I was astounded and shocked to learn that in the recent breaching of the Edwards Dam in Augusta hundreds of tons of gravel were allowed to wash down the Kennebec River. Does no one know that this material is a serious environmental pollutant?

The Maine Water Quality Act (38 MRSA Par. 361-A, sub 4-A) defines “rocks, sand and dirt” as pollutants, right along with radioactive waste, oil, gasoline, sewage, garbage and chemicals. The Department of Environmental Protection has vigorously opposed the removal of “rocks, sand and dirt” from this definition, and has fined many citizens for polluting with them, even for leaving a pile of dirt where it might wash into a stream. Adding sand to a beach is considered a serious environmental offense, and many citizens have received stiff fines for doing so.

How then can we justify the release of hundreds of tons of polluting gravel and sand into the Kennebec? Where is the DEP when we really need them? How could they look the other way in the face of this environmental calamity? Do I detect a double standard here? Charles A. Woodman Appleton