Opportunity for Comment
Draft Explanation of Significant Differences Report for the Inactive Zone at Bangor Landing
Comment deadline: September 30, 2024
Notice date: August 28, 2024
Pursuant to Section 11.D in the June 5, 2007, Consent Decree entered into by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the City of Bangor (City), and Citizens Communications the DEP has determined proposed changes to the remedial plan for the Inactive Zone at Bangor Landing is a fundamental change and a public and interested party comment period is required.
Written public comment may be sent to the contact person listed below. The public comment period ends on the deadline listed above.
According to Department regulations, interested parties must be notified, written comments are invited, and the public may request a public meeting. If the Department receives a written request for a public meeting within 15 calendar days from the Notice Date, a public meeting will be held.
To submit written comments or request a public meeting please contact:
Peter G. Crockett peter.g.crockett@maine.gov
Maine Department of Environmental Protection
Uncontrolled Sites and Closed Landfills Unit
17 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0017
207-441-5710
Concept Draft: Chapter 583: Nutrient Criteria for Class AA, A, B, and C Fresh Surface Waters
Comment deadline: October 5, 2024
Maine DEP, in consultation with the US EPA, has developed a new Concept Draft for a freshwater nutrient criteria rule and revised the Description of the Draft Criteria. The concept draft and the description are now available for public comment through an informal outreach process.
The revisions resulted in a streamlined concept draft that focuses on desirable water quality conditions and is more compatible with EPAs "Guiding Principles for Integrated Nutrient Criteria". Response indicators that duplicate existing water quality criteria and may be responsive to other stressors, have been eliminated, while response indicators specific to nutrient enrichment are retained in the revised concept draft. Surface waters covered by the draft rule have also been refined, which prompted analysis of water quality data not previously considered. This resulted in slight increases to the total phosphorus concentration values incorporated in the criteria.
After this initial, informal outreach process the Department plans to proceed with rulemaking this fall. There will be an opportunity for public comment on a proposed draft rule during the rulemaking process. To keep informed about the rulemaking process you may sign up for email notices or visit the Department's rulemaking page.
Please contact Matthew Hight 207-719-0703 with any comments or concerns before October 5, 2024.