2014-08-07T16:26:33-07:00 2014-03-31 990 2013-04-01 010270690 NATURAL RESOURCES COUNCIL OF MAINE INC NATU 2076223101 3 WADE STREET AUGUSTA ME 04330 LISA POHLMANN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 2076223101 2014-08-07 2013 2015-11-30 17:44:51Z Lisa Pohlmann 3 Wade Street Augusta ME 04330 4275711 0 X WWW.nrcm.org X 1959 ME THE NATURAL RESOURCES COUNCIL OF MAINE IS A NONPROFIT MEMBERSHIP ORGANIZATION PROTECTING, RESTORING, AND CONSERVING MAINE'S ENVIRONMENT, NOW AND FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. 24 24 22 40 0 0 1964538 2085615 0 0 354569 108717 22137 34318 2341244 2228650 0 0 0 0 1426327 1473682 0 0 261667 600065 693442 2026392 2167124 314852 61526 6516302 6961880 149488 188659 6366814 6773221 Founded in 1959, the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) is Maine's leading non-profit environmental advocacy organization. Our mission is to protect, restore and conserve Maine's environment, now and for future generations. We focus on public education and outreach to our members, supporters, policy makers and the public about the most pressing environmental issues facing our state, and inspire people to become better stewards of Maine's natural resources. NRCM chiefly focuses on four key project areas: 1. Promoting clean and efficient energy, and addressing the threats of climate change; 2. Restoration of Maine's rivers and inland waters; 3. Conservation of Maine's North Woods; and, 4. Reducing toxic pollution threatening the health of Maine's people and wildlife . 0 0 582816 0 0 NRCM regularly communicates with our members, supporters, policy makers and the public using direct mail, our newsletter, Maine Environment, our website, email updates and calls to action, and invitations to events. Maine Environment is published four times per year, and features current environmental issues, legislative priorities, and a recap of our accomplishments after each legislative session. NRCM's email update, News from the Frontlines, covers our legislative priorities, recent activities, and the emerging issues we are following. It goes to over 3,500 email addresses, and boasts nearly a 30% open-rate (the national average is a 13% open-rate for this type of email communication ). Our website is also a vital tool to our members and supporters, the public, policy makers, educators, and tourists. In 2013, our website, www.nrcm.org, had 104,869 total visits, representing 76,293 unique visitors. Our expert staff also research, produce and make publicly available on our website fact sheets about the topics we are working on, testimony given before the Maine Legislature, comments we provide to state agencies, and special publications and reports on key environmental issues and bills being considered by the Legislature. In 2013, two reports became essential tools to advancing our advocacy for Maine's environment: Bald Mountain Mining Risks: Hidden from the Public and, Troubled Waters: Damage to Maine's Lake Protection Program Under the LePage Administration. In addition, NRCM's Annual Report and calendar provides an informative overview of the previous year's activities and accomplishments, and includes beautiful photographs submitted by our members. The calendar is one of our most popular publications. In 2013, NRCM also created a unique partnership with a local radio station to offer Maine Green Minute, daily one-minute recordings with tips for the public on actions they can take to protect the environment. Topics ranged from reducing waste through recycling and organic composting, to using natural cleaning products, tips for building weatherization, and proper car maintenance to improve gas mileage. 331744 0 0 NRCM is Maine's top environmental non-profit watchdog. Performing within our 501c3 allowable lobbying activity, we have six lobbyists that cover our four project areas and emerging environmental issues. We use grassroots and direct lobbying to generate support for strong environmental protections and to defend Maine's environmental laws from powerful special interests seeking weaker regulations. NRCM represents environmental interests before the Maine legislature, and before state agencies responsible for managing our state's natural resources. These include the Department of Environmental Protection, the Land Use Planning Commission (responsible for permitting development in the North Woods), and the Public Utilities Commission. We attend meetings, public hearings, and serve on stakeholder groups to provide an environmental perspective to discussions that otherwise may focus solely on the economic or business view of an issue. Through these activities, NRCM works to foster a deeper understanding by policy makers, state officials and the public of the connections between strong environmental protections, a sustainable economy, and healthy, vibrant communities. NRCM is also committed to addressing emerging issues that either do not fit within one of our four project areas, or were not part of our annual work plan for the year. In 2013, our staff examined the decline in the quality of Maine's lakes under the administration of current Governor Paul LePage. Our investigative report, Damage to Maine's Lake Protection Program Under the LePage Administration, became the foundation for actions by the Legislature in early 2014 to address problems with lack of funding and oversight of Maine's award-winning Lake Protection Program. 