Maine Legislative Action

Surfrider Maine’s policy team works to reduce plastic pollution from cradle to grave — advancing solutions that address extraction, manufacturing, consumption, and disposal. Plastic pollution is not just a litter problem; it is a systemic environmental and public health crisis. From the depletion of fossil fuel resources used in plastic production, to the toxic emissions released during manufacturing, to the persistent waste accumulating on our beaches and in our waters, plastics impose a heavy burden on our ecosystems and coastal economies. Marine debris harms wildlife, threatens fisheries and tourism, and shifts cleanup costs onto local communities. At the same time, emerging scientific research continues to link microplastics to serious human health concerns, underscoring that plastic pollution is not only an ocean issue, but a personal one. By advocating for upstream solutions and strong waste reduction policies, we work to protect both our coastline and the communities who depend on it.

The Better Bag Ban seeks to strengthen Maine’s existing single-use plastic bag law by closing a loophole that undermines its original intent. The current structure allows thicker plastic film bags — nearly twice the thickness of those initially banned — to be distributed under the assumption that they would function as “reusable” bags. In practice, these thicker bags are rarely reused and instead continue to contribute to plastic pollution across our communities and coastline. This concession has weakened the effectiveness of the law and slowed meaningful reduction in plastic waste. Our campaign works to amend the statute to eliminate this loophole, restore the integrity of the original policy, and ensure Maine’s bag ban truly reduces plastic at the source rather than simply shifting the problem to a slightly heavier material.

Skip the Stuff advances common-sense policies that dramatically reduce the unnecessary distribution of single-use plastics — including straws, utensils, condiment packets, and napkins — by making them available only upon request. Far too much plastic enters circulation automatically, often going unused and heading straight to the landfill or into our waterways. By shifting from default distribution to “by request only,” we can significantly reduce waste at the source. These policies not only protect our ocean and coastal communities from plastic pollution, but also save businesses money by cutting purchasing costs and reducing excess inventory. Skip the Stuff demonstrates that smart environmental policy and sound economic practice can go hand in hand — reducing waste, supporting local businesses, and keeping unnecessary plastic out of our ecosystem.

The Northeast Canyons & Seamounts Marine National Monument — the only marine national monument in the Atlantic — has faced repeated political attacks, including efforts by the Trump administration to weaken critical protections by lifting the prohibition on commercial fishing within its boundaries. These rollbacks undermined science-based conservation measures designed to protect fragile deep-sea corals, endangered species, and sensitive canyon ecosystems that take centuries to recover from disturbance. Marine Protected Areas are established to provide long-term ecological resilience, not to shift with political tides. Surfrider and our partners will continue to fight efforts to erode these safeguards, defend strong management plans grounded in science, and advocate for durable, enforceable protections that ensure this extraordinary ecosystem remains protected for future generations.

Surfrider is calling on Congress to permanently protect our coasts. The radical offshore drilling proposal has achieved the increasingly rare feat of uniting Democrats and Republicans in a common cause. From Florida to California to Alaska, lawmakers from both parties are speaking out against the plan as unnecessary and out of step with most Americans' interests. Surfrider is urging Congress to respond to this public opposition by passing legislation to prohibit new offshore drilling across all U.S. regions

Pesticides pose a significant threat to our environment, water quality, and public health. Many synthetic pesticides — including highly toxic classes like neonicotinoids — are designed to kill insects but also harm vital pollinators and other beneficial organisms, contaminate soil, and are easily transported by stormwater into streams, rivers, and ultimately the ocean. Once in the water, these chemicals degrade water quality, endanger aquatic life, and contribute to long-term ecosystem imbalances. Pesticide runoff threatens drinking water sources and harms wildlife at very low concentrations, while some compounds are persistent and can accumulate in food webs. In Falmouth, Maine, the passage of a local ordinance regulating the use of pesticides and fertilizers marks a major step toward safeguarding clean water and community health by prohibiting outdoor application of neonicotinoids and restricting pesticide use near water bodies and storm drains — a policy advance rooted in science and community advocacy to prevent toxic chemical pollution before it enters the environment.