Penobscot Bay Blog

On Tue, Mar 25, 2025, 12:35 PM Ashleigh Erwin <a.erwin@oceandiagnostics.com> wrote:
Hi Ron,
Please find below all the resources needed to run a microplastics project in your community:
Illustrated Learning Resources
Community Science Microplastics Beach Survey and Data Analysis Instructional Guide. You may use this for a one-time project or ongoing to monitor changes over time by surveying the same beach(es) monthly or seasonally. This guide also includes instructions for using Saturna and evaluating your data to identify sources and solutions.
Community Science Advocacy Tools. After you have interpreted your data, use these tools to engage local decision-makers and the community about your real microplastic data and potential solutions.
Hardware User Manual
Saturna Imaging System User Manual 2023.pdf
To further assist you, please refer to our training videos:
Community Science Sandy Beach Survey
Community Science Data Analysis

Please don't hesitate with any questions, and do keep in touch - we would love to hear how it goes!

Ashleigh Erwin
(she/her)
Director, Marketing and Communications
Ocean Diagnostics
2716 Rock Bay Avenue
Victoria, BC, V8T 4R9
www.oceandiagnostics.com

Microfibers are a Macro Issue: Interagency Report on Microfiber Pollution. October 17, 2024

Speakers:

Carlie Herring, NOAA Marine Debris Program

Nizanna Bathersfield, EPA Trash Free Waters Program
Krystle Moody Wood, Materevolve

Microfiber pollution is an emerging issue of environmental concern due to the growing body of research uncovering the pervasiveness and potential ecological and human health impacts of microfibers in the environment.

In July 2024, the Interagency MarineDebris Coordinating Committee released the Interagency Marine Debris Coordinating Committee Report on Microfiber Pollution– a Report to Congress mandated by Section 132 of the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act of 2020. This webinar will cover the details in the report as well as some of the ongoing efforts in the United States and beyond addressing microfiber pollution.

Webinar recording: Carlie Herring and Nizanna Bathersfield Presentation - The Issue of Microfibers and Report Overview (pdf) (3.03 MB)
Krystle Moody Wood Presentation - Solutions for Microfiber Pollution (pdf) (2.2 MB)

==============================================================

2. Quantification of Microplastics on National Park Beaches

Mar 28, 2025

GAC PLUMES 1998- 2024

GAC PLUMES: STILL & VIDEO

2024 - 1998

https://penbay.net/waste/gac/kidder_pt_aerials_1940_2011_hor_capt.jpg

Ground level 1998 mp4 video 12 minutes examining eroding waste filled shorelines & more on Kidder Point, southwest Stockton Harbor Searsport (First few minutes a over-shaky.)

undated https://www.penbay.org/gacshore_aerial_oldfactory_cove3.jpg

2024
Lighthawk July 26, 2024. GAC Chemical. Low tide, 930am

2023

2022

2021

2016

https://penbay.net/flights/june_2016/

2014

https://www.penbay.org/gac/lh_071714_gac_point_plumes_cap.jpg

https://penbay.net/flights/gac_2014/

https://penbay.org/gac/gac_2014/lh_071714/

https://penbay.net/fopb_artwork/plumes/

2013

https://penbay.net/flights/gac_2013/

https://penbay.org/gac/gacphotos/aerial/lh_050113_gac_facility_intertidal.jpg

https://penbay.org/gac/gacphotos/aerial/lf__050113_gac_leachate_intertidal.jpg

https://penbay.org/gac/gacphotos/aerial/gacshore_050113_aerial_leach_full.jpg

https://penbay.org/gac/gacphotos/aerial/gacshore_050113_aerial_cove_captions.jpg

https://penbay.org/gac/gacphotos/aerial/gac_050113_kidderpt_aerial_capt_1.jpg

https://penbay.org/gac/gacphotos/aerial/gacshore_lh_050113_aerial_metals_testsites_capt.jpg

