Maine History Online

Lawrance was named Androscoggin River Master in 1948 and, a year later, was given the authority by the state to set discharge limits.

The river was threatened not only by industrial chemicals, but also by organic debris from log drives and by agricultural and sewage runoff.

Lawrance's limits on industrial discharge led to changes in the way paper mills processed pulp.

He also introduced sodium nitrate into the river to improve its oxygen levels and hence its odor and the health of the river.