Fired Allagash Wilderness Waterway Supervisor Tim Caverly has accepted a settlement agreement from the Maine Department of Conservation, announced Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) today.
In June, 1999 Department of Conservation Commissioner Ronald Lovaglio had dismissed Caverly from his job citing insubordination and mismanagement. This week, Lovaglio sent an open letter to Caverly, officially recognizing the former supervisor's 33 years of work, as well as his "dedication, commitment and love of the Allagash."
Caverly drew the ire of the Department after speaking out in favor of protecting the waterway's wilderness character and publicly criticizing the state of Maine for disregarding the Allagash management plan. He believes that the settlement has vindicated him. "There were times this past year I wondered whether I should give up," stated Caverly, "I'm proud that I held my ground, protected the resource and finally got my name cleared."
Caverly has found encouragement from across the state. "The numbers of supportive letters and phone calls have been overwhelming. Their concern has made this trying time a little easier."
PEER Executive Director Jeff Ruch considers Caverly to be hero for the North Woods. "Throughout this ordeal Tim has never lost sight of his purpose," commented Ruch, "he put the protection of the Allagash first, even when it took a major toll on his career and personal life."
The full story of the mismanagement of the Allagash is available in the PEER-produced paper, Losing Paradise: The Allagash Wilderness Waterway Under Attack