Submit a Public Comment to Get Mercury Out of the Penobscot River!

Two decades ago, the federal court found Mallinckrodt US LLC, which formerly operated a chemical plant in Orrington, liable for high amounts of mercury in the Penobscot River — but cleanup efforts have yet to begin.

Mercury is a potent neurotoxin especially toxic to children and pregnant women that can cause impaired motor skills and learning disabilities in newborns. After 20 years of litigation and study of the river, it is time to undo the damage caused by the operations of the plant. The Penobscot River's recovery will benefit Mainers, the environment, and the wildlife that rely on the river.

NRDC, Maine People's Alliance, and Mallinckrodt have proposed a fair and reasonable plan to start the long-awaited process of cleaning up the river. Now, the Court will review the plan and decide whether to approve it — and the Court needs to hear from Mainers like you before making a decision.

The Federal District Court in Maine needs to hear that Mainers support the proposed Penobscot River cleanup plan. It has been over 20 years since high levels of toxic mercury were discovered, and cleanup efforts must not be delayed any longer. Send a public comment in support of the proposed clean up using the form below:

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Dear Judge Woodcock:

I am writing as a resident of Maine to urge you to approve the settlement and cleanup plan proposed by Maine People's Alliance (MPA), the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), and Mallinckrodt US LLC.

Over two decades have passed since the Federal District Court found that Mallinckrodt US LLC was liable for high levels of mercury in the Penobscot River that were a result of the operations of the HoltraChem plant in Orrington.

The proposed cleanup plan is a fair and reasonable agreement that will fund much needed and long-awaited cleanup efforts in the Penobscot River Estuary.

As a resident of Maine, I urge the Court to approve the proposed consent decree so recovery of the river can begin without further delay.

Sincerely,