Minutes
Project S.H.A.R.E.
Whitneyville Community Club
Whitneyville, Maine
April 15, 2004

I. Introductions/Anti-Trust

Chairman Donovan called the meeting to order at 9:35 A.M. and welcomed the 22 people in attendance to the 60th 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 12, 2004 minutes. There was a motion by Charles Corliss, second by Bob Hinton to accept the minutes. Motion passed.

III. Treasurers Report

Steven Koenig gave a summary of the Treasurers Report and funding initiatives. There was a motion to accept the treasurer’s by Bob Hinton, second by Charles Corliss. Motion passed.

IV. Executive Director’s Report

Steven Koenig provided a report highlighting the NPS site restoration activity that will be taking place this summer. SHARE is partnering with WCSWCD and watershed councils on a number of projects in each of the Downeast salmon watersheds.

The Governor has signed legislation allowing the water quality mitigation (liming) project to go forward with a permit. SHARE will be participating in an international workshop on liming in St. Andrews.

V. Education Committee

Peter Steenstra noted that the committee is currently in a lull at the moment. The Gulf of Maine Summit will be October 26-29, 2004.

VI. Research and Management Committee

Principle projects include the Dennys water mitigation project previously discussed. The Committee has also been involved with development of a water quality monitoring plan on the Sheepscot and a water quality monitoring manual. Both project were recently completed.

VII. Project Reports

Narraguagus/Pleasant:

• The council is submitting a 319 grant proposal for NPS sites on the West Branch.
• A river cleanup and riparian buffer planting projects are planned.
• The annual diner was a success.
• Water quality monitoring on the Narraguagus and Pleasant began April 1st. They are beginning to do lake monitoring also. A beaver dam and water quality survey of Lawrence Brook will be conducted.
• The annual PRWC smelt fry will take place tomorrow.

Machias/E. Machias:

• Bill provided an update on the Washington trip. The message focused on cooperation and collaboration.
• A very aggressive NPS restoration plan is underway for this field season.
• The council and International Paper did a presentation on ATV issues at Grand Lake Stream.
• The council presented at a BMP workshop sponsored by SHARE and IP.
• Canoe races will take place on the E. Machias and Machias on April 24th and 25th.
• Carl Burger added comments on the Washington trip and funding cuts at Craig Brook and Green Lake Hatcheries.

Dennys:

Bob Hinton reported on council activities:

• The council is focused on the NPS management plan.
• A canoe trip is planned for May/June to profile pH inputs to the Dennys.
• The June 7th meeting will discuss the Harry Smith dump and super fund site.

WCSWCD:

• The new technician has been hired. Duties will center on NPS technical assistance in the Downeast salmon watersheds.
• 20+ sites in the Northern Stream sub watershed are scheduled for restoration. A budget of $130,000 is in hand.
• A proposal for restoration of sites in Old Stream north of Route 9 has been submitted for 2005 funding.
• $3.5 million dollars in Whip funds are available for habitat improvement. ASC easements and fee lands will be eligible.

QRLT:

• Joel Pickelner has submitted his resignation.
• Staff changes will result in a brief break in the land acquisition program.

LURC:

• New LURC regulations are in effect. Copies of regulations can be obtained in the Cherryfield office.

VIII. Guest Speakers

Erie Atkinson, Atlantic Salmon Commission, discussed stream embeddedness. Embededness is a measure of the amount of cobble buried by sediment. Twenty sites on the Narraguagus were measured in 1993. There was a significant difference between different regions in the river. Embededness may have an effect on salmon habitat.

The interstitial space index (the opposite of embededness) is a useful measurement to monitor. The ISI at Munson Rips improved after the bridge was constructed. Interstitial space is used by the parr as refugia from fast moving currents. It also serves as thermal refugia over winter. Literature suggests that increased roads lead to increased embededness.

On the Narraguagus, the upper drainage is forested and spawning/rearing habitat is uniform. The middle drainage is mixed forested and open barrens. Spawning and rearing habitat is more disconnected. The lower drainage is more open barrens with low spawning use. ASC found a significant difference between the lower and upper river with the lower river most embedded. There was no difference found between run and riffle habitat. Embededness may limit parr habitat.

Alex Abbot concluded the meeting with a presentation of his analysis of the SHARE NPS data base and Atlantic salon habitat measurements. Several handouts were provided including maps of NPS and embededness sites. Preliminary information suggests that specific NPS sites may indeed be contributing to high embededness. Soil loss calculations associated with specific NPS sites and increased embededness monitoring were suggested.

IX. Other Business

There being no other business the meeting adjourned at 12:08.

The next meeting is August 12, 2004 at the Hillgrove Community Center.