Dioxin strategy

The Associated Press article, “Environmentalists wary of dioxin promise” (BDN, April 17), inaccurately suggests that I would entertain an administrative quick fix to solve problems caused by dioxin in Maine waters.

This notion has no validity. The governor’s initiative is based on continuous reduction and ultimate elimination of dioxin discharges from Maine’s kraft mills. It proposes to implement a stringent water-quality standard in maine; work with the mills to explore and adopt technologies to conitnue to reduce discharges; maintain the dioxin-monitoring programs; and encourage constructive dialogue among concerned parties.

Maine’s kraft mills have all agreed to participate in this initiative. The magnitude of this commitment should be emphasized, not underplayed.

The governor has also directed the Bureau of Health to review the fish consumption advisory level and reporting methodology for dioxin. He has indicated publicly that the review should be based on sound science, up-to-date public health information and current analytical monitoring results. To suggest that any less would be required is incorrect.

Dioxin has thus far been a pollutant and a problem that has been very difficult to address. The governor’s strategy offers great promise for moving Maine closer than ever to the state and federal goals of eliminating the discharge of toxic pollutants — including dioxin — to our waters. We need to focus on that promise and the process that has been created to make it happen. Edward O. Sullivan Commissioner Maine Department of Environmental Protection Augusta