Governor Announces No Discharge Area for Casco Bay

Governor Announces No Discharge Area for Casco Bay

July 21, 2006

PORTLAND - Governor John Baldacci today joined U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region I Administrator Robert Varney, Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner David Littell, and area officials and legislators at the Maine State Pier to declare Casco Bay a No Discharge Area.

"Casco Bay is a vital economic resource for Maine," said Governor Baldacci. "By protecting the bay, we help protect our economic future as well as the health and safety of our Maine citizens. I am proud to add this initiative to a long list of acts which will protect one of Maine's finest natural resources."

The designation protects over 229 square miles of marine habitat and over 197,000 acres of shellfish harvesting areas. "This is complemented by a law I signed, and the DEP implemented, instituting the nation's first permitting program for cruise ship vessel discharges along our entire coast," said the Governor. "This action protects Maine's waters from discharges of bacteria- laden wastes from cruise ships."

Pollution into Casco Bay also comes from non-point sources such as land development, road runoff, malfunctioning septic systems, surface runoff, and even domestic animals. Maine's DEP's non-point source program goals are to protect Maine's waters from pollution by promoting the use of best management practice, supporting local watershed stewardship, and educating the public on compliance.

"The No Discharge Area announced today and the cruise vessel discharge program have strengthened and enhanced the protections for the State's waters and natural resources," noted the Governor. "We all must remain vigilant to continue to protect this valuable bay."

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