Amid perceptions that paper mills have been too involved in Department of Environmental Protection business, Gov. John Baldacci pledged that the person he’s nominated as the new commissioner will oversee the Androscoggin River cleanup based on science, not politics.
Former DEP Commissioner Dawn Gallagher resigned Dec. 22 after violating Maine’s Freedom of Access Act. She also allegedly offered to drop enforcement against International Paper in exchange for Rep. Thomas Saviello’s support for legislation. Saviello, who has denied the allegation, is IP’s environmental manager.
Baldacci has nominated Deputy Commissioner David Littell to be the new DEP boss.
The department’s business will be transparent under Littell, Baldacci said, adding that he won’t tolerate special interests getting in the way of DEP’s work.
“There’ll be a ton of bricks on top of any legislator or anybody or any initiative that tries to undo this process,” Baldacci said. “I told David, ‘Tell me what you need. I’ll stand right by your side making these decisions.'”
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