On Monday, March 26, 2001, outfitters, Maine guides and other concerned citizens from throughout Maine banded together under the State House dome to show their support for protecting the wild remote character of Maine’s Allagash Wilderness Waterway.
The day was designed to provide businesses and individuals with an opportunity to educate legislators about the value of the Allagash Wilderness Waterway to Maine’s economy, citizens and quality of life.
Displays of traditional North Woods handcrafted canoes, pack baskets, fishing creels tarps, duffels and other assorted paraphernalia were on display. The beans and biscuits that were served came all the way from Greenville. Music about the Allagash was provided by Woodsong of Guilford, and Matthew Heinz of Thorndike, the North Woods Balladeer.
Warren Cochrane of Allagash Canoe Trips, who is owner of the three-generation family guiding business said, “I have watched the remoteness of the Allagash shrink, little by little, as more and more access is demanded and provided. You cannot have convenience and remoteness in the same place. I hope my son Chip will be able to carry on with extended canoe trips — the oldest recreational tradition on the Allagash. There is only one Allagash Wilderness Waterway. We hope that future generations will not lose this resource that the State of Maine pledged to preserve.”
Ashley Lodato of the Hurricane Island Outward Bound School of Newry said, “Outward Bound hopes that this event will generate public interest and support for preserving the wilderness values of the Allagash Wilderness Waterway. The Allagash is the best and longest wilderness canoe journey in the Eastern US. It is the bread and butter of many traditional Maine guides, outfitters and sporting camps, whose livelihood depends upon the wilderness character of the waterway. The energy, bustle and crowds on some Maine lakes and rivers is fine for those who choose it, but for those times when folks crave solitude, and the chance for quiet recreation in a remote and peaceful setting, there is only one wilderness waterway in Maine – the Allagash.”>/p>
Jeff Roberts, a middle school student from Clifton said, “Last summer I was fortunate enough to spend weeks camping and fishing the many lakes of the Allagash Wilderness Waterway. It was a beautiful and healthy learning experience and I hope the Allagash will be returned to a wild state.”>/p>
Exhibitors included:
Allagash Canoe Trips, Warren Cochrane, Greenville
North Woods Ways, Garrett and Alexandra Conover, Guilford
Earthways, Ray and Nancy Reitze, Canaan
Song in the Woods, Steve Madera, Abbott
Johnson’s Allagash Lodge, Bob Johnson, Mapleton
Alder Stream Canvas, Jane Barron, Kingfield
Burt’s Canoes, Burt Libby, Litchfield
Chewonki Foundation, Greg Shute, Wiscasset
Camp Kieve, Henry Kennedy, Nobleboro
North Woods Canoes, Rollin Thurlow, Atkinson
Allagash Alliance, Dave Hubley, Buxton
Northwoods Balladeer, Matthew Heinz, Thorndike
Norm Wight, Harrison
Hurricane Island Outward Bound School, Ashley Lodato, Newry
Mahoosuc Guide Service, Kevin and Polly Slater, Newry
