AUGUSTA – A Starks man has been named as interim chairman of the state Board of Environmental Protection, Gov. John Baldacci announced Wednesday.

Ernest Hilton will take over for outgoing Chairwoman Virginia Plummer, whose term ended.

“I thank Virginia for her service as chair of the Board of Environmental Protection,” Baldacci said in a prepared statement. “I am pleased that Ernest Hilton is eager to serve as the chair of the board. His past service to the BEP along with his breadth of experience, knowledge and judgment of the issues before the board have been invaluable. I am confident that his leadership of the BEP will ensure responsible public participation in Department of Environmental Protection decisions, protecting Maine’s valuable natural resources and environment for future generations.”

Hilton served as a member of the BEP for nine years. He will remain as interim chairman for the rest of his term, which concludes when matters pending are completed.

Hilton is an attorney and a civil engineer. He has also worked as a contractor for the Maine Public Utilities Commission. He has been active in local government, having served Starks as selectman, a member of the Board of Appeals, a SAD 59 director and as board member for Madison Area Health Council.