AWW Video Photo 2017 ANNUAL REPORT Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Bureau of Parks and Lands AWW Video Photo AWW Annual Report 2017 Report Contents Mission and Goals………………………………. 2 Historic Preservation……………………… 7 AWW Advisory Council Report………………... 3 Staff Training………………………………. 8 AWW Budget…………………………………….. 4 Forest Operations Notifications………….. 8 FY17 Revenues & Special Funds……………. 4 2017 Project Accomplishments………….. 9 FY17 Expenditure Report………………………. 5 Dam Reports………………………………. 10 Recreation & Visitor Use……………………….. 6 Volunteers…………………………………. 11 Oversize Group Permits………………………… 6 Incidents……………………………………. 11 Education & Interpretation …………………….. 7 Superintendent’s Report…………………. 12 Report Required The Allagash Wilderness Waterway (AWW) is administered by the Bureau of Parks and Lands (BPL) within the Department of Agri- culture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF). A seven-member Advisory Council works with the Waterway manager in developing and maintaining a strategic plan for the Waterway and advancing its mission and goals. The Council is required to report annually to the Director of BPL on the state of the Waterway. Similarly, the Commissioner of the department is required to report annually by March 1st to the Legislature’s joint standing committee on conservation matters regarding the state of the Waterway, including its mission and goals, administration, education and interpretive programs, historic preservation efforts, visitor use and evaluation, ecological conditions and any natural character enhancements, general finances, income, expenditures and balance of the Allagash Wilderness Waterway Permanent Endowment Fund, the department's annual budget request for the Waterway operation in the coming fiscal year and current challenges and prospects for the Waterway (12 MRSA §1890 A-C). This report is submitted to meet both reporting requirements. MISSION AND GOALS Mission Statement: Preserve, protect and develop the maximum wilderness character of the Al- lagash Wilderness Waterway by ensuring its ecological integrity and optimum public use through careful management as a wilderness area in the historic and modern context of a working forest. (AWW Strategic Plan, 2010) In support of this mission, the following documents provide principal guidance for managing the Waterway. The 2010 Strategic Plan (http://www.maine.gov/dacf/parks/get_involved/advisory_councils/docs/strategicplan.pdf) and the 2012 AWW Management Plan (http://www.maine.gov/dacf/parks/get_involved/planning_and_acquisition/management_plans/allagash_wilderness_waterway.html). include several goals and objectives, as well as guiding principles, policies and strategies toward this end. • Maine Statutes: 12 MRSA Chapter 220, Subchapter 6 Allagash Wilderness Waterway, §1871-§1891-B • Rules and Regulations for the Allagash Wilderness Waterway, as amended February 22, 2017 • Memorandum of Agreement between the Maine Department of Conservation (now DACF) and the US Department of the Interior, National Park Service, February 2002 • Allagash Wilderness Waterway Strategic Plan, AWW Advisory Council, October 2010 • Allagash Wilderness Waterway Management Plan, Bureau of Parks and Lands, December 2012 Page 2 AWW Annual Report 2017 Report from the AWW Advisory Council The Allagash Wilderness Waterway Advisory Council met pub- summer. They took photos and collected material to be used licly four times in Augusta in 2017. Our meetings were held in in the nomination. In our December meeting, Tom reported the A.C.F. Committee room at the Cross State Office Building that the material was being processed and all looked very and were broadcast over the web. As always, the public is favorable for not only the Boarding House but the Store included and their comments are welcome, making for a well- House. If everything goes as planned, the nomination should rounded meeting, with everyone’s concerns heard. be completed sometime in 2018. I would first like to introduce two new members of the Council. First is Josie Allen, who will be taking over the Wilderness Recreation position left vacant by Dave Allen. Josie is owner of Macannamac Camps on Haymock Lake, adjacent to the Waterway. She is involved recreationally on a daily basis in the surrounding area. Secondly, I would like to introduce Peter Bourque, who will be filling the Natural Resources Planning and Management position left vacant by the unexpected pass- AWW Video Photo ing of Alan Hutchinson in late August. Peter is a retired Inland Fisheries and Wildlife biologist who went to work there in 1963 and rose through the ranks and retired as Director of Fisheries The Allagash Wilderness Waterway Foundation continues its in 2011. Both of these folks have a lifetime of experience in work on its Storied Lands and Waters Project with parts one their respective fields. They will no doubt be a great asset to and two completed in early 2017. With a grant from the the Waterway. Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund, Bruce Jacobson has again Over the course of our quarterly meetings, Matt LaRoche, our been contracted by the Foundation to complete the project. superintendent, brings us up to date on all aspects of the Wa- The next part of the project includes a long range interpretive terway, its workings and happenings since out last meeting. plan and educational assessment, which is well underway There is no question his presentations generate some very and should be available in early 2018. This project, when healthy discussions within the Council and are the basis for completed, will be a very valuable guide for not only those great conversations and decisions. who manage the Waterway, but for everyone who uses the Waterway or has an interest from afar. Several rule changes came to pass in 2017 that were initiated by the Council. These include alternate snowmobile and air- I firmly believe the Waterway is in a good place now, a place craft access and a new foot trail to the locomotives. All chang- where everyone is working together toward the same goals. es were fairly benign and passed with no opposition. These Let us not forget that no matter what activity we pursue in the changes are an example of how good things can happen on Waterway, we all go and enjoy it for the same reasons. the Waterway for everyone when we all work together. Submitted per Title 12 MRSA §1890-A The replacement of the outlet structure at Lock Dam has been January 13, 2018 extensively discussed at all of our meetings, and I am glad to Brent D. Hardy, Chair AWW Advisory Council report that the final design is coming together. Thanks to Matt and a group of folks with widely diversified interests who have AWW Advisory Council Members - February 2018 agreed on a structure that will cover everyone’s interests. The improved road access necessary to reach the site was finished Seat Name this summer and if all goes well, the project will be underway 1. Natural resource planning & mgmt. and finished in October or November of 2018. Peter Bourque After a discussion I had with former Council member Don Cyr, 2. Fisheries or wildlife conservation David Basley we have somewhat switched gears on the restoration of the 3. Wilderness recreation Joanne Allen Boarding House at Churchill Dam. It is felt by the Council that it would enhance the possibilities of a restoration project if we 4. Cultural & historic conservation Melford Pelletier first seek status on the National Historic Register. Tom Des- jardins, Director of Parks and Lands, has taken on the job of 5. Public Brent Hardy, Chair doing just that. I am very pleased to report that great progress 6. Sustainable forest management Toby Pineo is being made. Michael Goebel-Bain of the Maine Historic Preservation Commission and Tom visited Churchill Dam this 7. National Park Service Jamie Fosburgh Photo by Deborah Gardner Page 3 AWW Annual Report 2017 FY 2017 Allagash Wilderness Waterway Budget FY-17 FY-17 FY-17 FY-17 Allotment Source Total Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 General Fund (all other) $55,000 $24,000 $18,000 $24,994 $121,994 AWW Account (all other) $8,397 $14,950 $9,845 $18,275 $51,467 AWW Account (capital) $30,000 $25,000 $15,000 $45,000 $115,000 Total $93,397 $63,950 $42,845 $88,269 $288,461 Revenue from Fees Revenue to AWW Account The Bureau of Parks and Lands collects fees for AWW camp- From revenues received from camping fees, Maine law re- ing use, relying mostly on a contract with North Maine Woods, quires that a portion of that amount be set aside in a non- Inc. for fee collection services. Fiscal year reporting is July 1, lapsing account to be used for capital improvements in the 2016 through June 30, 2017. Revenue from fees for FY17 AWW. The totaled $193,508.24. Fiscal Year Revenues from Fees Fiscal Year Revenue to AWW Account 2012* $130,222.95 2012 $61,612.12 2013 $102,268.08 2013 $50,894.10 2014 $115,173.84 2014 $49,778.99 2015 $101,261.23 2015 $45,562.28 2016 $131,502.11 2016 $52,155.00 2017 $193,508.24 2017 *The 2012 figure includes two commercial sporting camps, and occasional state grant reimbursement AWW Endowment Fund: $7,789.80. is in the Allagash Wilderness Waterway endowment fund. This is an interest bearing trust account at the Department of Treasury. AWW Donations Account: $9745.36 was in the Allagash Wilderness Waterway donations account as of June 30, 2017. AWW Video Photo Photo by Rex Turner Page 4 AWW Annual Report 2017 Allagash Wilderness Waterway Fiscal Year 17 Expenditure Report (July 1, 2016—June 30, 2017) Poland Spr. Donations AWW Acct General Loon Acct Acct Acct Expenses - FY17 (dedicated Fund (gen’l (dedicated TOTAL (dedicated (dedicated revenue) operations) revenue) revenue) revenue) Salary and Benefits 517,733.16 517,733.16 Professional Services 481.52 910.00 1,391.52 Water tests 350.00 350.00 Gas (for equipment) 2,805.95 2,805.95 Lodging, Meals, Mileage 1,489.94 1,489.94 Electric 163.94 163.94 Other utilities 83.35 83.35 Misc.