253281 0 0 With NRCM's leadership and guidance, Maine has taken important steps to address climate change and move toward a clean energy future. Yet Maine remains one of the most oil-dependent states in the country with some of the oldest-and least energy efficient-housing stock in the nation. NRCM's Clean Energy project works hard for policies and initiatives that will improve Maine's air quality and reduce Maine's dependence on dirty fossil fuels. We focus on initiatives where we can have the greatest impact: clean and renewable energy production including wind and solar energy, increased funding for energy efficiency programs, and cleaner cars and trucks. Our work in these areas is critical to reducing health and environmental problems already plaguing our state. These include high asthma rates, more "bad air days," rising sea levels that threaten coastal communities, and threats to our fall foliage, skiing, and our vital tourism-based industry. Climate change is the most serious environmental threat of our time and requires federal action. Congress actively debates climate and energy legislation, and Maine's two Senators are key to any future action. NRCM is leading a coalition of Maine organizations and businesses to call on Senators Susan Collins and Angus King to lead on climate action. Using direct communications, email, calls to action, and the media, we work with our coalition partners to educate, engage, and mobilize Maine people to urge our Senators to protect the Clean Air Act, support policies aimed at reducing carbon pollution, and address climate change. Leadership of this growing coalition is an ongoing, top priority for NRCM's Clean Energy project. One of our greatest accomplishments for clean and efficient energy in Maine came in 2013 with passage of the omnibus energy bill. NRCM provided technical expertise and mobilized public and business support to ensure the bill would reduce our overall energy use, cut our dependence on fossil fuels, and decrease carbon pollution. The law significantly increased investments in energy efficiency, and lowers Maine's carbon pollution limit from power plants by 45%, allowing Maine to stay in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). NRCM is generating support for the new law through speaking engagements, community meetings, our website, newsletter and other communications. In 2013, NRCM was a leading force in the campaign to stop the reversal of an existing pipeline between Portland, Maine and Montreal, Canada to export tar sands oil from Alberta for global markets. As the most energy-intensive fossil fuel on the planet, tar sands oil is ecologically devastating to extract and dangerous to transport. The risks to the environment and public health are tremendous, most notably in Maine because the existing pipeline runs along the Androscoggin River and Sebago Lake - the drinking water resource for 15% of the state. Through our outreach and education across the state, the citizens of seven towns (Casco, Waterford, Harrison, Otisfield, Portland, Raymond, and Bridgton) approved resolutions in opposition to a tar sands pipeline in Maine. In November, the City of South Portland (the pipeline terminus) instituted a 6-month moratorium on any crude oil export facility and appointed a committee to draft an ordinance to permanently prevent a tar sands export facility. 577873 0 0 Restoring Maine's rivers: NRCM works to decrease water pollution, restore free-flowing rivers, and improve fish passage. In 2013, our top priority was to protect Maine's waters and communities from toxic pollution caused by open-pit metallic mineral mining. NRCM gave public presentations statewide about the dangerous sulfide ore pollution that results from this type of mining, and organized tremendous public testimony in favor of strong rules governing mining activities. NRCM also achieved a long-held goal of reopening the St. Croix River to native alewives and other sea-run fish through the reversal of a misguided 1995 law that blocked the fish from upstream passage. Now, native alewives can access their ancestral spawning grounds in the upper reaches of the river and numbers are expected to rebound to healthy levels in the coming years. In 2013 