Friday, July 18th, 2025 : Hearing at Penobscot Superior Court in Bangor
for Penobscot Nation v. Maine Department of Environmental Protection at 1pm
Rally for Environmental Justice and the River and in Opposition to Juniper Ridge Landfill Expansion at Noon
Penobscot Nation and Conservation Law Foundation are bringing the Maine Department of Environmental Protection to Superior Court on Friday, July 18th, appealing the department’s ruling that an expansion of the Juniper Ridge Landfill in Old Town adheres to “public benefit” and Environmental Justice criteria. Juniper Ridge Landfill (JRL) is owned by the state, but privately run by Casella Waste Systems. Surrounding communities experience air pollution from noxious odors, methane releases, and fires. JRL’s toxic leachate is processed and dumped into the Penobscot River’s sustenance fishing waters. Despite legislative efforts, Juniper Ridge Landfill continues to accept out of state waste.
Penobscot Nation and CLF assert the Maine DEP has sidestepped a statute requiring the equal protection of surrounding communities from waste pollution, including the Penobscot Nation. Penobscot Nation asserts that the Penobscot people are not being equally protected from waste pollution’s harm to their health, sustenance fishing, and cultural survival. This is the first instance of the Environmental Justice requirement being tested.
Penobscot Nation and Conservation Law Foundation will be presenting oral arguments at a hearing
on Friday, July 18th, at 1pm at the Penobscot County Superior Court located at 78 Exchange Street in Bangor.
The hearing is open to the public. Attendees are asked not to wear shorts.
A rally for the River and Environmental Justice will be held outside the courthouse at 12pm.
