WERU News Report 6/19/12

Producer/Host: Amy Browne
Program Topics: Segment 1: Environmentalists Issue New Report on Tar Sands Pipeline in Maine; Segment 2: Penobscot Nation Receives Maine Initiatives Award

Key Discussion Points:
a) Portland-Montreal pipeline
b) Tar sands
c) Penobscot Nation

Guests:

Dylan Voorhees, Clean Energy & Global Warming Project Director, Natural Resources Council of Maine (www.nrcm.org)

Recorded audio from Maine Initiatives Awards, featuring John Dieffenbacher-Krall, Penobscot Nation Chief Kirk Francis and Natural Resources Director John Banks (www.penobscotnation.org, www.maineinitiatives.org)
(Audio recorded by: Matt Murphy)
Call In Program: no

RadioActive 6/14/12

Producer/Host: Meredith DeFrancesco
Issue: Environmental and Social Justice

Program Topic: Penobscot River Restoration Project, with John Banks of the Penobscot Nation: Great Works at Old Town going down.

Key Discussion Points:

a) On Monday, work began to remove the Great Works dam on the Penobscot River in Old Town. It is the first step in re-opening 1000 miles of the river to sea run fish, including alewives, herring, sturgeon and Atlantic salmon. In 2013, the Veazie Dam is scheduled to be removed. The Milford and Howland dams will install new fish lifts and by passes.

b) The Penobscot River Restoration Project has been called one of the largest fishing restoration projects in the history of the country, and now serves as a global model for cooperative conservation efforts. The project includes conservation groups, utilities, government entities, including the Penobscot Indian Nation.

c)The Penobscot Nation, which has been on the ground floor of this project, has offered instrumental perspective and leadership on the project, based on their unique relationship with the Penobscot River

Guests:

A) John Banks, tribal member, Director of the Department of Natural Resources for the Penobscot Nation, founder and member of the Penobscot River Restoration Project www.penobscotriver.org/

Call In Program: no