Woodchip Export Protestors in Maine From the Native Forest Network 10/25/95
"Fish or Chips!" rang out at the Augusta Airport as opponents of Governor Angus King's plan to export chipped Maine Woods to Japan saw him off with banners waving, and a briefcase full of woodchips for him to autograph.
Written 1:03 PM Oct 25, 1995 by nfn in igc:nfn.tempforest */
Woodchip Export Protests in Maine and AlabamaWoodchipping Protesters Give Maine Governor Big Send-Off
Augusta, Maine, October 23 1995:
Maine Governor Angus King, on his way to Japan with
representatives of forest industry giant Bowater to seek markets
for Maine woodchips, received a send-off at the airport on October
23 by protesters from the Native Forest Network (NFN) and Maine
Earth First!.
The protesters were there to draw attention to the
pending destruction of Wassumkeag (Sears) Island, Maine's largest
undeveloped island, for a proposed cargo export facility.
pending destruction of Wassumkeag (Sears) Island, Maine's largest
undeveloped island, for a proposed cargo export facility.
Jim Freeman of NFN engaged King in dialogue in which King claimed that
few woodchips would be exported from Sear Islands. Freeman reminded him
of the studies which state that up to 90% of the cargo to go out
from Sears Island would be raw woodchips as the Maine Woods are
ground up and sent overseas for disposable paper and wood
products.
The defenders of Maine hoisted big banners, one proclaiming "Fish
or Chips? Stop the Sears Island Chip Port." A suitcase full of
woodchips was displayed where passengers had to stop at the
airport metal detector, and Maine businesspeople boarding the
plane for Japan were encouraged to take chips and ask the Governor
to sign them. Many did, proclaiming support for the Maine Woods
defenders.
few woodchips would be exported from Sear Islands. Freeman reminded him
of the studies which state that up to 90% of the cargo to go out
from Sears Island would be raw woodchips as the Maine Woods are
ground up and sent overseas for disposable paper and wood
products.
The defenders of Maine hoisted big banners, one proclaiming "Fish
or Chips? Stop the Sears Island Chip Port." A suitcase full of
woodchips was displayed where passengers had to stop at the
airport metal detector, and Maine businesspeople boarding the
plane for Japan were encouraged to take chips and ask the Governor
to sign them. Many did, proclaiming support for the Maine Woods
defenders.
Traci Hickson of Web of Life encouraged King to "Stop
working for big business and start working for the people of
Maine."
Meanwhile, activists with the Japan Environmental Monitor have
been disseminating information on Sears Island in Japan in
preparation for King's 10-day visit.
For details on the Sears Island debacle see the EcoNet
nfn.tempforest conference, item #403.
working for big business and start working for the people of
Maine."
Meanwhile, activists with the Japan Environmental Monitor have
been disseminating information on Sears Island in Japan in
preparation for King's 10-day visit.
For details on the Sears Island debacle see the EcoNet
nfn.tempforest conference, item #403.
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