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The Casco BAYKEEPER®, under the umbrella of Friends of Casco Bay, is a founding member of WATERKEEPER® Alliance, an international environmental movement that began on New York’s Hudson River, where commercial and recreational fishermen united to save the river from polluters. The Waterkeeper concept evolved from gamekeepers in Great Britain who were responsible for maintaining private trout and salmon streams for wealthy landowners. The American interpretation of this role safeguards our waterways for the entire population.
"We can't be complacent just because Casco Bay looks good. Our citizens will have to make hard decisions in the near future about pipelines across the Bay, sewage discharges, and the loss of aesthetic, recreational, and economic uses of our ocean resulting from current abuses." -Joe Payne, Casco Baykeeper
What does it mean to be a Waterkeeper?
Waterkeepers - whether Baykeepers, Riverkeepers, Soundkeepers, or Bayoukeepers - all share the same mission: to defend their water bodies by responding to citizen concerns, advocating compliance with environmental laws, and working to resolve pollution problems that threaten their waterways. The Board of the Waterkeeper Alliance reviews and licenses every program that seeks to call itself Waterkeeper.
As a founding member of Waterkeeper Alliance, Friends of Casco Bay helped develop the quality standards that each program must meet. Here are a few:
1. A recognizable person to serve as a full-time, paid public advocate for the water body. 
That individual is an “aqua-cop” committed to enforcing environmental laws and standards. A Waterkeeper uses whatever tools are appropriate, from personal persuasion and public opinion to government intervention or litigation. 2. Members whom the Waterkeeper represents.
Members provide the grassroots constituency that may be called upon to influence polluters, media, state agencies, and politicians. In addition, they help provide operating income and, most critically, give the Waterkeeper organization legal standing. One of the strongest tools a keeper has is the Citizen Suit provision of the Clean Water Act, which allows Waterkeepers and others acting for the environment to sue polluters. The Clean Water Act gives “any citizen” the authority “to commence a civil action” against an entity (including the federal or state government) that is violating “an effluent standard or limitation.” In a court of law, the Waterkeeper literally speaks for the organization’s individual members.
3. A boat with the Waterkeeper name clearly labeled to ensure on-the-water recognition.
That clearly-identified presence may be as modest as a canoe or as imposing as a high-speed patrol boat, whatever mode of transportation is best suited to maintain on-the-water vigilance.
4. An office where the Waterkeeper conducts fundamental tasks.
Tasks that are required to support the program include bookkeeping, strategic planning, and fundraising. A Waterkeeper cannot be a government employee.
5. A phone number citizens can call to report pollution incidents or concerns.
The Waterkeeper answers questions, speaks at public meetings, and talks with people around the Bay. The phone number represents response, advocacy, and enforcement. Contact information for alternate phone numbers or hotlines provides coverage even when emergencies occur after hours. Fund the Baykeeper Program Support the Baykeeper's advocacy work on behalf of the Bay. To donate, please click on the button below and write "Baykeeper" in the designation box once you get to the billing page. Thank you! 
Casco BAYKEEPER Joe Payne: Outdoor Hero | 
L.L.Bean ‘s Mac McKeever (l) presented the 2008 L.L.Bean Outdoor Hero Award to Casco Baykeeper Joe Payne | On July 30th, Mac McKeever of L.L.Bean Public Affairs presented the 2008 L.L.Bean Outdoor Hero Award to Joe Payne. The Casco Baykeeper was selected as one of six outdoor enthusiasts around the nation “who by their words, attitude, and actions have helped connect people to the world around them. …As the Casco Baykeeper, he has worked effectively to restore the health of Casco Bay.” This is the second year that the L.L.Bean Outdoor Hero Award has been given, to “recognize staff or volunteers who have made a significant contribution to creating, maintaining, teaching about, or encouraging use of recreational outdoor space.” McKeever then presented a check for $5,000 to Executive Director Cathy Ramsdell in Joe’s name to support the work of the Baykeeper and Friends of Casco Bay. Joe was uncharacteristically speechless, as he had no inkling that the staff had nominated him for the award. He did say that he was so appreciative that L.L.Bean recognized the work of all the staff at Friends of Casco Bay.
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