Your opinions please. Re: Poland Spring H2O & the Raping of our Resources

[Maine Mary]

As some of you may know, I'm a Maine State Rep currently finishing up my third term. I am not seeking a 4rth. However, I'm accutely aware that problems within my district our still mine until someone else gets sworn-in ( in Dec.)

This particular problem is a messy one, and I'd like some objective insight. It's a long story but I'll try to summarize by saying that, Bottom line; Nestle Water (parent company of Poland Spring) applied for and received a permit to pump thousands of gallons of water per day from a drilled aquifer within a Pristine unorganized territory in my district. To put this in perspective, I represent 18 towns and 81 unorganized territories in an area about the size of Rhode Island or possibly larger. Most of my unorganized territories are about a 3 hour's drive from any sort of civilization. But in this case, the area Nestle Water choose is only about 1/2 hour away from the Plantation of Highland and unorganized (but inhabitited) territory of Lexington.. Worse, there is only one way in and out. Therefore these huge trucks full of water will be pounding the twisting roads of these "one horse" areas possibly as many as 40 times a day.

This is an impoverished slice of Maine. People make the financial sacrifice in order to live a quiet rural lifestyle. Jobs are very hard to come by, so to add insult to injury, I've since learned that Poland Spring's increased production will not create jobs in my area. In short, they'll be taking our resources, ruining our roads, destroying the peace, creating a possible saftey problem, and adding nothing to our local economy. Am I (as well as MANY of my constituemts) wrong to be pissed?

OK. You are probably thinking that I should have done something to stop this... Guess what... I tried. But as a lame duck Rep, up against a huge Corp., it's lawyers, lobbiests, and a pile of Reps in the more populated area of Poland Spring Maine, I stood no chance. The Maine Land Use Regulatory Commission (aka LURC) had their minds made up from the start. They didn't even follow the typical protocal of a public hearing! :grr:

And people wonder why I don't want another term. This is just one of the MANY frustrations that rural Reps face. There is nothing I can do about the LURC ruling but if I were to serve another term, I would consider legislation that would charge a certain amount of $ for every gallon taken from my area-AND see if I could insist that the money be dedicated to my area. Easier said then done, trust me, but I'll be pestering our new Rep to do it.

Back to the point; Any suggestions would be appreciated but more then that, I'd like your opinion(s) as to what you think of the corporate rape of American resources.