Many of Maine's waterways are still plagued by illegal pollution; our new report, "Off the Hook," shows that illegal pollution threatens the Penobscot River, Greenlaw Brook, Little Madawaska River, Medomak River Estuary and the Presumpscot River Estuary, among others. Our research indicates that in the past two years, 68 of the 82 largest facilities in Maine violated their permits, dumping more pollution than the law allows. Despite the high level of violations, the state fined only four of the facilities. Without a credible threat of penalties, facilities continue to violate their permit—75 percent of the 68 facilities violated their permits more than once during those two years. Waterways, the lifeblood of our state, deserve better protection and the state needs to enforce the laws meant to protect them. Because of our work, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is now considering changing policies to better enforce the laws. More.
