Greenfield, MA. May 18, 2011. The Connecticut River Watershed Council (CRC) today announced that Andrew Fisk, Ph.D., has been named its new executive director. Fisk, who served as Director of the Land and Water Bureau at the Maine Department of Environmental Protection for seven years, assumed the role on Monday.
As Maine’s land and water quality director, Fisk had extensive experience with a range of state and federal environmental quality statutes and oversight of a 134-person agency with an annual budget of $15 million. He also served as President of the Association of State and Interstate Water Pollution Control Agencies and Chair of the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission (NEIWPCC). At NEIWPCC, Fisk initiated the country’s first regional mercury clean-up plan for the seven Northeast states’ impaired waters which maps out strategies to make the region’s fish safe to eat. He has worked extensively with municipalities, industry, and citizens to develop, finance, and implement clean water requirements that have eliminated algae blooms, sewer overflows, and maintained stream and river flows.
“Andrew Fisk is the ideal person to lead the Watershed Council into the future,” said Chelsea Gwyther, CRC’s executive director since 2005. Gwyther will continue with the organization in the newly-created role of president, focusing on community engagement. “Andy’s leadership on water quality issues in New England, collaborative style, and innovative vision will enable CRC to be an even more effective advocate for and protector of the Connecticut River watershed.”
“The Council has created an impressive legacy of good work on behalf of the Connecticut River watershed. I am very excited to work with the Council and its many partners in the region to continue building on that legacy,” stated Fisk.
Founded in 1952, CRC has worked to attain a protected and vital river ecosystem where human activity is in balance with the preservation of the region’s natural resources. As a principal citizen advocate dedicated to promoting the restoration and sustainable use of the Connecticut River watershed, CRC is restoring spawning areas for migratory fish that have been blocked by dams for hundreds of years; annually mobilizing thousands of volunteers to remove trash from local waters; and supporting three River Stewards who bring an on-river presence to every region of the watershed, taking action and assisting community groups. CRC has also protected over 8,000 acres of valuable wetlands, forests, farmlands, natural buffers and river access points.
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For press information contact:
Andrew Fisk, CRC Executive Director 413-772-2020 ext 208 or afisk@ctriver.org
Chelsea Gwyther, CRC President 413-772-2020 ext 202 or cgwyther@ctriver.org
