LePage Taps Casino Developer to Head Maine Dept of Environmental Protection

[ticapnews]

http://www.mpbn.net/Home/tabid/36/ctl/ViewItem/mid/3478/ItemId/14772/Default.aspx

Darryl Brown is a former state legislator, a soil scientist and a land developer whose Livermore Falls-based firm has been selected as the lead developer for the $165 million Oxford casino resort recently approved by Maine voters.

As part of that job, the firm known as Main-Land Consultants will have to obtain local, state and federal permits for the project. That also means Brown and his partners' site development for the 65,000 square-foot project will be coming under review from the Department of Environmental Protection, the agency he's been tapped to head.

"Without a doubt, if Darryl is successful in getting through and being confirmed, he will have to recuse himself from any project that goes before the DEP," says Democratic Sen. Seth Goodall of Richmond.

At a State House news conference where his nomination was announced, Brown said one of his priorities is to change the attitude of the DEP. "The Department needs to put on a friendly face. It needs to welcome business to the state of Maine. It needs to work with those businesses in the state of Maine that are trying to expand. It needs to offer a helping hand, rather than one that is just the opposite."

But according to figures from the agency itself, the DEP has approved more than $5 billion worth of projects in the past eight years. On average, fewer than six permits a year have been denied during the same time period.

[molly77]

1. Wonder why this isn't in the newspapers.

DEP, under baldaci , was corrupt to the core. It can't get any worse. I am a democrat.

[Po_d Mainiac]

3. It was...kinda-sorta

A development consultant since 1972, Brown led the charge last year in opposition to a proposed state law that would have placed limits on developers.

http://www.onlinesentinel.com/news/LePage-works-fast--to-complete-cabinet.html

more

snip

Their efforts resulted in a turnout of more than 100 concerned citizens packing a public hearing last April when the bill arrived in Augusta as LD 1268: The Act to Update the Site Location of Development Law. As a result of testimony heard that day and in subsequent work sessions that Brown and Main-Land staffers participated in, the version of the bill eventually approved eliminated many of its most limiting laws and ensured Maine would remain open to responsible development and the jobs and revenue it brings.

http://main-landdevelopment.com/blog/tag/act-to-update-the-site-location-of-development-law-forum-series/

I was one of those in attendance..but spoke in favor of the bill. The LD was drawn up by DEP personnel with input from varied conservation groups and submitted by Hannah Pingree and Tom 'Sleezy' Saviello. Saviello's sponsorship was not in support. Saviello is now co-chair of the JSC with DEP oversight:grr:

I also attended one of the so-called 'educational forums' sponsored by Main-Land prior to the bills introduction. Brown made no attempt to conceal his disdain for the need to protect vernal pools, riparian zones and storm water runoff during his presentation.

Where there problems with the initial draft? Yes. Did all but a minute portion deserve to be trashed? NO! The only surviving bit of this bill dealt with "connectivity" and stream crossings. A working group later submitted a revised draft that also got hammered by Brown and his co-horts with DOT and MMA

[high density]

2. Developer to lead the DEP

I certainly don't expect anything different from our teabagger governor.

[jpak]

4. When they dismantle LURC, all LePage's cronies will get rich developing northern Maine

and lock out all the idiot LePage voters from that part of the state from the land they are now "entitled" to hunt, fish, snowmobile & camp but do not own.

Flatlander Kingdoms

Flatlander gated communities

Flatlander high dollar exclusive sportsman clubs

LePage family members and cronies will be welcome

The rest of the natives need not apply...

yup

:thumbsdown: