Local News

Environment Canada now has four active investigations into the possible release into the waters around Passamaquoddy Bay or Grand Manan of a pesticide that is not permitted for use in Canada but is used in other locations, including Maine, to control sea lice outbreaks in salmon farms.

The controversy over rockweed harvesting in Cobscook Bay, which had simmered down this summer, may begin again soon, as three individuals are planning to start harvesting in the bay this fall, using a mechanical harvester being built in Eastport.

Both the Lubec Board of Selectmen and the planning board have received notice that KEAN Energy LLC is proposing a $10.5 million wind farm to be placed on property east of Route 191 in Lubec. The 4.5‐megawatt station would supply enough electricity to power nearly 1,800 homes.

Reuben "Clayton" Cleaves was elected the new Passamaquoddy governor at Sipayik, and Madonna Soctomah was chosen as tribal representative in the state legislature, during tribal elections held on September 7 and 8. Cleaves received 217 votes for governor, besting Hilda Lewis, who received 123 votes.

The cruise ship Spirit of Oceanus that was scheduled to stop in Eastport for the afternoon and evening of September 23 will not be visiting after all.

A dispute over Native rights to fish in federal waters is heating up, with the Passamaquoddy Tribe asserting that while tribal members will follow federal fishery conservation laws, they do not need federal licenses.