Request for DEP Report Pleases Senator Rosen

For Immediate Release

October 16, 2007

Augusta – Senator Rosen is pleased that the DEP was asked to provide a report to the Legislature by February on its ability to oversee Maine’s rivers, and enforce environmental laws.

Following this summer’s algae bloom in the Penobscot River, Senator Richard Rosen (R – Hancock) called into question the Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) ability to meet their enforcement mandate. Mr. Rosen supported increasing the number of DEP enforcement officers, pursued legislation to secure funding to help clean up the Penobscot River, and wrote a letter to the office that oversees government accountability, requesting they examine DEP’s failure to protect the rivers of Maine.

DEP is charged with enforcing federal environmental laws including the dumping of materials into our rivers. The algae bloom in the Penobscot is one of several examples of how the DEP has failed in its enforcement role.

Senator Rosen, by highlighting DEP’s mixed record in meeting their mandate, through his legislative work and letters, has drawn attention to this important issue. As a result, in their last meeting, the office that oversees government accountability requested DEP report to the legislature by February on this issue. Maine’s economy cannot afford more regulation so it is imperative that DEP do its job enforcing existing environmental laws to protect Maine’s rivers and streams.

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