A bill would tighten oversight of the DEP when it comes to dam relicensing to keep the state from losing its say on water levels. by Colin Woodard Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — Lawmakers want to impose firmer oversight of the Department of Environmental Protection’s handling of dam relicensing after the state missed Read More
Department of Environmental Protection
Maine Lakes at Risk
Damage caused to the State of Maine’s lake protection efforts under the Administration of Governor LePage.
Maine Lakes at Risk from LePage Administration
Report Documents Damage to DEP’s Lake Protection Efforts NRCM Press Release The Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) today released an investigative report documenting damage caused to the State of Maine’s lake protection efforts under the Administration of Governor LePage. Although Maine’s lakes are among our state’s most valuable natural resources, the NRCM report finds Read More
More Dam Relicensing Slips Past Maine’s DEP
The agency misses deadlines and loses its say on five water-control projects, but says the impact will be ‘zero.’ by Colin Woodard, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story The Maine Department of Environmental Protection has again missed critical deadlines and cost the state its authority to set terms in the federal relicensing of dam Read More
Maine DEP Proposes Weakening Clean Air Requirement
Groups Voice Concerns and Call for Public Hearing Press Release PORTLAND—Several of Maine’s leading environmental and public health advocacy organizations today called on the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to hold a public hearing on the LePage Administration’s proposal to weaken an important clean air standard on smog pollution from industrial sources. Maine DEP Read More
The Lobbyist in the Henhouse: Whose Interest is Maine’s DEP Commissioner Serving?
by Colin Woodard, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story For two years, public servant Patricia Aho has overseen Maine’s environmental protection. But whom does she really serve? A seven-month investigation by the Telegram points to her former corporate clients. Part 1 of a 3-day series. HERE’S WHAT WE FOUND A Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Read More
Sources Describe a Department Under Duress
Colin Woodard, PPH staff writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA – Every change of administration brings a change in priorities, and in early 2011 staffers within the Department of Environmental Protection fully expected Gov. Paul LePage to direct them to reduce regulatory burdens on business. What actually happened shocked nearly everyone, including workers who Read More
Support of LD 1335, An Act to Implement Recommendations of DEP Concerning Product Stewardship
Good afternoon Senator Boyle, Representative Welsh, and distinguished members of the Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. My name is Abby King; I am the Toxics Policy Advocate with the Natural Resources Council of Maine. NRCM strongly supported the product stewardship framework bill approved by the Legislature and enacted into law in 2010, and Read More
DEP Mining Contractor Tightly Linked to Mining Industry
NRCM Calls on DEP to Change Process to Protect Public Interests NRCM News Release The Natural Resources Council of Maine today released documents showing that a contractor recently hired by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to help rewrite Maine’s mining regulations is deeply connected to some of the world’s largest mining corporations, including Read More