It's been a quiet summer, but something had to be brewing. You just can't trust anyone, not even our dear state environmental regulators.

It would be nice to believe that the Department of Environmental Services, Solid Waste Division, would do its job and protect us from a private industry that wants to turn our awesome state into the dumping ground for New England's construction and demolition debris.

In June, the Legislature passed a bill placing a one-year moratorium on the burning of C&D. A study committee was formed to investigate the industry before it is allowed it to run amok in our state. This was a great first step in protecting our environment from the tons of lead, mercury and other poisons emitted when C&D is burned. The people wanted this law. It was a huge effort.

Did somebody get to a couple of people at DES? I would hope we would not put up with that. I support business, but not a dirty one that could make my kids sick. The DES solid-waste guys plan to redefine C&D so it's no longer considered a solid waste. With this redefinition, the safeguards that come with a solid-waste permit are no longer in place. Felons like the fellow at Bio Energy can light that burner. Scary.

It seems to me the Solid Waste Division of DES is undermining what lawmakers intended, and that is to protect New Hampshire citizens. We cannot let this happen. If you are as unhappy about this as I am, please contact the state, your legislators and the media. This whole thing makes me sick.

MICHELLE BICKFORD

Hopkinton