https://penbay.org/gac/gacphotos/aerial/gacshore_aerial_may2013.jpg

2012

2011

https://penbay.net/waste/gac/kidder_pt_aerials_1940_2011_hor_capt.jpg

https://penbay.org/gac/gacphotos/aerial/kidderpt_aerial_112511.jpg

https://penbay.org/gac/gacphotos/aerial/kidderpt_aerial_100611.jpg

https://penbay.org/gac/gac000_112511.jpg

https://penbay.org/gac/delta/kidderpt_aerial_112511.jpg

https://penbay.org/gac/delta/kidderpt_aerial_100611.jpg

https://penbay.org/gac/gac000_112511.jpg

https://penbay.org/gac/gacphotos/aerial/gacchemical_aerial_aug2011.jpg

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

https://penbay.org/gac/delta/kidderpt_aerial_082704.jpg

https://penbay.org/gac/delta/kidderpt_aerial_042404.jpg

https://penbay.org/gac/gacphotos/aerial/kidderpt_aerial_082704.jpg

2003

2002

2001

2000

1999

1998

1997

https://penbay.org/gac/delta/kidderpt_aerial_042697.jpg

https://penbay.org/gac/gacphotos/aerial/kidderpt_aerial_042697.jpg

1996

1995 ? https://penbay.org/gac/alumspill1.jpg

Mar 16, 2025

Maine DMR Launches Intertidal Monitoring including at Sears Island Causeway

By Meredith White, Marine Resource Scientist IV

The Nearshore Marine Resources Program Team has been busy launching their new initiative of Long-Term Intertidal Monitoring. This monitoring is set up to initially gather baseline ecological data along the coast, and as we move into the future, will ideally link ecological changes along the coast to environmental changes such as warming waters.

Twelve locations have been selected along the coast, representing a variety of conditions and the presence of different species. These conditions include flats that are open to shellfish harvesting as well as closed to harvest, inlets that are extremely sheltered, and those that are exposed. Each site will be visited monthly and quantitative surveys will be conducted.

In alternating months, surveys will be conducted for infaunal species (softshell clams, quahogs, razor clams, surf/hen clams, blood worms, sandworms, milky ribbon worms) or species living on hard substrates (rockweed, American oysters, European oysters, blue mussels, periwinkles, dog whelks). Surveys for green crabs and other crab species will be conducted monthly, as these mobile organisms are expected to show more seasonal variability.

Additionally, during these quantitative surveys for the above target species, the presence of all other (non-target) species will be noted within survey areas. Initially, these surveys will show us the difference in species distribution geographically across the state, and over time, they will allow us to monitor changes in the abundance and distribution of intertidal species throughout the state.

Additionally, we will deploy temperature loggers just below and just above the surface of the mud to log both the mud temperature and the water/air temperature. Grant funding has been awarded through the Casco Bay Estuary Partnership Resilience and Monitoring Grant Program to purchase salinity and dissolved oxygen sensors to deploy in Brunswick and Cumberland. These sensors will be used as a pilot project to determine their suitability for intertidal deployment.

If successful, additional funding will be sought in the future to expand this data collection to other monitoring sites.

Location of 12 Long Term Intertidal Monitoring Sites along the coast.

Mar 14, 2025

Sears Island at the State House March 12, 2025, Dissolving JUPC and respecting the estuary.

On March 12, 2025 , two Sears Island bills LD 226 & LD 735 came before the Maine Legislature's Environment and Natural Resources committee:

Below listen to mp3s of the voices of Committee members, bills' sponsor Represenstive Reagan Paul. and then supporters, detractors and Neither For Nor Against-ers NFNA . (mp3s) More to come

* ENR Committee introductions 4 min 44sec
* Bill introduction by Rep Reagan Paul 13min16sec & QA

