b'C H A P T E R F I VEThere is no doubt, Hiscock said in 2002, that FCW played a key role in getting the plan done. Had it not been for their money, there probably would not have been a plan then, maybe never. It should also be quickly added that, had it not been for the energies and talent of people like Richard Batchelder, Debby Ecker, Lew Kimball and Martha Stone, there certainly would never have been a plan.What their coalescing over years behind plan preparation did for Friends of Chatham Waterways cannot be ignored. Says Mrs. Ecker, I think it was really what made FCW what it is today. It took such a group effort to get the plan through. Agreeing, Kurt Hellfach elaborates:When FCW started, it was strictly focused on Stage Harbor, on water issues, and nothing else. As we went along with the planning process, all of a sudden we realised that what happens on land is more important than what happens on the water in terms of water quality, nitrogen loading, and so on. Thats why FCW has become involved in so many issues in town, because of the land use matter. This project really transformed FCW.Low tide on the Oyster River, and the clammers are out.Gordon Zellner76'