Legend of the Meadlowlands
Capt. Bill Sheehan
The national Riverkeeper movement was in its infancy when Sheehan, a lifelong fisherman and environmentalist, proposed a program for the Hackensack River, one of the nation’s most polluted waterways, as a result of industrial dumping and drainage. “Captain Bill” balances his protection of the river with a pragmatic view of development and is widely regarded by government officials, environmental advocates and the regions’ residents for accomplishments that include protecting 12,000 acres of estuary and winning federal super funds for cleanup of the Hackensack.
