Brunswick United for a Safe Environment
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brunswickunited.bsky.social
Brunswick United for a Safe Environment
@brunswickunited.bsky.social
71 followers 160 following 320 posts
Neighbors in Brunswick, Maine speaking out after MRRA's catastrophic release of PFAS-containing firefighting foam at Brunswick Executive Airport in 2024.
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brunswickunited.bsky.social
Brunswick District 5 Community Meeting with @jhicks72.bsky.social

Sunday 11/16 1 - 2pm, Curtis Memorial Library, Morrill Meeting Room

"This is a time to hear updates, ask questions, and share ideas. Additionally, we will be collecting food to donate to the Midcoast Hunger Prevention Program."
There will be a District 5 community meeting 1pm - 2pm on Sunday November 16 in the Morrill Meeting Room at the Curtis Memorial Library. This is a time to hear updates, ask questions, and share ideas. Additionally, we will be collecting food to donate to the Midcoast Hunger Prevention Program at the meeting. The top current food needs are Peanut Butter, Canned Tuna and Chicken, Pasta / Pasta Sauce, Cereal, and Granola Bars. But all canned, boxed, jarred, and bagged items are welcome.
November 12, 2025 at 12:06 PM
brunswickunited.bsky.social
This morning! 10/27 10-11 a.m.

Brunswick Office Hour with the Brunswick Delegation & Town Council

@mattieformaine.bsky.social (and others!)
Brunswick Office Hours With the Brunswick Delegation + Town Council October 27, 10-11 am Brunswick Town Hall, Room 117
October 27, 2025 at 1:10 PM
brunswickunited.bsky.social
Photo shows "the most likely source of the fault":

A monitor module/card installed in 1998/1999 (that's 25 years ago)

Read the full root cause analysis here:
brunswicklanding.us/wp-content/u...
Photo of Notifier XP10-M, Ten Input Monitor Module/Card, which was installed in 1998/1999 in Hangar 4 of the Brunswick Executive Airport. This part was identified as 'the most likely source of the fault' that caused the 2024 firefighting foam accident.
October 3, 2025 at 10:42 PM
brunswickunited.bsky.social
Has the timeline changed for #PFAS cleanup in Brunswick?

YES: DoD now estimates the remedial investigation (RI) stage will be completed at the end of 2026, rather than 2024 as previously estimated

But on the plus side: looks like DoD has earmarked more💲for Brunswick's cleanup (right column)
Table showing progress for PFAS cleanup at Brunswick Naval Air Station (NAS). Top: Progress as of September 30, 2024 showing estimated end date of remedial investigation (RI) of 202412. This is the prior estimate. Bottom: Progress as of March 31, 2025 showing estimated end date of 202612. This is the updated estimate.
September 23, 2025 at 9:47 PM
brunswickunited.bsky.social
Reminder: MRRA meeting tomorrow (Wednesday 8/27) 4 p.m.

Brunswick Town Hall (or Zoom)

MRRA will provide updates and take public comment regarding their oversight of the former Brunswick Naval Air Station property, including Brunswick Executive Airport

www.brunswickme.gov/Calendar.asp...
A sign reading "MRRA Board Meeting 8/27"
August 26, 2025 at 3:58 PM
brunswickunited.bsky.social
"The Spill" — Brunswick's Environmental Disaster

One year ago today, the firefighting foam system in Hangar 4 of the Brunswick Executive Airport accidentally discharged, polluting the environment with PFAS "forever chemicals"

It was the largest foam spill in Maine (the sixth-largest in US history)
Firefighting foam pouring out of Hangar 4 of the Brunswick Executive Airport on August 19, 2024 after an accidental discharge of AFFF. Approximately 1,450 gallons of foam concentrate in 50,000 gallons of water were released, polluting the environment with PFAS.
August 19, 2025 at 3:01 PM
brunswickunited.bsky.social
What are safe drinking water limits for PFAS?

In 2024, the US EPA set Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for six types of PFAS in drinking water, based on the most recent science

(Note: homeowners with wells are responsible for testing and treating their water)
Table showing the 2024 US EPA Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs), for six PFAS in drinking water: PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA, and HFPO-DA
August 17, 2025 at 2:24 PM
brunswickunited.bsky.social
"Isn't that all cleaned up?"

