Office of the Commissioner

Patricia W. Aho, Commissioner

The Office of the Commissioner supports the commissioner and deputy commissioner in carrying out their day-to-day responsibilities. It also assists the program bureaus in areas that cross bureau boundaries. The Office has three functional units: Communications and Education, Assistance, and Policy Development and Implementation. The Office as a whole is responsible for coordinating inter- and intra-departmental issues and assuming special assignments as needed by the commissioner and the deputy commissioner.

The Office of Communications and Education

directs all DEP communications and education efforts to create and maintain public understanding and support for departmental objectives, programs, and regulatory requirements and best practices. The office develops and disseminates all official agency announcements including media releases, weekly highlights, educational columns and other documents/materials of interest to the public and regulated community; delivers regulatory and non-regulatory based environmental training to a variety of audiences, including through its Nonpoint Source Training Center and TankSmart program; coordinates the Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence; responds to requests for public information; coordinates, prepares and promotes department staff public presentations and media conferences; and manages all DEP’s web content, including the department website and social media presence. The Communications & Education Director serves as the agency spokesperson and is the liaison for all DEP-related media inquiries. 207-287-2812

The Office of Innovation

works to encourage continuous improvements in the Department’s processes, both internally and in its service to Maine’s people and regulated entities. Current efforts include streamlining the Department’s contracting procedures to make them more efficient and consistent, and plans to work with agency staff and their counterparts in the private sector to develop relevant, cost-effective training. Chris Swain, Director 207-287-7831

The Policy Development and Implementation Unit

coordinates the legislative activities of the department and acts as liaison between the department and the Governor's Office and the Legislature. The unit coordinates policy analysis, licensing (including multi-program license transfers) and enforcement tracking, rule drafting and review, liaison to the Maine Office of Attorney General and general administrative oversight functions. This unit also manages the department's strategic plan and Performance Partnership Agreement with US EPA. Heather Parent, Director 207-287-8662