I. Introductions/Anti-Trust
Chairman Chandler called us to order at 10:15 A.M. and welcomed the 38 people
in attendance to the 41st meeting of Project S.H.A.R.E. After the general introductions,
Bob Chandler introduced Steven Koenig as the new Executive Director of Project
SHARE. Chairman Chandler then read the Anti-Trust guidelines. This was another
well-attended Project S.H.A.R.E. membership and business meeting.
II. Past Minutes
Chairman Chandler asked the membership for any errors or omissions to the
December 7, 2000, minutes that were mailed. Hearing none, the Chair called for
a motion to approve. Motion by Bill Cherry; Second by Sherrie Sprangers. The
minutes were approved as written.
III. Treasurers Report
Chairman Chandler gave a summary of the Treasurers Report prepared by Ed
Hennessey covering a period from November 28, 2000 to February 6, 2001. The
beginning balance for the period was $44,251.65 with credits of $79,539.34 and
debits of $55,388.15, leaving an ending balance of $68,402.84. The Treasurers
Report was accepted and approved. Motion Sherrie Sprangers; second Bill Cherry.
IV. Funding Initiatives
Steven Koenig presented a summary of funded contracts that are in place
plus a list of projects that are in the initial stages of being developed. The
list is attached for reference.
V. Atlantic Salmon Conservation Plan/ASC Update
Greg Mackey presented an update of Atlantic Salmon Commission activity.
Fish planting report for Downeast Maine: Dennys will receive 6000 fry; Narraguagus
336,000 fry; Machias 285,000 fry; East Machias 180,000 fry; Sheepscott $166,000
fry. The Dennys will also receive 50,000 smolts. Projected returns of adults
from this effort range from 50-500 adults. Smolt trap monitoring will continue
this year. In river survival will also be monitored.
Last fall adults were stocked. Redds were counted last fall. This spring it
is anticipated that 10 redds will be trapped to evaluate success. Some of the
adults stocked in the Dennys were equipped with ultrasonic tracking. They are
being tracked over the winter. This will continue as long as they are in fresh
water.
Weirs on the Pleasant and Dennys Rivers will be equipped with new smolt traps.
NMFS has a rotary screw smolt trap on the Pleasant River.
A new weir will be installed on the East Machias in Late March or Early April.
A rotary screw smolt trap will be in place on the Ducktrap.
Jerry Marancik commented on the reconstruction at the Craig Brook Hatchery.
Staff have moved to the new facility. He distributed a new phone contact list.
VI. Steering Committee Report
Bob Chandler reported on the January 10th Steering Committee meeting at
DEP. 10 of 13 members were present with 5 guests. Future meeting will take place
at Craig Brook Hatchery. Bob reported on Nate Pennell comments regarding the
Soil & Water District. He discussed how SHARE can interact with the district.
The steering committee discussed funding from ASC through SHARE to the Watershed
Councils.
There was a letter of support drafted for relocation on the Millbridge Sand/salt
Shed.
VII. Executive Secretary”s Report
Bob Chandler briefly reported on Matt's activities. He complemented Matt
Scott's efforts in working through a smooth transition.
VIII. Standing Committee Reports
Management and Research Committees: Norm Dube has stepped down as chair.
Mark Whiting has accepted the request to be the new chair. Mark introduced himself
and commented on his efforts to reorganize the committee. He reported on the
research taking place at present and offered his guidance regarding worthiness
of proposals.
Education Committee: Peter Stenstra reported on two forums that are being planned:
1) an update on the listing process by the agencies 2) a land use/conservation
issues forum
The education committee has distributed a survey on public use of the watershed.
Peter also reported on egg distribution (25,000 eggs) to schools in the AFS
& USFWS Fish Friends program. He distributed a list of schools involved
in the program.
IX. Project Updates
Watershed Councils Representative: Sherrie Sprangers, discussed the last
Coalition meeting. All 5 councils were represented.
Charlie Corliss reported activity of the Narraguagus, Watershed Management
Plan, CHAMP, snowmobile bridges, 22 NPS sites, and the Cherryfield sand/salt
pile.
Dennys: reported on the strategic plan, NPS projects are planned, Great Works
Dam, and bank stabilization at the clubhouse.
Pleasant: land acquisition projects are in processes.
