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Mike first ran for the Maine Legislature after witnessing the harmful effects of pollution from the mill where he was working on the nearby Penobscot River. He remains committed to protecting the rivers, mountains, and coasts of Maine as well as the livelihoods of those that live along and among them. Mike believes that economic growth and environmental protection are not mutually exclusive, and that the best way to advance many environmental causes is to make sure that local communities, government, and business leaders remain strongly engaged. Maine continues to be a national leader in sustainable forestry, land conservation, recreational access, and clean energy initiatives. Mike believes that we must do everything we can here in Maine and America to protect the environment and that we must lead the world in advancing global initiatives which will protect the planet. In this section:
Additional resources:
Protecting Maine's Outdoor Heritage As a former co-owner of a sporting camp, Mike knows that the men and women who spend time enjoying the recreational opportunities that Maine has to offer are often the best conservationists. These hunters, fishermen, hikers, skiers, boaters, and other sportsmen and outdoor enthusiasts work alongside environmental advocates, local communities, businesses, and the state and federal government, to continue Maine's strong legacy of conservation. Mike has worked hard to expand access for sportsmen, and cosponsored H.R. 2473, the Voluntary Public Access and Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program Act of 2007. This bill provides funding to help willing landowners keep their property open to recreational activities including hunting and fishing. Language from H.R.2473 was included in the 2008 Farm Bill which was passed into law by Congress over a presidential veto. Mike has worked closely with sportsmen throughout the state of Maine, including the Sportsmen Alliance of Maine (SAM), our state's largest sportsmen organization with around 14,000 members. Mike is also a proud to be a member of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus. The Sportsmen's Caucus is devoted to land conservation and to strengthening and preserving the rights of outdoor enthusiasts, most notably hunters and fishermen. It is one of the largest and most active caucuses in Congress. For more information on the Sportsmen's Caucus, click HERE.
Greenhouse
gas emissions have steadily been raising the temperature of our planet and
could result in drastic climate change. We are already seeing a rise in sea levels,
increased droughts, heat waves, changes in the yearly cycles of animal and
plant life, as well as the melting of the polar icecaps. We must reduce our greenhouse gas emissions
and cut down on our use of fossil fuels before it is too late. Penobscot River Restoration Project In 2004, an innovative agreement was signed by the hydropower company PPL Corporation, the Penobscot Indian Nation, six conservation groups, and various state and federal agencies. The agreement, when fully implemented, will restore the free flow of the Penobscot River by removing two dams and constructing a fish passage around a third. The project will allow 11 species of sea-run fish to return to their natural habitats within the Penobscot watershed. Through reconfiguration of facilities elsewhere on the river, this is accomplished with limited loss of important hydropower generating capacity. Mike has worked extensively with the many groups involved in this project and has pushed for continued federal support. He understands how important this project is for the state of Maine and it is one of his top priorities. For more information on the Penobscot River Restoration Project, click HERE. Reducing Pollution and Improving Water Quality While roughly 75 percent of the Earth is covered in water, only a portion of that water is available for consumption. Therefore, it is very important that we take good care of our limited water supply. When toxic substances infiltrate our water supply, it can lead to disease, health complications, and even death. Mike supports strong federal investment in water treatment infrastructure in our cities and towns. Such investment protects the environment and creates jobs. In the 110th Congress, Mike co-sponsored and supported H.R. 569, the Water Quality Investment Act of 2007. This bill would provide $1.7 billion over five years for sewer overflow control grant assistance, which will help municipalities fund projects to protect the nation's waters from wastewater pollution. Mike voted for H.R. 720, the Water Quality Financing Act of 2007, which would authorize $14 billion over the next four years for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund. Mike also advocated for H.R. 700, the Healthy Communities Water Supply Act of 2007. This bipartisan bill authorizes pilot projects to increase an area's usable water supply by encouraging innovation in water reclamation, reuse and conservation.
Land
and Wildlife Conservation As the patterns of landownership in Northern Maine have changed, Congressman Michaud has sought to preserve important lands and waters for the continued use of the public, both now and in the future. He has long supported the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and the Forest Legacy Program. Both of these programs help to preserve land for public use through the purchase of titles to these lands or easements that allow for their preservation and recreational use. Mike has consistently called for strong funding for both of these programs. In addition, Mike also introduced H.R. 2251, the Acadia National Park Improvement Act of 2008. The bill reauthorized and updated statutes controlling the operation of Acadia National Park, allowing the National Park Service and local communities to continue to preserve this important landscape and wildlife area. Language from H.R.2251, was included in S. 2739, the Consolidated Natural Resources Act, which became public law. Mercury contamination is big problem in the United States. Children and women of child-bearing age are the most vulnerable to the effects of this contamination. Mike co-sponsored H.R. 1533, the Comprehensive National Mercury Monitoring Program Establishment Act. This bill would establish a national mercury monitoring program, requiring the Environmental Protection Agency to monitor long-term changes in mercury levels in the air and watersheds, mercury levels in water and soil chemistry, and mercury levels in plants and animals. An increasing number of plants and animals are facing extinction all over the world, and Maine is home to some of these species. Mike has always believed that endangered plants and animals deserve our protection. He cosponsored and voted for H.R. 1464, the Great Cats and Rare Canids Act of 2007, which provides grants for projects that protect rare wild cat and dog species, including lions, leopards, jaguars, cheetahs, and gray wolves. Mike has also cosponsored H.R.1422, the Endangered Species Recovery Act of 2007, which helps to support the efforts of private landowners to preserve species through the use of tax credits for protective activities. |
