Your May 26 article on Allagash access at John’s Bridge markedly illustrates the significant lack of respect by the Bureau of Parks and Lands for the intent of the legislation creating the Allagash Wilderness Waterway. Section 12, S 673 states, “The rules and regulations shall provide for proper observance of rules of human behavior to preserve the natural beauty and wilderness character of the waterway.”

Two rules were violated; one the focus of the article, and one overlooked, that of a boat on Eagle Lake. It is obvious the reporter was unaware of the infringement, as boats and boating are mentioned in the text and in the captions of pictures without acknowledgment of the regulation, “From Lock Dam north only canoes with or without motors may be used.” Eagle Lake is north of Lock Dam.

Unfortunately, the photos of the boat on Eagle Lake and of the boat trailer on John’s Bridge imply that boats are acceptable in the Allagash Wilderness Waterway. In fact, they are permitted only on Telos Lake, Round Pond and Chamberlain Lake where there is a boat ramp and a parking lot, when it isn’t being used as a campground.

The Bureau of Parks and Lands is the major violator — violator of the public trust. Lack of enforcement undermines respect for this natural treasure, and soon its unique qualities will be gone and the waterway’s beautiful lakes and river will be counted with all the others of easy access. Why go to Millinocket, Fort Kent or Allagash? Why come to Maine?

Now the bureau under the leadership of Tom Morrison has the opportunity to rebuild public trust by adopting a management plan that reflects wilderness values and, yes, by doing the very difficult part of enforcing fairly the rules and regulations consistent with such a plan.

An appropriate quote comes from the president of the National Wildlife Federation: “We all make mistakes. For society as well as individuals, wisdom’s true test is how we deal with them.” Sheila K. Bennett Mount Vernon