Merrimack River Watershed Council,

January 26, 2006

MRWC Lowell, MA

Dear Merrimack River Subwatershed Advocate,

MRWC will be sponsoring a series of canoe trips all summer this year called the "Source to the Sea" along the entire length of the Merrimack River from the source of the Merrimack River at Profile Lake in Franconia, NH to the sea in Newburyport, MA. Our intent is to highlight the many uses of the river as a vital resource through publicity releases along the way in order to increase awareness of the importance of the river among the numerous communities in the Merrimack River Watershed.

We invite you to join these efforts by planning a local event that can draw attention to the river in your area. We will join you in publicizing these events. Although citizens in your portion of the watershed are in favor of preserving the Merrimack River Watershed as a whole, it is the Merrimack River and its tributaries in your area that really interests them. Here is an opportunity to tie the whole watershed together and to emphasize the importance of local involvement for the health of the entire watershed.

Any event that would highlight the local river would be welcome. Suggestions include, but are not limited to the dedication of a public access or improvement, a cleanup, a canoe trip on your tributary to meet up with the Source to the Sea canoes, a fishing derby, a historic hike, or a picnic. All activities that increase the awareness of the river in your portion of the watershed are welcome and encouraged.

We are enclosing a list of the Source to the Sea dates so you can see when we will be in your area and can coordinate. Please consider joining with us to promote the Merrimack Watershed together. You may contact Christine Tabak via phone (978-275-0120 ext. 15) or e-mail (ctabak@merrimack.orR); you may also contact Gwen Whitbeck, Source to the Sea Coordinator during the day at gwhitbeck@bnzmaterials.com and during the evening at 603-878-9046 to discuss any thoughts you might have. If interested, we are asking that we be notified by February 10^th in order to include events in our Source to the Sea guide. Thank you in advance!

Sincerely, Christine Tabak, Water Resources Manager Merrimack River Watershed Council, Inc.

600 Suffolk St., 5^th Floor • Lowell, MA 01854 • Tel: (978) 275-0120  • Fax: (978) 275-0125 www.merrimack.org