It’s Politics over Science at Congressional Hearing on Great Bay
CONTACT:
Peter Wellenberger
CLF Great Bay-Piscataqua Waterkeeper, (631-747-8630) or pwellenberger@clf.org
Tom Morgan
Town of Newington, (603-205-2329) or planning@newington.nh.us
EXETER, NH June 4, 2012—Congressman Darrell Issa of California, and Congressman Frank Guinta of New Hampshire, hosted a hearing entitled “EPA Overreach and the Impact on New Hampshire Communities.” The hearing included testimony from EPA Region I Administrator Curt Spalding, and four witnesses speaking on behalf of a coalition of five Seacoast municipalities with sewage treatment plants – the so-called Municipal Coalition.
“Today’s hearing was a very unfortunate example of politics over science,” said Peter Wellenberger, CLF’s Great Bay-Piscataqua Waterkeeper. “At a time when we need to be solving the serious pollution problems threatening the Great Bay estuary, it’s disturbing to see such a biased and overtly political response. Based on the title of the hearing, it appears Congressmen Issa and Guinta already had made up their minds, before the hearing even began, that EPA is somehow ‘overreaching’ in its approach to reducing nitrogen pollution in the estuary. This is simply not true; EPA is proceeding on sound science and doing exactly what is required to restore and protect the estuary before it’s too late.”
During the hearing, Congressmen Issa and Guinta received testimony only from municipalities that are members of the Municipal Coalition. Numerous New Hampshire Seacoast communities with sewage treatment plants have not joined the Municipal Coalition.
The Town of Newington’s Planning Director, Tom Morgan, and Newington Selectman Rick Stern noted that “It’s unfortunate that we were not asked to testify. We have a wastewater treatment plant that is subject to EPA regulation. Newington strongly supports the EPA’s efforts to clean up Great Bay. In fact, we’ve already communicated our willingness to reduce our nitrogen discharges to 3 milligrams per liter, the most stringent level. It’s time to stop the political gamesmanship and implement real solutions.”
“While the five municipalities comprising the Municipal Coalition continue to generate much attention for themselves, it’s important to know there are responsible communities that are willing to step up to the plate to implement solutions rather than bicker over the science,” continued Wellenberger. “Newington is a great example, as is Durham, which recently left the Municipal Coalition and appears committed to making real progress for clean water.”
Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) protects New England’s environment for the benefit of all people. Using the law, science and the market, CLF creates solutions that preserve natural resources, build healthy communities, and sustain a vibrant economy region-wide. Founded in 1966, CLF is a nonprofit, member-supported organization with offices in New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Vermont.
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