Laserfiche WebLink
<br />001124 <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />are divergent and discussions about it are heated. We conclude that <br />while designation may have expedited the increase in annual influx <br />of visitors to each of the areas, much of the burden on services would <br />have happened anyway over the long term. The river managing agencies <br />are able to alleviate much of the burden ,on local governments by <br />managing trash pick up, etc and by ultimately placing a ceiling on <br />the number of river users. <br /> <br />CONSERVATION OF THE NATURAL RIVER ENVIRONMENTS <br /> <br />In each case, the designation contributed substantially to the conser- <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />vation of the river environment. <br /> <br />In the case of the Allagash, the state had already taken or planned to <br /> <br />take action to conserve the special values of the river. Designation <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />accelerated the process. State officials noted that the designation <br /> <br /> <br />resulted in the application of specific management policies. It was <br /> <br /> <br />also noted that the river environment had not been degraded since the <br /> <br /> <br />designation despite heavy use. <br /> <br />In the case of the St. Croix (both upper and lower) there was substantial <br />pressure to develop the river corridor prior to designation. This <br />pressure increased during the early 1970's. In addition the quality <br />of the stream banks were improved and many incompatible uses were stopped. <br />Water quality has also been improved as a result of priority given to <br />pollution~ontrol programs. The designation was the major force in <br />, <br /> <br />protecting the river. <br /> <br />-21- <br />