Maine sporting and environmental groups took aim today at several bills they say threaten water quality in Maine, and ultimately, the state’s economy.
Maine sporting and environmental groups joined forces today to denounce several bills they say threaten to erode water quality in Maine’s lakes, rivers and streams and hurt the state’s economy.
At a State House news conference, members of the groups cited 10 bills they say would gut laws that keep the state’s waterways clean, provide wildlife habitat and support the Maine’s top industry, tourism.
“Slashing protections for Maine’s signature resources will benefit a few, while all Maine people pay the price,” said Maggie Shannon, executive director of the Maine Congress of Lake Associations. Shannon called the measures an “all out assault on Maine’s water quality and wildlife.”
Among the measures is the controversial regulatory reform bill known as LD 1, which Gov. Paul LePage says is aimed at improving Maine’s business climate. The other measures include LD 156, LD 159, LD 219, LD 341, LD 434, LD 872, LD 888, LD 1022 and LD 1031, which would weaken shoreland zoning laws and protections for vernal pools, among other things.
Matt Dunlap of the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine said the bill threaten wildlife-related recreation in Maine, which he said generates more a $1 billion a year for the state’s economy.
