To the editor:
In early June, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced two public information meetings in Lewiston and Presque Isle. Members of the public may be interested in the following communication from Susan Davies, DEP Water Quality Standards Coordinator. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) wants to hear from the public about proposals we have received to change the water quality goals for a variety of rivers, streams and marine waters around the state. (In northern Maine, Beaver Brook, Gardner Brook, and segments of the lower Aroostook River are being considered for possible upgrades in classification.)
Locally, opportunity for the public to provide input will be available Thursday, June 19 at Northern Maine Community College, Christie Hall Auditorium, from 6-8 p.m.
Maine’s water classification law is designed to protect, restore and maintain water quality. The law establishes the Legislature’s water quality goals for every water body based on Maine’s tiered classifications (Riverine Class AA, A, B and C and Marine Class SA, SB and SC). Maine law directs the Board of Environmental Protection to review water classification and to propose changes in classification to a higher goal level for waterbodies that are achieving the water quality standards of a higher classification.
You can go to www.MaineDEP.com and simply click on “Reclassification initiative, Maine waters” to view the proposals received, for background about the reclassification process, travel directions to public information meetings, the current classification of waters, and for submission of comments online. New proposals and public comment will be taken at these public meetings as well as via the Internet until June 30, 2008.
Presque Isle
