Board of Environmental Protection
#17 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333-0017
(207) 287-2811 fax (207) 287-2814
My name is Susan Lessard and I am the Chair of the Board of Environmental Protection. I want to welcome you to the BEP's web page - your link to information about the Board, including its history, statutory responsibilities, guidance documents, present and past meeting agendas and minutes, and current membership.
The Board of Environmental Protection is charged by statute with providing "informed, independent and timely decisions on the interpretation, administration and enforcement of the laws relating to environmental protection and to provide for credible, fair and responsible public participation in department decisions." [38 M.R.S.A. section 341-B]. The Board accomplishes its statutory charge through: major substantive rulemaking, licensing decisions on selected permit applications, decisions on appeals of the Commissioner's licensing and enforcement actions, and recommending changes in the law to the Legislature. While the Board is part of the Department of Environmental Protection, the Board has decision-making authority independent of the Commissioner. The Board is staffed by an Executive Analyst and an Administrative Assistant, and Department of Environmental Protection staff provides technical support.
The Board is composed of seven volunteer citizen members with varying technical and professional backgrounds. We are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Legislature for staggered 4-year terms. Members are dedicated to the Board's purpose, spending numerous hours each month reviewing draft rules, appeal documents, and various technical documents to ensure a thoughtful and thorough consideration of all the issues that come before us for decision.
Maine has a tradition of providing for public participation in environmental decision-making, and the Board is committed to ensuring an open and transparent process with meaningful and legally appropriate opportunities for public involvement. For more detailed information on the current membership of the Board, please visit the biographical page.
I hope that this web page is a useful tool, whether you have matters pending before the Board or are simply interested in following the work of the Board. If you have comments on this web page or questions about the Board you may contact Terry Dawson , the Board's Administrative Assistant or Cynthia Bertocci , Executive Analyst.
