Please note: this call to action was for April 2019.
We no longer need action on this alert. This post is for archival purposes only.
You can read how this legislation was successfully folded into Governor Mill’s Maine Climate Council bill by clicking here.
Casco Bay needs your help! Please take a few minutes to let legislators know you are concerned about climate change and the health of Casco Bay.
On Tuesday, April 2, at 1 p.m., the Committee on Marine Resources of the Maine Legislature is holding a public hearing on a bill we strongly support: LD 1284, “An Act to Create the Science and Policy Council on the Impact of Climate Change on Maine’s Marine Species.”
The bill will establish a council made up of legislators, scientists, resource harvesters, and other stakeholders, with a mission to evaluate the impacts of climate change on Maine’s marine species and to make statewide policy recommendations.
This bill moves Maine to action on addressing and adapting to climate change, ocean acidification, sea level rise, and other threats to the health of our coastal waters. We believe Maine must act now to protect coastal habitats and marine species.
We ask you to urge the Committee on Marine Resources to vote in favor of LD 1284. Let them know you are concerned about climate change and its impacts on Casco Bay and on all of Maine’s marine resources.
Please email the committee by Tuesday morning, April 2.
Committee Members to email:
For a quick and easy way to share your support click here to email the Committee Clerk at MAR@legislature.maine.gov,.
To email the committee members directly, can copy and paste these into the “to” line of your email. This will work better on some devices and email platforms than others.
MAR@legislature.maine.gov, David.Miramant@legislature.
Add an subject, being sure to mention that you support LD 1284.
Here are suggested talking points for your email — we strongly recommend that you put these in your own words. Links below provide more information.
Dear Senator Miramant, Representative McCreight, and Members of the Committee on Marine Resources:
I am writing to you to urge you to vote in favor of LD 1284, “An Act to Create the Science and Policy Council on the Impact of Climate Change on Maine’s Marine Species.”
Maine’s coastal waters are changing and changing quickly. Friends of Casco Bay has been tracking water temperatures for over 25 years. On average, the data show a 2.5° F increase in water temperatures since 1993.
About 30% of the carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere is being absorbed by the ocean. This is increasing the acidity of our marine waters and reducing the availability of the material (calcium carbonate) that clams, mussels, and other shellfish need to build their shells. Recent data indicate that for nearly half the year, levels of calcium carbonate in Casco Bay are not sufficient for shell-building.
Our marine heritage and economy depend upon healthy coastal waters. The Science and Policy Council that LD 1284 will create will help move Maine forward on addressing and adapting to changes that threaten our marine resources.
Thank you for your time and service to Maine.
Sincerely,
–Your name and town you live in
Once you have emailed the committee, please let us know by emailing me back at keeper@cascobay.org. I will be testifying at the hearing on Tuesday, and it would be great to know that we have your support.
Thank you for making your voice heard for Casco Bay!
More information:
We have a wealth of information about the impacts of climate change on Casco Bay: https://www.cascobay.org/
LD 1284 was proposed by Representative Lydia Blume (York), who is a member of the Committee on Marine Resources. You can read the official language of the bill here.
LD 1284 has been selected by the Environmental Priorities Coalition, a group of 34 environmental organizations, as one of its five priority bills to address climate change in Maine.
As we shared with you at our Casco Bay Matters event, Governor Mills has proposed an all-encompassing Climate Change Council. Her proposal, which will be considered in separate legislation, will likely incorporate the council created by LD 1284 into a subcommittee of her omnibus council. We support the Governor’s plan and want to be sure that there is adequate focus on the marine environment — which is why it is so important that you make your voice heard on this issue.
Here is the official web page for the Committee on Marine Resources: http://legislature.maine.gov/
You can listen live to the hearing on Tuesday by clicking here: http://legislature.maine.gov/
