The Baldacci administration’s recent decision to reopen International Paper’s Androscoggin Mill’s wastewater permit is outrageous and flies in the face of public process.

Consider the following: The mill’s wastewater permit went out for two 30-day public comment periods. The mill wrote a letter to the Legislature committing to go beyond compliance and initially committing $4 million to do this. The mill signs an agreement, required by the Legislature, to make what was in the letters enforceable. This agreement was fully discussed in the public during last year’s legislative session. The mill has worked hard and actually met future limits with one paper machine down. There is no assurance that these compliance numbers are sustainable. The mill has committed nearly $200,000 to study how these numbers can be sustained.

The reward? Reopening the permit for doing what the mill said they would and going beyond compliance.

What message does this send to the lifeblood of our region and to the business community? Do what the state asks and go beyond, and they will penalize you. I am extremely disappointed as this is a political decision, which will not be forgotten by the people in this area.

Sonny Hebert, Dryden