Minutes
Project S.H.A.R.E.
Whitneyville Community Center
Whitneyville, Maine
December 13, 2007

I. Introductions/Anti-Trust

Chair Carl Burger called the meeting to order at 9:30 A.M. and welcomed the 31 people in attendance to the 80th meeting of Project S.H.A.R.E. After the general introductions, Mr. Burger read the Anti-Trust guidelines.

II. Past Minutes

Chair Burger accepted the minutes as presented.

III. Treasurers Report

Steven Koenig gave a summary of the Treasurers Report and funding initiatives. Chair Burger accepted the report as presented.

IV. Reports

Dennys – Sheila Huckins reported on outreach activities in the watershed. There has been some discussion regarding access to the Dennys River. Sheila will work with Alan Brooks (QRLT).
Pleasant/Narraguagus – Tracey Gamache - Watershed signs are here for each of the Downeast Rivers (80 signs). Some of the signs have been put in place. Volunteers are needed to assist with this project. Greg Mackey (BSRFH) reported there are 5 redds in the Pleasant this year located in the Eastern Little
Machias/E. Machias – Bill Cherry continues to work with commercial forresters monitoring the Machias Coridor easement. He has been appointed to the ATV advisory committee. Bill participated in the Wagner Forestry Management SFI audit at the Harmon Brook restoration site with Steven Koenig. It was noted that the auditor from Pearce - Waterhouse commentd that the arch culvert installation was as professional as any site he had seen in North America.
WCSWCD – Barry Southard - The District has finished work on the sustainable water use project. Water use plans are in place. Work is continuing to fudn alternate water sources for irrigation. The District will be hosting a workshop of DEP NPS certification and another on the use geotechtile fabrics. NPS stabalization continues in the Narraguagus Watershed (WHIFAP funded).
USFWS – Scott Craig presented a ppt presentation on current restoration activity focusing on road densities and the results of efishing surveys.
DEP – Mark Whiting presented current waterchemistry results at the 52-00-0 Road limestone addition pilot project. Increased pH and Ca are documented downstream of the road as a result of terrestrial applications on the road.
Pat Keliher provided an update of the change in governance. Action is pricipally an agency exercise. The TAC is being disbanded and replaced with an action oriented framework: Level 1 - Signatories, Level 2 - Management Teams designed to implement policy, Level 3 - Working Groups intended to be action oriented teams. Membership will be formal ageny based appointments. NGOs may have an advisory role.
Ed Logue (DEP) presented a conservation award to Bill Cherry and several persons at Hanscom Construction aknowledging their efforts and the quality of their work. Donnie Hanscom was present to accept for Hanscom Construction.

V. Program

Roger Ryder, MFS retired, presented on some of the NPS stabalization work he has been involved with in Hawaii for the past three years. He framed the discussion by comparing it to the activites he has seen and been involved with here in Maine noting the principles are the same.

VI. Other Business

Dave Garcelon commented that fish passage and ESA continue to be national priorities for NRCS.

Rick Jordan (IF&W) complemented the work that is being done to improve fish passage at road crossings. He considers we are "leading the way" in Maine. He also commented on the Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture Project IF&W is conducting. Brook Trout surveys will continue in 2008 including Downeast DPS watersheds.

Paul Santavy (USFWS) commented on USFWS support of SHARE's restoration program. Scott and Joe will continue to be available in similar capacity in 2008.

Tim Post (MFS) - THe Maine FOrest Service is working with Alex Abbot and USFWS to conduct fish passage assessment surveys in the Penobscott Watershed. MFS also has temporary steel bridges available to the forest industry on loan.