me to review AMC’s new and updated (2010) version of Peter J. Marchand’s Nature Guide to the Northern Forest, I immediately agreed. …A good thing for me, too, because this 173-page softcover immediately became my favorite nature book of all time. Link to book review Please scroll down to 'Book of the Month' for the full review en-us Thu, 17 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Education/Arts/Entertainment http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=236&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Bethel has published their 2011 events calendar! Link to online calendar en-us Thu, 17 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Education/Arts/Entertainment http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=237&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Kris Bevill The USDA announced March 14 that it is now accepting applications for three funding programs related to biofuel production—the Biorefinery Assistance Program, the Repowering Assistance Program and the Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack said the funding provided through these programs—loan guarantees for new or retrofitted biorefineries, financial assistance for fuel switching from fossil fuels to renewable biomass, and payments to reward the production of advanced biofuels—will result in job creation and assist in the United States’ goal to become energy independent. Biomass Magazine article link USDA application information en-us Thu, 17 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Funding / Grant Opportunities http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=238&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail April 26 August, ME April 27 Concord, NH April 28 Randolph Center, VT May 10 Utica, NY May 11 Glens Falls, NY The Regional Wood Products Consortium will conduct a series of specialized one day innovation workshops, geared to leaders of small and medium sized wood products companies. Event and registration information en-us Thu, 17 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Events http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=579&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail The Community Forest Collaborative published Needs & Resources for Creating & Managing Community Forests in March 2011. The Collaborative believes that a strong infrastructure of support is needed for communities that want to own and manage forestland. The report includes 11 recommendations for improving support for Community Forests and a 19-page Inventory of Technical Assistance Resources for Community Forests in Northern New England. en-us Tue, 15 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Sust. Foresty & Wood Products - Updates http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=78&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine About 14 acres of forest will be available for timber harvest this winter, according to Bill Kolodnicki, manager of Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Wed, 09 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=79&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Two decades of attempts to restore and preserve forests to help combat climate change have seen the slow rise of a “forest carbon” sector that is vast in opportunity, but not for the faint-hearted. That’s according to a report, “Investing in forest carbon: Lessons from the first 20 years” by research organisations the Katoomba Group, Ecosystem Marketplace and Forest Trends. Carbon Positive article link en-us Wed, 09 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=80&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont’s working landscape—its open meadows and mixed forests—offers economic, cultural, scenic, environmental and recreational benefits that are essential to our future prosperity. Yet if alarming trends are not reversed, it could vanish within a generation along with Vermont’s unique character and many of the key values that unify the state. Fifty years ago half of the state’s land was in agriculture; today barely one-fifth is being actively farmed. Forest products mills are closing and production is down. Parcels are smaller, and development is spreading across the countryside. The new nonpartisan and broad-based Vermont Working Landscape Partnership is leading a bold year-long campaign to keep our farm and forest economy vital. It will bring a focused Action Plan to the Governor and legislature—one that will help everyone trying to make a living from the land. Vermont Council on Rural Development en-us Wed, 09 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=81&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York Harden Furniture in Mcconnellsville, NY is featured on ABC's 'Made in America'. Find out why this upstate New York furniture is determined to stay American-made. ABC news link en-us Wed, 09 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=82&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: John Curran Last year, when the sap stopped running from some of Bruce Curavoo’s maple trees, it kept running in others. He got enough to make about 300 more gallons of syrup from his crop. His secret: A tiny adaptor that, when plugged into tap holes, helps reduce the amount of sap flowing back into trees from the vacuum tubing used to carry it to sugarhouses for boiling into maple syrup. Burlington Free Press article link en-us Wed, 09 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=83&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Canada "At one time the forest industry made the headlines but now it seems so segregated to the lumber portion and the sawmill seems to be so different than the wood operation," he noted. "They (the woods operation) seem not to be going along too badly because the guy in the bush seems to be able to fi nd markets for most of his species. "He can sell his fi rewood, he can sell his pulpwood, he can sell his saw logs. I don't think that's an issue," he added. "Maybe the pricing might be a bit of an issue but when it comes to the sawmill, it's a whole different business these days compared to what it used to be." Eganville Leader article link en-us Wed, 09 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=84&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Most, if not all local mills, are still feeling the ongoing pinch in the lumber markets being created by an influx of competitors’ product from the neighbouring United States due to the state of the economy there. Eganville Leader article link en-us Wed, 09 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=85&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Anna Austin Wood pellet exports from the U.S. and Canada to Europe have doubled in the past two years, with 1.6 million tons of wood pellets shipped from the two countries to the Netherlands, U.K. and Belgium in 2010, according to a report by Wood Resources International LLC. Biomass magazine article link en-us Wed, 09 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=86&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Nick Sambides Jr. State officials closed a $2.6 million deal with conservationist Roxanne Quimby on two parcels totaling 7,785 acres outside Millinocket and adjacent to Baxter State Park on Friday that they say will help turn the area into a multiuse recreational playground. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Wed, 09 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=87&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Associated Press The Maine Forest Service is looking for help identifying the bugs that are damaging hemlock trees in a southern Maine park. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Wed, 09 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=88&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Amy Quinton On March 1st, 100 years ago President William Howard Taft signed the Weeks Act into law. The historic legislation led to the creation of our eastern national forests. Much of the effort to pass the law began here in New Hampshire was a reaction to widespread deforestation. New Hampshire Public Radio article link en-us Wed, 09 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=89&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York The Open Space Institute (OSI) has sold a 1,921-acre parcel on the former Camp Little Notch property in Fort Ann to the New Hampshire-based Meadowsend Timberlands Limited, a family owned forestry company that the OSI says follows sustainable forestry practices. The announcement was made in a press release issued today. OSI purchased the lands in November 2010. Adirondack Almanack article link en-us Wed, 09 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=90&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Anna Austin The University of New Brunswick has officially opened the Canadian BioEnergy Centre, a facility that will provide direct assistance to the emerging bioenergy industry across Canada. Biomass Magazine article link en-us Wed, 09 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=91&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Associated Press A new study says wind-power projects created or supported an average of 240 jobs a year over the last seven years. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Wed, 09 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=92&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire A contractor paid by the company overseeing a plan to carry hydroelectric power from Canada to New England is no longer in charge of the government's environmental assessment of the project. WMUR article link en-us Wed, 09 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=93&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Leslie Bridgers A Portland-based energy firm is proposing to construct a new 56-mile natural gas pipeline from Richmond to Madison, a $70 million project it says would benefit the environment and economic development around the region. Online Sentinel article link en-us Wed, 09 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=94&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York Two feet of new snow around the Adirondacks and I am ready to console myself in maple syrup. I am not sure if it will be in a celebration of spring or procrastination to shoveling. Either way the next three weeks are full of various maple-collecting activities for all, starting with Thurman's annual Maple Weekend March 12-13. Adirondack Almanack article link en-us Wed, 09 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Education/Arts/Entertainment http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=95&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Rose Dodge "He plunged through the doorway and into the corridor as it stretched before him for what seemed like miles. Brick walls and machinery gave way to excess paper in the warehouse, rolls six feet in diameter and ten feet wide, stacked to the ceiling, canyon walls clear to the exit, where the lights of the parking lot glittered, promising safety and sanity and a dozen other things that he'd always taken for granted . . . " So begins "Passing Time," Ron Roy's just published, fast-moving novel that takes place in a town very much like Berlin in a paper mill very much like the Cascade mill. Berlin Daily Sun article link en-us Wed, 09 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Education/Arts/Entertainment http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=96&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine The Maine Forest Service (MFS), under the Maine Department of Conservation, is requesting applications for shovel-ready, wood-to-energy conversion projects for funding through federal recovery-act monies. Link to grant announcement Link to grant information en-us Wed, 09 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Funding / Grant Opportunities http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=97&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire Deadline: May 6, 2011 The New Hampshire State Office of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) requests applications for Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. Link to grant announcement en-us Wed, 09 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Funding / Grant Opportunities http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=98&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Nancy Madsen The U.S. Forest Service has grant money available for five more north country entities to have free preliminary biomass feasibility studies. The studies, available to businesses, public entities or nonprofits, will explore the feasibility of using biomass as a renewable energy option for reducing energy costs. Watertown Daily Times article link en-us Wed, 09 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=99&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Deadline: May 3, 2011 The Commission is pleased to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for renewable energy projects in the commercial and industrial (non-residential) sector in New Hampshire. Grant funds for this RFP are provided by New Hampshire’s Renewable Energy Fund, which is administered by the Commission. Link to RFP Information en-us Wed, 09 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=105&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail April 28-30, 2011 We are pleased to announce the Woody Biomass Energy Research Symposium for the Northern Forest to be held at the University of Vermont in Burlington, VT. The primary objective of the symposium is to share emerging research on woody biomass energy relevant to the Northern Forest region. The papers presented will help define the state of scientific knowledge and identify critical information gaps regarding wood biomass energy. Event information Registration link en-us Wed, 09 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=106&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail April 29-30 Hamburg, NY May 13-14 Bangor, ME Both Expos will attract thousands of people who make a living in the forest products and tree service industries. Both will feature hundreds of exhibiting companies with the latest in logging and sawmilling