Last week, I had the honor of introducing one of my bills, LD 489, that would add an amendment to Maine’s Constitution to guarantee the right to pure water, clean air and a healthy environment. This bill, also known as the Pine Tree Amendment, would also ensure preservation of the natural, cultural, recreational, scenic and healthful qualities of the environment. The Pine Tree Amendment has a broad coalition of supporters, and is sponsored by Democrats, Republicans and Independents. Dozens of individuals and organizations submitted testimony in support of the amendment, including scientists, farmers, students, business owners and activists from across the state. The ACLU, Penobscot Nation, Sierra Club, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardiners Association and the Maine Conservation Voters all support this bill. Today, I write about the Pine Tree Amendment in the hopes that it can earn your support, too.

I’ve been a community organizer for more than 16 years, and during that time my main focus has been combating climate change and ensuring a resilient Maine. Here in Maine, we rely on our environment for many things. From the coast to our mountains and the great Maine woods, Maine’s natural beauty is a big reason why so many of us choose to live here. We depend on our environment for recreation, spending time on our lakes in the summer, hiking through breathtaking foliage in the fall and skiing in the winter. We also rely on our environment for our economy. Many of the industries that uphold our economy and that are essential to our way of life are only possible because of Maine’s natural resources. This includes fishing, farming, forestry and our tourism industry, which draws tens of millions of visitors into our state every year.

We know that climate change and pollutants threaten our environment, and by extension threaten our health, our way of life and the way many of us make our living. A changing climate has made growing seasons unpredictable for farmers, and as summers get drier, drought threatens crops – an issue we saw in Maine this year. The waters in the Gulf of Maine are warming faster than 99 percent of the global ocean, threatening our fisheries. A lack of regulation in the past several decades has left our water and ecosystems burdened with PFAS from industry. Our bodies can’t break down PFAS, which is why they are known as “forever chemicals,” and their presence is linked to cancer, hormone disruptions, cholesterol problems and more. 

We know how important it is to protect our environment, but as individuals we can sometimes feel powerless against government and big business when they act against our interests. The Pine Tree Amendment ensures that no Legislature, Governor, law or permit can take away the rights we all have to clean air, pure water and a healthy environment. By doing this, we can make sure that generations of Mainers to come can enjoy what we often take for granted, no matter what the political whims of the day are.

Pennsylvania and Montana have already passed similar amendments, and 10 other states are currently considering doing so. In Maine, the process of amending our Constitution is extensive and requires a high degree of consensus, as it should be. Amending our Constitution shouldn’t be taken lightly. The next step in the process is a work session in the Environment and Natural Resources Committee, where committee members will hear from experts and discuss the bill. The committee will then possibly change and eventually vote on the bill before sending it to the full House and Senate. Two-thirds of both the House and the Senate need to vote in favor of the bill for it to go any further. If enough legislators vote this way, the final stop is a referendum in front of all Maine voters. If a majority of voters approve, the amendment will be added to our constitution.

If and when we arrive at this final step in the process, I hope you will decide to support the Pine Tree Amendment. In the meantime, I urge you to write to your state senators and representatives and encourage them to support this legislation. If you have any questions or want to share a perspective on this amendment, please reach out to me at Chloe.Maxmin@legislature.maine.gov or call my cell phone at 200-6224. Of course, I’m also here to discuss any other issue or concern you may have, and am always happy to help however I can. I hope you’re able to get outside and take in some fresh air this week; I know I will be.