the Penobscot River Restoration Trust (of which NRCM is a founding partner) removed the Veazie Dam, the lowermost barrier to fish passage on the river. This landmark dam removal followed the removal of the Great Works Dam in Old Town in 2012. This project emerged through a visionary approach to reconnect native sea-run fish to 1,000 miles of vital spawning habitat in the watershed without losing an important source of indigenous power generation. The restorations of the St. Croix and the Penobscot are tremendous victories for these rivers and for the Gulf of Maine, which will also benefit from the improved habitat and fish passage on the rivers. Conserving Maine's North Woods: The North Woods of Maine is nationally recognized as the largest undeveloped forest east of the Mississippi River. NRCM works to ensure that development proposed in the area is not scattered or poorly planned; fish and wildlife habitats are protected; timber and other natural resources are managed sustainably; and non-motorized recreation opportunities flourish. In 2013, our top priority was building community and citizen support for a proposed new national park and national recreation area. This campaign continues to be our focus, with the goal of creating these protected areas through federal legislation in time for the National Park Service Centennial in 2016. Reducing toxic pollution: For more than a decade, NRCM has championed the public's right to know what hazardous chemicals are in consumer products common to our homes, schools and workplaces, and has helped Maine initiate recycling programs for products that pose a risk to our environment and public health. In 2013, we researched and produced "case studies" demonstrating the environmental, public health, and economic benefits of Maine's recycling programs for mercury-containing thermostats, lamps and automobile switches. We also developed a plan to expand this project in 2014 to increase personal, community, and statewide action to address the environmental and public health impacts of waste through programs that encourage the reduce, reuse, recycle, and compost concept. 577873 0 0 1745714 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 12 0 1 22 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 24 24 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 ME NH PA MA CT X X KATHRYN THOMPSON 2076223101 3 WADE STREET AUGUSTA ME 04330 KATE RUSH PRESIDENT 1 X X 0 0 0 LOIS WINTER SECRETARY 1 X X 0 0 0 THOMAS TIETENBERG TREASURER 1 X X 0 0 0 RUSSELL PIERCE VICE PRESIDENT 1 X X 0 0 0 VICTORIA DEVLIN DIRECTOR 1 X 0 0 0 MARION FREEMAN DIRECTOR 1 X 0 0 0 MAROULLA GLEATON DIRECTOR 1 X 0 0 0 JEANNE GULNICK DIRECTOR 1 X 0 0 0 HENRY HEYBURN JR DIRECTOR 1 X 0 0 0 WARREN KESSLER DIRECTOR 1 X 0 0 0 GEORGE LAPOINTE DIRECTOR 1 X 0 0 0 SUSAN MACKENZIE DIRECTOR 1 X 0 0 0 DIDI MANNS DIRECTOR 1 X 0 0 0 Stephen Mulkey DIRECTOR 1 X 0 0 0 KEN OLSON DIRECTOR 1 X 0 0 0 JEFF PIDOT DIRECTOR 1 X 0 0 0 KATHY REMMEL DIRECTOR 1 X 0 0 0 NORTON LAMB DIRECTOR 1 X 0 0 0 STEWART STRAWBRIDGE DIRECTOR 1 X 0 0 0 CHRIS BOND DIRECTOR 1 X 0 0 0 ELISA BOXER DIRECTOR 1 X 0 0 0 KAREN HEROLD DIRECTOR 1 X 0 0 0 PATRICIA HAGER DIRECTOR 1 X 0 0 0 PHIL BARTLETT DIRECTOR 1 X 0 0 0 LISA POHLMANN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40 X 92978 0 20625 KATHRYN THOMPSON DIRECTOR OF FINANCE 40 X 59777 0 17137 152755 0 37762 0 0 0 0 0 8362 1282199 0 0 0 795054 132309 2085615 0 94529 0 0 94529 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2057410 0 2043222 0 14188 0 14188 0 0 14188 23509 0 3839 19670 0 19670 reimbursment for expenses 900099 14648 0 0 14648 0 0 0 0 14648 2228650 0 0 143035 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 190517 90883 93954 5680 0 0 0 0 1034505 941916 -17482 110071 31035 28257 -524 3302 139493 126581 -6273 19185 78132 71238 -847 7741 47942 44324 2075 1543 0 0 0 0 24714 20760 2719 1235 0 0 0 0 0 0 37751 0 37751 0 66762 66762 0 19515 19515 19746 9910 8388 1448 88208 62678 10419 15111 0 0 0 0 50266 39207 6535 4524 32709 31022 463 1224 0 0 0 0 30969 27877 1362 1730 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 58825 45884 7647 5294 13717 10699 1783 1235 TELEPHONE 14259 11855 1120 1284 POSTAGE 64256 33137 494 30625 PRINTING 84878 53053 2176 29649 LISTS 18758 6499 0 12259 20167 3657 7983 8527 2167124 1745714 159743 261667 X 67201 22755 0 44446 63261 78929 866750 993669 168220 196175 3599 5385 3530 2262 38051 42513 1199783 652673 583017 547110 4586055 4961065 203819 134772 6516302 6961880 149488 188659 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 149488 188659 X 5677269 6017691 504545 570530 185000 185000 6366814 6773221 6516302 6961880 X 61526 345410 0 0 0 -529 X 0 1 X 1 0 X 1987485 2149942 1962738 1964538 2085615 10150318 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1987485 2149942 1962738 1964538 2085615 