Weekly E-News Update

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

The Maine State Housing Authority (MSHA) has been designated by the Legislature to administer the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The program provides assistance to low income households for their energy bills. The federal Department of Health and Human Services oversees LIHEAP. In Maine, the funds are used primarily to help pay winter home heating bills for those who qualify. MSHA contracts with Maine’s Community Action Agencies to administer the program on the local level.

The program has three components: Fuel Assistance, Emergency Crisis Intervention, and Weatherization.

Goals: Provide funds to help pay heating costs for low/very low income Maine residents.

Overview: The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (commonly called LIHEAP or HEAP) provides money to low income homeowners and renters to help pay heating costs. The funds are distributed throughout Maine by 11 Community Action Programs, in most cases directly to the fuel vendors. The program is not intended to pay for all heating costs, but to assist in paying the heating bills. The average benefit in Maine in 2003-2004 was about $441, and the program served about 47,000 households.

Applying: LIHEAP is targeted to low and very low income Maine homeowners and renters. Persons interested in applying for LIHEAP assistance should apply at the nearest Community Action Program office.

Community Action Program Agencies:

 Protect Against Browntail Moth Hairs During Fall Cleanup

The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC), Maine Forest Service (MFS), and 211 Maine remind the public to take precautions against browntail moth exposure, as fall cleanup activities and dry weather can exacerbate the public health risks they pose.

Browntail moth hairs in the environment can get stirred up during fall yardwork. These tiny hairs shed by the caterpillars can cause a skin reaction like poison ivy. They can also cause trouble breathing and other respiratory problems. Residents of all counties in southern, midcoast, Down East, and south-central Maine are at some risk of browntail moth hair exposure.

The hairs blow around in the air and fall onto leaves and brush. Mowing, raking, sweeping, and other activities can cause the hairs to become airborne and lead to skin and breathing problems. Extremely dry weather, which Maine is currently experiencing, allows for greater spread of the moth hairs because they can more easily be blown around by the wind.

Most people affected by the hairs develop a localized rash that lasts from a few hours to several days. In some individuals , the rash can be severe and last for weeks. The hairs may also cause trouble breathing, which may result in respiratory distress. There is no specific treatment for the rash or breathing problems caused by browntail moth hairs. Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms.

To reduce exposure to browntail moth hairs while working outdoors in infested areas:

• If possible, do yardwork when leaves are wet to prevent hairs from becoming airborne.
• Do not rake, use leaf blowers, or mow the lawn on dry days.
• Do not dry laundry outside where hairs can cling to clothing.
• Cover your face and any exposed skin by wearing: a long-sleeve shirt, long pants, goggles, a respirator/dust mask, a hat, and a disposable coverall.
• Secure clothing around the neck, wrists, and ankles.
• If respirators are difficult to find, performing activities in damp conditions with a cloth face covering may reduce the risk of inhaling caterpillar hairs.
• Apply pre-contact poison ivy wipes to help reduce hairs sticking onto exposed skin.
• Take a cool shower to wash off loose hairs and change clothes after outdoor activities.
• Use extra caution when bringing in items stored outdoors, such as firewood, or working in areas sheltered from the rain, like under decks.

 For more information:

• Contact 211 Maine for answers to frequently asked questions on browntail moths:
  • Dial 211 (or 1-866-811-5695)
  • Text your ZIP code to 898-211
• Maine CDC Browntail Moth website: maine.gov/dhhs//browntailmoth
• Maine Forest Service Browntail Moth website: maine.gov/dacf/mfs/foresthealth/invasivethreats/browntailmothinfo.htm

New Signs Warn of Dangers of Out-of-State Firewood

The installation of the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) high-visibility road signage is underway. The sign's message "FIREWOOD ALERT - TRANSPORTING FIREWOOD INTO MAINE IS BANNED" is intended to protect against the incursion of new pests like Asian longhorned beetle, oak wilt or beech leaf disease and the further spread of emerald ash borer (EAB), hemlock woolly adelgid, and other forest pests and diseases. DACF worked with the Maine Department of Transportation (MeDOT) on the signs' production and installation. The project was funded by a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Unfortunately, the decision to move firewood can wind up costing a whole lot more than a bundle of firewood. It can even jeopardize the very reasons people spend time at a place, such as excellent wildlife habitat, rivers and lakes with clean water, or forested vistas. Maine residents should also heed the message to use local or heat-treated firewood. Pests like browntail moth and emerald ash borer can be spread to new places within the state in and on untreated firewood.

