I. Introductions/Anti-Trust

Chairman Brooks called the meeting to order at 9:35 A.M. and welcomed the 26 people in attendance to the 65th meeting of Project S.H.A.R.E. After the general introductions, Chairman Brooks read the Anti-Trust guidelines.

II. Past Minutes

Chairman Brooks asked the membership for any errors or omissions to the December 9th minutes. There was a motion by Matt Scott, second by Bill Cherry to accept the minutes. Motion passed.

III. Treasurers Report

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

IV. Executive Director's Report

Steven Koenig reported on current activities that SHARE is focusing on. A copy of his report is attached and incorporated into these minutes by reference.

V. Education Committee

Peter Steenstra reported for the Education Committee. Sherrie Sprangers is chair for 2005/2006. The committee is discussing future lecture/workshop topics. There is a presentation of forestry and habitat scheduled for March 24th at UMM. A workshop on the same topic will follow in the near future.

VI. Research Committee

Dan Kircheis reported that work on water quality management plans is continuing on both the Sheepscot and Narraguagus Rivers. Two public meeting have been hosted on the Dennys River Liming Project (Dennysville and Orono). Both were well attended.

VII. Watershed and Stakeholder Council Reports

Machias/East Machias – Bill Cherry

• Planning underway for 205 restoration projects
• 8 Rivers Roundtable continuing to discuss long-term funding, evaluating and reorganizing the watershed councils.
• Jerry Bley is coordinating Phase II of the Machias Corridor Project involving 3rd, 4th, and 5th Machias. A special note and compliment to International Paper. IP retained ownership of all lands associated with the Machias Corridor Project when the most current land transfer to GMO occurred. Our compliments to them for recognizing the importance of this conservation project.

Downeast Salmon Federation – Don Sprangers

• The Pleasant River Hatchery received eggs from the Pleasant River brood stock again this year. University of Maine – Machias and Narraguagus High School students are assisting with egg rearing.
• A strategic plan for DSF is being developed.
• Efforts to move forward on developing the former Bangor Hydro Building are continuing.

Washington County Soil and Water Conservation District – Barry Southard

• The annual tree and shrub sale is upcoming.
• The envirothon will be held in Hancock County
• 9 NPS sites were completed on the Dennys last fall.

Quoddy Regional Land Trust – Alan Brooks

• QRLT is working with DRLT and other partners to refigure Atlantic salmon habitat protection efforts downeast.

MDOT – Ryan Annis

• DOT is continuing to work with local landowners on sites associated with DOT lands.
• Dan Hill Brook (Machias RIver) and Rt 86 Bridge (Cathance Stream – Dennys River) are scheduled for replacement this summer. Carl Dodge is project manager.

MFS – Roger Ryder

• 43 BMP workshops were conducted in 2004
• Statewide standards for water quality that effect fish passage are now law. Information is available on the Maine Forest Service website.

VIII. Guest Speakers

Emily Arell presented on the Endangered Species Act. Enacted in 1973, it passed overwhelmingly (355-4 in the House and 94-0 in the Senate). It was signed into effect by President Nixon. Throughout its 30 year history the goal has been full recovery of a species. !300 plants and animals are listed nationally; 15 in Maine. The Act is currently being threatened by proposed legislation to remove some habitat protection measures. The Canada lynx and gray wolf are contentious proposed listings in Maine. Don Sprangers and 3 students from Washington Academy presented on their trip to the Pacific NW. The Earthwatch Institute sponsored the salmon restoration workshop. The major issue on the Columbia River is dams impeding passage. Fish are captured and transported both up and down stream by barges. Don and the students worked on several project on smaller rivers. The Skagil River hosts 5 species of salmon. The Chinook salmon is listed. Estuarine habitat is critical. Historically dikes were put in place to reclaim land for farming. Forestry practices on steep mountain slopes is another issue leading to sedimentation. Hung culverts and passage issues are common. Frequent forest fires lead to ash, sediment, and pH problems. While out there the students surveyed the river identifying live and dead fish and redds. They also surveyed the Shannon Creek Watershed for passage impediment and woody debris. The third project mapped forest plots on each side of the riparian buffer to establish baseline forest plots. Information gathered included downed logs and large woody debris.

IX. Other Business

There being no other business, the meeting adjourned at 11:40.

The next meeting is April 14, 2005 at the Hillgrove Community Center.

back to archives