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State hearing on PFAS Fund rules hears call to broaden mental-health eligibility for affected farmers
Summary
At an Oct. 28, 2025 public hearing on proposed amendments to DACF rule chapters 400–408, Maine PFAS response director Megan Hennessy told the department the fund’s eligibility test is too narrow and urged expanded access to mental-health supports for producers affected by PFAS contamination. The department is accepting written comments through Nov. 7, 2025.
Beth Valentine, director of the PFAS Fund, opened a public hearing Oct. 28, 2025, on proposed amendments to DACF rule chapters 400–408 that govern administration of Maine’s PFAS Fund. The hearing, held in Augusta and streamed online, included in-person testimony and instructions for submitting written comments through Nov. 7, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.
Megan Hennessy, director of the PFAS Response Program at the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, testified that the draft rules tie eligibility for mental‑health support to exceedances of Maine’s enforceable drinking‑water standard, the state’s soil remedial action guidelines (RAGs) for residential use set by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, or PFAS soil screening levels set by the Maine Center for Disease Control for farm workers. “There are instances though where even lower levels of PFAS in soil on a given farm require assessment of farming practices and products,” Hennessy said, adding that the reassessment can cause “anxiety, stress, and more.” She urged DACF to broaden eligibility so producers affected by lower—but still disruptive—PFAS detections can access supportive mental‑health services.
Valentine framed the proposed amendments as intended to improve clarity, facilitate implementation of the PFAS Fund, and align the fund’s appeal procedures with department‑wide appeal procedures referenced in CMR Chapter 8. She described how the department notified the public (department website on Oct. 7 and statewide newspapers) and explained how attendees could speak in person or use the webinar Q&A/chat; the hearing record will remain open for written comments through Nov. 7, 2025 (beth.valentine@maine.gov or mailed to 22 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333‑0022).
No formal motions or votes were taken at the hearing. Department staff said they would continue to accept testimony from late in‑person arrivals until 11:30 a.m. and that they would monitor virtual participants.
The PFAS Fund amendments under consideration address administrative and eligibility procedures for grants and supports intended to respond to PFAS contamination. Hennessy’s testimony emphasized that program design should account not only for exceedances of numeric standards but also the practical and emotional impacts producers face when their operations are subject to reassessment or restrictions. The rulemaking record will include today’s testimony and any written comments submitted before the Nov. 7 deadline.
