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Bureau of Agriculture issues update regarding packages of unsolicited seeds from China
The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry's (DACF) Bureau of Agriculture issued an update for people receiving unsolicited packages containing seeds, purportedly sent from China. DACF is instructing seed recipients to visit https://www.Maine.gov/dacf/seeds and follow the instructions outlined on the form. The United States Department of Agriculture's Animal Plant Health Inspection Service's Plant Protection and Quarantine Smuggling, Interdiction and Trade Compliance Unit is currently investigating this situation across the nation.
About the mystery seeds
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In Maine and across the US, people are reporting receiving unsolicited packages containing seeds.Recipients should hold onto the seeds and packaging, including the mailing label, and refer to this form.
- While the exact types of seeds in the packages are unknown, the seeds are thought to possibly be either invasive or pose a plant health risk, and not believed to be harmful to humans or pets. The seeds could pose a significant risk to agriculture or the environment.
- The seeds are usually sent in white packages displaying Chinese lettering and the words "China Post." Most recipients say they did not order anything, and that the packaging was labeled as jewelry. Some recipients have reported ordering seeds on Amazon and receiving these seeds.
- Recipients are asked to place the seeds and shipping envelope (if available) into a resealable baggie and mail them to the following address for identification and processing: USDA-APHIS-PPQ, 15 Iron Road, Suite 1, Hermon, ME 04401
COVID-19 Related Camping & Day-use Updates
All State Parks and Historic Sites are currently open for day use; some have parking restrictions in place. COVID precautions and what to expect when you visit these beaches and parks:
- Reduced Parking- To address the potential for crowding issues, some Parks may have reduced parking.
- Reduced Length of Visit- Please be prepared to limit your stay so that others may enjoy the Park too.
- Physical Distancing- Essential to our ability to keep these Parks open. Please keep at least 6 feet from staff and from others not in your household.
- Wear Masks- All visitors are required to carry a mask at all times and be prepared to wear one in public buildings and when physical distancing cannot be maintained.
- Restrooms- Facilities may be limited, so plan accordingly. Please bring your own hand sanitizer.
- Quarantine - Beginning at 8:00 a.m. on July 3,State Park and Public Land use is for residents of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey without need of a 14-day quarantine or testing. All other vistors must continue to follow the 14-day quarantine requirement or negative COVID-19 testing. All visitors are required to carry a mask at all times and be prepared to wear one in public buildings and when physical distancing cannot be maintained.
- Monitoring & Changes- We will monitor conditions and make changes to policies as necessary. We need your cooperation, so thanks for your patience and support!
Camping
- State Park Campgrounds - Beginning at 8:00 a.m. on July 3,camping in Maine State Parks is open to residents of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, without need of a 14-day quarantine or testing. All other visitors must continue to follow the 14-day quarantine requirement or negative COVID-19 testing. All visitors are required to carry a mask at all times and be prepared to wear one in public buildings and when physical distancing cannot be maintained. People who are not from Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut must complete a Certificate of Compliance form indicating:
- that they have received a negative COVID-19 test result,
- that they will quarantine in Maine for 14 days, or
- that they have already completed their quarantine in Maine.
- The Certificate of Compliance form must be provided to check in to all campgrounds.Visitors may be asked to furnish proof of the negative test upon request. The Certificate of Compliance form and additional COVID-19 travel details are available here.
- Reservations at State Park Campgrounds- Those with camping reservations affected by these policies may (1) contact the Reservations Center to re-book to a later date, or (2) receive a full refund. Refunds for the reservation fee may be made online.
- Backcountry & Remote Camping - Beginning at 8:00 a.m. on July 3camping at these sites is for residents of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont, Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey without need of a 14-day quarantine or testing. All other vistors must continue to follow the 14-day quarantine requirement or negative COVID-19 testing. All visitors are required to carry a mask at all times and be prepared to wear one in public buildings and when physical distancing cannot be maintained. Remote Camping Guidance (PDF)
Plan a back-up location to visit. Help stop overcrowding as seen here at Tumbledown Mountain Public Land recently. All Maine Public Lands trails, and roads remain open.
Find the Park or Trail System Closest to you:
COVID-19 Rental Relief Program
The COVID-19 Rent Relief Program is for renters who cannot afford to pay their rent due to circumstances related to the COVID 19 pandemic. This program expands upon the previous rent relief program through MaineHousing. You can apply for this expanded program even if you applied and received funds under the other program.
This program provides up to $1,000 per month for a maximum of three (3) months for rent not covered by any other Federal, State or Local program. The three month period is for prior months and/or the current month. The applicant is the renter and the benefit is paid directly to the landlord. If the landlord agrees to participate in the program, the landlord is postponing the balance of the payment, not forgiving it, and further agrees not to evict for non-payment of rent for the month(s) for which the COVID-19 Rent Relief was applied.
You may qualify if your monthly income is within the income limits identified on the table below and are based on household size and the county in which you live. Some municipalities may have their own rent relief program. They currently include Lewiston and Cumberland County, with the exception of Brunswick. If you live in one of these communities, you are not eligible for this program and must apply for that program.
Ability to Pay:
You may qualify if you are unable to pay your rent due to circumstances directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Examples of changes in circumstances include but are not limited to:
- being laid off;
- having your place of employment closed;
- reduction in hours of work;
- having to stay home to care for your children because your day care or school has closed; or
- other loss of income due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Subsidized and Tax Credit Housing Excluded: If you live in housing that receives any kind of subsidy, you are NOT eligible. Ask your landlord or property manager about other rent relief options that may be available. You are not eligible if you:
- Get a Section 8 Voucher, live in Section 8 apartments, or receive Rental Assistance from USDA’s Rural Development.
- Live in housing developments with mortgages financed by MaineHousing or a federal agency.
- Live in a development/property using low-income housing tax credits.
- Live in public housing.
Assets If you can afford to pay your rent from income of any sort or from savings or other liquid assets, you are not eligible.
Mobile Home Pad Rents If you own a mobile home and rent space in a mobile home park you may be eligible for this program. If you are eligible for the program, it is only for lot rent or the mobile home rent. Park fees are not included.
- How much will the program pay?The program may pay up to $1,000 per month per household for a maximum of three months (for up to a total of $3,000).
- My rent is more than $1,000. What about the rest of it?Work with your landlord. This benefit will help but you still must pay the rest of your rent.
- If the $1,000 maximum benefit is all I can pay right now, will I be evicted?You will not be evicted for the month that your landlord accepts the payment. By accepting payment, the landlord agrees not to evict you for non-payment of rent for the month for which the payment is made. This protection from eviction does not extend to evictions due to other non-compliance with the lease provisions or failure to pay rent for other months’ rent not covered in this program.
- Should I tell my landlord that I am applying? Communication between you and your landlord is very important. Most landlords do not want to lose good tenants and good communication can only help. It is also important for them to know that you’ve applied because they are required to fill out paperwork to receive these funds.
Application & More Info
Applications for the COVID Rental Relief Program – Expanded will processed by Community Action Agencies. Please visit the Maine Community Action Association’s website to fill out an online application. You may apply for each month’s rent you cannot pay up to three (3) months total. The benefit is retroactive, so you may apply for past months and the current month at the same time. You may not apply for a future month. You will need to apply again if need help for future months and have not reached the maximum $3,000 limit. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.
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