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Banish the Winter Blahs with a Virtual Visit to the Allagash

November 21, 2007 - This winter let the Maine Department of Conservation help cure your winter blahs with their video "Northrunner." The video, made in honor of the 40th anniversary of the Allagash Wilderness Waterway, brings the excitement and beauty of Maine home to your DVD player.


The Allagash Wilderness Waterway is a 92-mile corridor ribbon of lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams that travel through northern Maine. Prior to the release of this video, the corridor was only available to experienced canoeists. Now anyone can take a virtual visit to the wilderness of northern Maine and experience the natural beauty of working woods and its nature.


"The Allagash Wilderness Waterway ... is considered a premier canoe trip," said the Department of Conservation's Jim Crocker. "It's one trip that all canoeists dream about."


Upkeep and maintenance on the Allagash is tended to by the Bureau of Parks and Lands within the Department of Conservation. In 1970, the Allagash Wilderness Waterway was named the first state-administered component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.


The National Wild and Scenic Rivers System was started in 1968 in response to the abuse of rivers throughout the country. When Congress established the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System in 1968 it became United States policy to protect the rivers, and their environments, that possessed "outstandingly remarkable scenic, recreational, geologic, fish and wildlife, historic, cultural or other similar values." That protection allows future generations to continue to enjoy the rivers. And according to the Department of Conservation's Web page description of the Waterway, located within www.maine.gov, the "wilderness" of the Waterway has to do with the fact "that any time of year visitors may experience living under largely natural conditions, in striking contrast to the modern world's human environment. The Waterway's limited facilities will be appreciated by visitors who seek solitude and self-reliance. There is no public transportation; access is limited to gravel roads; and camping facilities are primitive."


"Northrunner" reaches out past the banks of the Allagash Wilderness Waterway to bring the natural enjoyment and beauty of this Maine gem to people everywhere. Crocker said that in addition to beautiful footage, the DVD features a "travelogue with the history [of the Waterway] and a touch of the culture of the area."


The video was created by Department of Conservation Commissioner Patrick McGowan, Andrew Collar, and Kyle Hockmeyer and produced by Ursus Media Group in Waterville. According to Crocker, "'Northrunner' is a tribute to a wild river that will leave you wanting to head for the north woods."


"Northrunner" costs $16.50 (including shipping and taxes) from the Maine Department of Conservation. To order your copy contact Crocker at (207) 287-3156 or visit www.maine.gov/doc/parks/programs/aww/ video.htm for information about where the video is available.

SOURCE: BANGOR DAILY NEWS

DATE: 11-15-2007

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