V. Standing Committee Reports

Education Committee – Sherrie Sprangers reported on the Old Stream Education site. Ownership of the site is being sought by the Machias River Watershed Council. WCSWCD may be asked to hold title.
Research and Management Committee- Status of the liming project was given.

VI. Watershed Council Reports

• Machias/E. Machias – Bill Cherry reported on restoration activity: Sandy Beach riparian planting (Machias), comments on the stream simulation training, DOT is preparing a management plan for the rails to trails project, outreach activities are becoming more watershed based rather than focused on salmon. A forestry tour will be conducted on Guptil land in October.
• Narraguagus/Pleasant – Tracey Gamache reported. A summer intern has been assisting with updating all of the kiosks and repotting plants. The Cable Pool Memorial will be dedicated in September (23rd or 30th) followed by the annual dinner. The local ATV Club is refurbishing the shack. The Pleasant River Lake Association is working with the council. There is concern over the state of the dam which is need of repair. The bridge near the dam is also in need or repair. It was not designed to handle forest harvest activity. Both councils are continuing water quality monitoring.

VII. Other Reports

• WCSWCD – Nate Pennell commented on the importance of local partnerships. Last year’s restoration activity is being monitored and sites for this year’s activity are being ground truthed.
• MFS – Roger Ryder has left the MFS to accept a position with Colorado State University. Tim Post requested information as to how Roger Ryder’s position on the Board of Directors will be filled. The MFS can recommend a replacement. The SHARE Board of Directors has the authority to fill the vacancy.
• ASC – Greg Mackey reported. 8 adults have returned to the Narraguagus. Dennys and Pleasant weirs will not be put in this year, therefore there are no # of returns. Redd counts will occur when conditions allow. Large Woody Debris (LWD) surveys are being conducted on Old Stream, the Crocked, Northern Stream and Beaver Dam Stream. There are very few places that LWD is having a geomorphic role in river function. Old Stream is again seeing wild salmon spawning activity. We are beginning to see other instances of wild salmon spawning in area that have been absent from spawning activity.
• USFWS – Stocking went well this year. Brood Stock collection is lower. May not reach 1000 fish for the Penobscot. Scott Craig has taken over Jerry Marancik’s position working in the area of habitat restoration. Denise Buckley is the new assistant hatchery manager.

VIII. Guest Speaker

Carl Burger spent several years working on Pacific salmon in Alaska and Washington State. In Alaska, fish culture is meant to enhance fisheries not maintain wild populations. Can lessons from “pristine” environments apply elsewhere? Carl presented several studies that focused on the importance of local adaptations to develop and use broodstock from recipient populations. Lessons for Maine: 1. Use locally adapted source for broodstock, 2. Create a matrix to maximize genetic diversity.

VI. Other Business

There being no other business, the meeting adjourned at 12:05 PM.

The next meeting is October 13, 2005 at the Hillgrove Community Center.

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