Maine news, sports, weather from Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram, Portland, Maine

Maine Reports: Red tide may affect southern areas earlier

ELLSWORTH — Scientists from the Gulf of Maine Toxicity project have issued a forecast for a significant regional bloom of a toxic alga that causes red tides.

The blight forecast for the spring and summer of this year could threaten the New England shellfish industry.

The outlook was based on a seafloor survey of the seed-like cysts of Alexandrium fundyense, the organism that causes the harmful red tide algal blooms.

Cysts deposited in the fall hatch the following spring. Last fall, the abundance of cysts was 60 percent higher than observed prior to the historic red tide bloom of 2005. That suggests a large bloom is likely this spring.

The cyst bed also appears to have expanded to the south, so the 2010 bloom may affect areas such as Massachusetts Bay and Georges Bank earlier than in past years.

Although the algae in the water pose no direct threat to human beings, toxins produced by Alexandrium can accumulate in filter-feeding organisms such as mussels and clams. That can cause paralytic shellfish poisoning in humans who consume them.

-- The Ellsworth American.

http://ellsworthmaine.com

SWANS ISLAND

Educational group moves step closer to funding new library 

The Swans Island Educational Society is one step closer to funding its new home – a new library that will contain 12,000 items including books, videos and historical documents, and will host community events.

The association received $50,000 through a grant from the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation on March 1. The money will help fund the estimated $1.2 million cost of constructing a new library.

The island began raising money in 2009 after the old library – a schoolhouse built in 1903 – was struck by lightning and burned in July 2008. All of the library's books as well as irreplaceable historical documents were lost.

Although insurance paid $605,000, the remaining funds to build a new structure must be raised. So far, the organization has come up with $150,000 through numerous donations, fundraisers, and an additional grant from the Virginia Cabot Wellington Foundation.

"It's just amazing the support that we've had from the community, the state and around the country," said librarian Candi Joyce.

The new single-story library, which has been designed already, will have 3,200 square feet of space. Construction could begin as early as this spring, pending the receipt of a $398,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that would cover the remaining costs.

-- Mount Desert Islander

http://mdislander.com

EASTPORT

Large ocean energy device unveiled at Boat School event 

The largest ocean energy device ever to be deployed in U.S. waters was unveiled at a ceremony March 2 at the Boat School in Eastport.

Ocean Renewable Power Co. played host to over 200 people attending the event. Chris Sauer, president and CEO, expressed the feeling of many of the speakers in saying the project will put Eastport on the map in the energy field. Speaking at the event were business partners, representatives of state agencies, the University of Maine and staff members of the Maine congressional delegation.

Unveiled were the company's proprietary Turbine Generator Unit and the deployment vessel Energy Tide 2, moored at Deep Cove. Once launched, the company will operate the Turbine Generator Unit at a mooring site in Cobscook Bay for at least two months, marking another significant milestone in harnessing renewable energy in Maine waters.

-- The Quoddy Tides

http://www.quoddytides.com/

SOUTH BRISTOL

Residents approve plans to replace swinging bridge 

The Maine DOT bridged South Bristol's troubled waters Thursday when residents approved a preliminary conceptual plan to replace the swing bridge over "The Gut."

"I am so relieved. The renderings (of the proposed bridge) will make me sleep better at night," said Barbara Pickett, who lives next to the swinging bridge over the tiny opening separating Rutherford Island from the mainland.

Replacement of the failing and unreliable mechanical structure, constructed in 1933, has been a contentious community issue since 2000.

-- The Lincoln County News

http://lincolncountynewsonline.com