Opportunity for Comment
Maine's Triennial Review of Water Quality Standards
Comment deadline: October 22, 2025
The Maine Board of Environmental Protection ("Board") invites the public to attend a public hearing, to offer oral testimony, and to submit written comments on proposed changes to Maine's water quality standards as part of the Maine Department of Environmental Protections (Department) Triennial Review of Water Quality Standards. The federal Clean Water Act and Maine law (38 M.R.S. 464(3)(B)) requires states to periodically, but at least once every 3 years, hold a public hearing for the purpose of reviewing water quality standards and, as appropriate, for modifying existing and developing new water quality standards.
Pursuant to the Maine Administrative Procedure Act, 5 M.R.S. 8001 - 11008, Maines Water Classification Program, 38 M.R.S. 464 470, and the Boards responsibilities and duties under 38 M.R.S. 341-D(8), the Board will hold a public hearing to receive testimony on changes to Maines water quality standards, including changes that are currently proposed and any other recommended changes. The current proposal for changes to Maines water quality standards (including Department responses to preliminary public comments) is available on the Departments Triennial Review of Maine's Water Quality Standards webpage.
Following the public hearing and written comment period, the Board will deliberate proposed changes to the water quality standards and may vote to recommend to the Maine Legislature specific statutory changes necessary to implement new or revised water quality standards. The Legislature has the sole authority to make changes to the water quality classification system. Any changes to Maines water quality standards enacted by the Legislature must be approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to take final effect.
Public Hearing: The public hearing will be held at the Augusta Civic Center, 76 Community Drive, Augusta, Maine on Thursday, October 16, 2025, beginning at 9:00 a.m. Further information on the Board hearing, including an agenda and hearing materials, will be available on the Board webpage approximately one week prior to the hearing. Persons who testify are encouraged to also submit to Board Clerk Ruth Ann Burke, clerk.bep@maine.gov, a written copy of their testimony during or immediately following the hearing. The hearing is an opportunity for members of the public to offer testimony and useful information. Department staff and Board members will not respond to questions during the hearing. The Board and staff to the Board may ask clarifying questions of any person offering testimony at the hearing. Any person with a disability who plans to attend the hearing and requires specific accommodations should contact the Board Clerk, clerk.bep@maine.gov or 207-287-2811, prior to the hearing.
Public Comments: In addition to the opportunity to provide oral testimony at the public hearing, written comments on the proposed Triennial Review of Maines Water Quality Standards may be submitted to the Board from August 28, 2025 through the close of the comment period at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, October 22, 2025. Written comments should be directed to: Department of Environmental Protection, Attn: Meagan Sims, 17 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333-0017, or submitted via email to TRComments.DEP@maine.gov.
For further information, contact Meagan Sims at meagan.sims@maine.gov or (207) 508-8776.
Maine DEP Seeks Public Input on Maine Beverage Redemption Group's Operations Plan
Comment deadline: November 1, 2025
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will hold a public meeting on October 21, 2025, at 2:30 p.m. in Room 101 of the Deering Building, 90 Blossom Lane in Augusta, to solicit input on the revised Operations Plan submitted by The Maine Beverage Redemption Group.
The Maine Beverage Redemption Group is the organization established by commingling groups to provide for the management of all beverage containers subject to the requirements of the Maine's Beverage Container Redemption Program (Title 38, Chapter 33: Manufacturers, Distributors, and Dealers of Beverage Containers). The Maine Beverage Redemption Group can be contacted by phone at 207-791-1281, by email at mpottle@pierceatwood.com, and by mail at 254 Commercial Street, Merrills Wharf, Portland, ME 04101.
The Operations Plan will govern the group's operational responsibilities with respect to Maine's Beverage Container Redemption Program. The required components of the Operations Plan are outlined in 38 M.R.S. 3107(3-B). The Operations Plan includes proposed methods for transitioning to redemption center sorting by material type and size; fairly apportioning costs, materials, and responsibilities for pick up among commingling groups and initiators of deposit; collecting deposits and handling fees; spending unclaimed deposits; determining the redemption rate; paying and picking up from redemption centers; forming an advisory board; and supporting the development of infrastructure to facilitate the use of refillable beverage containers.
Approval of the plan is subject to Manufacturers, Distributors and Dealers of Beverage Containers 38 M.R.S. 3101-3119, 06-096 C.M.R. ch. 426 Responsibilities under the Returnable Beverage Container Law, and 06-096 C.M.R. ch. 2 Processing of Applications and Other Administrative Matters.
The revised Operations Plan, which was submitted to the Department on September 12, can be viewed by appointment at the Department of Environmental Protection's office at 28 Tyson Drive in Augusta or on the Department's bottle bill webpage.
Written public comments may be sent to BottleBill.DEP@maine.gov or Maine DEP, Bottle Bill, 17 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333-0017. They will be accepted throughout Department review of this application but will be most helpful if received prior to November 1, 2025.
For more information on how to submit public comments with the DEP, please visit the Maine DEP Opportunity of Comment webpage.