The first of 15 signs went up in Calais in September and installation is containing in conjunction with MeDOT projects. Travelers entering Maine will encounter new DACF signage at these locations: Berwick and So. Berwick, Calais, Coburn Gore, Eliot, Fort Fairfield, Fryeburg, Gilead, Houlton, Jackman, Kittery, Lebanon, Madawaska, and Porter.

Help DACF protect Maine's forests

• Leave firewood at home - use local Maine firewood
• If you have already transported firewood into Maine, burn it. Please do not leave it or bring it home.
• If you can't burn it all within 24 hours, bring it to the nearest drop-off site.
• Burn local or heat-treated firewood. Check out Firewood Scout.

Secretary of State launches accessible absentee ballot option for voters with print disabilities

The Secretary of State has announced the launch of a new online service that will provide an accessible absentee ballot option for qualified voters with disabilities.

The Accessible Absentee Ballot https://apps.web.maine.gov/cgi-bin/online/AbsenteeBallot/index.pl option will become available Friday, Oct. 2, as one of the options on the online absentee ballot request page for the Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020 General Election. The Department of the Secretary of State developed this new service in coordination with Maine's online service provider, InforME, with input from advocates at Disability Rights Maine. It is intended for voters with print disabilities, which may include vision impairment or blindness, physical dexterity limitations, learning disabilities or cognitive impairment, all of which prevent the individual from independently marking a paper ballot.

In addition to the accessible absentee ballot, the State provides the Accessible Voting System https://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/voter-info/accessiblevoting.html ballot-marking device at every polling place on Election Day, which allows any voter to use a touchscreen or controller pad/audio to independently mark their ballot.

Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Announces Plans for a Virtual 2021 Maine Agricultural Trades Show

The Maine Agricultural Trades Show (ATS) will be held as a virtual event in January 2021. The announcement comes after the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF), which organizes and runs the ATS, assessed the public health and financial risks associated with planning to host an in-person event. Although the event would take place a few months from now, the ability to gather together is still likely to be limited to a level that is much lower than the number of people who would regularly attend the ATS.

By holding the event virtually, farmers, service providers, vendors, and the general public will still be able to celebrate agriculture in Maine while accessing important and timely resources and information.

About the Maine Agricultural Trades Show

A tradition since 1941, DACF's Maine Agricultural Trades Show is where the state's agricultural community convenes to celebrate farming, network, and plan for the coming season. Organized and hosted by the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, the show provides access to resources that empower farmers and rural communities. Typically, over 100 exhibitors and dozens of conference sessions are part of this show, attracting agricultural producers, educators, exhibitors, businesses, and others to celebrate farming, exchange best practices, and explore farming products, equipment, and services. The show is free and open to the public and is an excellent opportunity for all ages to experience Maine's dynamic agriculture industry.

Reminder: Maine Maple Producers Association Announces Plans for Maine Maple Producers Weekend, October 9-11

 New recipe contest and virtual components celebrate pure Maine maple

Due to COVID-19, the Maine Maple Producers Association (MMPA) and its members postponed Maine Maple Sunday, traditionally held the fourth Sunday in March. The association announced the event will take place Oct. 9-11, 2020. There will be new virtual elements and in-person experiences at a variety of sugar houses. The event will be held in conjunction with the new North American Maple Tour in the U.S. and Canada.

During the pandemic and to provide an additional virtual experience, producers have started selling their products online. Several producers also now offer new pick-up options. With the new purchasing options, producers have set a goal to sell more than 10,000 gallons of maple syrup products during the North American Maple Tour from Oct. 9-18. The new 14-day tour includes the promotion of maple products at events, breweries, distilleries and restaurants across the Northeast.

The MMPA represents more than 240 members that are licensed maple producers. Producers range from small artisan producers to bulk syrup providers who serve major grocery store chains, foodservice distributors and retailers.

Maine Maple Producers Association members produce 580,000 gallons annually. Their business operations generate more than $21.6 million for the Maine economy. Members of the association also support more than 560 full-time and part-time jobs that generate more than $17.3 million in wages.