Maine Department of Environmental Protection Statement On Oxford Casino Court Decision

July 23, 2012

Contact: Samantha DePoy-Warren, Maine DEP Director of Communications samantha.depoy-warren@maine.gov / 287-5842 (office) or 592-0427 (cell)

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection is aware of the ruling made last week by the Kennebec County Superior Court that returns to us for further review a permitting decision made by our Department in March of 2011 that allowed for the Phase I development of the Oxford Resort Casino. While we do not agree with the findings and stand behind our staff?s thorough and thoughtful initial review, per the court?s order and our own commitment to the balanced protections of our environment, the Department will act in accordance with the remand order and reopen the review process so that other available evidence that could be relevant can be additionally considered.

In the meantime, the applicant pursued development in good faith and in accordance with the permit issued by the Department and upheld unanimously by the State?s Board of Environmental Protection. No allegation by the appellant or findings by the court since have shown this development has caused any environmental degradation, nor did the appellant seek a stay of the construction of the project. As a result, the Department has no intention to pursue any closing of the casino, nor would past precedent indicate it would be appropriate to do so.