Unfortunately, the answer is no - much work remains to be done about contamination on/from the former Brunswick Naval Air Base

Testing by Friends of Merrymeeting Bay is one example

www.friendsofmerrymeetingbay.org/pages/newsle...
"Latest PFAS Testing Reveals Major BNAS Hot Spot" On April 23, in conjunction with the Brunswick Sewer District (BSD), FOMB continued our PFAS sampling of various BSD pump stations and infrastructure on the former base. We also sampled a number of other areas on the property. EPA drinking water standards have been 4 parts per trillion (ppt or ng/1) for PFOS or PFOA, while the Maine standard has been 20 ppt for 6 PFAS alone or in combination. The EPA recommendation for surface water continues in development, but 250 ppt or less seems to be the level of concern for aquatic organisms. Of course, with the current administration, all environmental regulation is subject to downgrading. In contrast with the standards above, some of our sampling yielded the following results in ppt: [table with test results] We have notified the Navy and MRRA of our results and requested cleaning of the Hangar 4 pit. Photo: Sampling Hanger 4 pit on April 23, 2025. Photo: Ed Friedman
July 18, 2025 at 5:19 PM
brunswickunited.bsky.social
Free film showing: How to Poison a Planet (2024)

Thursday, July 24, 7-9 PM
Bowdoin College, Brunswick ME

For tickets and to watch trailer:
kinema.com/events/HOW-T...

How did a product as seemingly harmless as firefighting foam result in the contamination of communities all over the world?
Poster for the 2024 documentary film "HOW TO POISON A PLANET." Shown is the scene of an airport runway with the movie title and the words "PFOS" and "PFOA" visible.
July 14, 2025 at 11:39 PM
brunswickunited.bsky.social
Maine legislative update from Rep. Dan Ankeles:

2 of 3 of his #AFFF foam bills have been signed into law by the Governor

Fingers crossed for the third bill🤞
Rep. Dan Ankeles (via Facebook) While I am still waiting on final action from the governor’s office on LD 222, the toxic foam takeback program, I am happy to report that Governor Mills has signed LD 400, which will have Maine do a full inventory of all AFFF in both the public and private sectors. I am very grateful to the governor, DEP Commissioner Melanie Loyzim and State Fire Marshal Sean Esler for working with me to shape the bill and finding a way to fund the bill. The data we get back will allow us to plan and focus our resources, hopefully preventing the next spill. Any prevention we manage is a win for fiscal policy, public health and environmental stewardship.
July 3, 2025 at 10:25 PM
brunswickunited.bsky.social
Here's our latest PFAS Progress Report Card -

Hoping for an update on MRRA's ongoing delays shutting off all #AFFF firefighting foam systems
June 24, 2025 at 6:15 PM
brunswickunited.bsky.social
Reminder: MRRA meeting tomorrow (Wednesday 6/25) 4-6 pm

Brunswick Town Hall (or Zoom)

MRRA will provide updates and take public comment regarding their oversight of the former Brunswick Naval Air Station property, including Brunswick Executive Airport

www.brunswickme.gov/Calendar.asp...
MRRA Board Meeting Wednesday 6/25 at 4pm
June 24, 2025 at 6:09 PM
brunswickunited.bsky.social
Sign our petition:

Stop the Sewage Sludge Digester Plant in Brunswick, Maine

actionnetwork.org/petitions/st...
June 18, 2025 at 1:37 PM
brunswickunited.bsky.social
Brunswick area:

'Some of the most restrictive advisories are tied to waterbodies contaminated with #PFAS, particularly in the Brunswick area near the former Naval Air Station.

In several streams and ponds there, the Maine CDC advises against eating any fish at all.'
June 17, 2025 at 1:39 PM
brunswickunited.bsky.social
What we're reading this week:

'Poisoning the Well: How Forever Chemicals Contaminated America' by Sharon Udasin and Rachel Frazin

Chapter 9 ("First in the Nation") is all about Maine!

