Coastal Conversations 3/27/15

Producer/Host: Natalie Springuel
Studio Engineer: John Greenman

Issue: Maine coastal and ocean issues

Program Topic: Seal and Whale Strandings in Maine: Why they happen and why we respond

Key Discussion Points:
a) Why do marine mammals strand/beach themselves, which ones do, when is it a concern?
b) What are necropsies and other methods for responding to strandings of live and dead marine mammals?
c) What should the public do / not do when they encounter a stranded seal or whale in Maine?

Guests:
Sean Todd, Director, Allied Whale at College of the Atlantic
Rosie Seton, Marine Mammal Stranding Coordinator, Allied Whale
Dr. Carissa Bielamowicz, Veterinarian, Harbor Road Veterinary in South Thomaston
Grace Shears, Marine Mammal Strandings Volunteer

RadioActive 3/26/15

Producer/Host: Meredith DeFrancesco

Issue: Environmental and Social Justice

Program Topic: Orono Council Committee Votes to Withdraw from Penobscot Nation v Mills

Key Discussion Points:

a) On March 16th, the Orono Town Council’s Community Development Committee, which contains all members of the council, voted unanimously to instruct the town manager to draw up an order to formally withdraw Orono from Penobscot Nation v Mills. This case concerns the
Penobscot Nation’s jurisdiction to monitor their sustenance fishing waters, a status without issue until August 8th, 2012, when then Attorney General Schneider wrote a letter to the Penobscot Nation declaring that “the State of Maine has exclusive regulatory jurisdiction over activities taking place on the River.” The Penobscot Nation is now suing the state in Federal Curt

b) The state of Maine’s attorney, Matt Manahan from law firm Pierce Atwood, joined a consortium of 18 towns and corporations to the case, as intervenors for the state. These 18 are waste water dischargers on the river, though the case is not about pollution discharges, and many of these entities would not be effected if it were.

c) A movement opposing Orono’s involvement developed when town residents were surprised to discover Orono’s involvement. Inquires showed none of Orono’s town councilors knew of the town’s involvement either.

Today we listen to both councilors and the public at the Orono Town Council’s public meeting on March 16th.

We also hear reactions from Orono organizer and resident Cheryl Robertson.

*Note: On April 1st Orono formerly files to withdraw from Penobscot Nation v Mills.

Guests:

A) Orono Town Council members (Mark Haggerty,Geoffrey Gordon, Tom Perry, Tom Sptiz, Sam Kunz) and Orono Town Manager Sophie Wilson

B) public testimony : Claudia Lawd, Eric Maynard,Maria Girouard, Kathy Pollard, Nancy Prisk, John Banks

C) Rep. Ryan Tipping-Spitz

D)Cheryl Roberston, Orono resident

Maine Arts Alive 3/24/15

Host: Michael Donahue
Engineer: Amy Browne

Program Topic: Maine Masters Project: “Imber’s Left Hand”

Guests Include: Richard Kane, Project Director, Maine Masters Melody Lewis-Kane, Co-Producer, Maine Masters
Jill Hoy, artist

Key Discussion Points:

The story of the Maine Masters program

Producing video documentary “Imber’s Left Hand”

The artist: John Imber – His life, talent, and death