Portland Protectors

Railroad W**d Inc., which broadcast sprays high-risk pesticides along railroad tracks in Maine (even in Portland and South Portland because of loopholes in the cities' pesticide ordinances), is being sued by the Portland Water District, which says Railroad W**d Inc. illegally connected to a public hydrant and caused $150,000 in damage to water mains. The out-of-state company has locations in Massachusetts, Ohio and Tennessee. This kind of irresponsible and out-of-date land management is supported by the corporations who own and operate the railroad lines that crisscross our city. Residents get no say. Railroad W**d Inc. is alleged to have inflicted $150,000 worth of damage on our public infrastructure. What no one knows is how much the company's risky and imprudent broadcast spray programs costs us in sickness, lost work days and higher health care costs.

Peak capitalism: sell poison, make everyone sick, then sell elixirs to relieve discomfort but keep feeding the disease. Boycott Roundup and all its related drugs.

Excellent opinion piece from Portland Cruise Control in today's paper!

Key takeaways include:

* "Scrubbers allow the cruise industry to continue profiting from cheap fuel while exporting the damage to our community. The acidified scrubber wash discharges carcinogenic compounds that bioaccumulate in the food web, along with heavy metals, nitrites, nitrates and soot particles — all of it directly into Casco Bay, which supports our iconic lobster industry, recreational sailing, swimming and kayaking."

* "Portland Cruise Control has asked the city to restrict HFO and scrubber use while cruise ships are in port. By changing to a cleaner fuel, scrubbers would no longer be necessary, the wash would be eliminated and air emissions reduced significantly. The city’s response has been to offer cruise lines a $2 discount per passenger to voluntarily stop poisoning our environment beginning in 2027. It is estimated that switching to a cleaner, low-sulfur fuel would cost cruise lines approximately $3.50 per passenger, making HFO still the more profitable choice, even after the discount."

* "There is a more effective strategy the city can pursue now. We can make cleaner fuel change a condition of entry into our port through a memorandum of understanding (MoU). Also called community benefit agreements, enforceable arrangements like this have been reached in ports around the world as peer-reviewed science documenting the damage caused by scrubbers has become irrefutable."

Sadly, Portland City Hall favors the cruise industry over the health of residents and Casco Bay. This needs to change.

Portland has to hold the cruise industry accountable | Opinion The cruise lines cannot be allowed to dictate our public health and environmental policy. We have the leverage. It's time to use it.

Reps. Pingree (D-Maine) & Massie (R-Ky.) intro No Immunity for Glyphosate Act

ALERT!! Congress wants to sell the health of American families to boost profits for pesticide companies. Contact your representatives and ask them to reject the four Farm Bill provisions listed below that provide corporate welfare while raising healthcare costs for Americans. TAKE ACTION HERE: https://secure.everyaction.com/KuSlqNI_RUWnXtGZykkjrw2

Opening day for cruise ships, which are allowed to spew air pollution, water pollution and contagious diseases to lower their costs and boost corporate profits while damaging the health of local residents.

Opening day of the 2026 cruise season ~
⚓ 86 cruise ships at city berths (restricted port revenue)
⚓ 38 cruise ships at private berths (no $ for port)

Community gets:
⚓ Air Pollution
⚓ Water Pollution
⚓ Tourist Congestion
⚓ Risk of infectious disease


photo by Matthew Day

Want to volunteer to help birds? Join Maine Audubon and Bird Safe Maine to monitor birds killed after striking buildings in Portland.

If you find a dead bird, please:

1. Take photographs of the bird in place;
2. Email images with the date and address to [email protected];
3. No need to collect the bird, but you can move it to a safe place to decompose if you feel comfortable;
4. If you find an injured but living bird, please contact Avian Haven at 207-831-4888.

Join a virtual volunteer information session on Monday April 13 from noon to 1pm. Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/CHdj9xttSt-Kk_Of9yX2Kg?emci=8fad0863-a932-f111-8ef2-000d3a14b640&emdi=4683e8fa-8633-f111-8ef2-000d3a14b640&ceid=14372932 #/registration

More info: https://maineaudubon.org/advocacy/birdsafe/

The City of Portland, Maine is wasting tax money, harming workers and polluting the environment all while disturbing the peace at the largest city cemetery. https://seeclickfix.com/web_portal/9Sds4Ebv9yf9nC8e9yhDf5MP/issues/21406662

Even children understand the need for green space in Midtown. We hope city leaders listen.

"Last month, Dion visited sixth graders at King Middle School, who had completed a project surrounding the vacant Midtown parcels. He said ideas from the students ranged from single-family homes to apartments and retail spaces. The designs also included playgrounds and gardens designed to help with drainage for land in the flood zone."

See the link in the comments to share your thoughts on the last major swath of city-owned land on the peninsula.

Portland seeks residents’ feedback on potential ‘Midtown’ development The city opened a survey and will hold informational meetings to gauge opinions on what to do with the 3.5 acres along Somerset Street, some of the only remaining undeveloped land on the peninsula.

81% of Portland residents are satisfied with the Jetport, so why does City Hall keep trying to clearcut trees and expand surface parking lots? See full survey results: https://content.civicplus.com/api/assets/me-portland/b8baff1d-40dc-4416-940a-96781d84d22c

Why do politicians who want more births support pesticides linked to miscarriages, stillbirths, and birth defects?