I. Introduction
The Swift River begins in the town of Livermore, New Hampshire, and flows east for 26 miles along the Kancamagus Highway before joining the Saco River in the town of Conway. The mainstem of the Swift River has been nominated by the Saco River Advisory Council for designation into the New Hampshire Rivers Management and Protection Program. The Swift River has been evaluated by the Department of Environmental Services and found to qualify for designation.
The Rivers Management and Protection Program Act was passed by the General Court in 1988. The Act states in part: "It is the policy of the state to ensure the continued viability of New Hampshire rivers for the benefit of present and future generations. The state shall encourage and assist in the development of river corridor management plans and regulate the quantity and quality of in-stream flow along certain protected rivers or segments of rivers to conserve and protect outstanding characteristics including recreational, fisheries, wildlife, environmental, cultural, historical, archaeological, scientific, ecological, and community significance so that these valued characteristics shall endure as part of the river uses to be enjoyed by New Hampshire people."
The Act directs the Department of Environmental Services to receive and evaluate nominations for the designation of rivers or river segments to protect outstanding values and characteristics under the Rivers Management and Protection Program. The Commissioner must forward approved nominations to the General Court for review and approval.
In fulfillment of this statutory directive, the nomination of the Swift River is hereby forwarded to the General Court. The Department of Environmental Services recommends that the Swift River be designated into the Rivers Management and Protection Program and be classified a "Natural River" from its headwaters to the Albany-Conway town line and a "Rural River" in the town of Conway under the provisions of the protection measure amendments to RSA Ch. 483. The outstanding values and characteristics which qualify the Swift River for designation are described in this report.