Recreational saltwater anglers in Maine will have to register before fishing in 2010 (and it’s free).

 

The requirement is part of the new National Saltwater Angler Registry, which goes into effect on January 1st.

The registry is aimed at gathering data to determine the effects of recreational fishing on ocean resources and the nation's economy, according to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

"By registering, recreational anglers will make their catch count," says acting assistant admnistrator for NOAA's Fisheries Service Jim Balsiger, in a statement. "The National Saltwater Angler Registry is an important tool that will enable us to better estimate the health of marine fisheries so that we're able to preserve the pastime of recreational saltwater fishing for generations to come."

Anglers who need to register include those from coastal states or territories that don't require recreational saltwater fishing licenses. That list includes Maine, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Virginia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Registration is free in 2010, federal officials say, and begins Friday. To register, visit http://www.countmyfish.noaa.gov, and click on the Angler Registry link, or call the toll-free registration line at 1-888-MRIP411 (1-888-674-7411) from 4:00 a.m. to 12 midnight ET daily.

Authorities say anglers will need to provide their name, date of birth, address and telephone number, and will receive a registration number that will allow them to begin fishing immediately. They will receive a registration card in the mail in about 30 days.

 

Maine policy fellowship available for a recent graduate student!  Read on for details….

 

State Policy Fellowship Program Deadline January 15th!

MECEP is part of a national program to expand the diversity of voices in state policy debates. Starting in August 2010, a State Policy Fellow can spend two years at MECEP or with one of our 31 SFAI state policy partner organizations. This is a fully paid position with benefits.  Eligible candidates must have received a graduate degree in public policy, public affairs, economic, social work, public health, law or a related field.  Don't miss this great opportunity.  Application deadline is January 15, 2010.

Learn More: State Policy Fellowship Program

 

 

 

 

At this special time of the year, I wish you all a relaxing and recharging holiday break.  May we all emerge with renewed energy and enthusiasm for the year 2010!

 

 

I have just joined on to be a founding member of a new National Coastal Caucus of State Legislators, which includes all coastal and Great Lakes states.  The Coastal Caucus will provide a way for state legislators to work cooperatively with other states, their Governors, Congress and the Obama Administration on addressing national coastal and ocean policies that effect our environment, resources and economy.  
 
The group will include state legislators from all coastal states, including the Great Lakes, who would like to participate in this new Coastal Caucus.  Recognizing that coastal states share unique economic and environmental issues, this new caucus will allow legislators  to work together to influence the decisions that affect us at a regional and national level and serve as an important point of contact that does not currently exist for coastal state legislatures – similar to the Governors’ Coastal States Organization.   
 

 

For those of you who would like to be notified of pesticide spraying in your area, Maine state law now entitles you to get your name added to a new registry that will notify you when pesticide spraying is happening near your home. You must register by March 15.  Learn more and sign up today. 

 

 

I left Maine today about an hour ahead of the snowstorm, on a flight bound for D.C., with final destination San Diego.  I have been appointed by Speaker Pingree to attend a bio-monitoring forum sponsored jointly by the National Center for Disease Control and the National Caucus of State Legislators.  This focus on chemical policy reform in the States and ultimately the whole nation, is a policy area very important to me in my work as a Maine state legislator.  Maine leads the nation in chemical policy law, and will continue to work with Congress to push the same improvements to national reform.  With over 80,000 chemicals currently in use, we need to ensure that chemicals are safe.  I will be meeting with a group of constituents in Yarmouth next month to discuss chemical policy here in Maine, and invite others to join in on the conversation as we work toward the goal of safer chemicals.

 

Info from House Speaker Hannah Pingree on the Governor’s Budgetary Curtailment and What It Means…..

 

In addition to the Governor’s decision this week to curtail spending, Maine’s Revenue Forecasting Committee recently met.  It appears they will lower the revenue forecast for the FY 2010 -FY 2011 biennium by $383 million.  The Governor is expected to present a supplemental budget in mid-December that will address that shortfall.

