Maine tribes await EPA decision

APRIL 17, 2001

Three Passamaquoddy and Penobscot tribes in Maine are still awaiting a decision by the Environmental Protection Agency over federal regulation of water in and around Indian Country.

The tribes don't trust the state to ensure water in river are clean becuase they say the state is biased in favor of big paper companies. Three paper companies subsequently tried to obtain internal tribal documents addressing the issue but the tribes have refused to turn them over.

A state judge has ruled the documents should be turned over under the state's freedom of information act. The tribes are asking a federal appeals court in Massachusetts to step in.

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Indians lament loss of clean air and water (AP 4/17)