The Council

For the ARWC bylaws, click here.

The development and organization of the Androscoggin River Watershed Council took more than three years. The ARWC was officially born on July 23, 1999 at Bonny Park in Auburn, Maine, during the 4th Annual Androscoggin River Canoe Trek. A group of concerned people came together to approve the bylaws and elect the fist Steering Committee.

The Council is a collaborative effort supported by diverse interests in the Androscoggin River Watershed, including individuals, small businesses, large businesses, municipalities, state and federal governments, and non-profit organizations.

Aerial Photo of the Mead Paper Facility at Rumford Falls, courtesy of Aerial Survey & Photo, Inc., Norridgewock, Maine

A glance at the composition of our Steering Committee will give the reader an idea of who we are now and our powerful potential for cooperation.

Androscoggin River Watershed Council: An Overview

Who We Are

The Council is a collaborative effort supported by diverse interests in the Androscoggin River Watershed, including individuals, small businesses, large businesses, municipalities, state and federal governments, and non-profit organizations. ARWC brings together these diverse groups to discuss issues impacting the river and the watershed and to provide information about the river and the watershed to the public.

Mission

To continuously improve environmental quality and promote healthy and prosperous communities in the Androscoggin River Watershed.

Goals

Advocate and support environmentally responsible economic, community and recreational development.

• Promote recreational uses, especially through increased access and responsible, low-impact activities.
• Respect local concerns and private property rights.

Advocate and support continued improvement of the natural environment.

• Promote sustainable use of the lands and natural resources on the watershed.
• Promote programs to protect important habitat and improve existing habitat.
• Promote programs to improve water quality.
• Promote pollution prevention programs.

Provide educational opportunities in support of the mission.

• Promote the historic and cultural aspects of the watershed.
• Promote greater understanding and appreciation for the interconnectedness of watershed resources.

Encourage intercommunity and interstate cooperation and planning that recognizes the human and natural resources of the watershed.

Actively develop and maintain broad-based involvement in the Council.

• Support sub-regional and local groups.
• Promote communication and cooperation among all interests, including those outside the watershed, in carrying out the mission.
• Promote grass roots community involvement, especially through community conferences and special events to implement future goals.

History

The Androscoggin River Watershed Council started as an idea hatched by a staff member of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and a conference held by the Androscoggin and Oxford County Soil and Water Conservation Districts. While it took about seven years to reach the Council stage, a committee started meeting in 1992.

The Council was formed during the Source to Sea Canoe Trek in the summer of 1999 on the banks of the Androscoggin at a relatively new park in the City of Auburn. Recently, the Council was granted 501c3 status by the IRS. The Council is based in Maine and has active operations and active Board Members in both Maine and New Hampshire.

Current Council Programs

Source to Sea Canoe Trek – The Trek was started 12 years ago by the original committee and taken over by ARWC upon its formation. The Trek raises awareness of the river and its improved water quality and acquaints participants and the public with many of the unique aspects of the watershed. In the past few years, Trek attendance has been between 500 and 600 people.

Mahoosuc Initiative – The Council, in conjunction with the Northern White Mountain Chamber of Commerce, the Mahoosuc Land Trust, and the Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce has been working with larger organizations including the Appalachian Mountain Club, the Northern Forest Alliance, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, and The Wilderness Society in a project looking at the resources and values supported in the Mahoosuc Region of Maine and New Hampshire. We will be publishing a comprehensive report on the forestry, ecological, recreational, economic, and other resources of the region later this year. The report will also include a great deal of information gathered from local communities and individuals throughout the region about the resources they care most about.

Water Quality Monitoring – The Council initiated a volunteer monitoring program two years ago in New Hampshire. The program has grown thanks to generous local grant-support and now includes participants in both Maine and New Hampshire collecting water samples under the guidance of the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services. We expect to learn a great deal about the
condition of the Androscoggin River as this project moves forward and matures.

Annual Conference – Each spring the Council convenes a conference on a special resource issue of
the watershed ranging from water quality to wildlife habitat to recreation or land-use change. Participants are offered the opportunity to hear from experts of all sorts on the priority issues affecting the watershed.

Canoe Trail – The Council has just begun planning for a Canoe, or more appropriately “paddling,” trail over its entire length. Much of the infrastructure has been developed over the past ten years, but more needs to be done to create a user friendly environment that is safe and ecologically sound. In addition to providing a superb recreational experience, we will use the trail to continue to educate the public about the Androscoggin River and its watershed

Androscoggin River Watershed Council
Board of Directors

Michael Brown
Fisheries Biologist
Maine Dept. of Marine Resources

Norman Charest
Economic Development Director
City of Berlin

Marvin Collins
Operations Manager
Sunday River Skiway

Bruce Clendenning
Granite State Conservation Voters
Concord, NH

Michael Galuszka
Chandler Brook Farm
Milan,

Vickie Gammon
International Paper - Androscoggin Mill
Jay, ME

Dave Govatski
Jefferson, NH

Ferg Lea
Planning Director and Environmental Engineer
Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments
Auburn, ME

Judy Marden
Androscoggin Land Trust
Greene, ME

Robert J. Milne
White Mountains Fly Fishing Consultant
Randolph, NH

Jeff Parsons
Bethel Outdoor Adventure & Campground
Bethel, ME

Sharon Penney
Consultant
Berlin, NH

Scott Reed
Environmental Manager
NewPage
Rumford, ME

Lincoln Robertson
North Woods Rafting
Milan, NH

Jeff Stern
Consultant
Norway, ME

Jeffrey Varricchione
Biologist/Stream Team Administrator
Maine Dept. of Environmental Protection

Steve Wight
Sunday River Inn
Newry, ME .