A Victory For the Bay

In Portland, every time there is measurable rainfall, combined sewer overflows send a mix of rain water and raw sewage into Casco Bay. On February 4th, 2008, the Portland City Council held a meeting to address the issue of combined sewer overflows. Friends of Casco Bay staff members Cathy Ramsdell, Will Everitt, and Joe Payne, as well as Board member Nico Walsh, addressed the City Council before the vote. They emphasized the value of a clean Casco Bay to the economy and to the well-being of the region, generating over $450 million a year in fishing, tourism, and recreation. The City Council approved a $61 million bond to remove combined sewer overflows, ensuring that the city will comply with state laws and Clean Water Act regulations for the next six years.