Thanks to @sharonudasin.bsky.social for visiting last week and chatting about Maine's fight against #PFAS
Front cover of the book "Poisoning The Well: How Forever Chemicals Contaminated America," by Sharon Udasin and Rachel Frazin Title page of the book with handwritten inscription "Good luck to Brunswick in your PFAS fight" signed by co-author Sharon Udasin
June 8, 2025 at 12:34 PM
brunswickunited.bsky.social
While we hoped MRRA would voluntarily get the #AFFF out of all hangars much earlier, this bill at least puts an end date in sight

Thank you again to Representative Ankeles for shepherding this critically-needed legislation👏
From Rep. Dan Ankeles (via Facebook, 5/28/2025): Apologies for two posts in one day, but when it rains, it pours: Governor Mills has just signed LD 407, which directs MRRA to shut down all AFFF systems, remove all AFFF concentrate and purge those same systems of all toxic residue. Thank you to the Governor, the DEP, and everyone in Brunswick who helped make this happen! The House has also enacted LD 222, which creates a statewide AFFF takeback program. The Senate - as expected - will hold onto the bill unless/until funding can be located, so that’s what I will spend the next few weeks working on.
May 29, 2025 at 10:46 AM
brunswickunited.bsky.social
P.S. There will be Q&A, so bring your questions for the Navy!

Here's our latest "PFAS Report Card" - hopefully we'll learn more tonight about a couple of these topics
May 28, 2025 at 6:31 PM
brunswickunited.bsky.social
Important Navy meeting this week!

Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) for the Former Naval Air Station Brunswick

Wednesday, May 28, 6-8PM

Brunswick Town Hall (or online, if unable to attend in-person)

Agenda here:
media.defense.gov/2025/May/09/...
A cartoon showing a group of happy frogs about to attend the Navy RAB meeting at Town Hall in Brunswick, Maine, with the caption "Hop on down!"
May 25, 2025 at 5:10 PM
brunswickunited.bsky.social
Here is Rep. Dan Ankeles' take on this news - thank you for advancing this critically needed legislation 👏
Rep. Dan Ankeles: The latest on foam: The Maine Senate has just passed my resolve - LD 407 - requiring MRRA to shut down all AFFF systems, remove all remaining foam and purge its systems of AFFF residue. The resolve is now on the governor’s desk, where we expect a good result! This week, LD 222, my legislation establishing the statewide AFFF takeback program, got a 140-4 vote in the House and a 30-0 vote in the Senate. The House will take a final vote tomorrow and then we will get to the business of trying to find one-time funding to launch the program. LD 400, my resolve requiring a statewide inventory of all AFFF, is awaiting funding before it can go to the governor. Thankfully we have secured a funding source for this measure. LD 1637, MRRA reform, is awaiting its first action in the Senate before it can come to us in the House. It got unanimous support in committee.
May 23, 2025 at 11:11 AM
brunswickunited.bsky.social
Also mentioned at the meeting:

AFFF was intentionally released by the Navy in different areas of the former base (recently summarized by David Page)

One of these areas: "Red Label Area" off the SW corner of the runway near the Golf course

administrative-records.navfac.navy.mil/Public_Docum...
Map of the former Brunswick Naval Air Station (BNAS), including sites where AFFF firefighting foam was dumped. Known dumping sites include the "Red Label Area" located off the southwest corner of the airport runway (map at bottom left). Partial list of known areas with "Intentional releases of AFFF associated with fire vehicle operation and maintenance activities. Sites include "Grassy/wooded area past the paved area at the Red Label Area." (This 'Red Label Area' is off the southwest corner of the airport runway, near the western edge of the former base)
May 20, 2025 at 12:41 PM
brunswickunited.bsky.social
No answers to outstanding AFFF/PFAS questions at tonight's Brunswick Town Council

MRRA appears to have broken their February promise to shut off #AFFF systems "within 90 days" - Town Manager says Hangar 5 will be off by "end of calendar year" (possibly sooner)

www.brunswickme.gov/AgendaCenter...
Town Manager Brunswick Landing/Brunswick Executive Airport Update (c) In the resolution passed by the Town Council on September 3, 2024, I am required to provide a report at each Council meeting. This report now includes a variety of items at the former Brunswick Naval Air Station. This week I am disappointed to have little progress to report. There are a number of questions outstanding, and my list is as follows: - What is the status of the root-cause analysis? - What is the anticipated timing for turning off the foam system in Hangar 5? - What is happening with the remaining amount of AFFF in Hangar 6? - Has the Hangar 7 foam concentrate been removed yet? - What is happening with the large dirt piles associated with the construction on Line Drive? - When will the Navy test wells on the west side of the airport? - What safety procedures are in place for the golf course well?
May 19, 2025 at 11:55 PM
brunswickunited.bsky.social
MRRA reform bill (LD 1637) moves closer to enactment

