The Strafford Rivers Conservancy

News & Events > Fall 2002 Newsletter

November 21, 2002

Dear Strafford Rivers Conservancy Members and Friends,

Autumn greetings to all. I hope that you enjoyed the glorious Indian Summer we had here in New Hampshire and, if you reside outside the area, we hope that you experienced some of the same splendor in your surroundings. It has been a busy summer and fall for the Conservancy and this newsletter will report our efforts and accomplishments for that period. Before getting to that business however, I want to inform you of one bright bit of news I recently read on page one of The Foster’s Daily Democrat amid what had been weeks of depressing front-page news.

The title of the article was "Cochecho River is Clean Enough for Swimming." What great news! It would have been even better news three months ago when I was wilting in my living room wishing for winter and relief from the heat and humidity. The article, which reported the findings of recent samplings by Great Bay volunteers, made me think about the significance of the report in the context of the river’s history. I wondered if earlier area residents would ever have dreamed of a day that they could dive into the Cochecho River for recreation. These people probably only thought of the river as a route for commerce, or for discharges of waste from mills, factories, and agricultural processes. But now, it is suitable for swimming!

We should all rejoice in that accomplishment and reflect on all it took to reverse the practices that made the river unsuitable for swimming. It took a collaborated effort by Government, scientists, residents and businesses to bring the resource back to a healthier state. And we should all contemplate our roles in passing on a legacy of improving and protecting the rivers that run through our towns and neighborhoods and our states.