Posted by sunthecolumn on September 8th, 2015



The Merrimack, the Concord, the Nashua, the Squannacook — they’re all rivers steeped in history that at one time helped fuel the Industrial Revolution. Today, the waterways are enjoyed by boaters, naturalists and, of course, wildlife.

Recognizing the important role the rivers play in the fabric of the 3rd Congressional District, Rep. Niki Tsongas annually organizes a River Day event. This year’s event is Saturday and Tsongas has a special guest: Interior Secretary Sally Jewell. 

Tsongas invited Jewell to visit the district a few months back and their respective staffs were able to make it work to coincide with this year’s waterway celebration. 

Tsongas and Jewell will make two stops at the two national parks in the 3rd District.. They’ll be at Minute Man National Park in Concord in the morning at 10 and then head to the Lowell National Historical Park for noon.

At both events, Tsongas and Jewell will speak to those in attendance, meet with groups of schoolchildren and go out on the rivers located at the parks. 

They’ll discuss rivers, the importance of National Parks, the National Park Centennial and initiatives around that, other conservation efforts and programs. They’ll also be presenting large groups of schoolchildren (4th graders) with passes to the national parks, as part of the “Every Kid in a Park” program. 

Tsongas, now the ranking member on the Natural Resources Federal Lands Subcommittee, is excited, as it’s not everyday a member of the President Barack Obama’s Cabinet comes calling. 

As interior secretary, Jewell leads an agency with more than 70,000 employees. Interior serves as steward for approximately 20 percent of the nation’s lands, including national parks, national wildlife refuges, and other public lands; oversees the responsible development of conventional and renewable energy supplies on public lands and waters; is the largest supplier and manager of water in the 17 Western states; and upholds trust responsibilities to the 566 federally recognized American Indian tribes and Alaska Natives. 

Prior to her confirmation, Jewell served in the private sector, most recently as president and chief executive officer of Recreation Equipment, Inc. (REI). 

An avid outdoorswoman, Jewell finds time to explore her backyard in the Pacific Northwest where she enjoys skiing, kayaking, hiking and other activities. She has scaled Mount Rainier on seven occasions, and recently climbed Vinson Massif, the highest mountain in Antarctica.

Follow Scott on Twitter @cscottlowellsun. 

See more at: http://blogs.lowellsun.com/thecolumn/2015/09/08/member-of-president-obamas-cabinet-visiting-concord-lowell-saturday/