February 24, 2022
Re: Friends of Casco Bay testimony in support of LD 1964, An Act To Update Certain Water Quality Standards and To Reclassify Certain Waters of the State, with an amendment introduced by Representative Bell to upgrade the Presumpscot River from Saccarappa Falls to tidewater to Class B
Dear Senator Brenner, Representative Tucker and Distinguished Members of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee,
Friends of Casco Bay submits this letter and enclosed fact sheet in support of LD 1964. We support the bill overall, but most ardently support an amendment to LD 1964 that would upgrade the Presumpscot River from Saccarappa Falls to tidewater from Class C to Class B.
For over 30 years, Friends of Casco Bay has worked to improve and protect the environmental health of Casco Bay. The Presumpscot River drains the bulk of our watershed, flowing from pristine headlands through some of Maine’s most urbanized areas. The fact that the lower stem, from Saccarappa Falls to tidewater, has been restored from being the most polluted river segment in the State to one that meets Class B standards is completely joyful and strikes at the very intent of the Clean Water Act.
The fact sheet contains the analysis supporting the upgrade. We most ardently hope you will support the amendment to upgrade the lower Presumpscot. We can think of no better way to celebrate this year’s 50th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act.
Respectfully submitted,
Ivy L. Frignoca, Casco Baykeeper
Friends of Casco Bay
43 Slocum Drive
South Portland, ME 04106
Cell: (207) 831-3067
ifrignoca@cascobay.org
FOCB Fact Sheet in support of Presumpscot Amendment to LD 1964
