By Carol McCracken  (Post # 1,770)

Known for his historic number of vetoes recently, Governor No struck again at the environment when he vetoed a bill that would protect one of Maine’s most important natural resources – its 6,000 lakes and ponds “that are cherished by Maine people and visitors who come to Maine from around the world,” said  Pete Didisheim, advocacy director, for the Natural Resources Council of Maine, in a press release issued today.

“This veto is an insult to the thousands of Maine people who donate so much of their time working to protect the water quality of Maine’s lakes and to every Mainer who wants to pass clean lakes on to future generation,” Didisheim wrote. “This bill received overwhelming support from Maine House and Senate and we urge lawmakers to vote to override the Governor’s veto,” Didisheim wrote in the press release.

The bill that Didisheim is referring to is L.D. 1744 that received a unanimous vote in the Senate (35 – 0) and was approved in three roll call votes in the House (135-0), 138-0, 119-24).

“Maine lakes generate at least $3.5 billion in economic activity annually and help sustain 52,000 jobs.  Now is not the time to take the water quality in Maine’s lakes for granted.  A recent report  shows that the water quality in Maine’s lakes is deteriorating with some lakes close to a “tipping point” that could result in rapid loss of water quality,” the press release continued.

“The governor focused most of his veto letter on the bill’s restriction on the application of fertilizers within 25 feet of a lake – the same level of protection in Vermont and New  Hampshire.  Surely Maine’s lakes deserve at least as much protection as do the lakes in our neighboring states.  Fertilizers should not be applied within 25 feet of Maine lakes.  That’s the conclusion of a New England-wide set of best management practices for lawns near lakes that was created in 2008,” the press release continued.

For more information go to www.nrcm.org.