Moving beyond the scope of its original mandate, in 1989, MREAC undertook to assess the health of the Miramichi River, targeting a two year time frame and a $100,000 budget. After much data collection and review, with the undertaking of some scientific analysis, the committee commissioned the compilation of all science studies into one document. In 1992 the "MREAC Final Report", edited by Dr. Michael Burt of UNB was complete. The report findings revealed that the Miramichi River, although significantly impacted by past management practices, was not as environmentally degraded as previously thought.   It was noted that the river requires more careful surveillance, an assignment in which MREAC could play a part.  Based upon this and other recommendations, MREAC implemented an environmental program that is multi-faceted to tackle the variety of issues in the Miramichi watershed.

 In 1992, Environment Canada, through funding from the Green Plan, launched the Atlantic Coastal Action Program (ACAP), aimed at helping coastal communities set objectives and strategies for a more sustainable future.  At the same time, MREAC had become more focused and action orientated. It also became apparent that MREAC needed a full time coordinator, as more than volunteer support was required to manage the many initiatives that had been recommended in the 1992 report. In 1993, MREAC became an ACAP site, a move that allowed it to hire full-time staff and establish a business office.

Miramichi is apparently a Micmac name that may mean 'land of the Micmac' (or Mi'kmaq).  This name has taken on new significance with the insights achieved through the archeology in the area around Red Bank at the Augustine Mounds, the Oxbow and other sites.  The first nations communities that date back some 30 centuries on the Miramichi, rightly lay claim to a prominent position on their land.  European settlement began in the 1700's and gained momentum in the 1800's with the economic importance of shipbuilding and lumber exports to Britain.  Transportation, settlement, industry and other evolution from that period has brought us to where we are today.  As noted, this evolution has steered us into areas that have damaged our ecosystem.  

Based upon ACAP funding and the contractual requirement to prepare an comprehensive environmental management plan (CEMP), MREAC considered its planning needs. In effect the MREAC Summary Final Report, 1989-1992, the product of the three year study met many of the elements of the CEMP. MREAC however wanted to broaden their scope in their dedication to clean up the Miramichi River. From this came the determination to prepare a guiding document, the MREAC Environmental Action Plan, 1994.

The programs outlined in the MREAC Action Plan of 1994 have directed MREAC activities to date. Among the original programs, two have resulted in published reports. In 1995, MREAC, in partnership with the Northumberland Strait Sustainable Development Coordination Area Working Group, produced a report on Rural Wastewater Management Issues in New Brunswick. MREAC's interest in Miramichi science is expressed in its "Environmental Monitoring and Research" program. In the spring of 1994, MREAC was privileged to host a three day science workshop. Dr. Michael Chadwick of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) in Moncton edited the papers from this workshop into Water, Science, and the Public: The Miramichi Ecosystem in 1995.

From the beginning, Mr. Vernon Goodfellow, first chairperson, helped lead a core group of people interested in based watershed management to assess the health of the Miramichi River and subsequently address the problems that the assessment identified. The common goal, then and now, is to promote cooperation and communication among community stakeholders. The intent was to develop an awareness among the regions citizens that our quality of life is intrinsically linked to our environment. The MREAC committee continues to draw people of different interests and backgrounds together. After establishing a dialogue in this round table setting, questions are formulated and the quest for answers begins. To date MREAC has demonstrated a positive contribution to community based environmental action and will try to sustain this into the foreseeable future.

Present 16 ACAP Sites (2008)

Current ACAP Organizations

• ACAP Cape Breton
• ACAP Humber Arm Environmental Association Inc.
• ACAP Saint John
• ACAP St. Croix
• Bedeque Bay Environmental Management Association Inc. (BBEMA)
• Bluenose Coastal Action Foundation (BCAF)
• Central Labrador Environmental Action Network (CLEAN)
• Clean Annapolis River Project (CARP)
• Eastern Charlotte Waterways Inc.
• Labrador Southeast Environmental Association Inc. (LSCAP)
• Miramichi River Environmental Assessment Committee (MREAC)
• Northeast Avalon ACAP (NAACAP)
• Pictou Harbour Environmental Protection Project
• Sable Island Preservation Trust (SIPT)
• Societe d'amenagement de la riviere Madawaska et du lac Temiscouata Inc. (SARMLT)
• Southesat Environmental Association (SEA)