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Environment Links:

Maine DEP Brownfields Program

Department of Environmental Protection

* DEP Google Maps

* DEP Facebook

Green Lodging in Maine

Hancock County Soil and
Water Conservation Service

Lewiston, Maine Household Hazardous Waste Disposal

Project Canopy

State Planning Office
Household Hazardous
Waste Collection List

Union River Watershed
Coalition

University of Maine Cooperative Extension

Initiatives

Hancock County
Planning Commission

Environmental and Solid Waste Planning Services

Bay and Watershed Assessment and Planning

Brownfields Assessment Program

The Hancock County Planning Commission (HCPC) has received U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) funding to conduct an assessment of potential brownfields sites in Hancock County. This grant has allowed us to hire a consultant to determine if a site has environmental problems and help with the clean-up. This makes a property safe for reuse.  If you know of a potential site in your town, contact Tom Martin for details.

Climate Change

The Hancock County Planning Commission (HCPC) will assist towns in Hancock County to prepare policies for reducing green house gas emissions and accommodating climate change. We are working with Maine state agencies and local organizations for climate change prevention and preparedness.

Dark Sky Research and Light Pollution Management

The Hancock County Planning Commission (HCPC) will assist towns in Hancock County to prepare policies for protecting the night sky from light pollution. We are working with the Island Astronomy Institute and Maine state agencies to prepare model ordinances and technical assistance documents for night sky preservation.

Groundwater

Low-Impact Development

The Hancock County Planning Commission assists towns in identifying low-impact development alternatives, including stormwater management strategies that reflect increased intensity of storm events due to climate change.

Scenic Viewshed Assessment

The Hancock County Planning Commission (HCPC) and Washington County Council of Governments has prepared an inventory of key scenic and historic views as seen from public places in down east coastal towns. This inventory is a major opportunity to identify key scenic views. The results will be useful to communities for updating comprehensive plans, preparing grant applications, creating village improvement strategies, and tourism promotion as well as developing land protection strategies.  The inventory is published in print and online with maps, photographs and recommendations.


Waste, Composting and Recycling Services

HCPC provides an array of solid waste services to towns in Hancock County. We work with local officials to evaluate and improve transfer station and recycling center management.

HCPC staff can:

  • Meet with committees or facility staff to examine management options
  • Recommend changes in facility layout and design
  • Assist in the development of stratgies that increase recycling
  • Identify options for composting including lawn and leaf material, food scraps and shellfish residues
  • Work with municipalities and the DEP to complete permit applications
  • Work with hotels, campgrounds, and restaurants in developing recycling and composting strategies
  • Prepare or amend operations manuals, job descriptions, ordinances or policies
  • Prepare publicity materials and educational brochures on proposed changes to recycling and solid waste policies

For More Information Contact Tom Martin at 667-7131 or email at tmartin@hcpcme.org.

Solid Waste and Recycling Information

Links


Hotel and Transient Accommodation Recycling and Waste Reduction


Electronic Waste Recycling

* The solid waste and recycling portions of the web site are based upon work supported under a grant by the Rural Utilities Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Utilities Programs.


Composting


Sustainable Energy Systems

The HCPC provides assistance to Hancock County Towns in evaluating energy alternatives, including:

  • Analysis of the impacts of utilities lines on communities
  • Analysis of energy usage by municipal governments
  • Model ordinances for small energy systems like windmills and solar collectors

NOTE:  THESE ORDINANCES SHOULD BE REVIEWED BY AN ATTORNEY KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT MAINE LAND USE LAW BEFORE BEING ADAPTED FOR USE BY YOUR TOWN.