Longtime BEP member chosen as new chairman

The state’s Board of Environmental Protection will have new leadership at its next meeting.

Gov. John Baldacci announced Wednesday that Matthew Scott has resigned as chairman and that longtime board member Virginia Plummer is taking over as head of BEP. Scott will serve out the remainder of his term, which ends in July.

Scott, an aquatic biologist and fisheries scientist from Belgrade, said Wednesday evening that he is stepping down as chairman for personal reasons. At 72, Scott said he is looking forward to having more free time.

“I’m very happy with the board and pleased that Ginny Plummer will be taking over,” Scott said.

Plummer is a writer and filmmaker who also provides human services consulting to the state and nonprofit agencies. She is serving her seventh year on the board.

“Her past service to the BEP along with her experience, knowledge and judgment of the issues before the Board have been invaluable,” Baldacci said in a statement. “She will ably guide the board over the next year as it considers a number of important decisions.”

Baldacci also praised Scott as offering “impeccable service” as board chairman.

The 10-member board serves as the state Department of Environmental Protection’s rulemaking arm and provides independent review of department decisions on permit applications, enforcement actions and other issues.

The board periodically assumes jurisdiction over major permit applications. For instance, the board is expected to assume jurisdiction over the two applications to build liquefied natural gas facilities near Passamaquoddy Bay in Down East.

A number of other significant issues also are pending before BEP. They include petitions to force hydropower companies to improve fish and eel passageways on dams and the continuing controversy over the burning of construction and demolition debris for energy.

The board’s next meeting is scheduled for Jan. 18.