In a letter to Maine’s Congressional Delegation, Governor Janet Mills this week requested that the Federal government provide dedicated funding to address the growing issue of PFAS both in Maine and across the country. The Governor, who thanked the Congressional Delegation for their ongoing work on the issue, also outlined a slate of steps the Federal government could take to assist Maine in its efforts to address PFAS contamination.
“Contamination from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has emerged as a serious issue in Maine, including impacting public and private drinking water and some farms to date,” **wrote Governor Mills**. “Maine’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF), and Department of Health and Human Services’ Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) need critical resources to better determine, assess, and mitigate PFAS contamination in the state, as well as support those with contaminated lands and/or water.”
The Governor’s message included six detailed actions her administration will take around PFAS. She also suggested eleven critical regulatory and funding actions for a national strategy to support a PFAS response.