The Maine Chapter of the Sierra Club named Sen. Chris Johnson (D-Somerville) the “Maine Environmental Legislator of the Year” at a celebration marking its 20th anniversary last Saturday.

“Through his actions and leadership in the legislature, Sen. Johnson earned our Environmental Legislator of the Year award,” said Glen Brand, Sierra Club Maine’s Chapter Director. “Notably, as Chair of the Marine Resources Committee, he shepherded through the historic restoration of alewife passage in the St. Croix River, and he strongly supported stronger water protection standards on mining operations, and a bill requiring the labeling of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in our food.”

The Maine Chapter of the Sierra Club is a volunteer-run grassroots organization committed to protecting Maine’s wilderness heritage, safeguarding Maine’s clean water and coastline and promoting clean air and energy efficiency.

“I firmly believe in a future in which our grandchildren not only survive, but thrive,” said Johnson. “We must achieve a healthy, viable, and sustainable relationship with the natural world. And isn’t that exactly what people expect to find when they come to Maine?”

Johnson has been widely praised for his record on the environment. Last month he received a 100 percent rating from the Maine Conservation Voters for his support of environmental issues during the 126th Legislature, and he has a 100 percent lifetime rating from MCV.