technology, services and equipment on display. Event information en-us Wed, 09 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=107&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Barbara Tetreault The head of Gorham Paper LLC said his company not only has an agreement to purchase the paper mill at Cascade but also plans to invest millions in the facility. Berlin Daily Sun article link Additional article about purchase en-us Thu, 03 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=108&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail This brief uses satellite imagery and telephone surveys to illustrate the changing landscapes of different types of rural America where social, economic, and ecological changes are occurring: the Northern Forest, Central Appalachia, and the Pacific Northwest. Carsey Institute publication link en-us Thu, 03 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=109&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine About 14 acres of forest will be available for timber harvest this winter, according to Bill Kolodnicki, manager of Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Thu, 03 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=110&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Carol Robidoux There is a science to maple sugaring that's heavy on the math. One tap drilled into a 10-inch maple should produce a good 40 quarts of sap, which boils down to one quart of syrup. A gallon of the sweet stuff sells for about $50, multiplied by the 100,000 gallons this state's network of maple houses should produce this season, rendering a multi-million-dollar chunk of economy-boosting change. The Union Leader article link en-us Thu, 03 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=111&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Steve Minich Maine Woods Discovery program- The premise is for these companies to market not just their own adventures but through cross promotion, even combining adventure packages for the entire North Woods experience. The Northern Forest Center's Mike Wilson talks about the Maine Woods Consortium. WMTW Video link Maine Woods Discovery webpage Maine Woods Consortium webpage en-us Thu, 03 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=112&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Associated Press Tourism professionals from across New York will be in Albany to urge lawmakers to maintain state funding for tourism marketing at its current level. Masslive article link en-us Thu, 03 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=113&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Kevin Miller Sorry, cougar believers. The “ghost cat” of the eastern woods is no more. Or at least that’s the official word from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which has determined after a three-year study that the species of cougar that once prowled from Michigan to Maine to South Carolina is extinct. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Thu, 03 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=114&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Nick Sambides Jr. With heating oil prices climbing, Union 113 is preparing to seek as much as $1 million in grants to replace oil-burning furnaces at Schenck High and Medway Middle schools with money-saving pellet or wood-chip boilers, officials said Tuesday. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Thu, 03 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=115&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Joshua Moore A question and answer about wind power in Maine Down East article link en-us Thu, 03 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=116&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Larry Robinson The school district could save more than $2.7 million over 30 years if its natural-gas-fired boiler system was replaced with a wood chip-fired system, according to a study by a Vermont company in conjunction with the U.S. Forest Service. Watertown Daily Times article link en-us Thu, 03 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=117&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Laura Israel The North Country has the largest industrial wind farm East of the Mississippi, on the Tug Hill Plateau. There are also several in various stages of planning from Cape Vincent to Plattsburgh... A new documentary sets out to warn about the potential negatives - aggressive power corporations, conflicts of interest for lawmakers, the noise, height, and setbacks of the turbines, and more. North Country Public radio link en-us Thu, 03 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=118&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail We need your help in developing a community resource library that includes the best slides, factsheets, reports and other information on the use and benefits of biomass for thermal energy. Link to library page en-us Thu, 03 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=119&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Martha Ellen Data that are being gathered by SUNY Canton faculty and students from grass pellet burners installed at Cornell Cooperative Extension could help shape federal energy policy. Few researchers in the country are looking at combustion values of grass pellets, an up-and-coming alternative fuel. Watertown Daily Times article link en-us Thu, 03 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=120&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Northeast Biomass Thermal Working Group According to estimates from the Energy Information Administration, prices for U.S. home heating oil rose 24 percent in February 2011, compared to February 2010. With prices expected to continue to rise, members of the Northeast Biomass Thermal Working Group are urging homeowners, business owners and policy makers to take action making the utilization of renewable heating options... Biomass Magazine article link en-us Thu, 03 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=121&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: William Perritt Availability for biomass and pellet-grade wood continues plentiful in most regions of North America so far this quarter, though oft-referenced oversupplies are not quite as widespread as in prior months. Pricing across most categories remains level from fourth quarter, or is up slightly on fuel-related delivery costs. RISI Wood Biomass Markets article link en-us Thu, 03 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=122&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Ardeana Hamlin The Maine State Library is partnering with a Portland-based business to help connect Maine, one of the country’s most rural states, more closely to the world, through a program to improve public Internet access and video conferencing services at more than 100 public libraries statewide. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Thu, 03 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=123&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine Maine’s two United States senators say the Millinocket Municipal Airport will receive two grants for a total of $170,750 to buy land and rehabilitate airport infrastructure; the Central Maine Airport of Norridgewock received a grant of $136,750 to remove runway obstructions; and the Auburn-Lewiston Municipal Airport received $235,000 to conduct an environmental study. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Thu, 03 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=124&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Scott Taylor The Public Utilities Commission on Tuesday rejected the Lewiston portion of Central Maine Power Co.’s proposed $1.4 billion power line upgrade. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Thu, 03 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=125&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Matt Wickenheiser The state should market its “innovation-based” industries more aggressively and do more to help companies export products to help grow the economy, legislators were told Tuesday. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Thu, 03 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=126&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire The New Hampshire State Office of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) requests applications for Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. Link to grant announcement en-us Thu, 03 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Funding / Grant Opportunities http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=127&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Nancy Madsen The U.S. Forest Service has grant money available for five more north country entities to have free preliminary biomass feasibility studies. The studies, available to businesses, public entities or nonprofits, will explore the feasibility of using biomass as a renewable energy option for reducing energy costs. Watertown Daily Times article link en-us Thu, 03 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Funding / Grant Opportunities http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=128&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail The Commission is pleased to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for renewable energy projects in the commercial and industrial (non-residential) sector in New Hampshire. Grant funds for this RFP are provided by New Hampshire’s Renewable Energy Fund, which is administered by the Commission. Link to RFP Information en-us Thu, 03 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Funding / Grant Opportunities http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=10&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail The Center developed a New Hampshire Legislative Process map for the Coos Community Benefits Alliance to help its members understand how they could influence state legislation that affects their community. View the legislative process map or order an 18x71-inch print. The NH Center for Nonprofits hosts the map on their website and shares it at its legislative workshops. en-us Sun, 27 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Biomass Maps, Tools & Resources - Updates http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=129&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Nick Sambides, Jr. The prospective new owner of the Main Street paper mill sought to reassure its customers of the mill’s viability as its present owner filed a notice Tuesday warning of the mill’s closure on April 22. Bangor Daily News article link   en-us Thu, 24 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=130&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail On February 18, 2011 the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) published a notice in the Federal Register, seeking public comments on the development of tools and guidance for estimating greenhouse gases (GHG). Sustainable Agriculture article link   en-us Thu, 24 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=131&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Cathleen Callahan Some of the world’s most prominent thinkers on finance and economics will descend on New Hampshire in April, at the same site where the world’s dignitaries convened to restructure the global economy in the wake of World War II. The annual conference of the Institute for New Economic Thinking – a nonprofit founded in 2009 with a $50 million pledge from financier and philanthropist George Soros – will be held April 8-11 at the Mount Washington Hotel in Bretton Woods. NH Business Review article link   en-us Thu, 24 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=132&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine saw a strong tourist season last year compared with 2009, industry officials announced yesterday at the Maine Governor's Conference on Tourism. MaineBiz article link   en-us Thu, 24 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=133&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Bill Pennington ...as extreme skiing and rogue backcountry experiences have become more popular in the last 15 years, many snow sports enthusiasts who wanted to be surprised, even scared, drove past Bretton Woods on the way to New Hampshire’s gnarlier options. Bretton Woods remained unmoved. It catered to its market: families and those who wanted a more pampered ski trip. In time, some younger voices called Bretton Woods “Medicare Mountain.” New York Times article link   en-us Thu, 24 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=134&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) recently released “American Woodcock: Habitat Best Management Practices for the Northeast.” It explains how managers, foresters and landowners can create the kinds of habitat that woodcock need: daytime feeding areas, nesting cover, and roosting habitat, according to the Wildlife Management Institute (WMI). Wildlife Management Institute article link   en-us Thu, 24 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=135&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Scientific advice on the consequences of specific policy options confronting government decision makers is key to managing global biodiversity change. That's the view of leading scientists anxiously anticipating the first meeting of a new Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)-like mechanism for biodiversity at which its workings and work program will be defined. Medical News Today article link   en-us Thu, 24 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=136&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Chris Jensen Biomass plants on the brink. But the North Country plants and loggers have a highly unusual plan to save themselves. Officials from several small wood-fired electric plants got together Thursday in Bristol with people who supply them with wood and other services. And they had some grim news. New Hampshire Public Radio story link   en-us Thu, 24 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=137&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Barbara Tetreault Thirty-one top political and business leaders in the valley have signed a petition asking the N.H. Public Utilities Commission