With the new governor and Legislature, Maine is finally poised for progress on pressing issues like climate change, groundwater protection and renewable energy. However, I’m alarmed at Jerry Reid’s nomination as head of the Department of Environmental Protection (“Mills picks attorney for environmental protection chief,” Jan. 1).
Reid sided with polluting corporations in Penobscot Nation v. Mills. Therefore, despite his considerable experience, he doesn’t exemplify the qualities Maine needs in the person charged with protecting the water our very lives depend upon. Intentionally or not, he worked to advance the interests of polluting intervenors in that case, making for an unseemly appearance of conflict of interest.
I also believe that improving state-tribal relations is long overdue, and in the best interest of all Maine people. As Penobscot Ambassador Maulian Dana said at Gov. Janet Mills’ inauguration, “The Wabanaki Nations of Maine, the Maliseet, Micmac, Passamaquoddy, and Penobscot are not just the indigenous people but the carriers of the truth of these lands and waters.”
Reid opposed the Penobscot Nation in court, misrepresenting their history and traditional fishing practices. His assertion that Penobscot fishing was land based rather than water based would be laughable were it not so profoundly disrespectful and so alarmingly divorced from fact. His confirmation would be counterproductive both to improving relations and to pursuing the very best environmental policies, which would be enhanced by better state-tribal collaboration.
Please tell your state senator and members of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee that Maine deserves a DEP head who hasn’t advocated for polluting interests and against the Penobscot Nation.
Katherine Rhoda
Hiram
Send questions/comments to the editors.
-
Local & State
Maine CDC reports 328 cases of COVID-19, four deaths
-
Community
United Way to host Webb Lake snowshoe walk
-
Nation & World
Larry King, television’s everyman interviewer, dies at 87
-
Opinion
Today’s editorial cartoon
-
Editorials
View from Away: As he leaves office, Trump abuses the pardon power — again
Success. Please wait for the page to reload. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page.
Enter your email and password to access comments.
Hi {SUB NAME}, to comment on stories you must . This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login.
Already have one? .
Invalid username/password.
Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration.
Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login to participate in the conversation. Here’s why.
Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.