To ensure that these are administered properly, EPA has a number of tools, including the ability to veto state permits, inspect facilities, take enforcement action and withhold program funding. In short, we are seeking this change because the status quo is unduly wasteful of public and private resources without the added value of increased environmental protection. This is where the environmental protection issue and the tribal sovereignty issue became entangled. The Penobscot Nation and the Passamaquoddy, Maliseet and Micmac tribes formally objected, claiming the state lacks authority to issue licenses where there are tribal lands. Although the deadline established by federal law has passed, EPA has yet to rule one way or another on the question.
Maine has one of the strongest water-quality protection programs in the country.
We are a recognized leader in terms of our standards, our monitoring and our technical expertise. Furthermore, EPA s continuing oversight would prevent any hypothetical slippage in our program s environmental effectiveness. So let s be clear and distinguish the jurisdictional debate from any discussion of environmental protection. Let s also not lose sight of the fundamentally constructive relationship the state has had with the tribes when it comes to protecting our natural resources. It is especially troubling to me that most coverage virtually ignores this relationship.