to approve without delay the power purchase agreement between Public Service of N.H. and Laidlaw Berlin BioPower. Berlin Daily Sun article link   en-us Thu, 24 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=138&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Lisa Gibson Laidlaw Energy Group Inc. is looking to expand its operations outside the U.S. East Coast, having recently executed a letter of agreement to purchase a 14-megawatt (MW) biomass power plant in California. Biomass Magazine article link   en-us Thu, 24 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=139&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Tara Ballenger Both U.S. senators from New Hampshire yesterday asked the federal Department of Energy to investigate claims that it created a conflict of interest in the permitting process for the Northern Pass project. Concord Monitor article link   en-us Thu, 24 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=140&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail The New England States Committee on Electricity (NESCOE) is pleased to report that renewable generation developers provided a robust and informative set of preliminary responses to NESCOE’s Request for Information (RFI) issued in December 2010.1 The RFI presents an opportunity for renewable project developers and transmission owners and developers to provide additional information by February 25, 2011 about these projects or about potential transmission projects that would facilitate the delivery of these and/or other renewable energy projects to New England loads. The totality of information provided in response to the RFI will inform future steps in the potential coordinated procurement of renewable energy resources to help meet New England’s renewable energy and environmental goals in the most cost-effective manner. NESCEO link (a pdf)   en-us Thu, 24 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=141&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Jen Lynds Members of the state’s congressional delegation are fighting to keep in place a federal program that provides significant financial support for 110 airports across the country, including four facilities in Maine. Bangor Daily News article link   en-us Thu, 24 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=142&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Jen Lynds State and local officials are working with members of Maine’s congressional delegation to make the federal government release $30.5 million that was awarded to Maine last year for bridge and rail improvements, despite U.S. House of Representatives efforts to eliminate the funding. Bangor Daily News article link   en-us Thu, 24 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=143&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Associated Press Internet access will be improved at more than 100 Maine public libraries, and rural populations will get training in computer literacy to help them find jobs and get access to legal information and forms. Bangor Daily News article link   en-us Thu, 24 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=144&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Dan Heath The North Country Chamber of Commerce 2011 Issues Survey shows business owners have increased confidence in their activity in the coming year. Chamber President Garry Douglas said 79 percent of business owners said they expect business to increase, and 14 percent expect it to remain stable, for a 93-percent Business Confidence Index. Press Republican article link   en-us Thu, 24 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=145&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Brian Mann Over the last week, I've had emails from mainstream pro-development groups claiming that environmentalists are trying to "demonize" them and derail economic progress in the Adirondack Park. I've also received press releases from some of the region's biggest green groups, claiming that they've been "harassed" and "bullied" by pro-development groups. After years of relatively healthy detente, and even a certain amount of collegiality between the various interests shaping the Park's future, the gloves appear to be coming off. There are a couple of big reasons why this is so. North Country Public Radio article link   en-us Thu, 24 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=146&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Matt Sutkoski Census data released earlier this month offer tantalizing, if sometimes conflicting, evidence that Vermonters are moving toward established city centers. That’s a contrast to trends in previous population data, which showed residents were attracted to outlying areas, farther from the center of town. Burlington Free Press article link   en-us Thu, 24 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=147&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail The Vermont Wood Manufacturers Association announced the winners of its Woodworker of the Year and Friend of the Industry awards. The Vermont Woodworking School's Robert Fletcher won the 2010 Woodworker of the Year Award and Collin Miller of Sustainable Forest Futures was given the 2010 Friend of the Industry Award. Woodshop News article link   en-us Thu, 24 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Networks & Partner News http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=148&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Nick Sambides, Jr. In a move that could create as many as 200 jobs in the Katahdin region, a San Francisco investment group has signed a tentative agreement to buy the East Millinocket and Millinocket paper mills for an undisclosed price, a group partner said Monday. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Fri, 18 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=149&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) released a proposed rule Thursday to establish a national framework to develop land management plans to protect 155 National Forests across the country and fight climate change while also creating jobs. Hardwood Floors Magazine article link en-us Fri, 18 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=150&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Tom Hennessey It’s no small wonder that the wild and woolly mid-to late 1800s era of logging that earned Bangor the title “Lumber Capital of the World” is well-chronicled in Maine’s colorful history. Yet, relatively scant mention is made of the late 1800s-early 1900s era that produced what was once the state’s largest cash crop — ice. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Fri, 18 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=151&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Matthew Daly The initiative largely incorporates existing programs under a new name, "America's Great Outdoors." Still, it aims to double federal spending on land and water conservation to $900 million. The money would be used to buy private land for public use and provide grants to states. Portland Press Herald article link en-us Fri, 18 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=152&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Kevin Kelly With two major ski areas (Stowe and Smugglers’ Notch), a luxury spa (Topnotch) an Alpine-style resort (Trapp Family Lodge) and plenty of related amenities, Lamoille may be the Vermont county most oriented toward tourism. About three-eighths of the county’s economy does derive from the ski industry, says John Mandeville, director of the Lamoille Economic Development Corp. And directly or indirectly, tourism accounts for about half of the county’s jobs, adds Cindy Locke, head of the Lamoille Region Chamber of Commerce. No wonder, then, that the county is hurting. Vermont Biz article link en-us Fri, 18 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=153&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Lori Harnois, who succeeded Alice DeSouza as the new head of the state's Division of Travel and Tourism Development in November, takes the reins at a challenging time within state government as the leaders in the Legislature call for deep budget cuts. Business NH article link en-us Fri, 18 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=154&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Tux Turkel Maine’s plants gear up – as do job prospects –as climbing oil prices revive interest in alternative energy. Portland Press Herald article link en-us Fri, 18 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=155&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Anna Austin The Alliance for Green Heat has released a report that finds that while the use of wood for heat in many states is rapidly increasing, most states do little or nothing to promote and manage it. Biomass Magazine article link Link to report en-us Fri, 18 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=156&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Amy Quinton The report, by the non-profit non-partisan Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, shows biomass could replace only one-point four percent of the region’s total fossil fuel energy. But a more compelling picture emerges if all biomass is directed into certain sectors. In New Hampshire, for example, biomass could replace 84-percent of the oil and gas use in the industrial and commercial heating sector. New Hampshire Public Radio article link en-us Fri, 18 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=157&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Paula Tracy and Lorna Colquhoun After months of speculation, residents in far northern New Hampshire have learned where the proposed hydro transmission line will come over the Canadian border. Two preliminary routes have been identified to bring the Northern Pass into the U.S. for its 147-mile march through the Granite State. They were unveiled this week at selectmen's meetings in the state's two northernmost towns, Pittsburg and Clarksville. Union Leader article link en-us Fri, 18 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=158&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Tara Ballenger The same consultant helping the Northern Pass to secure a federal permit has been hired by the U.S. government to analyze the project's environmental impact, and opponents of the plan to build 180 miles of high-voltage power lines through New Hampshire are crying foul. Concord Monitor article link Citizen.com article en-us Fri, 18 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=159&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Legislation has been introduced by state Sen. John Gallus (R-Berlin) to revive the legislative commission that has spent over two years studying ways to upgrade the 73-mile line that runs between Groveton, Whitefield and Berlin. The commission’s charge ran out at the end of 2010. Berlin Daily Sun article link en-us Fri, 18 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=160&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Patricia Harris and David Lyon At some level, New England is hopelessly old-fashioned. No media hucksters are rushing to film “The Real Housewives of Harpswell, Maine.’’ The multiplexes aren’t screening “The Salem Witch Project.’’ And the National Geographic Channel isn’t banging down doors to produce “Vermont State Troopers.’’ We New Englanders remain a literate lot and, much of the time, we think, read, and write about New England. The icy clutches of winter give us a fine excuse to curl up with a good book. Here are 14 candidates for the armchair that were published in the last year. Boston.com article link en-us Fri, 18 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Education/Arts/Entertainment http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=161&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Jon Alexander The process of accessing more locally controlled space in the Adirondacks by expanding hamlets has remained problematic for decades, with frequent run-ins between local governments and state regulators. Post Star article link en-us Fri, 18 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=8&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail The Center has created a simple systems diagram that shows the multiple complex factors involved in reaching sustainable biomass energy development. The system has the opportunity to produce any number of outcomes/outputs. The Center’s goal is to work with partners to support a system outcome that ensures sustainable development and use of biomass energy in the Northern Forest. en-us Thu, 17 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Biomass Maps, Tools & Resources - Updates http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=162&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Kevin Miller He’s been called the “master dealmaker” and the “king of cable” — a risk-taking Colorado billionaire who has had a major hand in the way Americans have watched, and paid for, television in recent decades. Now, thanks to his purchase of about 1 million acres of Maine forestland, John Malone is vying for a new title: the nation’s largest individual landowner. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Fri, 11 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=163&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Jay Field Thousands of biathlon competitors and fans have gathered in rural Aroostook County in Maine for the sport's World Cup. More than 10 years ago, Aroostook, traditionally a hub for potato farming and logging, hatched a plan to reverse the stagnant wage growth and high unemployment that plague so many sparsely populated areas. The county already drew large numbers of snowmobilers to its network of well-groomed trails. So Aroostook set out to build on that base — by capitalizing on its long history of superb cross-country skiing and transforming itself into one of the world's premier Nordic sports destinations. NPR story link Additional article: Faster Skier Yankee Magazine story by Bill McKibben en-us Fri, 11 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=164&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Chris Knight Since mid-January, the Adirondacks have been pounded with a series of major winter storms, each dumping between 10 inches and 2 feet of snow. North Country Public Radio link en-us Fri, 11 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=165&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Jeff Strout The Northern Forest Canoe Trail, Inc. is now accepting applications for 10 2011 Summer Internships. