BANGOR DAILY NEWS • July 21, 2022
Maine’s reputation as a pristine outdoors destination has recently taken some hits. Ticks, which are killing Maine moose and infecting people with Lyme disease, are proliferating throughout the state as the climate continues to warm. The persistent presence of dangerous mercury in fish is part of the daily reality for anglers who want to eat their catch. And then there’s the dramatic discovery that so-called forever chemicals are present in white-tailed deer and wild turkeys in the Fairfield area, along with freshwater fish in several waters. The growing list of environmental problems has not hurt tourism yet, but the mounting environmental threats are worrisome to those who depend on clean woods and waters.