Government Officials

* Celina Cunningham_Governor's Energy Office 8min25sec

* Searsport Town manager James Gilway 4min 9 sec8

* Passamaquoddy Nation Frederick Moore Statement 3min35sec Q&A 10 min45sec

Bills Supporters

* Lawrence Reichardt 4min

* Nancy Galland 5min

* Jillian Howell 3min 29sec

* Kelsey Fenwick, lobsterman Port Clyde 3min

* Will Neils 4min 45 sec

* David Italiaander 3min24sec

* Becky Bartovics, North Haven. 5min 15sec

* Bill Carpenter 5min 32sec

* Katie Giddings 3min 15sec

Opponents

* David Gelinas 4min 31sec

* C. Gundrum, Maine Audubon & QA 7min35sec

* Dennis Damon * QA 12min 53sec

Neither For Nor Against

Jeff Romano, Maine Coast Heritage Trust

Mar 13, 2025

Sears Island History

Baldacci administrastion emails

https://www.penbay.org/penbaylng.html

Mar 5, 2025

HOSS: GAC and predecessors

From Maine DEP's
Hazardous and Oil Spill System

Date Range: 01/01/1970 - 03/04/2025, Muncipality: SEARSPORT, Keywords: kidder

Delta & Genral Alum's reported spills October 14, 1983 to March 18, 2020

NOTE: Links are to the the DEP pdf . Use back button to return to this page

Spill Number	Report Date	Town/MCD	Location	Spill Type	Tank Type
B-257-1983	Oct 14, 1983	SEARSPORT	DELTA CHEMICALS INC KI...	Hazardous Material Incident	Unknown/Unspecified
B-271-1983	Nov 9, 1983	SEARSPORT	DELTA CHEMICAL KIDDER ...	Hazardous Material Incident	Unknown/Unspecified
B-101-1984	May 27, 1984	SEARSPORT	DELTA CHEMICALS INC KI...	Hazardous Material Incident	Unknown/Unspecified
B-344-1993	Jun 29, 1993	SEARSPORT	DELTA CHEMICAL KIDDER ...	Oil Incident	Unknown/Unspecified
B-398-1993	Jul 22, 1993	SEARSPORT	DELTA CHEMICAL KIDDER ...	Hazardous Material Incident	Unknown/Unspecified
B-91-1994	Feb 23, 1994	SEARSPORT	DELTA CHEMICAL KIDDER ...	Non-Oil, Non-Hazardous Incident
B-567-1994	Sep 22, 1994	SEARSPORT	DELTA CHEMICALS, INC. ...	Non-Oil, Non-Hazardous Incident
B-64-1995	Feb 7, 1995	SEARSPORT	GENERAL ALUM & CHE...	Hazardous Material Incident
B-319-1996	Jun 19, 1996	SEARSPORT	GENERAL ALUM & CHE...	Hazardous Material Incident
B-383-1996	Jul 19, 1996	SEARSPORT	GENERAL ALUM & CHE...	Hazardous Material Incident
B-425-1997	Aug 5, 1997	SEARSPORT	GENERAL ALUM & CHE...	Hazardous Material Incident
B-573-1997	Oct 7, 1997	SEARSPORT	GENERAL ALUM & CHE...	Hazardous Material Incident
B-668-1997	Nov 20, 1997	SEARSPORT	GENERAL ALUM & CHE...	Non-Oil, Non-Hazardous Incident	Underground Tank(s) Involved
B-220-1998	Apr 3, 1998	SEARSPORT	GENERAL ALUM & CHE...	Oil Incident
B-308-1998	May 4, 1998	SEARSPORT	GENERAL ALUM & CHE...	Non-Oil, Non-Hazardous Incident
B-375-1998	Jun 9, 1998	SEARSPORT	GENERAL ALUM & CHE...	Hazardous Material Incident	Above Ground Tank(s) Involved
B-32-2000	Jan 20, 2000	SEARSPORT	GENERAL ALUM & CHE...	Hazardous Material Incident
B-695-2000	Nov 14, 2000	SEARSPORT	GENERAL ALUM CHEMICAL ...	Hazardous Material Incident
B-215-2001	Apr 19, 2001	SEARSPORT	TRUCK LOADING AREA &am...	Hazardous Material Incident
B-478-2001	Aug 27, 2001	SEARSPORT	GENERAL ALUM & CHE...	Oil Incident
B-496-2001	Sep 7, 2001	SEARSPORT	GAC KIDDER POINT ROAD	Hazardous Material Incident
B-62-2002	Feb 5, 2002	SEARSPORT	GENERAL ALUM & CHE...	Hazardous Material Incident	Above Ground Tank(s) Involved
B-174-2002	Mar 20, 2002	SEARSPORT	ACID LOADING AREA - GA...	Hazardous Material Incident
B-261-2002	May 6, 2002	SEARSPORT	GAC CORP KIDDER POINT ...	Hazardous Material Incident	Above Ground Tank(s) Involved
B-297-2002	May 28, 2002	SEARSPORT	GENERAL ALUM CORP KIDD...	Hazardous Material Incident