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Fri, 11 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=166&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Anna Austin With the help of an $8 million Recovery Act grant, Vermont’s capital city will install a 41 MMBtu combined-heat and-power biomass district energy system that will provide heat to the statehouse and up to 175 other public and private buildings downtown. Biomass Magazine article link en-us Fri, 11 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=167&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Anna Austin 1 p.m. EST on Feb. 17. The briefing is being held to discuss opportunities presented by biomass energy, including applications for heating and cooling homes and buildings, power generation, and also to dispel some myths about biomass and highlight its potential. Biomass Magazine article link en-us Fri, 11 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=168&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Dave Levitan It seems modest, as power plants go — a 29-megawatt facility, situated just north of the Vermont-Massachusetts line, that will burn woody biomass to generate enough power for 25,000 to 30,000 homes. But like many proposed plants in the recently reborn biomass power industry — a supposedly renewable and clean energy source — the Vermont project is encountering significant opposition. 360 article link en-us Fri, 11 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=169&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: John Curran A selectboard chairman Friday defended the process that led to his town's approval of a mountaintop wind project that some residents are fighting. Burlington Free Press article link en-us Fri, 11 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=170&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Associated Press Kris Pastoriza doesn't want to see those power line towers. Like many other North Country residents, she has a long list of reasons. The proposed towers would carry transmission lines starting from Canada along a 140-mile route from northern to central New Hampshire. Wall Street Journal article link en-us Fri, 11 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=171&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Amy Quinton Critics of the Northern Pass project showed up in mass at the statehouse Tuesday. A house committee held a hearing on the plan to run 180 miles of power lines from Canada through New Hampshire. The project, proposed by HydroQuebec and Public Service of New Hampshire, would also cut through much of the North Country’s forest. NHPR article link Additional article: WMUR en-us Fri, 11 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=172&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Donna Jordan An informational meeting for landowners concerned about the impact of the Northern Pass transmission line project was held in Colebrook last Friday night at the Colebrook Elementary School. The school’s maintenance crew estimated that 200 residents attended the meeting which included information on property values before and after a transmission line project is constructed as well as advice on what to consider when contacted by representatives of the project. The Colebrook Chronicle (a pdf, pg 1) en-us Fri, 11 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=173&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Brian Mann A panel created by Governor Andrew Cuomo is scrambling to find ways to cut billions of dollars from the cost of New York's Medicaid program. But hospital and nursing home operators, especially in rural New York, fear that the cuts could cripple their operations, and force cutbacks in crucial services. North Country Public Radio link en-us Fri, 11 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Health http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=174&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire Accompanied by the steady drumbeat of awareness of healthy eating, a University of New Hampshire doctoral student has explored the availability of fresh food in New Hampshire’s North Country... finds that the food landscape in parts of rural northern New Hampshire is “dismal.” White Mountain News article link en-us Fri, 11 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Health http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=175&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Adam Silverman and Matt Sutkowski Vermont’s most populous city, Burlington, recorded its sharpest growth spike since the 1960s, and Chittenden County continued driving the state’s population increases, according to 2010 census data released Thursday. Burlington Free Press article link en-us Fri, 11 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=176&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail The New York Forest Owners Association, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Cornell Cooperative Extension, and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry will present a series of free forestry programs on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday February 24, 25, and 26 at the New York Farm Show annually held at the State Fairgrounds in Syracuse. Adirondack Almanack article link en-us Wed, 02 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=177&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail A partnership between a free-to-use, online trails portal and the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands is allowing users to find non-motorized state trails in Maine more easily and trail managers to monitor use and report conditions. Maine Depart of Conservation en-us Wed, 02 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=178&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail When media mogul John Malone adds 1 million acres of Maine and New Hampshire timberlands to his holdings next week, he might become the largest private landowner in the United States. Portland Press Herald article link en-us Wed, 02 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=179&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: James Straub Thousands of acres in Downeast Maine’s deep forests will come under new ownership next week, but the loggers who earn their livings there and those who satisfy their recreational pursuits won’t see any changes. Fenceviewer article link en-us Wed, 02 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=180&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Susan Mende On a cold January morning, a group of fourth-graders bundled up, trekked outside and learned how giant piles of wood chips are being used to keep their school warm all winter. The new $2 million biomass facility at Edwards-Knox Central School District is providing an on-site chance to teach students about alternative energy and renewable sources. Watertown Daily Times article link en-us Wed, 02 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=181&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Kevin Miller Nearly 1 million acres of Maine forestland are about to change hands. Under a deal slated to be completed Feb. 1, a company called BBC Land LLC with ties to a Colorado billionaire will purchase more than 900,000 acres — much of it in eastern and western Maine — from current owner GMO Renewable Resources. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Wed, 26 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=182&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail An international arbitration panel ruled Friday that two Canadian provinces have breached the terms of the 2006 Softwood Lumber Agreement with the United States. The London Court of International Arbitration set a financial penalty of $59.4 million U.S. that Canada will have to pay if it doesn't resolve the dispute. Working Forest Newspaper article link en-us Wed, 26 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=183&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Nick Sambides Jr. Those familiar with the efforts to find a new owner for the East Millinocket and Millinocket paper mills are cheered by Gov. Paul LePage’s decision to retain predecessor Gov. John Baldacci’s primary forest products industry adviser, Rosaire Pelletier, for the remaining 5½ months of Pelletier’s contract. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Wed, 26 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=184&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Move over, Colorado: Maine has now become one of the nation's premier destinations for hut-to-hut cross-country skiing, thanks to two new backcountry systems: Maine Huts & Trails in the state's western mountains and the Appalachian Mountain Club huts, about 40 miles (as the crow flies) farther northeast, outside Greenville, in Moosehead Lake country. As I discovered, these are not your father's backcountry huts. Yankee magazine article link en-us Wed, 26 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=185&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire The package includes a custom-built day of backcountry skiing in the NFCT watershed, or touring on groomed trails at the Balsams Grand Resort Hotel. A seasoned guide from Outdoor Escapes New Hampshire oversees ski rental and instruction, and shares winter survival, and natural history tips along the way. Northern Forest Canoe Trail en-us Wed, 26 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=186&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Brian Mann A new study released last night in Tupper Lake is raising questions about the future of the Adirondack Scenic Railroad. The non-profit tourist train already carries thousands of passengers every year between Lake Placid and Saranac Lake. The company hopes to expand that service soon to include the route to Tupper Lake. North Country Public Radio article link en-us Wed, 26 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=187&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Jane Lindholm n U.S. and southeastern Canada. A fungus is killing the big trees much like Dutch elm disease killed American elms over the last century. And just as scientists are producing resistant elms, butternut researchers hope they'll be able to produce a "super" butternut that will fight off the canker killing the old native trees. North Country Public Radio article link en-us Wed, 26 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=188&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Anna Austin The New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission has made improvements to its biomass boiler rebate program, which should encourage more system installations from now until February 2012. Biomass Power and Thermal magazine article link en-us Wed, 26 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=189&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont With the purpose of educating participants in the full process of woody biomass use, from harvest to utilization, this optional field day on April 30, 2011 will tour a number of sites in Addison county involved in using biomass energy. Link to schedule and sign-up en-us Wed, 26 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=190&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Laura Knoy In October, the Northern Pass Project. comprised of Massachusetts-based utility NStar and Northeast Utilities, formally announced a partnership with Canadian energy giant Hydro-Quebec to bring hydroelectric power from Canada through New Hampshire. Promising new construction jobs, cheaper and greener energy sources, and additional tax revenues, the plan at first enjoyed broad support. Now, grassroots groups and city councils, especially in the North Country, are reconsidering, saying that power lines will cut right through the heart of the land that attracts tourists to New Hampshire. We'll hear from both sides in the debate. New Hampshire Public Radio story link en-us Wed, 26 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=191&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Vermont By: Associated Press A panel organized to set up a process for state recognition of Indian tribes in Vermont recommended Wednesday that the Legislature recognize the Elnu Abenaki, based in Jamaica in southern Vermont, and the Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk Abenaki Nation, based in Brownington in northern Vermont. The step could allow the tribes to sell their crafts as Indian-made and seek federal education grants. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Wed, 26 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=192&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Julia Bayly Armed with the latest in communications technology, two of Maine’s northernmost campuses are not about to let geography stand in the way of serving their students. The University of Maine at Fort Kent and Northern Maine Community College in Presque Isle are using digital equipment and communication software to make sure students get the academic help and support counseling they need, regardless of where those students are located. