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March 21, 2011

EPA launches informal probe of Brown

By Mainebiz News Staff

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is looking into a conflict of interest charge levied against the state's top environmental official.

In an informal investigation, the EPA has asked Maine Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Darryl Brown to respond to concerns raised by the Androscoggin River Alliance, an environmental advocacy group, over Brown's ties to development, according to the Maine Public Broadcasting Network. Brown, sole owner of Main-Land Development Consultants in Livermore Falls, has recused himself from permitting reviews involving former clients, including a proposal by BB Development Inc. to build a $165 million casino in Oxford. An attorney for the Androscoggin River Alliance told MPBN that Clean Water Act rules prohibit anyone who derives income from a permit holder to have authority over permit decisions.

Dan Demeritt, spokesman for Gov. Paul LePage, says permitting decisions regarding the casino project are being made by a panel of DEP directors, and are not subject to Brown's influence. He told MPBN Brown is working with his private attorney to resolve the conflict issue.

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