The ongoing Androscoggin River quality debate has been hyped over the past two years at the levels of a heavyweight prize fight. The lines were drawn, the sides determined, and the barrage of words, facts and accusations flew almost non-stop, especially over the past few months.

The irony of it all, though, is that the people who were most directly involved in the debate, and who had the most influence over it, were working in the spirit of compromise and balance the entire time.

While a veritable war was fought among supporters of each side, hard-working people like Rep. Elaine Makas of Lewiston, members of the Natural Resources Committee, and representatives of the Department of Environmental Protection and the paper mills were working to find a way to improve the river without losing much-needed jobs.

Now that the smoke has cleared and a compromise has been reached, we’d like to offer some history behind the debate and the resolution that was agreed upon.

For decades, the Maine DEP set standards for long-term dissolved oxygen levels on a case-by-case basis. Last year the DEP proposed a statewide standard for rivers based on their classification. The law created an exception for rivers where licenses had been issued or modeling had been done using a higher temperature because federal law prohibits easing of established standards. This meant that the Androscoggin and St. Croix were the only rivers affected by the legislation, and both rivers had paper mills on them.

The debate between environmentalists and representatives of the paper mills focused largely on temperature thresholds and dissolved oxygen levels, and the length of time it will take to achieve a particular standard. Last year, the 121st Legislature enacted a standard that required dissolved oxygen levels to be at least 6.5 parts per million whenever the water temperature is 71.6 degrees Fahrenheit (22 degrees Celsius) or less, a standard that is higher than the federal EPA’s minimum requirement.

This session, environmental supporters felt that the new requirements did not treat the Androscoggin equally to other rivers, and were not productive to salmon and trout growth. They maintained that further improvements were needed. The proposal brought before the Legislature this session would have set the oxygen level standards at 75.2 degrees Fahrenheit (24 degrees Celsius).

The paper industry contended that the costs to implement the necessary pollution control technology in a relatively short time frame would be cost-prohibitive, and would result in a loss of any competitive edge in the world market. The viability of cold water species like salmon and trout at that water temperature, and the environmental benefits of such a change, were brought into question and both sides had evidence supporting their respective claims.

Rather than argue over the most scientific standard, the Maine DEP, working with the Natural Resources Committee of the 122nd Legislature, has reached a binding agreement with the affected paper mills that will result in lower discharge levels and higher dissolved oxygen levels over the course of the next 10 years. The agreements will also avoid prolonged debate over nutrient levels from the mills, resulting in the elimination of algae blooms in Gulf Island Pond that now occur each summer.

Without question, the DEP and the Legislature are charged with protecting our rivers while considering that water quality standards must embody prudent management of competing interests. Thousands of Maine families depend on a sensible balance.

It is with thanks in large part to the tireless efforts of Rep. Elaine Makas that our river quality will continue to improve over the next 10 years, and she should be recognized for her efforts. The Maine DEP and Natural Resources Committee should be recognized as well for their innovative approach to improving Maine’s environment while protecting the livelihood of Maine families.

Sen. Lois Snowe-Mello (R-Poland) serves on the Labor and Natural Resources committees. Rep. Sonya Sampson (D-Auburn) serves on the State and Local Goverment and Transportation committees.

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