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Wed, 26 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Education/Arts/Entertainment http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=193&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Jeff Farbaniec Jeremy Davis is founder of the New England Lost Ski Areas Project (NELSAP) and author of two books on that subject. Last week I had the opportunity to talk with Davis about NELSAP, his books and lost ski areas of the Adirondacks. Adirondack Almanack article link en-us Wed, 26 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Community / Economic Development http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=194&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Sally Manikian Craig Lombard owns 1,000 acres of land in Berlin, New Hampshire. The parcel is relatively unremarkable: slopes of woodlot crisscrossed by logging roads and wildlife paths, abutting the summit of Mount Forist on one end and Jericho Mountain State Park on the other. For years, the parcel remained woodlot, accessed for timber and local recreational use. It is undeveloped but highly developable. Outdoors.org article link en-us Wed, 19 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=195&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Billy Baker Rick Alger is the last horse logger in Coos County, the only one left in northernmost New Hampshire who still pulls his trees from the forest the old-fashioned way. Boston.com article link en-us Wed, 19 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=196&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northern Forest By: Darren Zee The Northern Forest Canoe Trial is a relatively unknown wilderness canoeing destination because the trail was only created in the 1990s, and while the trail is gaining in popularity only a handful of paddlers actually completed the entire 740 mile wilderness canoe journey from the Adirondacks to New England. Buzzle.com article link en-us Wed, 19 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=197&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail National By: Bill Opalka The federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has delayed a plan to tighten CO2 emissions rules for biomass-fired power plants and other sources. The EPA said its plan is to defer, for three years, greenhouse gas (GHG) permitting requirements. "The agency intends to use this time to seek further independent scientific analysis of this complex issue and then to develop a rulemaking on how these emissions should be treated in determining whether a Clean Air Act permit is required," the EPA said in a statement. Renewablesbiz article link en-us Wed, 19 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=198&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail MaineBy: Matt Wickenheiser When Lemforder Corp. finally shuttered its Brewer plant last year, it marked the end of more than five years of effort by company and city officials to find cheaper power for the manufacturer. Operating in a global economy, there were a number of challenges for the company. Competition from China and costs of shipping to and from Maine were among them. But the big one was power. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Wed, 19 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=199&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Nancy Madsen The former cogeneration plant on Fort Drum will become an electrical plant powered by wood chips, Rep. William L. Owens, D-Plattsburgh, said Friday. The plant would provide all of the power for buildings on post and provide 100 jobs. Watertown Daily Times article link en-us Wed, 19 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=200&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Todd Gartner The World Resources Institute (WRI) and the American Forest Foundation (AFF), along with key partners, have developed the Northern Forest Watershed Incentives project to provide economic incentives and technical assistance for family woodland owners to restore, enhance, and protect aquatic resources in two critical watersheds in the Northern Forest region—the Crooked River in Maine and the upper Connecticut River in New Hampshire and Vermont. Currently, only 4.7 percent of the Crooked River watershed and 23 percent of the Connecticut River watershed is permanently protected under conservation easements. World Resources Institute article link en-us Wed, 19 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Networks & Partner News http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=201&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York State Sen. Betty Little will wield more power in Albany, serving in the new GOP majority in the state Senate. She chairs the Tourism and cultural affairs committee. She has a seat on the powerful finance committee. And Gov. Cuomo appointed her to the task force he created to review state mandates with an eye to making them less burdensome to municipalities and schools. Little appeared yesterday on WCNY’s Capitol Pressroom. She talked with host Susan Arbetter about the give and take between upstate and downstate over a property tax cap, rent control regulations in New York City, prison closures, and mandates. North Country Public Radio article link en-us Wed, 12 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=202&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Associated Press Maine’s Bureau of Parks and Lands is putting out a new map that focuses on the state’s public reserved lands. The map, “Your Maine Lands: Recreational Map and Guide to Public Reserved Lands,” is a comprehensive guide to the hundreds of thousands of acres of public reserved lands across Maine. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Wed, 12 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=203&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Matthew Spolar The snowmaking machines at full blast to the right are a quick reminder that this isn’t a summer amusement park. It’s January in New Hampshire, and I’m on my way to the top of the latest creation to pop up at ski resorts nationwide. The alpine coaster, essentially a roller coaster built into the side of a mountain, debuted in late November at the Attitash and Cranmore resorts in Bartlett and North Conway. The resorts, about a 15-minute drive from each other, would seem to make New Hampshire the leading alpine coaster destination in the region – in Vermont, only Okemo offers the experience, and Massachusetts boasts only Jiminy Peak. Concord Monitor article link en-us Wed, 12 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=204&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Sharon Kiley Mack To save the land for future generations, the Maine Farmland Trust has launched an ambitious $50 million campaign to secure 100,000 acres of that land, Piotti announced during the morning session of the 70th annual Maine Agricultural Trades Show. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Wed, 12 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=205&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Associated Press New Hampshire communities thinking of switching to biomass heating systems have a new source of information as they make their decision. A partnership that includes Plymouth State University and North Country Resource Conservation and Development Area has put together what it calls a roadmap to renewable woody biomass energy. The roadmap includes worksheets designed to provide a step-by-step process for communities to learn about and record data about existing and potential heating systems. WCAX article link Link to Roadmap tool en-us Wed, 12 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=206&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Associated Press More money is coming to Maine and New Hampshire to help low-income residents pay for home heating oil. Sen. Olympia Snowe says the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has agreed to send Maine an additional $23 million in funding from the federal government’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen says New Hampshire will get $13 million more. Snowe says Maine is now expected to receive $51.7 million in LIHEAP funds this winter, which is down less than $1 million from last year. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Wed, 12 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Infrastructure http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=65&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail The Northern Forest Watershed Services Project is testing techniques to help landowners realize income form the watershed protection services that their land provides the public. The project is focused in two Northern Forest watersheds—the Crooked River in Maine and the upper Connecticut River in New Hampshire and Vermont. The project is coordinated by the American Forest Foundation and led by core groups of partners in each watershed, including the Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences and the Western Foothills Land Trust in the Crooked River watershed, and the Hubbard Brook Research Foundation and White River Partnership in the upper Connecticut River watershed. Through the Northern Forest Investment Zone, the Center is providing funding to the Crooked River pilot project, and technical assistance and facilitation to support a technical advisory network for the Upper Connecticut River project. en-us Mon, 10 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500 HOME & PGM LANDING PG - Program Highlights http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=66&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail With funding from the Northern Forest Investment Zone, The Center’s partners at the Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences are building a tool to help forest landowners understand the potential income they could receive from the sale of carbon offsets from their land. We expect to begin testing this new tool at workshops in spring of 2011. en-us Mon, 10 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500 HOME & PGM LANDING PG - Program Highlights http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=67&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail On October 25 and 26, 2010, The Center and New York partners hosted a series of stakeholder meetings in the Adirondack and Tug Hill regions for NBRC federal co-chair Sandy Blitz. The “Northern Forest Conversations,” held with the NY State Tug Hill Commission in Watertown, NY, and with Paul Smith’s College in Paul Smiths, NY, provided a first chance for many New York interests to hear directly from Mr. Blitz about the commission, and an opportunity for him to learn about the economic development opportunities and challenges in that part of the region. Northern Forest Center Program & Policy Director Joe Short also spoke at both sessions about the NBRC and the Northern Forest Investment Zone. en-us Mon, 10 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Policy Issues subpg - Updates http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=68&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail This fall, the US Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) released and began hosting listening sessions on its national Biofuels Strategy. To follow up on the New Hampshire session, The Center drafted a letter to USDA Secretary Vilsack expressing concern that the policy did not recognize the unique thermal energy generation potential of the Northeast and requesting flexibility in how different regions of the country meet the renewable energy goals set forth in the policy. This letter was subsequently adopted by the Northeast Biomass Thermal Working Group (NEBTWG) as the basis for a regional sign-on letter that garnered over 180 signatures. NEBTWG and Northern Forest Center representatives and partners traveled to Washington, D.C., in November and December to personally deliver the letter to USDA officials. en-us Mon, 10 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Policy Issues subpg - Updates http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=69&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail A recent meeting of the Coalition for Eastern Forests and Communities brought together people working in the field of ecosystem services from across the eastern U.S. to discuss how the Farm Bill and other federal policies can create incentives for ecosystem services such as filtering water and carbon sequestration. Northern Forest Center Program & Policy Director Joe Short developed and facilitated the ecosystem services track at the meeting. Al Todd from the USDA Office of Environmental Markets spoke to the group, which over the course of two days developed a preliminary set of ideas for policy in the Farm Bill related to ecosystem services. en-us Mon, 10 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Policy Issues subpg - Updates http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=70&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Tourism businesses in the Maine Woods have a new way to participate in customer service training. As part of the Maine Woods Tourism Training Initiative (MWTTI), the Maine Woods Consortium collaborated with the Maine Small Business Development Centers to develop a customer service training that businesses can access for free through the Maine SBDC website. Customer Service: Exceeding Customer Expectations focuses on the importance of customer service and provides useful tips for enhancing customer service skills. This new training tool is approximately 30 minutes long and is appropriate for owners, managers, and staff. MWTTI is a part of the Maine Woods Consortium’s effort to improve the overall quality of regional tourism products and increase the number of livable wage jobs in the tourism sector. This project was funded by USDA Rural Development and the Betterment Fund. en-us Mon, 10 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Maine Woods STI - Updates http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=207&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Nick Sambides Jr. Gary Martin ended Tuesday with a smile on his face and a welcome weariness in his bones. A feller buncher operator for W.T. Gardner Logging Co. of Lincoln, Martin and his four-member crew felled about 200 cords of wood from forestland off Woodville Road near a pipeline that once ran natural gas to Loring Air Force Base, he said. Martin and other logging crew members and logging company owners say the abnormally warm weather through December, with temperatures in the 30s and 40s, has left them in the mud, quite literally: Most of the woodlands they cultivate at this time of the year are still too wet and warm to handle their heavy machinery. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Thu, 06 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=208&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Associated Press The owner of an idle wood-products manufacturing plant in western Maine is vowing to go on with plans to open a new furniture-making plant despite losing the main manufacturing building to fire. