Allagash access history

I don’t know what was agreed to in the 1970 addition of the Allagash Wilderness Waterway to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, but I do know what was negotiated between Great Northern Paper, a major landowner in 1966, and Larry Stewart, the commissioner for the state of Maine.

After many meetings and under threat of condemnation by the federal government, Great Northern agreed to sell most of and donate some of its lands lying within the waterway. A major stumbling block during the negotiations was the possible severance of the lands, which would add tremendous costs to the management and marketing of its forest assets.

All owners of timberlands joined Great Northern in this concern. To allay this fear and move forward with negotiations, the enabling legislation was amended by an addition stating that all roads would remain privately owned, and that future structures (bridges) would be allowed, following established regulations.

Great Northern was the major owner of T. 13, R. 12 (WELS), where Schedule and Henderson brook bridges are sited. It was also the major stockholder in the Heron Lake Dam Co., the owner of the site of Churchill Dam, so-called. At that time there were two structures, a breached dam and a road bridge at the foot of Heron Lake. If canoeists were to enjoy the trip down the river from this point during the summer it was essential that the dam be repaired or replaced.

Stewart prevailed on Great Northern to rebuild a timber crib dam, including the roadway or bridge, since it had a history in building such structures. Great Northern agreed and contracted with Paul Blais, president of Daaquam Lumber Company, to build the structure designed by John Lesne, Great Northern’s engineer.

I laid out the work site and inspected, along with others from both the state and the company, while the work was in progress. When completed, it was turned over to the state for operation and maintenance.

Incidentally, the last invoice for work was returned to Great

Northern, unpaid, with the explanation that it would exceed their budgeted funds.

Great Northern donated its lands within the waterway at Allagash Lake and Allagash Falls. It sold the balance of its lands within the waterway to the state for less than the value of the timber thereon. Most of the other owners followed Great Northern’s lead and the Allagash Wilderness Waterway was established at a minimal cost to the state’s taxpayers.

I don’t claim to be an AWW expert, however, if you look carefully you’ll find my footprints or snowshoe floats on every township abutting the waterway.

Ray Goody is a forester who lives in Bangor.