Unfortunately, this is not the first curtailment order the Governor has issued in the last year, but for many, the process is new.  The use of his legal authority, through the issuance of an Executive Order, to curtail allotments allows the Governor to act without legislative approval to reduce spending in a manner that does not require changes in law.  This authority is meant to only be used in extraordinary times.

 

The governor curtails without legislative approval and these were decisions of the executive branch.  The Legislature will be reviewing his curtailment decisions and cuts as part of the supplemental budget that they will receive in mid-December.  Public Hearings will be held in early January.  But with today’s more bad news on revenues, the Legislature’s task of balancing the budget will not be easy. 

 

Below you will also find background information on curtailments.  As more information becomes available, I will pass it on to you.


Basics of Curtailments

Today the Governor reported to the Presiding Officers that he will issue an Executive Order curtailing allotments for the first year of the biennium.  The amount of funding available to programs and agencies will be reduced between now and the end of this fiscal year, June 30, 2010.

Maine is required to have a balanced budget, with expenditures not to exceed anticipated revenues.

When the Commissioner of Administrative and Financial Services determines that anticipated revenues will not be sufficient to meet the expenditures authorized by the Legislature, the Governor has the statutory authority to curtail allotments so that government “expenditures will not exceed anticipated income and other available funds.”

All curtailments must be done equitably, and “must insofar as practicable, be made consistent with the intent of the Legislature in authorizing these expenditures.”

“Equitable” does not mean “equal” and the Governor has discretion with regard to the percentages of curtailments he imposes on various agencies and programs.

The Governor is prohibited from eliminating an allotment through curtailment; this includes the elimination of a position.

Curtailment is a temporary budgetary device, and the curtailments may be changed or made permanent by the Legislature.

The Governor may not curtail allotments for debt service on bonds issued by the state.

 

 

I’m holding Legislative Community Time at the Royal Bean today from 3-4, if you’d like to come by to discuss any matters.  You can also contact me at melissawalshinnes@gmail.com. 

 

Opinion piece in recent Forecaster regarding local attack mailings……..

 

Letter: Health-care legislation under attack

Published: Nov 02, 2009 8:40 am -  The Forecaster

E-mail and share

Recently we've seen ads, letters to editors and mailers from special-interest groups trying to mislead the public about important health-care issues debated last session at the Statehouse. As an organization dedicated to protecting consumers and promoting quality, affordable health care for everyone, we couldn't sit idle and listen to these claims.

Last session, the Legislature debated a bill to allow out-of-state insurance companies to sell policies in Maine. Initially, the bill may sound good. But, it would actually reduce our quality of care and increase already high costs in Maine. Vital consumer protections – a foundation of Maine values – would be undermined. Protections like those that make it so no Mainers can be denied health coverage. Removing these key protections would move Maine from being a nationwide leader in health reform to the bottom of the race.

Another bill subject to attacks restructured funding for the Dirigo Health Agency. Bill opponents argued the law would add a 2 percent tax to our medical bills to pay for the program. That's just not true. The new law replaced the controversial "savings offset payment" with a fixed monthly assessment on insurance companies. It's not an additional or new tax. It's not a tax at all. It's simply a streamlining of funding.

While vast health reform will only happen on a federal level, Maine has been a shining example of what we can accomplish at the state level. The nation is watching; let's stay ahead of the curve.

Joe Ditre, executive director
Consumers for Affordable Health Care
Augusta

 

 

 Maine officials join in call for electronics industry to withdraw e-waste lawsuit

 

Yarmouth, Maine – November 5, 2009  State Representative Melissa Walsh Innes joined with government officials from across the country today in calling on the electronics industry to withdraw its lawsuit against the New York City e-waste recycling law, describing the lawsuit as a direct challenge to state and local government efforts to protect public health and the environment.