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Thu, 06 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Forestry and Industry http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=209&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire The Northern Forest Center's National Endowment for the Humanities-funded Ways of the Woods exhibit will be open to the college community and the public at White Mountains Community College until April. White Mountains Community College article link en-us Thu, 06 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=210&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Associated Press The Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands says more people visited Maine state parks and historic sites last year than in any year in the previous two decades. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Thu, 06 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=211&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine The Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands has released a new map focusing on state-owned land reserved for public use. The map, titled “Your Maine Lands: Recreational Map & Guide to Public Reserved Lands,” is a comprehensive guide to the more than 500,000 acres of such land in Maine. The map highlights the parcels by tourism region, provides a description of each land unit, and indicates the recreational activities available for each area. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Thu, 06 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=212&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Matilda Brown The old Brown Company Research and Development buildings are to be turned into a visitors/welcome center. The historic structures will also house the Chamber of Commerce, the gift shop for the Northern Forest Heritage Park, and artifacts collected throughout the years related to the history of Berlin. First though, the buildings need some renovating. New Hampshire Lakes and Mountains article link en-us Thu, 06 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=213&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Wayne Hooper The Cornelia "Fly Rod" Crosby Trail is a new trail in the high peaks region of western Maine that will one day stretch 35 miles and invite hikers, mountain bikers and ATV riders into the forest to learn about the region and the legendary outdoorswoman who lived from 1854 to 1946. And for whom the trail is named. She was Maine's first registered guide, lobbied for creel and bag limits, and promoted Maine as a tourist destination, said Ben Godsoe, 28, who grew up in Madrid Township in Franklin County and came on as the project's director last year. Seacoast Online article link en-us Thu, 06 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=215&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Dave Mance III Moose are arguably the most novel of all North American large mammals, if for no other reason than their strange appearance. Whereas deer and elk are handsome creatures, rams majestic, and bears awe inspiring, moose seem to suggest that the Creator had a strange sense of humor. They have horse legs, bison shoulders, a camel’s face, and a throat beard that would have made Henry David Thoreau envious. Even the horns are weird, looking less like antlers as we traditionally know them and more like giant butterfly wings or palmated wooden bowls. Northern Woodlands article link en-us Thu, 06 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=214&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Northeast By: Associated Press For nearly 60 years, scientists have watched helplessly as a war of bug vs. hemlock played out from Georgia to Maine. Now they've got a new weapon in their arsenal — another bug — and say the tide is turning, at least in New England. Bangor Daily News article link en-us Wed, 05 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=216&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire The Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests has filed a motion to intervene with the Department of Energy (DOE) in opposition to the Northern Pass power line project as currently proposed. Citizen.com article link en-us Sun, 02 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=49&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Craig Lyons Bankruptcy courts in Canada and the United States Monday approved the asset purchase agreement to sell Fraser Papers’ Gorham mill to a New Jersey company. The sale of the mill to M&M Consulting and Contracting continued moving forward as both courts in Toronto and Delaware approved the agreement with the company and Fraser. The courts set November 30 as the closing date for the sale.. Berlin Daily Sun article (PDF, page 1) en-us Thu, 18 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=50&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Canada Greenpeace and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada (CEP) held a joint news conference today to release a new report with recommendations for stimulating northern Ontario's forest industry and creating green forestry jobs while preserving the ecological value of Canada's Boreal Forest. Greenpeace article   en-us Thu, 18 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=51&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Matt Wickenheiser and Nick Sambides Jr. The head of the Twin Rivers Paper Co. in Madawaska said Thursday that his company’s future is jeopardized by shipping costs that have escalated as two rail lines dispute track rights. “Freight’s a huge issue for us; the jobs are clearly at risk if we don’t secure the freight situation very, very quickly,” said Jeffrey Dutton, president and CEO, in a meeting with the Bangor Daily News. Twin Rivers, formerly known as Fraser Papers, employs about 650 people in Madawaska. Bangor Daily News article en-us Thu, 18 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=52&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Forest products company Georgia-Pacific LLC announced today it is expanding its forest protection and sustainability efforts with an updated policy to better identify and protect endangered forests in the United States; promote conservation of forest diversity; and enhance its sustainable forestry and recycling practices. Sustainable Business article en-us Thu, 18 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Environment / Agriculture http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=53&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Mike Lynch In September, Old Forge residents Catherine and Ryan Thompson completed a paddling and hiking trip that most people wouldn't even contemplate attempting. The pair paddled the 740-mile Northern Forest Canoe Trail in the spring and followed that up by hiking 130 miles along logging roads to the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail in Baxter Park, Maine. From there, the married couple hiked through the summer all the way to the southern end of the trail in Georgia. Adirondack Daily Enterprise article en-us Thu, 18 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=54&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York Traveling New York State's scenic roads just got easier; thanks to a new map that brings them all together for the first time. The Adirondack North Country Association and the New York State Department of Transportation have teamed up to produce the map, which gives visitors a chance to see all 21 designated Scenic Byways spanning more than 2,000 miles of roads in one convenient, folded map. Adirondack Almanack article en-us Thu, 18 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=55&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Ecological Society of America Forests play an important role in the U.S. and global carbon cycle, and carbon sequestered by U.S. forest growth and harvested wood products currently offsets 12-19% of U.S. fossil fuel emissions. The cycle of forest growth, death, and regeneration and the use of wood removed from the forest complicate efforts to understand and measure forest carbon pools and flows. Our report explains these processes and examines the science behind mechanisms proposed for increasing the amount of carbon stored in forests and using wood to offset fossil fuel use. We also examine the tradeoffs, costs, and benefits associated with each mechanism and explain how forest carbon is measured. US Forest Service Report (PDF) en-us Thu, 18 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Ecosystem Services http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=56&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine A Maine paper mill is launching a $40 million project so it can get more of its energy needs from renewable wood chips and debris rather than coal. Verso Paper Co. says it will begin construction by the end of the year at its paper mill in Bucksport. Boston Globe article   en-us Thu, 18 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=57&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Alan Wechsler NYSERDA recently hired two new educators to spread the word about its energy programs around the North Country. Richard LeClerc of Alexandria Bay and James Juczak of Adams Center were recently hired to represent NYSERDA’s New York Energy $mart Communities Program, an initiative to teach local consumers and business owners about NYSERDA's energy-saving programs. Adirondack Almanack article en-us Thu, 18 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=58&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Jen Lynds As the population focuses more on green energy, schools, businesses and homeowners are looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprints. A number of Aroostook County agencies, including the University of Maine at Presque Isle, will be able to do that thanks to funding from the Maine Department of Conservation. The DOC announced last week that four Aroostook County oil-to-wood heating projects would receive more than $5.55 million in federal stimulus funds. Bangor Daily news article en-us Thu, 18 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=59&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York By: Martha Ellen Spreading the word about the state's energy programs will come from Cornell Cooperative Extension and its partners across a 10-county area. "Our role is information," said Richard R. LeClerc, who was hired along with James S. Juczak to represent the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority's Energy Smart Communities Program. Watertown Daily Times article   en-us Thu, 18 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=60&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire Developed by the Northern Forest Center as a tool to help their NH partners better understand the NH legislative process, the Step-by-Step map clarifies when to advocate, what type of advocacy is most effective, and who is involved in each step of the legislative process. It also provides fast facts: the legislative timeline, links to State Senate and State Representative information, and a link to search specific bills. New Hampshire Center for Nonprofits site en-us Thu, 18 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=61&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail December 1, 2010 Fort Drum, NY 9:00 am - 4:30pm Link to registration en-us Thu, 18 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=62&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail December 7, 2010 8:00 am-1:00 pm The Business and Industry Association will be presenting a half-day conference focused on energy issues in the State of New Hampshire. Speakers will focus on pending federal legislation on climate change, the regional energy outlook and a look at renewable energy costs as compared to traditional fossil generation. Link to event registration en-us Thu, 18 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=63&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail We are pleased to announce the Woody Biomass Energy Research Symposium for the Northern Forest to be held April 28 to 30, 2011 at the University of Vermont in Burlington, VT. The primary objective of the symposium is to share emerging research on woody biomass energy relevant to the Northern Forest region. The papers presented will help define the state of scientific knowledge and identify critical information gaps regarding wood biomass energy. We are inviting research papers, posters and panel proposals on both the biophysical and social science dimensions of various themes. University of Vermont call for papers en-us Thu, 18 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=64&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York The 11th Northeast Natural History Conference (NENHC) will be held on April 6-9, 2011 in Albany. The meeting will also include the historic first meeting of the new Association of Northeastern Biologists (ANB). Adirondack Almanack article en-us Thu, 18 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Networks & Partner News http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=22&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Barbara Tetreault The two partners hoping to purchase the Fraser Papers’ mill in Gorham met with local officials and business people yesterday. Partner Frank del Greco said he and Michael Moscato have signed an asset purchase agreement and are now waiting for a detailed asset list. Once a final agreement is reached, it must be approved by bankruptcy courts in both the U.S. and Canada. Berlin Daily Sun article link (a pdf, pg 1)   en-us Wed, 10 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Networks & Partner News http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=23&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Nick Sambides, Jr. A dispute over access to a Madawaska paper mill between one of Canada’s leading freight railroads and a smaller hauler based in Hermon probably will remain in federal court. Citing a host of legal-case precedents, U.S. District Judge John Woodcock denied a motion to remand to state court the