Tabling L.D. 99, “An Act to Include Specific Bodies of Water within Class C Standards,” was the right thing to do. The proposed 10-year cleanup period for reaching Class C standards is the best compromise at this time.

Why do I say that? Here’s a cautionary tale.

When environmentalists and paper mills battled to establish standards for Maine rivers about 30 years ago, very little progress was made initially. Why? Environmentalists believed paper mill managers were hatched from the pits of hell, and paper mill executives were certain that environmentalists were taking direction from the Politburo in Moscow. It was preposterous.

The hearings I attended were a media circus, not a dialogue.

What was needed to break the deadlock was bold leadership to call a cease-fire so major stakeholders could realistically develop solutions to key issues.

What was the public interest?

What could be done scientifically and technically?

What were the economic ramifications?

How swiftly could progress be made?

That leadership came from the Maine Audubon Society, which convinced the major players to stop grandstanding for the media and start having meaningful discussions. And it worked. The environmental improvement incrementally made on all major rivers in Maine began when people stopped yelling at each other, rolled up their sleeves and got to work.

And that’s how the Androscoggin began to get cleaner.

Gary Guimond, Lewiston

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