 

In a letter to the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) and the Information Technology Industry Council (ITIC), who filed the lawsuit, state and local government representatives from 18 states expressed their continued support for state and local laws that give the electronics manufacturers responsibility for financing effective takeback services for all the products they are selling in those states

 

 “While this lawsuit was filed against New York City, it’s a direct challenge to the ability of states like Maine to pass takeback laws, like the compact fluorescent lamp recycling bill that Maine enacted  this year,” said Rep. Innes, who co-sponsored the bill.  “Our recycling program is very successful and is serving the residents of Maine very well, and we hope the courts don’t undermine our work to protect our environment and public health.” 

 

Maine’s product stewardship laws for electronic waste - computers, TVs, printers, cell phones, mercury thermostats and lamps are innovative and effective success stories that are now national models.  These laws direct producers to fund the collection and recycling of their products at the end of the product’s useful life, promoting the sustainable reuse of materials and preventing the release of hazardous chemicals into the environment.  In addition, they reduce costs for local governments and taxpayers and create jobs through the collection and recycling of formerly discarded products.

                                             

 

The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court on July 24, argues that the New York City e-waste recycling law passed in April 2008 is unconstitutional. The City’s law requires the electronics companies to collect and recycle old electronic products. Nineteen states have passed laws similar to “producer takeback” laws, including Maine, which passed the first producer responsibility law for electronics in the country in 2004.

 

Rep. Innes expressed her concern for the burden that the growing wave of consumer product waste is causing for local governments.   As more and more products are deemed “hazardous” the state's response has been to ban them from disposal. 

“Unfortunately, the state-mandated bans must be enforced by local governments, and they just don’t have the money to do it,” explained Rep. Innes.  “It’s the classic unfunded mandate—a government directive without the resources to enforce it.  The intentions were good, but the responsibility is misplaced onto local governments.  To help with this issue, I am pleased to report that the Legislative Council has given approval to include my bill, “An Act to Provide Leadership, Tax Fairness and Responsible Recycling for Consumer Products” in the upcoming short session of the 124^th Legislature. 

 

This bill builds off the success of Maine’s product stewardship laws and establishes a process to systematically evaluate products for their impact on health, the environment, and local taxpayers through managing the products at the end of their useful life and sets out to create public/private partnerships to collect, reuse and recycle consumer products – starting with products that contain hazardous materials.   The bill seeks to protect Maine taxpayers from the rising costs of e-waste and other hazardous end-of-product-life management.”

 

The public statement by governments is not the only action taken recently to challenge the electronics industry’s lawsuit.  Earlier this week, local governments from New York State, Oregon and California and an independent government association (Product Stewardship Institute) submitted an amicus brief to the Court  – providing legal arguments challenging the industry claims in the lawsuit, and in support of New York City’s right to enact the producer takeback law.  Two states, Maine and Washington, have provided affidavits that were submitted as part of New York City’s defense. The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) has also intervened in the case, in support of the City’s law, and is now a party to the case.

 

The oral arguments in the New York City lawsuit are expected to begin in late December.

 

For more information:  

 

Copy of the letter to the electronics industry:  http://tinyurl.com/withdraw-lawsuit

 

Copy of filings in the lawsuit: http://www.electronicstakeback.com/legislation/lawsuit_vs_nyc/lawsuit_vs_nyc.htm

 

For information on the Maine’s  e-waste laws /program: 

http://www.maine.gov/dep/rwm/ewaste

 

For information on all the state e-waste recycling laws: http://www.electronicstakeback.com/legislation/state_legislation.htm

 

Copy of New York City law: http://www.electronicstakeback.com/legislation/lawsuit_vs_nyc/LL%2013.pdf