Bill Cherry reported on the DOT culvert in Whitneyville and the ACS grant for
the boat landing and sand beach project. E. Machias has a grant application
to build a 110-ft suspension bridge. There are plans to renovate the Bangor
Hydro Building. Stabilization of the site of the E. Machias Dam removal will
continue this summer. There is a new NPS site at the Round Lake Outlet where
vehicles and ATVs are crossing the river.
Donna Gilbert reported on activities to start a new council on Cove Brook. 12-13
core people are involved. 40 people attended the first meeting.
Charlie Corliss suggested that guest speakers result in better attendance.
Watershed Councils Coordinator Report: Dwayne Shaw reported on a restoration
project at the site of a culvert on Dan Hill Brook in Whitneyville.
DSF/WSRC/PRH Report: Dwayne reported that a grant has been submitted to extend
the educator position to fulltime. There were many letters of support. A disease
issue at the hatchery has been resolved. The hatchery will be receiving eggs
from the Narraguagus strain to be planted in the CHAMP area. Jacob van de Sande
is on board as a part-time educator supporting the Fish Friends program
The DSF has applied for 501©3 status and intends to form a land trust.
The DRC will meet tonight (2/8/01) at 7 p.m. in Columbia Falls. The 8 Rivers
Roundtable will meet this afternoon following the SHARE meeting.
The web site is regularly monitored by Torrey Sheafe.
X. Congressional Delegation: Judy Cuddy will provide Steven Koenig with
a packet of information.
XI. Maine Legislators: No report.
XII. Downeast RC&D Report: Kathy Gunderman reported that the RC &
D office has moved to the location of the old vet's office at Four Corners in
Columbia Falls and the old academy building in Cherryfield 483-2409.
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. DEP is ready to capture data during spring runoff.
1) 2 years of data are in place during the dry season. Water Quality is generally
very good. There are some issues with aluminum. pH, alkalinity, Ca are ok. It
is believed that aluminum may be bound up.
2) Emphasis will now turn to monitoring storm events.
3) Pesticides- wet and dry season collections are being taken. 13 pesticides
are in use. Only one is being detected in low concentrations. Velpar is present
in low concentrations that appear to be of little concern to fish. DEP is funding
more research on pesticides.
4) Dennys PCB superfund site- low concentrations are entering the river. USFW
has old data on it. EPA will sample again this year. DEP is coordinating activities
with the ASC and federal agencies.
5) GPS and GIS data is available to the watershed councils on CD
6) Planning is taking place for the 2001 season. It will be discussed with
the watershed councils this afternoon. NMFS has requested that Shorey Brook
be incorporated into the DEP volunteer waterquality monitoring program
7) Mark suggested we look into the Environmental Justice Grant Program
8) There may be a new Harry Smith Site
Question from Deidre Whitehead: only water quality is being tested, what about
fish tissue? Mark responded that the new pesticides do not bioaccumilate. They
Passamaquoddy tribe is concern about people using the fauna for substinance.
Questioned the need to test river animals and the clam flats. Mark is in contact
with Ed Hathaway who has responsibilities in this area. There was an offer to
contact Sen. Collins for support on the issue.
XIV. Program:
Following lunch the program began at 12:50. Bob Chandler introduced Gordon
Russell (USFWS) from Old Town who reported on the listing process. 12/18/00
Atlantic salmon were listed as an endangered DPS. Gordon presented a handout
of the current status of the listing process. Cooperation of two Federal Agencies
in the listing process is new and unusual. There is an 18 month deadline to
present a draft with 2 ½ years to present a final plan. Anticipated recovery
actions: 1) a team with federal leadership will include government, non government
and academia will provide guidance to smaller teams that will draft parts of
the document. A copy of Gordon’s outline was handed out and is available
on request.
There were a number of questions regarding the causes of the decline in returns
since the 1980s. Gordon reported on some of the studies. Reports are available.
Historically there was 60% second winter survival. Today there is only 30% 2nd
winter survival.
There was also a discussion on the need for projects conducted in listed rivers
to contact the agencies for permission. There is a need to evaluate if the activity
may harm the salmon in a way that is termed a take.
XIV. Other Business:
Meeting adjourned at 12:25 P.M. The next meeting
is April 12, 2001 at the Hillgrove Community Center.