👏@mattieformaine.bsky.social
Rep. Dan Ankeles: More breaking news: President Daughtry and I just got a unanimous vote for her MRRA reform bill in the Housing and Economic Development Committee. This will put the bill on the fast track to passage in the next few weeks and increase local influence and oversight on the board by the fall.
May 16, 2025 at 4:45 PM
brunswickunited.bsky.social
Good news Brunswick: we're a step closer to getting the #AFFF outta here

Maine House voted to approve LD 407

This bill would ensure removal of aqueous film-forming firefighting foam (with toxic #PFAS forever chemicals) from the former Brunswick Naval Air Station

Thanks to Rep. Dan Ankeles 👏
Breaking: By a vote of 128-14, the House has given its initial approval to LD 407, which directs MRRA to remove all remaining toxic foam. We brought our experience to Augusta, and they heard us! I’ll post the video of my floor speech soon. Thank you to everyone in the community who lent their help and support to getting this resolve in a position to pass!
May 14, 2025 at 10:37 AM
brunswickunited.bsky.social
Scientists found that levels of 8 #PFAS chemicals spiked in waters in several sites along Harpswell Cove in the weeks after the foam spill, peaking in most sites about 5.5 weeks post-spill

Concentrations declined and reached approximate "pre-spill" levels about 3.25 months after (in November)
Map of Brunswick Landing and Harpswell Cove, showing the Brunswick Executive Airport where a massive spill of PFAS-containing firefighting foam (aqueous film-forming foam, AFFF) occurred in August 2024 ("Spill site" at top with red "X"), as well as five sites along Harpswell Cove (Sites 1-5) where water sampling was performed by Bigelow Labs, in collaboration with Friends of Casco Bay. Approximate distances of each Site to the Spill site is marked (Site 1 is approximately 2.2 miles from the spill site, and Site 5, the furthest away, is approximately 7.95 miles from the spill site). Levels of 8 PFAS in each of 5 sites along Harpswell Cove where water was tested. Concentrations peaked at approximately 5.5 weeks post-spill in most sites tested, and then decreased. X-axis shows weeks post spill when water samples were taken. Y-axis shows the concentration of sum of 8 PFAS (in ng/L). For reference, the US EPA drinking water limit for several PFAS chemicals is 4 ng/L.
May 6, 2025 at 11:37 AM
brunswickunited.bsky.social
Maine Rep. Dan Ankeles with more info about the MRRA reform bill

Take action by Friday to support LD 1637:

Submit testimony online, in-person, or via zoom (instructions in second pic below)

www.mainelegislature.org/testimony/
Rep. Dan Ankeles (via Facebook) This is a slightly longer post than normal. Including Senate President Mattie Daughtry's MRRA Reform bill, I've got 16 pieces of legislation that are at various points in the legislative process. Here's a rundown of what they do and where they are at. LD 1637 is the MRRA reform bill. I'm not the primary sponsor, but I collaborated closely with President Daughtry and her staff during the development phase. It will bring MRRA properties under more conventional/rigorous environmental regulations and restructure how members are appointed in a way that gives the people of Brunswick & Topsham a more a direct say in policy decisions. The public hearing is Friday at (roughly) 9 a.m. before the Legislature's Housing and Economic Development Committee (the committee that typically oversees MRRA). After meeting with town and MRRA officials, we are working on a sponsor amendment to bring to the public hearing. We also hope to get some additional feedback tomorrow (Monday) from the Mills administration. If all goes well, MRRA might even testify in support of its own reform. Go to https://www.mainelegislature.org/testimony/ 1. Select 'Public Hearing' 2. Committee: Housing and Economic Development 3. Date: May 2 2025 9:00AM 4. Bill: LD 1637 - An Act to Reform the Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority (Note: if you will be testifying IN-PERSON, enter your contact info only (do not enter your testimony into the form). Then bring 20 copies of you testimony with you to the State House in Augusta on Friday (5/2, 9am) Cross Building, Room 206
April 29, 2025 at 9:11 AM