Cleaning up the Androscoggin.

• Position: Maine - Brief article

In a major step forward for efforts to clean up the Androscoggin River, the Maine Board of Environmental Protection (BEP) last month ordered two paper mills and a large hydroelectric project to meet tough new water pollution standards by 2010.

To restore the overall health of the river, fish and other species, the Verso Paper Mill in Jay, NewPage in Rumford, and Florida Power and Light's dam between Lewiston and Auburn will now face strict wastewater discharge levels, and will be required to increase the amount of oxygen pumped into the river.

The decision came in response to appeals filed in 2005 by CLF. CLF staff attorney Steve Hinchman lauded the...