AUGUSTA - The Maine House gave final approval Thursday to a measure from Rep. Dan Ankeles, D-Brunswick, that would establish a long-term plan for replacing aging infrastructure on the former Brunswick Naval Air Station, commonly known as Brunswick Landing.
Brunswick Landing has been identified as a PFAS hotspot due to the use of firefighting foam and other PFAS-laden materials on the former naval air base. PFAS contamination in the area is well above recommended safe levels according to Maine's drinking water standard. Roughly 18,000 residents are served by the impacted water districts.
"It's heartening that our Legislature is showing that they care about the many residents and businesses that could be impacted by aging infrastructure and PFAS contamination on Brunswick Landing," said Ankeles. "With state and local government working together with the Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority, we have a far better chance of managing the resources we've inherited from the U.S. Navy before the quality of the infrastructure declines any further. We are energized, and we are ready to work."
As amended, LD 941 would establish a group of nine individuals, including environmental experts, town officials and a bipartisan group of state legislators, to evaluate the need to upgrade critical environmental and conventional infrastructure. The group would also assess the health and safety risks to residents, businesses, flora and fauna in the region, review ongoing federal and state remediation work related to PFAS contamination and develop a comprehensive plan and submit a recommendation for the Legislature to act on.
The bill will be placed on the Special Study Table to await a decision on funding before a final vote in the Maine Senate.
Ankeles, a member of the Transportation Committee, is serving his first term in the Maine House and represents District 100, a central slice of Brunswick that includes downtown, the former naval airbase and Bowdoin College.
Contact:
Brian Lee [Ankeles], 305-965-2744