Minutes
Project S.H.A.R.E.
Whitneyville Community Club
Whitneyville, Maine
April 10, 2003

I. Introductions/Anti-Trust

Chairman Donovan called the meeting to order at 9:37 A.M. and welcomed the 30 people in attendance to the 54th meeting of Project S.H.A.R.E. After the general introductions, Chairman Donovan read the Anti-Trust guidelines.

II. Past Minutes

Chairman Donovan asked the membership for any errors or omissions to the February 13th, 2003 minutes that were mailed. There was a motion by Bill Cherry, second by Bob Chandler to accept the minutes. Approved.

III. Treasurers Report

Steven Koenig gave a summary of the Treasurers Report and funding initiatives. Motion to accept by Bill Cherry, second by Peter Steenstra. Approved.

IV. Report of Executive Director and Board of Directors

There was an update of the water quality workshop hosted by SHARE and the Atlantic Salmon Federation. Consensus has been reached that freshwater water chemistry related to pH, calcium and aluminum has been identified as a problem associated with freshwater life stages of Atlantic salmon. A task force has been created to begin investigating a pilot buffering project on one of the Downeast Rivers.

The minutes of the Board meeting were reviewed.

V. Education Committee

Peter Steenstra provided a report of the GPAC youth forum hosted at the University of Maine at Machias. The forum was well attended by teams of area high school students. Presentations included:
Washington Academy – Atlantic salmon restoration
Lubec – tidal drift monitoring
Joesport/Beals – Macroinvertebrates and stream monitoring
Beatris Rafferty – Composting

There were several presentations by UMM staff and agency persons.

May 13th there will be a presentation of invasive species.

VI. Research and Management Committee

No report.

VII. Project Reports

Dennys River:
• The new coordinator has been hired ½ time.
• DEP 319 NPS Watershed Management Plan will begin this year
• The ASC land management plan is in the draft stage

Pleasant River:
• Volunteer water quality monitoring is in place. Several volunteers are working with Mark Whiting
• Long term funding for the council and the coordinator is an on-going issue

Tunk Stream:
• Volunteer water quality monitoring is ongoing
o Spring pH readings are in the range of 5.1 – 5.9

Machias and E. Machias Rivers:
• Bill Cherry presented a power point presentation of council activities

DSF
• Copies of the newsletter are available
• Currently about 180 members
• Pleasant River fry are being raised at the hatchery
• Bethany Murray (COA student) is conducting a senior project digitizing tax maps of the Machias, Pleasant, Narraguagus, and Tunk watersheds. This will aid with interactions with landowners
• Remote real-time monitoring of water quality will be monitored on the Pleasant and be available on the internet
• The land trust is working on 14-15 parcels including a 50 acre donation to the land trust
• Peter Steenstra commented on the work Jacob is doing and urged on-going support for his efforts

VIII. Program: Beginning with Habitat – Molly Dockerty

The program involves making wildlife and plant habitat information available to municipalities, conservation groups and landowners for use in land management decisions. Rare plants and animals and outstanding natural communities are specifically targeted. Landowner permission is required to acquire and distribute this information. All landowners are provided a follow-up of survey information.
Inventories have greatly increased the information on rare plants and animals in Maine. That information is now being distributed to local groups to assist with conservation and preservation activities. Areas important Downeast include: coastal, peat lands, several upland communities, riverine protecting Atlantic salmon habitat (which also is of benefit to other species). Cobscook Bay hosts the greatest concentration of eagles in the state. The Pleasant River marsh is the largest salt marsh in Downeast Maine. Other areas of importance are the Great Heath, Tunk area, and the Black Mountain summit
90% of the special concern species in northern and eastern Maine are associated with wetland or flowing water habitats. Protecting riparian buffers for Atlantic salmon benefits other species as well.

IX. Meeting adjourned at 11:45 P.M.

The next meeting is June 12, 2003 at the Hillgrove Community Center.