property rights dispute between Canadian National Railway Co. and Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Railway, as CN had sought. Bangor Daily News article link Additional Bangor Daily News article en-us Wed, 10 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Networks & Partner News http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=24&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Kathy McCormack The head of a New Hampshire restaurant chain on Thursday told a group of North Country business owners hoping to improve tourism in the region they have to persevere and do everything they can to market their brand. Nashua Telegraph article en-us Wed, 10 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=25&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine A new report says climate change could have an ecological and economic impact on Acadia National Park and Maine's economy. The Rocky Mountain Climate Organization and Natural Resources Defense Council plan to issue their report Wednesday. It says the impact of climate disruption on Acadia could be not just ecological but also economic. The two groups identified Acadia National Park in October 2009 as one of the 25 units of the national park system most endangered by climate change. Bangor Daily News article en-us Wed, 10 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=26&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Joe Carberry If you think you're tough, try paddling and carrying a canoe some 740 miles over 56 days. That's what Donnie Mullen did in 2000 when he became the first person to through-paddle the Northern Forest Canoe Trail, which follows ancient Native American canoe routes across New England. The trail starts in Old Forge, New York, and dissects Vermont, New Hampshire and a small section of Quebec before ending on Maine's St. John River. As the NFCT prepares to celebrate its first decade of non-profit existence, Mullen relates what it was like to portage 64 miles in a single summer. Canoe and Kayak article en-us Wed, 10 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=27&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail The Center for the Environment is involved in a research project to analyze the social, economic, and ecological effects of second home development in the Northern Forest region. Second home ownership is a prevalent land use in the region. Working with Cornell University, University of Vermont, University of Maine, and Penn State University, the project aims to 1. describe the distribution of recreational homes, 2. identify the causes of recreational home growth and create forecasting models, 3. identify social, ecological, and economic effects, 4. use this information to help policy makers develop responsive programs to help maintain the northwoods region imagery and enhance regional well-being. Plymouth State University article en-us Wed, 10 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=28&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire By: Chris Jensen The state’s site evaluation committee has given its formal approval to a large biomass project in Berlin. But there are some important conditions that could still stop the project. And, the committee noted that what is good for Berlin could be bad news for some existing, smaller businesses. New Hampshire Public Radio article Berlin Daily Sun article (PDF, 1 page) en-us Wed, 10 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=29&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine The Maine Department of Conservation says eight wood-to-energy conversion projects are receiving more than $5.55 million in federal stimulus funding. The energy-conversion grants will provide partial funding for projects at six school systems, the University of Maine at Presque Isle and Northern Maine Medical Center. The projects call for wood chip or pellet boilers to replace or supplement existing heating systems, saving thousands of gallons of oil. The conservation department says the projects will create 185 jobs. Morning Sentinel en-us Wed, 10 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=30&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Old Town Canoes & Kayaks, a brand steeped in the history and tradition of paddlesports, is pleased to once again partner with the Northern Forest Canoe Trail as the non-profit organization celebrates its’ 10th anniversary. As part of this year’s 6th annual online auction Old Town is donating a special edition classic wooden canoe, the Guide 16, to the Northern Forest Canoe Trail fundraiser. Johnson Outdoors article en-us Wed, 10 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Networks & Partner News http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=31&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail We are pleased to announce the Woody Biomass Energy Research Symposium for the Northern Forest to be held April 28 to 30, 2011 at the University of Vermont in Burlington, VT. The primary objective of the symposium is to share emerging research on woody biomass energy relevant to the Northern Forest region. The papers presented will help define the state of scientific knowledge and identify critical information gaps regarding wood biomass energy. We are inviting research papers, posters and panel proposals on both the biophysical and social science dimensions of various themes. University of Vermont call for papers en-us Wed, 10 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=32&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York The Wild Center will host Wintergreen, a conversation about the future of winter recreation, sports and culture in the Adirondacks on November 12th at 9am at the NYSEF Building at Whiteface Mountain. Wintergreen is an open forum to discuss how climate change will effect the economy and cultural life in the Adirondacks. Adirondack Almanack article en-us Wed, 10 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=21&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Presentations and materials from the Regional Wood Product Consortium’s workshop on Lean Manufacturing, including sessions on waste reduction, benefits of lean manufacturing, methods and tools, and creating a culture of change, are available at Lean Manufacturing Workshops. en-us Mon, 01 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0400 Resources (SFF subpage) http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=33&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Barbara Tetreault New Hampshire As Fraser Papers workers punched out yesterday there was both sadness and optimism in the air. With an average age in the fi fties, many of the workers have worked in the mill for decades. One worker described the 240 employees as a big family. Another employee noted the mill has weathered the bankruptcies of multiple owners to become the last surviving paper mill in the North Country. Berlin Daily Sun article link (PDF, page 1) en-us Thu, 07 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0400 Resources (SFF subpage) http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=34&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Mark your calendars. This year’s auction will run from November 3 – December 3, and what a fine auction catalog we have coming together! From a sweet stand up paddle board to lodging along the Trail to paddling and camping gear galore, there is something for everyone. Northern Forest Canoe Trail Auction en-us Thu, 07 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Networks & Partner News http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=35&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Glenn Adams The North American leg of the International Appalachian hiking trail got a major boost Thursday as chapters in several European countries endorsed the project, which promises to become the world’s largest trail network. Trail clubs in Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, England, Ireland and Wales formally joined the International Appalachian Trail during a meeting in Aviemore, Scotland, IAT officials said. Bangor Daily News article en-us Thu, 07 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=36&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine Maine forest rangers and entomologists are collecting firewood from out-of-state visitors to protect the state's woodlands from destructive insects such as the Asian longhorned beetle and emerald ash borer. Bangor Daily News article en-us Thu, 07 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=37&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Despite the weak economy, electricity consumers in New England have set new records for power use. ISO-New England, the Holyoke-based grid operator for the region, says peak demand hit record levels in May and September. The region also set an all-time record in electricity consumption for one month in July. Bangor Daily News article en-us Thu, 07 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Tourism http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=38&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine By: Keith Whitcomb Jr. After a three-hour special meeting, the Planning Commission agreed it would make it known to the state Public Service Board that it has concerns over the permit application for a proposed biomass facility being tied in with an integrated wood pellet manufacturing operation. Bennington Banner article en-us Thu, 07 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=39&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York This week, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack released a report outlining both the current state of renewable transportation fuels efforts in America and a plan to develop regional strategies to increase the production, marketing and distribution of biofuels. USDA plans to adopt regional strategies that allow the placement of biorefineries in areas of economic distress through the leveraging of regional resources for transportation, labor and feedstocks. The report provides information on current production and consumption capacities as well as projections to meet the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS2) mandate to use 36 billion gallons of biofuel per year in America's fuel supply by 2022. Renewable Energy World article USDA Biofuels Strategic Production Report *** Forums are being hosted by state USDA officials for constituents to comment on the USDA’s “Biofuels Strategy”. Maine USDA contacts New Hampshire USDA contacts Vermont USDA contacts New York USDA contacts *** en-us Thu, 07 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=40&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire A project to build a terminal that will convert electricity from a Canadian hydroelectric plant is expected to boost Franklin's tax base by 44 percent, the mayor and governor announced last night. The project, called Northern Pass, is a joint effort between Hydro-Quebec and Hartford, Conn.-based Northeast Utilities, which is the parent company of Public Service of New Hampshire. Once completed, it would pipe 1,200 megawatts of power 140 miles from the Canadian border to Franklin, where the $250 million converter station will change direct current into alternating current, said Gary Long, the chief operating officer of PSNH, to a standing-room-only crowd of residents and journalists in city hall. Concord Monitor article 'Northern Pass' project website en-us Thu, 07 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=41&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire Free workshops to teach residents basic techniques to save money on home energy will be offered in more than 30 communities around New Hampshire this fall and winter. Clean Air-Cool Planet and the New England Carbon Challenge announce the second season of Button Up NH, a highly successful home-weatherization workshop pioneered in Vermont and now available in New Hampshire. Button Up NH web site en-us Thu, 07 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=42&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Martha Ellen New York Gov. David A. Paterson signed into law Friday legislation that creates the North Country Power Authority, the agency that plans to form a public utility system for 24 municipalities in St. Lawrence and Franklin counties. Watertown Daily Times article en-us Thu, 07 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=43&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: Nancy Madsen New York Energy efficiency and renewable-energy development in the north country can help stem the tide of climate change and lead to electricity-production development in poor countries, according to an energy and development expert from the United Nations. Kamal Rijal, energy policy adviser for the United Nations Development Programme, shared the importance of renewable-energy development with a small crowd Thursday night at Jefferson Community College. The three Watertown Rotary Clubs sponsored the event, along with the college's Center for Community Studies. Watertown Daily Times article en-us Thu, 07 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=44&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New York The Adirondack Research Consortium in collaboration with Paul Smith’s College is pleased to announce a new program highlighting the top research being conducted by students in the Adirondack Park for presentation and award at the 18th Annual Conference on the Adirondacks. Submissions for the student awards are due by March 1, 2011 and should be in the form of an extended abstract. Adirondack Research Consortium Link to Abstract Guidelines Link to Abstract Submission Form en-us Thu, 07 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=45&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail New Hampshire Students who feel positively about their education, have a sense of belonging in school, and maintain good relationships with students and staff generally feel connected to their schools. In fact, 63 percent of Coos youth report feeling this way. It is one of the most important factors in promoting socio-emotional well-being and positive youth development, according to authors Nena Stracuzzi, a faculty fellow at the Carsey