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Legislative Update   State Rep. Melissa Walsh Innes   House District 107 - Yarmouth     News from Augusta    October 2009 State Rep. Melissa Walsh Innes 400 East Elm Street Yarmouth, ME 04096   846-4302 Home 318-8742 Cell RepMelissa.Innes@legislature.maine.gov     Quick Links Web site Dear Amy,   With Election Day fast approaching, I'm sure many of you can't wait to see it come and go.  The amount of advertisements, news stories and material billed as "information" is at its highest right about now and it can be overwhelming.   If you'd like read through the statewide ballot questions, I'd encourage you to visit the Secretary of State Web site for the actual wording and what a yes or no vote means.    No matter how you choose to cast your ballot, be sure to get out and vote on Tuesday, November 3, 2009.   The second session of the 124th Legislature begins in January. I would encourage you to participate by shadowing me, attending or speaking at public hearings or simply by contacting me with questions or concerns.    Legislative leaders have set an aggressive schedule to get through our work as quickly as possible, as we did last session, to save taxpayer money.  I want to make sure your voice is heard on important matters.  Please don't hesitate to contact me. Sincerely,   Melissa Walsh Innes State Representative   Let's Connect!   I will be holding office hours every Monday afternoon from 3 - 4 p.m. throughout November and December at the Royal Bean.    Your input is very important to me and if you'd like to sit down with me to discuss an issue or if I can help you navigate state government, I'd love to meet with you.  I'm also available by phone and e-mail.  Maine Property Tax and Rent Rebate Program   The 2009 Maine Property Tax and Rent Rebate Program applications are now available.  Maine homeowners and renters may be eligible for a refund of up to $1,600 on property taxes paid in 2008.  The refund is available to homeowners and renters who meet the income requirements:  families earning up to $81,850 are eligible, as well as individuals earning up to $61,400.    In order to qualify for a refund, 2008 property taxes must be more than four percent of household income, or the yearly rent paid must be more than 20 percent of household income.  Seniors who's income is below $13,900 for individuals and $17,200 for a family do not need to meet these requirements. Nearly 200,000 households are eligible for the Circuit Breaker rebate, but many Maine homeowners and renters don't apply and forfeit their rebates.   Applications are available on-line here and can be printed out and mailed or submitted electronically.

 

 

Attack Ads in our Community

 

Many members in our communities received attack ads in their mailbox this week, aimed at local House members regarding votes on a health care bill this past session.  I want to address this issue directly, and assure people that I strongly support access to quality and affordable healthcare.  I am sympathetic to the fact that 1 in 5 Mainers are either uninsured or under-insured.  The legislative committee that handled this bill (LD 290, An Act To Allow Maine Residents To Purchase Health Insurance from Out-of-state Insurers) held a long public hearing and work session, and many important issues were brought up (see list below).  No other state allows this, and for good reason.  At the public hearing the insurance agents testified no company would even offer this insurance nor would any state agree to it. Here are some of the reasons given:

·         Cherry-picking based on age, health status, location, etc.

·         Maine insurers would be more, not less, likely to leave the state

·         Consumer protections would be lost

·         Consumers would have no one to go to appeal claim denials

·         Pre-existing health problems

·         Maine-based medical providers would not be covered

·         Patients could end up being sued for payment, as well as Maine doctors

·         Many providers would not be covered, period, because the Maine requirements wouldn’t apply

·         If the company went belly-up, there is no backup plan

·         Other states won’t let their general fund and insurance assessment dollars be used to benefit Mainers, meaning we would pay higher premiums than in-state consumers

 

My number one reason for opposing the bill is that an out of state insurer would be allowed to refuse coverage to an applicant based on their health status.  Most policy experts and those in the health care community did not support the bill. While it sounds good on paper, in reality, it does more harm than good. When experts consider health reform proposals, they typically ask two questions: Does the reform address health care cost drivers? And does the reform result in accessible, quality, affordable and secure health coverage? LD 290 accomplished neither. There is no question that should a proposal like this pass; many young, healthy adults could find a good policy out of state.  Once that person gets sick though, they could face denial letter after denial letter and be totally on their own when they need coverage most.  This doesn't even take into account the many insurance companies that deny applicants for absurd reasons, like being a woman of child-bearing age. 

