From the Office of Senator Kerry

Thursday, October 5, 2000

Washington, D.C. – Senators John F. Kerry and Edward M. Kennedy, and Representatives Marty Meehan and John Tierney announced today that the Senate approved a $500,000 appropriation for a comprehensive watershed study of the Merrimack River in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, to be conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The House passed identical legislation last week. Cities and towns along the river are working to prepare and implement a comprehensive plan for environmental investments on the mainstream of the Merrimack River Basin to ensure that the beneficial uses of the River are restored in an expeditious, environmentally sensitive and cost effective manner. A river basin study is the next, critical step in the process. The funding has been included in the Energy and Water Fiscal Year 2001 Appropriation bill, which has now been passed by the Senate and the House.

"This is an innovative effort to understand and restore the entire River basin," said Senator Kerry. "I'm glad that we're succeeding in bring the Army Corps, with all its expertise and resources, into the local effort."

"I'm pleased that the Congress included this funding to plan for the environmental restoration of the Merrimack," said Senator Kennedy. "The river is a magnificent part of our heritage, and we need to do all we can to preserve it for future generations."

"This funding is a key step towards assembling an effective interstate approach to protecting the Merrimack River," said Meehan. "Making the Merrimack cleaner and safer is among our most important obligations to generations to come. I look forward to continuing to work with Senators Kerry and Kennedy and Congressman Tierney to protect one of our state's foremost natural wonders."

Congressman John Tierney praised the inclusion of the funding for the comprehensive study as a significant step toward cleaning up the Merrimack River. "The cities and towns along the Merrimack -- from Newburyport and Salisbury to Merrimac, Amesbury and Haverhill -- share a rich history in conjunction with the river. A cleaner waterway will assist all of those communities with both ecological and economic efforts, and I will continue to work with Senators Kerry and Kennedy, Congressman Meehan and our colleagues in New Hampshire to ensure appropriate federal support for this important project."

"Through the assistance of Senators Kerry and Kennedy, we secured a chance for a truly scientific and environmentally responsible approach to improving the Merrimack River," said Mayor of Haverhill, James A. Rurak. "This is truly a breakthrough made possible by interstate and bi-partisan support."

Ralph Goodno, Merrimack River Watershed Council, "This will be a collaborative effort among local, state and federal agencies, environmental advocates to determine the best way to improve the environmental quality of the river and entire watershed."

The study is supported by a coalition working to protect the river and its watershed. The coalition includes the cities of Haverhill, Lawrence, Lowell and Newburyport, Massachusetts, the cities of Nashua and Manchester, New Hampshire, the states of New Hampshire and Massachusetts, the Merrimack River Watershed Council and other local organizations.

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