10150318 326289 9824029 95817 85487 82389 91920 94529 450142 0 0 0 0 0 0 19647 27058 22462 32676 38157 140000 10740460 5385 0.91467 0.90587 X Schedule A, Part II, Line 10 2009 MISC. INCOME $19,647 2010 MISC. INCOME $13,593 SPECIAL EVENTS $13,465 TOTAL $27,058 2011 MISC. INCOME $17,862 SPECIAL EVENTS $4,600 TOTAL $22,462 2012 MISC. INCOME $13,900 SPECIAL EVENTS $18,776 TOTAL $32,676 2013 MISC. INCOME $14,648 SPECIAL EVENTS $23,509 TOTAL $38,157 RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 17169 147442 164611 2002513 2167124 258356 64589 0 0 260019 250224 251320 258356 1019919 1529879 73592 105766 59571 164611 403540 65005 62556 62830 64589 254980 382470 3798 8560 4300 17169 33827 4468365 140011 389240 0 184419 0 4813197 4355651 41291 247956 0 176533 0 4468365 4550686 10876 -25785 0 180126 0 4355651 4240595 52269 459002 0 201180 0 4550686 3290359 201682 985118 0 236564 0 4240595 0.957 0.039 0.004 0 0 0 107510 107510 0 892160 522904 369256 0 0 0 0 0 200113 129769 70344 0 0 0 0 547110 2725021 345410 185402 0 3839 534651 2190370 37751 529 38280 2228650 2318614 185402 0 0 3839 189241 2129373 37751 0 37751 2167124 Schedule D, Part V, Line 4 The purposes of the Permanent Endowment Fund and the Board Directed Fund is to support advocacy goals, to address emerging issues, and to make capital improvements at NRCM. The purpose of the Citizen Engagement Fund is to strengthen our outreach capacity, and to engage the public in the protection of Maine's environment. Schedule D, Part XI, Line 2d Direct fundraising expenses for event space and supplies. Schedule D, Part XI, Line 4b change in value of future interest $13,453 and change in value of gift annuities ($13,982) Schedule D, Part XII, Line 2d Direct Fundraising expenses for event space and services. Dip and Dash 19254 0 19254 0 0 0 0 0 2073 0 0 19254 0 19254 0 0 0 0 0 2073 2073 17181 X 22 132309 fair market 0 0 1 0 Form 990, Part VI, Section A, Line 4 Changes to by-laws - Clarifying that NRCM represents our members. NRCM represents our members' interests in front of the Maine Legislature, regulatory bodies, and the courts. Several opponents in these cases have sought to challenge our role - and your voice - in these proceedings. NRCM has always prevailed in establishing our or your right to intervene, but we are adding an affirmative statement to the by-laws about our role in representing the environmental concerns of NRCM members. Changing how we elect board members. Each year, the Nominating Committee of the Board Submits a roster of candidates to elect or re-elect at the annual meeting. It is an essential piece of organizational business, and it is the one piece of business that must be addressed at the annual meeting. We appreciate the consistently affirmative support of the members who are able to attend the annual meeting, but we ask the members to delegate the election to the Board of Directors. This change will give NRCM greater freedom to plan an annual event that appeals to members and the public by not mandating that we hold a business meeting as part of the event. This change will also free up some resources to organize meetings in other parts of the state, giving more NRCM members direct access to staff members and other environmental experts. Form 990, Part VI, Section A, Line 6 Any person interested in the purposes and objectives of NRCM is eligible to become a member upon payment of membership dues. Form 990, Part VI, Section A, Line 7a The slate of candidates prepared by the Nominating Committee is presented to the Board of Directors by the chair of the Nominating Committee, or the chair's designee, and is voted upon by the Board of Directors. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 11b A copy of the 990 is reviewed by a public accounting firm. It is then sent to the full Board of Directors for review and feedback, prior to submitting the form to the IRS. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 12c A conflict of interest agreement is read and signed by all Board Members and is annually re-examined. Any potential conflicts are discussed at the board meetings. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 15 A comparison of salaries and benefits is compiled. The Executive Director's wages are reviewed and approved by the Executive Committee - of the Board of Directors. All other staff salaries are suggested by management and approved by the Finance Committee during the budget process. Form 990, Part VI, Section C, Line 19 The audited Financial Statements, 990, annual report, and gift acceptance policy is available on our web site, and upon request. The conflict of interest policy is reviewed and signed by the Board Members annually. Form 990, Part XI, Line 9 Change in value of gift annuities - loss (13,982.00). Change in value of gifts of future interest - gain 13,453.00