We are writing in response to state Sen. John Nutting’s Aug. 13 opinion piece on pollution in the Androscoggin River. We dispute his claim that last year’s paper industry bill will lower the amount of phosphorus and biological oxygen demand – two damaging types of pollution – that upstream mills discharge into the Androscoggin.

That is not true.

The new law would allow years of delay to study the phosphorus issue to death, and would let the mill in Jay, the largest polluter on the river by far, increase its BOD pollution nearly three times over current levels (phosphorus is a type of nutrient pollution that causes the growth of thick mats of algae, which make the water unswimmable; and BOD pollution rots and sucks oxygen out of the water – oxygen that fish and other aquatic creatures need to breathe).

Thus, last year’s industry-sponsored law is not a “Clean Rivers Bill,” it’s a dirty rivers bill, and its passage shows that the Androscoggin is still treated as an expendable resource, not with the respect it deserves.

We also agree with the managers at Lewiston Public Works and the Auburn Sewerage District that the increased discharge from L/A’s combined sewer overflows were due entirely to the very heavy rain last summer.

CSOs are a problem, and many towns in Maine need to address them. Sen. Nutting’s incorrect information will not help Lewiston/Auburn clean up its CSOs any quicker, and the Twin Cities are already making good progress.

Neil Ward, program director,

Androscoggin River Alliance

Nick Bennett, staff scientist

Natural Resources Council of Maine