If this bill had passed, there would be minimal oversight on the private insurance industry.  Many consumers and businesses could easily become victims of deceptive marketing and other unfair trade practices.  The Bureau of Insurance would have no authority to deal with any of the bad seeds that exist in the insurance industry.  On top of all of this, we did not get any comment from any out-of-state insurance company expressing interest in selling health insurance across state lines.

I am hopeful that our State and Nation will soon work out a solution for true health care reform that guarantees quality care for all of our citizens, at a reasonable price. 

 

Sincerely,

 

State Rep. Melissa Walsh Innes, District 107 (Yarmouth), 318-8742

 

 

Submission to The Notes for October:  Saving Money in our Communities

 

 

The Maine legislature has overwhelmingly voted to pass numerous bills (electronic-waste, cell phones, mercury containing thermostats and light bulbs) to ensure that products that contain toxic materials are safely collected, recycled and turned into new products, preventing waste, protecting public health and promoting the sustainable use and reuse of materials.  These laws have become model policy and have been duplicated around the country.  In the case of Maine’s computer and television recycling law, 24 states have followed Maine’s lead.  These laws direct producers to fund the collection and recycling of their products at the end of the product’s useful life, promoting the sustainable reuse of materials and preventing the release of hazardous chemicals into the environment.  In addition, they reduce costs for local governments and taxpayers and create jobs through the collection and recycling of formerly discarded products. 

 

Local governments can't afford to manage the growing wave of consumer product waste.  As more and more products are deemed “hazardous” the state's response has been to ban them from disposal.  Unfortunately, the state-mandated bans must be enforced by local governments. And they don’t have the money to do it.  It’s the classic unfunded mandate—a government directive without the resources to enforce it.  The intentions were good, but the responsibility is misplaced onto local governments.  To help with this issue, I am pleased to report that the Legislative Council has given approval to include my bill, “An Act to Provide Leadership, Tax Fairness and Responsible Recycling for Consumer Products” in the upcoming short session of the 124^th Legislature.  This bill builds off the success of these product stewardship laws and establishes a process to systematically evaluate products for their impact on health, the environment, and local taxpayers through managing the products at the end of their useful life and sets out to create public/private partnerships to collect, reuse and recycle consumer products – starting with products that contain hazardous materials. 

 

Right now, in Yarmouth and our surrounding communities, taxpayers foot the bill for the removal of paints, stains, aerosol cans, adhesives, pool chemicals, furniture polish, weed killers, roofing tar……the list is long.  Here are some quick facts:  Today, while most consumer products can be recycled, the vast majority ends up in the trash.  Each person in the United States creates 4.5 pounds of garbage a day.  That is twice what we each generated thirty years ago.  Manufactured products and associated packaging make up 75% of what we throw away.  Although 80% of what we throw away can be recycled, we only recycle just over a third, so the vast majority of products – and the resources they represent - are thrown away and wasted.  Many consumer products contain toxic materials, which threaten our health and the environment when disposed of in incinerators or landfills.  Hundreds of products make our lives easier, until we don’t need them anymore. Then, if they’re not disposed of responsibly, the acids, toxic chemicals, mercury and other heavy metals they contain become a danger to our health and the environment.

 

Maine now needs a framework to systematically expand product stewardship partnerships with manufacturers to increase the collection and recycling of consumer products.  The bill would:  Direct DEP to systematically evaluate which products are most ripe for product stewardship recycling systems and create rules to develop the systems, and each proposed recycling system would be subject to public review through comment periods, public hearings and oversight through the Board of Environmental Protection (BEP).   I hope you will join me in supporting this bill as it works its way through the committee and legislative process, starting in January.  If you would like more information about this bill, or any other legislative issue, please contact me at melissawalshinnes@gmail.com or 846-4302.   Now through the end of December, on Monday afternoons from 3-4, I will be at the Royal Bean coffee/tea house on Main Street.  Please come by if you’d like to introduce yourself or talk about any issue.  If you’d like to receive my monthly updates and information sharing messages, please send me your name and e-mail to be added to the Yarmouth listing.  Thank you, and please enjoy the upcoming holidays in our wonderful town.

