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Public Comments Sought on Water Quality

March 18, 2008 - The Maine Department of Environmental Protection is seeking public comments on the latest health report card given to the state's lakes, rivers, streams and estuaries. As required by the federal Clean Water Act, Maine reviews the overall health of water bodies every two years.

Each water body is classified as falling into one of five groupings. The top designation, or Category 1, means the water meets all quality standards and is usable for all designated purposes, including fishing and recreation. In Category 2, the water body is not threatened but some uses may be impacted. A Category 3 designation means that not enough information is available, but it is presumed that some uses of the water body have been affected by pollution. Categories 4 and 5 mean the water body is impaired or threatened and, as a result, cannot be used for all designated purposes. Water bodies in Category 5 require additional regulation and reporting.

The designations are used to help determine planning and funding priorities for water quality improvement projects.

Designations have changed little since 2006. The acreage of rivers, streams and lakes designated as Category 5 decreased slightly from 2006 to 2008, while the acreage of Category 4 waters increased slightly.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency must sign off on the state's draft report, which is known as the "305b report."

To see a copy of the draft report -- including a complete listing of the impaired waterways -- go online to http://www.maine.gov/dep/blwq/docmonitoring/305b/ and click on "draft integrated report." Interested parties can also find the report by going to http://MaineDEP.com and searching with the keyword "305b."

Public comments must be submitted by 5 p.m. March 31. Written comments should be sent to: Susan Davies, Maine Department of Environmental Protection, State House #17, Augusta, ME 04333. Comments can also be faxed to 287-7191 or e-mailed to: 305b.Comments@maine.gov.

SOURCE: Bangor Daily News

DATE: 03-13-2008

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