Spill Number	Report Date	Town/MCD	Location	Spill Type	Tank Type
B-434-2002	Aug 20, 2002	SEARSPORT	GENERAL ALUM & CHE...	Hazardous Material Incident
B-656-2002	Dec 10, 2002	SEARSPORT	GENERAL ALUM CORP KIDD...	Hazardous Material Incident
B-345-2003	Jul 20, 2003	SEARSPORT	GENERAL ALUM CORP KIDD...	Hazardous Material Incident	Above Ground Tank(s) Involved
B-556-2004	Oct 14, 2004	SEARSPORT	GENERAL ALUM & CHE...	Hazardous Material Incident	Above Ground Tank(s) Involved
B-627-2004	Nov 17, 2004	SEARSPORT	GENERAL ALUM & CHE...	Hazardous Material Incident	Above Ground Tank(s) Involved
B-112-2005	Mar 4, 2005	SEARSPORT	GAC CHEMICAL CORP KIDD...	Hazardous Material Incident	Above Ground Tank(s) Involved
B-389-2006	Jul 11, 2006	SEARSPORT	MONTREAL, MAINE & ...	Oil Incident
B-35-2008	Jan 19, 2008	SEARSPORT	MONTREAL, MAINE & ...	Hazardous Material Incident
B-291-2008	May 25, 2008	SEARSPORT	GAC CHEMICAL 34 KIDDER...	Hazardous Material Incident	Above Ground Tank(s) Involved
B-356-2008	Jun 22, 2008	SEARSPORT	GAC CHEMICAL FACILTITY...	Hazardous Material Incident	Above Ground Tank(s) Involved
B-183-2009	Mar 13, 2009	SEARSPORT	GAC CHEMICAL CORP KIDD...	Oil Incident	Above Ground Tank(s) Involved
B-306-2009	May 11, 2009	SEARSPORT	GAC CHEMICAL COMPANY K...	Hazardous Material Incident	Above Ground Tank(s) Involved
B-57-2010	Feb 3, 2010	SEARSPORT	GAC KIDDER POINT RD	Hazardous Material Incident	Above Ground Tank(s) Involved
B-85-2010	Feb 20, 2010	SEARSPORT	GAC CHEMICAL CO KIDDER...	Hazardous Material Incident
B-412-2010	Aug 5, 2010	SEARSPORT	GAC CHEMICAL/MM&A ...	Hazardous Material Incident
B-305-2011	May 19, 2011	SEARSPORT	GAC CHEMICAL CORPORATI...	Oil Incident
B-452-2014	Aug 21, 2014	SEARSPORT	GAC CHEMICAL CORPORATI...	Oil Incident
B-437-2016	Jul 14, 2016	SEARSPORT	GENERAL ALUM CHEMICAL ...	Hazardous Material Incident	Above Ground Tank(s) Involved
B-112-2020	Mar 18, 2020	SEARSPORT	GAC CHEMICAL CORP. 34 ...	Oil Incident

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Mar 31, 2025

Dec 7, 2022

6/16/22 BEP Agenda 6/16/22 with links Juniper Ridge appeal of Increasing the importation and use of of Bulky Waste for cover

Sep 16, 2021 The new Mound Builders. Will a fresh look at LD 1639 finally bring end to the mass importation of solid waste into Maine?

Nov 25, 2020 Casella Wastes' Juniper Ridge Landfill leachate is it safe?

Mar 30, 2025