FOR ISLAND RESIDENTS

About 900 of us do live here in the winter!

ENVIRONMENTAL LINKS FOR ISLAND RESIDENTS:

Well Testing – Important!:

• Test every year for Bacteri, Nitrate and Nitrite oxygen.
• Test every three years for arsenic, radon, uranium, lead
• Interpret your well water tests with this free program:  http://www.environment.psu.edu/water/dwit.asp
• For more information: http://wellwater.maine.gov or call 866-292-3474
• Learn more by listening to this podcast: http://privatewellclass.org/podcast
• Elevated bladder cancer risk in New England and arsenic in drinking water from private wells:  https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/elevated-bladder-cancer-risk-new-england-arsenic-drinking-water-private-wells

Soil testing: We have a lot of lead in soils out here. Be sure to test before you garden! http://anlab.umesci.maine.edu

Ticks: www.maine.gov/lyme

Brown Tail Moths: http://www.maine.gov/dacf/mfs/forest_health/insects/browntail_moth.htm

Winter Moths:  http://1.usa.gov/1lBj6Mh

Poison Ivy:  http://1.usa.gov/1IK6IDT

Invasive Plants: http://www.maine.gov/dacf/mnap/features/invasive_plants/invasives.htm

Bayscaping: Take care of your yard with Casco Bay in mind! http://bit.ly/1PFjfdV

Make your home more energy efficient with Efficiency Maine incentives and a low interest loan paid for by harvested savings:  http://www.efficiencymaine.com/at-home/home-energy-savings-program/

Questions about Efficiency Maine programs?  866-3762463

Compare heating cost of different fuels with this calculator:  http://bit.ly/1ASho9B

Cut your heating costs with new heat pump technology:  http://www.efficiencymaine.com/heat-pumps/

Consider solar.  For some basics, visit:

• http://bit.ly/1ScCtoU
• http://www.fsec.ucf.edu/en/consumer/solar_electricity/basics/

Here are four Efficiency Maine registered vendors PEAT has worked with here on the Island.  All of them install heat pumps and at least one kind of solar:

• Peaks Island Fuel
• Goggin Energy
• Revision Energy
• Maine Solar Solutions

There are many more vendors listed here:  http://www.efficiencymaine.com/at-home/vendor-locator/

Environmental Volunteer Opportunities: 

• Join us at a PEAT meeting. Questions? Call one of our board members!*
• Peaks Island Land Preserve: peaksislandlandpreserve.org
• Friends of Casco Bay http://www.cascobay.org

* PEAT Board Members:

• Steve and Vinnie Demos
• Paul Fox
• Mary Anne Mitchell
• Martha Morris-Gibson
• Sam Saltonstall
• Timmi Sellers

Dogs:

• Portland has a leash law: http://1.usa.gov/1MvJUWV
• Please carry bags and pick up after your dog!

Wildlife:

• We share the Island with beavers:  http://1.usa.gov/1SShoQI
• and raccoons: http://1.usa.gov/1jeelpZ
• Many bird species visit Peaks:  http://bit.ly/1O9UtRM

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle:  http://www2.epa.gov/recycle

Island Trees:  Please think twice before you take trees down.  Why?  Visit this site:  http://bit.ly/1GpeIVQ

Brackett Memorial UMC’s handsome tree