DEP Seeks Comment on State’s Water Quality Goals

June 4, 2008

CONTACT:
Susan Davies 207-287-3901 susan.p.davies@maine.gov

AUGUSTA--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 (the Board) 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.

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) wants to hear from the public about proposed changes to the water quality goals for a variety of rivers, streams, and marine waters around the State. Opportunity for the public to provide input will be available at these public meetings:

Wednesday, June 18, 2008, Lewiston City Hall in the Mayor's Conference Room, 1st floor, from 6:00-8:00 PM.

Thursday, June 19, 2008, Presque Isle, Northern Maine Community College, Christy Hall Auditorium, from 6:00- 8:00 PM

Public comment will also be taken via the internet until June 30, 2008. You can go to www.MaineDEP.com and simply click on “Reclassification initiative, Maine waters” for additional information about the reclassification process and the current classification of waters, plus the ability to submit on-line comments.

Of interest to the general public are a number of upgrades from Class B to Class A or from Class A to Class AA to protect high-value fishery and aquatic life resources. These include Gardner Brook in Wade Township, Abbott Brook in Lincoln Plantation, Pemaquid River in Bristol, tributaries of the Souadabscook River, and tributaries to the Ducktrap River in Lincolnville. The Basin, a lake-like marine cove in Phippsburg, has been proposed for upgrade from Class SB to Class SA because of outstanding ecological and social values. In southern and western Maine the classification of a few water bodies is ambiguous or inconsistent due to the wording in the classification law. These waters are proposed for changes that will ensure logically sound application of water quality goals for segments of the river or stream. A complete list of proposals that the DEP has received is available on the website. The public can also offer additional recommendations for the Board to consider at this time.

“The rivers, lakes, and oceans all belong to the people of Maine, and the Clean Water Act is built on citizen input. We want to know how the DEP should be managing these particular waterbodies,” noted Susan Davies, DEP’s Water Quality Standards Coordinator.

The review of Water Quality Classifications takes place every 3-6 years and considers rivers, streams and coastal waters throughout the State. The DEP will include the public input as it develops recommendations to the Board to propose changes in classifications. The Board will hold a formal public hearing on the draft package during late summer and compile final recommendations to be submitted to the Legislature when it convenes in January. The Maine Legislature makes all classification changes and U. S. Environmental Protection Agency must ultimately give final approval to any changes made by the State of Maine.

The last reclassification initiative was completed in 2005. Maine lakes are all assigned to one management class, GPA, and so are not subject to reclassification at this time.

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