AUGUSTA — More than 500 environmentalists turned out for a forum at the Augusta Civic Center to talk about the benefits of environmental regulations with Gov. Paul LePage.

More than a dozen speakers from the lumber, fishing, tourist and farming sectors urged him not to roll back laws that protect water and air quality.

The forum was sponsored by the Natural Resources Council of Maine, which was attempting to provide forum similar to the Red Tape Audit Tour that the governor has held with business representatives from around the state.

At the end of this afternoon’s event LePage said he believed in strong environmental laws as long as they are based on science, and he also emphasized his goal of spurring economic development and job creation.

“The regulations we have are good, strong and needed,” LePage told the audience, “but we have forgotten to use common sense.”