Er...Governor, you got a permit for that?

by: Sue Prent

Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 20:00:00 PM EST

The decaying bridge had a final moment of glory as it transformed from a lonely span across silent snow fields into a living garland of exploding debris.

As that image echoed in slow motion all over the internet, it got me to thinking about the frozen waters below. On a hunch, I phoned AOT and asked if anyone had thought to apply for a 1272 discharge order before the Governor pressed that fateful button. I was told by John Narowski's office that no 1272 Order had been obtained because the bridge was under Coast Guard jurisdiction, but that permits had been issued in New York State.  Nice. Apparently no one in the Douglas administration paid equal attention to satisfying our own regulations.  

I am certainly no expert, but it would seem to me that when tons of mixed debris are to be discharged from great height into Vermont waters, a 1272 Order would absolutely be required; and no Federal jurisdiction would trump that requirement. Why else would there be permits regarding the blast from the State of New York?  Poor beleaguered Lake Champlain just can't seem to get a break from the Douglas Administration!