Institute, and Meghan Mills, a research assistant at the Carsey Institute. Carsey Institute study briefing (PDF)   en-us Thu, 07 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=46&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail NYSERDA announces the availability of approximately $3.2 million in incentives to encourage the installation of end-use wind energy systems for residential, commercial, institutional or government use. The program will continue through June 30, 2011 or until funds are fully committed, whichever comes first. NYSERDA incentive information   en-us Thu, 07 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=47&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail By: John Walsh New Hampshire When people ask me where I live, I usually give a brief geography lesson. After naming the towns, Berlin and Gorham, I explain that we are about halfway between Boston and Montreal. I want them to understand that this place is truly in the North Country. That it is just north and east of the Presidential Range of the White Mountains. That, while it has a tourist element in the economy, it is here pretty much because of its proximity to vast woodland tracts that have made pulp and paper the leading industry over the last 100 years or so. I like to think I have succeeded in defining the place fairly well. It is distinct from Conway or Lincoln-North Woodstock where the tourist industry prevails. It is the North Country. Berlin Daily Sun article (PDF, page 4) en-us Thu, 07 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=48&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Lean Manufacturing has substantial potential to enhance a wood products company’s economic competitiveness and profitability. This workshop - geared to leaders of small and medium sized wood products manufacturing companies in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and northern New York - will feature national experts on Lean Manufacturing for the wood products industry including Dr. Earl Kline and Dr. Urs Buehlmann of the Virginia Tech Department of Wood Science and Forest Products. The workshop will be held in 5 locations across the region, October 19 to November 4. Sustainable Forest Futures link to workshop information en-us Thu, 07 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0400 Digest - Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=3&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail Some of the nation’s top experts on Lean Manufacturing are coming to northern New England and New York to share their knowledge with owners and managers of the region’s wood manufacturing businesses in a series of one-day workshops. The Regional Wood Products Consortium—an initiative of the wood products manufacturing industry in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and northern New York—will conduct specialized one-day innovation workshops on Lean Manufacturing for Small and Medium Sized Wood Products Companies in October and November 2010. At the workshops, national leaders on Lean Manufacturing for wood products companies will focus on the substantial benefits that wood products companies can achieve from Lean Manufacturing, with specific examples, along with the kinds of commitments that companies need to make to realize those benefits. Workshop presenters include Dr. Earl Kline and Dr. Urs Buehlmann from the Virginia Tech Department of Wood Science and Forest Products, and Jeff Howe, from Minneapolis, MN. As President of a specialty wood products manufacturer in the mid-west, Jeff led his company through a highly successful and recognized lean transformation. The Lean Manufacturing Workshops will be held in five locations throughout the four states, on the following dates: Augusta, Maine: October 19 Concord, N.H.: October 20 Montpelier, Vermont: October 21 Glens Falls, N.Y.: November 3 Utica, N.Y.: November 4 The workshops are co-sponsored by the Wood Products Manufacturers Association—a national trade association—and the Maine Wood Products Association, New Hampshire Timberland Owners Association, Vermont Wood Manufacturers Association, and the Empire State Forest Products Association. Lean Manufacturing is a manufacturing improvement approach that focuses on eliminating various kinds of waste in the manufacturing process that do not add value to the product from the perspective of customers. Any wood products company in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont or northern New York is eligible to participate in any of the workshop sites at a special subsidized registration fee of only $25 per person. Full workshop details and online registration are available at www.foresteconomy.org. The workshops on Lean Manufacturing are the third in a series of innovation workshop topics being conducted for wood products companies by the Regional Wood Products Consortium. Workshops in May 2010 on Developing New Marketing Strategies attracted 84 participants, and workshops in June 2010 on Making Effective Use of Technological Advances attracted 60 participants. Future workshops being planned cover mass customization, speed of delivery and customer service as a business model, and enhancing economic competitiveness through going green. The Regional Wood Products Consortium is a collaboration between the region’s wood products manufacturing industry and Sustainable Forest Futures. Funding support for the Consortium is provided by the Neal and Louise Tillotson Fund of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities, the Northeast Utilities Foundation, and the Wood Education and Resource Center, Northeastern Area State & Private Forestry, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. More information about the Regional Wood Products Consortium and the Lean Manufacturing Workshops can be found at www.foresteconomy.org or by contacting Collin Miller: 603-229-0679, ext. 110; or cmiller@northernforest.org. en-us Wed, 06 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0400 News Release Archive http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=2&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail The Regional Wood Products Consortium—an initiative of the wood products manufacturing industry in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and northern New York—will conduct specialized one-day innovation workshops on marketing in May 2010 and on technology in June 2010. The workshops will provide leaders of small- and medium-sized wood products manufacturing companies with important information on innovation opportunities to enhance the industry’s economic competitiveness. The workshops are structured to provide opportunities for leaders of wood products companies in the region to interact with the nation’s top experts in two critical aspects of their business: wood products marketing and technological advances in wood products manufacturing. Each workshop will be held in five locations across the region, on the following dates: Developing New Marketing Strategies Montpelier, VT, May 18; Glens Fall, NY, May 19; Utica, NY, May 20; Augusta, ME, May 25; and Concord; NH, May 26. Making Effective Use of Technological Advances Utica, NY, June 2; Glens Falls, NY, June 3; Augusta, ME, June 8; Concord, NH, June 9; and Montpelier, VT, June 10. The workshop series are co-sponsored by the Wood Products Manufacturers Association—a national trade association—and the Maine Wood Products Association, New Hampshire Timberland Owners Association, Vermont Wood Manufacturers Association, and the Empire State Forest Products Association. Any wood products company in the region is eligible to participate in any of the workshop sites at a special subsidized registration fee of only $25 per person. Full workshop details and online registration are available at www.foresteconomy.org. The first workshop series, Developing New Marketing Strategies, will feature, among others, Dr. Jeff Howe, CEO of Fullerton Companies and Chair of the Board of Minneapolis based Dovetail Partners. Howe combines experience as President of successful wood products companies with a Ph.D in Marketing from the University of Minnesota. In the morning session, Howe will lead an extensive session entitled Doubling Sales – Integrating Best Marketing Practices into Your Company to Achieve Significant Growth in Tough Times. Other top experts will lead afternoon sessions on maximizing effective use of the internet, penetrating international markets, and green marketing. Significant time will be reserved in the afternoon for attendees to have one-on-one consultations with the expert presenters, with telephone follow-up also available. The second workshop series, Making Effective Use of Technological Advances, will feature top experts from the United States and Canada on proven technological advances in CNC technology, finishing, joinery and adhesives, and dust collection. Experts will describe technological advances in each area that have the potential to enhance economic competitiveness and profitability. They will focus on the benefits, challenges and costs associated with the technological advances, to help wood products company leaders decide whether taking advantage of particular technological advances makes sense for their company. The Regional Wood Products Consortium is a collaboration between the region’s wood products manufacturing industry and Sustainable Forest Futures. Funding support for the Consortium is provided by the Neil and Louise Tillotson Fund of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities, and the Northeast Utilities Foundation. More information about the Regional Wood Products Consortium and the Innovation Workshops can be found at www.foresteconomy.org or by contacting Collin Miller: 603-229-0679, ext. 110; or cmiller@northernforest.org. en-us Sat, 01 May 2010 00:00:00 -0400 News Release Archive http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=1&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail US Sen. Jeanne Shaheen has invited Rob Riley, president of the Northern Forest Center, to participate in the US Senate Democratic Rural Summit on April 28. The half-day event in Washington, DC, will bring together leaders from around the country who are working to revitalize rural America, and will feature a keynote address by former President Bill Clinton. “I am very pleased that Rob Riley will represent our state and highlight the needs of New Hampshire rural communities at the Rural Summit in Washington,” said Shaheen. “I look forward to working with Rob on issues important to rural New Hampshire, such as investing in alternative energy, supporting local agriculture, and boosting tourism.” The summit will focus on economic development and job creation, as well as preserving the rural way of life for rural Americans, according to organizers. As the only guest attendee from New Hampshire, Riley will have the opportunity to engage senators directly during question and answer sessions, and to network with peers from around the country. “It’s an honor to have Sen. Shaheen nominate me to participate in this event,” Riley said. “Rural America has its own set of pressing issues, but often gets less attention than urban areas because of the differences in population.” Riley heads up the non-profit Northern Forest Center, which advocates for the region and helps its communities benefit from forest-based economic and conservation initiatives. A major focus of the Center’s work is to demonstrate how rural forestland owners can realize new income from their forestland and provide community benefits through community-scale biomass energy projects, sustainable forestry and a revitalized wood-products industry, enhanced rural tourism opportunities, and environmental services such as clean water and carbon sequestration. The Northern Forest, encompassing northern Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and New York, is home to 2 million people who live in communities surrounded by the largest intact forest east of the Mississippi. The woodlands, lakes, rivers, wetland, farms, hills and mountains in the 30-million-acres forest provide the natural assets that are the basis for the region’s quality of life and its economic opportunities. The Center spearheaded the ground-breaking Sustainable Economy Initiative (www.nfsei.net), which drew on the expertise of 60 leaders from New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont and New York to create an economic strategy for the four-state region. That work led to the Center being selected to coordinate the Northern Forest Investment Zone initiative, a five-year program to develop new income streams from the forest and demonstrate how they can deliver maximum community benefit. Partners with the Center in the Northern Forest Investment Zone initiative include the Biomass Energy Resource Center, Coastal Enterprises, Inc., the Forest Guild, Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences, Sustainable Forest Futures (SFF) and the Community Forest Collaborative, whose members include the Trust for Public Land, Quebec-Labrador Foundation, SFF and the Center. The US Endowment for Forestry and Communities, which funds the initiative, selected the Northern Forest as one of only three forested regions in the country chosen as investment zones. “It’s critical that we keep the key issues for rural America in front of our elected leaders and our federal agencies, and this Rural Summit is an excellent opportunity to do that,” Riley said. “I’m grateful to Sen. Shaheen for the nomination.” en-us Mon, 26 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0400 News Release Archive http://www.northernforest.org/northern_forest_news_digest.html?news_id=6&module_params[name]=news&module_params[mode]=default&module_params[action]=detail In 2007, with partners from the regional biomass initiative—the Biomass Energy Resource Center (BERC) and the University of New Hampshire Carsey Institute—the Center helped write a Biomass Energy Action Plan [860 KB .PDF] for the region. The regional biomass initiative formed to explore the potential for woody biomass to provide an increased source of renewable, sustainable energy for the Northern Forest region. en-us Mon, 01 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0500 Reg. Renewable Energy Advisory Network - Updates