 

 

 

If you’d like to see if you qualify for a refund for your paid property taxes or rent, please read this important information, and apply now:

 

FOR HELP with the PROPERTY TAX and RENT REFUND PROGRAM

I-file: www.maine.gov/revenue.  (click on Electronic Services)

General Information: www.maine.gov/revenue (click on Tax Relief) or call 207-626-8475 - weekdays 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

To get forms: Download from www.maine.gov/revenue (click on Forms, Publications & Applications) or call 207-624-7894

- everyday 24 hours (to leave your name and address).

Refund information: www.maine.gov/revenue (click on Electronic Services) - everyday 24 hours. You must have your

social security number and total income ready.

NexTalk (TTY service): 888-577-6690 Weekdays 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Write to: Maine Revenue Services, PO Box 9116, Augusta, Maine 04332-9116.

FAQ’S: For information and answers to Most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), go to www.maine.gov/revenue (select

Tax Relief), everyday 24 hours a day.

 

Here is some great information about the upcoming referendum questions for this fall, and how to have input into the process……..

 

Referendum Election – November 3, 2009 Referendum Elections are held to provide Maine’s citizens an opportunity to vote on People’s Veto Referenda, Direct Initiatives of Legislation (i.e. Citizen Initiatives), Bond Issues, other referenda proposed by the Legislature, and Constitutional Amendments.  Referendum elections are an important part of the heritage of public participation in Maine.  In the fall of 2009, the Division of Elections, in conjunction with the Attorney General, the State Treasurer and the Office of Fiscal and Program Review will produce a Citizen’s Guide to this Referendum Election.  The Guide will include a list of the referendum questions, the legislation each question represents, a summary of the intent and content of the legislation, an explanation of the significance of a “yes” or “no” vote, an analysis of the debt service on any bond issues, and an estimate of the fiscal impact of each referendum question on state revenues, appropriations and allocations.  Those opposing or supporting specific ballot measures may also seek to have comments included in the publication.  For more information about including such comments, please visit our webpage regarding the Publication of Public Comments on Statewide Referenda. The Guide will be posted on this website. For information about how and where to vote, please contact your local municipal clerk or call Maine’s Division of Elections at 624-7650.  Information is also available online at: www.maine.gov/portal/government/edemocracy/ The following measures will appear on the November 3, 2009 ballot: The Secretary of State has drafted final ballot questions for the four citizen initiatives that will appear on the ballot. Proposed citizen initiative ballot questions were open for public comment for 30 days before final ballot questions were issued on August 6, 2009. A bond issue and Constitutional Resolution also will be on the ballot, and are listed below. The actual order in which the questions will appear on the ballot is not yet determined, pending certification of a People’s Veto petition which may appear on this November’s ballot. Final ballot order will be determined by drawing later this summer. Citizen Initiatives   An Act to Decrease the Automobile Excise Tax and Promote Energy Question: “Do you want to cut the rate of the municipal excise tax by an average of 55% on motor vehicles less than six years old and exempt hybrid and other alternative-energy and highly fuel-efficient motor vehicles from sales tax and three years of excise tax?”   Proponent Information Legislation - HTML version Legislation - PDF version       An Act to Establish the Maine Medical Marijuana Act Question: “Do you want to change the medical marijuana laws to allow treatment of more medical conditions and to create a regulated system of distribution?”   Proponent Information Legislation - HTML version Legislation - PDF version       An Act to Provide Tax Relief Question: “Do you want to change the existing formulas that limit state and local government spending and require voter approval by referendum for spending over those limits and for increases in state taxes?”   Proponent Information Legislation - HTML version Legislation - PDF version       An Act to Repeal the School District Consolidation Laws Question: “Do you want to repeal the 2007 law on school district consolidation and restore the laws previously in effect?”   Proponent Information Legislation - HTML version Legislation - PDF version       Bond Question (Part A of Ch. 414, Public Laws of 2009) Question: "Do you favor a $71,250,000 bond issue for improvements to highways and bridges, airports, public transit facilities, ferry and port facilities, including port and harbor structures, as well as funds for the LifeFlight Foundation that will make the State eligible for over $148,000,000 in federal and other matching funds?"   Legislation - direct link to Public Law on the Legislature's website       Constitutional Resolution (Ch. 1, Constitutional Resolutions of 2009) Question: "Do you favor amending the Constitution of Maine to increase the amount of time that local officials have to certify the signatures on direct initiative petitions?"   Legislation - direct link to Constitutional Resolution on the Legislature's website

