Pingree amends legislation to reduce costs for southern Maine businesses

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree today spoke out today on efforts to protect the economy and ecosystems of Maine’s estuaries. Pingree was the first to speak in the U.S. House today on a proposal that would provide additional support for the National Estuary Program, which helps organizations like the Casco Bay Estuary Partnership.
 
“Casco Bay is not only a valuable and important ecosystem,” Pingree said, “it’s also key to an important part of our economy. Just one species like soft-shell clams bring in close to $15 million in a good year.  Add in lobster, mussels and all the other species of Casco Bay and it’s clear that this is a critical resource we have to protect.”
 
The Casco Bay Estuary Partnership works with various organizations around southern Maine, with projects that have included helping towns in the Brunswick area keep clam-flats open for harvesting and the working with Portland Water District to preserve a healthy watershed.
 
Pingree also offered an amendment that would direct the federal government to share information between estuary projects around the country.  That’s particularly important to those involved in efforts to clean up and restore water quality in Long Creek, near the Maine Mall.  Businesses in the area have agreed to a long-term plan to control and clean up stormwater run-off and Pingree’s amendment could help save them money by sharing information from other programs.
 
“Those involved in the Long Creek project shouldn’t have to reinvent the wheel,” Pingree said.  “This amendment will make sure that they can share in the lessons in other parts of the country.”
 
Both the bill increasing support for estuary projects and Pingree’s amendment passed the House today with bipartisan support and now go on to the Senate.