WHEREAS,  the Allagash Wilderness Waterway was established by the Maine Legislature on May 11, 1966; and

WHEREAS,  the people of Maine overwhelmingly passed a $1,500,000 bond issue on November 8, 1966 to develop the maximum wilderness character of the Allagash Wilderness Waterway; and

WHEREAS,  the Allagash Wilderness Waterway is a 92-mile water route from the Allagash River's headwaters of Allagash Stream, Allagash Lake and Telos Lake, passing through major lakes and ponds and down the Allagash River, to West Twin Brook near Allagash Village; and

WHEREAS,  Maine residents and visitors to Maine enjoy paddling, camping and fishing in the Allagash Wilderness Waterway; and

WHEREAS,  many children from Maine and across the country have completed their first long-distance canoe trip paddling the Allagash Wilderness Waterway and thereby developed a lifelong love of the out-of-doors, the Maine woods and the State of Maine; and

WHEREAS,  paddling the Allagash Wilderness Waterway has resulted in positive life-changing experiences for many adult and young paddlers; and

WHEREAS,  the Allagash Wilderness Waterway is rich in Native American history; and

WHEREAS,  Henry David Thoreau canoed the Allagash River in 1857 and wrote about it in his book, The Maine Woods; and

WHEREAS,  the Allagash Wilderness Waterway is prized for its native wild brook trout fishery; and

WHEREAS,  the Allagash Wilderness Waterway has played a vital role in the history of logging in Maine; and

WHEREAS,  the Allagash Wilderness Waterway was designated a Wild River under the federal Wild and Scenic Rivers Act on July 19, 1970; and

WHEREAS,  the Allagash Wilderness Waterway has attracted many visitors from all over the world to the State of Maine, resulting in significant economic benefits to Maine guides, outfitters and other businesses that provide goods and services to these visitors; and

WHEREAS,  the employees of the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Bureau of Parks and Lands have cared for and preserved the Allagash Wilderness Waterway for decades; now, therefore, be it