 

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Planning on clamming or eating clams?  Read on for how to prevent red tide poisoning…….

 

AUGUSTA, Maine — Elevated levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning — also known as PSP or red tide poisoning — have caused much of the Maine coastline to be closed to commercial harvesting for some shellfish. On Tuesday, the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the Maine Department of Marine Resources reminded Mainers and tourists of recommendations for the safe consumption of shellfish.

Steps people can take to safely enjoy Maine shellfish include:

— Buy from a certified shellfish dealer, whose operations undergo rigorous public health screening and auditing.

— If harvesting shellfish for personal use, make sure the area is not closed because of red tide conditions.

— Do not consume clams or mussels found floating in ocean waters. They are likely to have filtered much more algae-containing water than those from flats or beds, and therefore usually will have much higher concentrations of the toxin that causes paralytic poisoning.

— When eating lobster, do not eat the tomalley, the soft, green substance found in the body cavity of the lobster that functions as the liver. Tomalley serves as a natural filter for contaminants in the water. State and federal advisories against eating tomalley have been in effect for years, mostly because of the presence of PCB toxins, and more recently because of PSP. It is important to note that testing has shown lobster meat is safe to eat.

Paralytic shellfish poisoning is associated with certain types of algae blooms in coastal waters. Bivalve shellfish such as clams, mussels, oysters and quahogs filter water and eat the toxic algae from the water. High concentrations of toxin in these types of shellfish can then cause serious illness or even death if eaten by humans. There is no taste or odor associated with the toxin.

Symptoms of PSP usually include tingling of the tongue, lips and throat that usually begins within a few minutes to two hours of eating contaminated shellfish. This tingling may spread to other areas of the body such as the face, neck and arms. Symptoms also can include headache or nausea, and can progress to weakness, difficulty breathing, and choking. It is important that people with these symptoms seek medical care immediately.

Shellfish that may be unsafe are the following: clams, mussels, oysters, quahogs, snails and whelks.

Fish that are usually safe: crab (meat, not whole crabs); lobster (but not the tomalley); scallops, shrimp and finfish.

Related Stories

Red tide relocates clam diggers

Related Links

State Closures List

 

 

 

 

 

Upcoming Census Q & A for us all…….

 

Why do we take a census?

The decennial census is a Constitutionally-mandated headcount of everyone residing in the United States. This count is taken every ten years by the U.S. Bureau of the Census and the next census will be taken on April 1, 2010.

 

Why should I fill out the form?

Most importantly, everyone is required by law to complete the census form. But there are other reasons to participate in the census.

 

Being counted in the census is an excellent way to participate in the democratic process on which the country was founded. Just like jury duty and voting, participating in the census is an important part of civic duty. Congressional districts and local legislative districts are based on the decennial population count. Each district must include as equal a number of people as possible so that everyone is represented equally. By standing up and being counted on Census Day, you’re making sure that you receive equal representation, both in Congress and in the state legislature.

