Minutes
Project S.H.A.R.E.
Airline Diner/Snack Bar
T22MD - near Beddington, Maine
December 7,2000

I. Introductions/Anti-Trust
Chairman Donovan called us to order at 9:30 A.M. and welcomed the 38 people in attendance to the fortieth meeting of Project S.H.A.R.E. After introductions, Bob Chandler read the Anti-Trust guidelines. Another well-attended Project S.H.A.R.E. membership and business meeting.

II. Past Minutes
Executive Secretary, Matt Scott asked the membership for any errors or omissions to the October 5, 2000, minutes that were mailed. Hearing none, the Chair called for a motion to approve. The minutes were approved as written.

III. Treasurers Report
Chairman Donovan gave a summary of the Treasurers Report prepared by Ed Hennessey covering a period from October 3, 2000 to November 28, 2000. The beginning balance for the period was $49,912.31 with credits of $16,439.46 and debits of $22,112.00, leaving an ending balance of $44,251.65. The Treasurers Report was accepted and approved.

IV. Funding Initiatives
Jed Wright called to tell Matt that all the downeast Atlantic salmon projects submitted for funding were approved under the Atlantic Salmon Collaborative with two major projects for Agriculture and Aquaculture as provided for under the congressional funding legislation. Matt stated that the only new project for funding is the Narraguagus river project under contract to Barbara Arter for the NPS watershed management plan she will conducting for the Narraguagus River Watershed Council. Matt is in a termination phase for Project SHARE and is not seeking any new funding proposals. The renewal of Dwayne Shaw’s contract is proceeding and the new Director/Fundraiser contract has been approved and Matt is finishing a contract for Torrey Sheafe as the new Technical Services Coordinator. This funding is being provided by the Atlantic salmon Commission.

A number of good questions followed, regarding the funding. Nate Pennell commented on the pending EPA 319 proposal and it looks good.

V. Atlantic Salmon Conservation Plan/ASC Update
Fred Kircheis gave us an update of the Plan and the status of the Annual Report. He also discussed various funding initiatives submitted to the Commission by the Councils for funding. The next round of applications will be due in February 2001. Fred continues to encourage Councils to apply for funding.

VI. Steering Committee Report
Gary Donovan reported on the lack of a quorum but we discussed items that were not in need of a vote. We had six Steering Committee members at the Bangor meeting. We discussed the candidates numbers to a short list and a process for interviews with associated dates. We discussed the capacity and future of SHARE to have fulltime employees with benefits as a goal. The organization will grow through accomplished fund raising.

A. Election Results for the year 2001

Bob Chandler, Chairman of the Nominations Committee announced the ballot counts were received by mail and asked if there were any nominations from the floor. Results were announced, see attached list. Gary Donovan explained that he would be asking someone from the Committee to replace him during the ensuing year to allow him to step aside. He encouraged all the Committee members to be involved with decisions for the future of SHARE. A motion was made and seconded that the Secretary cast one ballot for those elected.

VII. Executive Secretary's Report
Matt gave a briefing of his work over the past two months managing the grants and contracts. Matt mentioned the two interview dates, December 19th in Machias and 20th in Bangor. Matt has worked out an agreement with Nate Pennell and Henry Dowling for future Project SHARE meetings to be held at the Hillgrove Community Center in Whitneyville. Nate stated the need to make a change in the meeting date for Project SHARE. After discussion, the membership voted to move the meeting to the second Thursday of the month starting at 10:00AM, a break for lunch and finishing at 2:00PM. All meetings must end at 5:00PM. The ASC has also offered Project SHARE office space at the recently acquired Gross property for the new Director/Fundraiser. Matt thanked everyone for his and Kay’s gifts received. Paul Nickerson thanked Matt for all his efforts on behalf of the Services. At this time Bob Chandler awarded Gary Donovan a Project SHARE plaque for dedication and support with a great round of applause!

VIII. Standing Committee Reports
Management and Research Committees: Norm Dube gave us a summary report on the debris dam removal effort and provided us a handout. Norm also updated us on the redd counts done this past fall. Greg Mackey updated us on the downeast- rivers trap counts. He discussed the transfer of pen reared adult salmon from the aquaculture pens for stocking and gave us the numbers for each river. All fish are river specific stocks except the St Croix. The upshot is the pen-reared fish are spawning later than the resident wild fish but it is too early to say why this has happened. Norm also introduced the recent ASC employee, Richard Dill. Lots of questions ensued due to the high interest in all this work.

Education Committee: Matt mentioned that meetings would be held with the new Education Committee Chair, Peter Steenstra. Workshops are planned on land acquisition to protect and enhance Atlantic salmon habitat and the ESA recovery process to be held in the future. Also an opinion survey will be conducted for the downeast area very soon.

IX. Project Updates
Watershed Councils Representative:
Sherrie Sprangers, discussed the last Coalition meeting at the WSRC with plans for 2001 Water Quality monitoring plus the volunteers work.

Watershed Councils Coordinator Report:
Dwayne Shaw provided us with a handout and briefed us all on his work Dwayne mentioned the DRC meetings and work through volunteers. Maggie Martin continues to develop posters and help to get volunteers. Dwayne has been very busy in efforts to meet his contract obligations as well as protecting and enhancing Atlantic salmon habitat on the five-downeast rivers.

DSF/WSRC/PRH Report:
Dwayne reported that the Wild Salmon Resource Center (WSRC) continues to provide education through Maggie Martins efforts and she handed out a poster to encourage how to get more people involved as volunteers. He discussed the donations being made to the WSRC. Lou Horvath is going to try to help get the other benefactors to contribute to the WSRC. Jacob is the new Educator for the Center paid by the WSRC. DSF is doing a great job assisting and educating the local citizenry.

X. Congressional Delegation: No report

XI. Maine Legislators: No report

XII. Downeast RC&D Report: No report. However Nate noted that the future of the RC&D was being discussed and a change in meeting locations to be at Four Corners.

XIII. Water Quality sampling: Mark Whiting, DEP Biologist gave us an update on finishing the second year of sample collection by volunteers on the seven Maine Rivers. All samples have been sent to the UofM for analysis. He has worked on Tunk Stream and new work on Cove Brook. Basically all the Atlantic salmon rivers base flow chemistry indicates very good water quality. Aluminum has been the most common element found and Dr. Terry Haines presented the effects at the October meeting. Mark emphasized how Al can be an oxygen blocker. The focus of future sampling will be storm water events. Sampling for organic pesticide residues will continue for 2001.He provided us copies of the reports. Velpar is now commonly found. Again lots of questions followed.

XIV. Program:
Bob Wengrzynek gave us a good historical update of NRCS and the Coastal America Program and how all the partners fit into the process. It was a long but very good presentation with lots of interesting questions. Bob also provided us handouts about the programs. His new title and responsibilities are Atlantic Salmon Initiatives for New England and the national NRCS out of the Bangor office.

Paul Nickerson and Mary Colligan reviewed the listing process, dates and specific wording with us again. They told us that the recovery process will have to be established between the two Federal Services with a memo of agreement and where we are now and where to start. Take, is one of the most important definitions, which Mary emphasized. There are however exceptions. Paul pointed out several sections in the act. This too was a lengthy and very healthy presentation with lots of good questions. They concluded the ASCP to be an outline or model to follow and to be used for the recovery process.

XIV. Other Business:
Meeting adjourned at 12:25 P.M. The next meeting is February 7, 2001 at the Hillgrove Community Center.