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NEXT STEPS - JUNE 2018
Since its inception in 2015, the Nashua River Wild and Scenic River Study Committee has worked to identify our river-related outstandingly remarkable resource values, consider the eligibility and suitability of the rivers for designation, and develop a voluntary stewardship plan with much public input. A major milestone in this process was reached this spring with the acceptance by all eleven participating communities at their 2018 annual town meetings of the "Nashua, Squannacook, and Nissitissit Rivers Stewardship Plan" and its recommendation to seek federal designation of the rivers as "Wild and Scenic." The “Stewardship Plan” is a companion document to the “Study Report” currently being prepared by the National Park Service for congressional review. Numerous letters of support are being collected for inclusion in the Study Report. The next step is that legislation to designate the rivers as “Wild and Scenic“ is being drafted by Representative Tsongas’s office and will be submitted to the US Congress. Once Congress votes in favor of such, the President will then be asked to sign the legislation to officially designate the rivers as Partnership Wild and Scenic Rivers. As this legislative process proceeds, the group that has served as the Study Committee will continue its work and begin implementation of the voluntary recommendations that comprise the action item portion of the approved Stewardship Plan. When designation occurs, the Study Committee will morph into the formal Stewardship Council, as described in the Stewardship Plan. Work to protect our outstandingly remarkable resources -- our biological diversity, scenic & recreational, and historical & cultural values -- will continue! |