Protecting Working Waterfronts

Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and U.S. Representative Chellie Pingree sent a letter urging the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to move forward and fund critical dredging projects for York Harbor and the Saco River.   “Small ports and harbors like York and Saco River are the economic lifeblood for many coastal communities in Maine.  In allocating funds… Read more »

U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and U.S. Representatives Chellie Pingree and Bruce Poliquin responded to today’s announcement that the European Commission’s Committee on Invasive Alien Species has decided that they will not proceed with the listing of American lobster as an invasive species at the European Union level. The decision brings an end to the proposal… Read more »

  A bill introduced by Representatives Chellie Pingree and Bruce Poliquin to ease federal inspection of several species of seafood, including urchins exported from Maine, passed the U.S. House today.  "Urchin dealers in Maine should be exempted from these inspections just like lobster and other shellfish are," Pingree said.  "This is a highly perishable… Read more »

U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and U.S. Representatives Chellie Pingree and Bruce Poliquin released the following statement today in response to a decision by the European Union’s (EU) Scientific Forum on Invasive Alien Species to open up a broader review of Sweden’s request to declare American lobster as an invasive species and ban all imports of live lobster… Read more »

Representatives Chellie Pingree (ME-01) and Rob Wittman (VA-01) are introducing bipartisan legislation today to protect the kind of waterfront access and infrastructure that many businesses—and thousands of jobs—depend on in Maine, Virginia, and in communities all over the country.   “The importance of Maine’s coastline to our state’s economy… Read more »

Tells Secretary of State, U.S. Trade Representative and head of NOAA that import ban isn't warranted Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Representatives Chellie Pingree and Bruce Poliquin joined together today to ask three top Obama Administration officials to resist Swedish efforts to ban the import of live Maine lobsters into the European Union.  In a letter to… Read more »

Representatives Chellie Pingree and Bruce Poliquin introduced a bill today that will make it easier for seafood dealers to export urchins outside of the United States.  Recently, federal officials started requiring inspections of urchins entering and leaving the United States.  Currently processors buy urchins harvested in Maine and Canada and process them here in Maine.… Read more »

Bill would create national task force to prioritize federal efforts Read more »

A special commission set up by the Maine Legislature has released a report on the threat of ocean acidification in Maine waters, and, like a bill introduced by Congresswoman Chellie Pingree last spring, called for research and study into the problem. Ocean acidification—a change in the chemical composition of seawater—is driven by increased greenhouse gases and other… Read more »

Federal designation would lead to investment, protection of local environment House and Senate leaders have agreed to include legislation originally written by Congresswoman Chellie Pingree in a major defense spending bill that is expected to pass Congress this week. Pingree's bill—the York River Wild and Scenic River Study Act—would create a 3-year study to determine if… Read more »