We aim to address a wide range of issues relating to the use of the river. Safety concerns include promoting the use of life jackets (required by law), proper canoeing techniques, and awareness of changing river conditions. Issues associated with responsible land use include trash removal, burial of human waste and toilet paper, preservation of live trees, and considerate treatment of other people along the river. We also runs several grant-based programs to educate the public about the threat of invasive species and to perform courtesy boat inspections to ensure invasive plants are not introduced into the river. Our other outreach projects focus on raising awareness about Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics and how to camp, build fires, and responsibly use the land along the river.

Most of the policy implementation work of the SRRC is carried out by the Saco River Livery Association which has a seat on the Council. Part of that work is to apply for grants and to coordinate the Council's efforts with various governmental and non-governmental agencies such as the State of Maine, the Town of Fryeburg, and the Lakes Environmental Association among others. The Livery Association also hires and directs River Runners who form the public face of the SRRC. These seasonal employees are generally local students and are assigned the task of communicating the Council's goals to the people who use the river. Their main responsibility is to clean the trash from along the riverbanks left by the minority of river users who are either ignorant or careless of wilderness ethics.