 

Census data are also used to distribute nearly $300 billion of federal funds each year to states and towns. These funds are used to provide vital services that benefit your community. States and towns will miss out on funds if all of their residents aren’t counted. By participating in the census you’re helping to ensure that the state and your community don’t miss out on federal funds.

 

What happens if I don’t complete the census form?

Everyone is required by law to complete the census form. Anyone over the age of 18 who refuses or willfully neglects to answer any of the questions on the census form can be fined up to $5,000, however, fines have rarely, if ever, been imposed due to the time and cost that would be involved in enforcing this penalty.

 

Who is included in the census count?

Everyone living in the United States on April 1, 2010 is included in the census count, regardless of immigration or citizenship status.

How are the data collected?

The Census Bureau spends years planning and preparing for each decennial census, but the first visible sign that the decennial census is getting close is the address canvassing operation. Address canvassing for Census 2010 began in April 2009 and wrapped up in July 2009. During address canvassing, census workers went door-to-door updating the address list that the Census Bureau will use to mail the census forms. Workers recorded the address and location of each house on GPS-enabled handheld computers.

 

The Census Bureau uses the address list compiled during address canvassing to mail out census forms in March 2010. Nearly everyone will receive their census form in the mail, but there are some exceptions. People who receive their mail at a Post Office will not receive a form in the mail. In addition, many people living in very rural areas will not receive a form by mail. Those households that do not receive a form in the mail will be visited by a census worker who will collect the information in person.

 

After giving people time to send back their census forms, the Census Bureau will begin its non-response follow-up operation in May 2010. The Census Bureau sends workers to any household that did not mail back a form and calls anyone whose form was mailed back incomplete. The Census Bureau will follow up multiple times with non-responsive households if necessary, and if unable to collect information from a household, they may go to neighbors and ask for information about the non-responsive household. They will also visit any households that were not mailed a form. Non-response follow-up will continue through July 2010.

 

The Census Bureau will hire around a million temporary workers beginning later this fall. Applicants must complete a written skills test and pass a background check. All workers are temporary employees of the U.S. Census Bureau and must swear an oath promising to keep census data confidential.

 

Are my responses to the census confidential?

All individual responses to the census are confidential and protected by law, as are addresses and phone numbers. All census employees take an oath for life to protect this confidential information, and disclosure of any confidential information can result in a five-year prison sentence, a $250,000 fine, or both. Individual responses cannot be shared with anyone, even other federal agencies or the president himself, for 72 years after the census is taken.

 

Will someone come to my door asking questions?

There are a few circumstances where you might have a census worker at your door. The most common is for households who received a form through the mail and neglected to complete it and mail it back. In this case, a census worker will come to your door to collect the information. Census workers are identifiable by an official Census Bureau badge. When in doubt, you can verify the identity of a census worker by calling the Boston Regional Office at 1-800-562-5721.

 

There are also some people who will not receive a form in the mail. Census workers will visit households who receive their mail at a Post Office. These households will not receive a census form in the mail because the Census Bureau needs to be able to connect physical addresses with completed forms. Also, some people live in areas so remote that they are difficult to reach. For these people, the Census Bureau will send out workers to both collect information and update addresses at the same time. 

 

What questions are asked on the census form?

The form that everyone will receive for Census 2010 is ten questions long and should take an average household less than ten minutes to complete. In addition to the number of people in the household and whether the home is rented or owned, the form asks for each person’s name, relationship to the head of household, sex, age and date of birth, Hispanic origin, race, and whether they sometimes live or stay somewhere else. The form also asks for a phone number in case follow-up is required. The form does not ask for social security numbers, citizenship status, income, or employment status. All questions on the final census form have been approved by Congress.

 

Who can I contact for more information?

The best resource for information on the decennial census is the U.S. Census Bureau’s website: http://2010.census.gov. The Census Bureau’s Boston Regional Office coordinates census activities for the region and can be contacted at 1-800-562-5721. You can also contact Amanda Rector, Maine State Planning Office, at Amanda.K.Rector@Maine.gov or 287-6077.