Project SHARE
Project S.H.A.R.E.
Airline Diner/Snack Bar
T22MD - near Beddington, Maine
June 1, 2000
Chairman Donovan called the meeting to order at 9:42 A.M. and welcomed the 30 people in attendance to the thirty-seventh meeting of Project S.H.A.R.E. After introductions, Bob Chandler read the Anti-Trust meeting guidelines. This was another well-attended Project S.H.A.R.E. business meeting.
Executive Secretary, Matt Scott asked the membership if there were any errors or omissions to the April 6, 2000, minutes that were mailed to the membership. Hearing none, the Chair called for a motion to approve. The minutes were approved as written.
Chairman Donovan gave a summary of the Treasurers Report prepared by Ed Hennessey covering a period from April 1, 2000 to May 30, 2000. The beginning balance for the period was $56,615.67 with credits of $12,267.22 and debits of $26,010.01, leaving an ending balance of $42,872.88. The Treasurers Report was accepted and approved. Matt gave a brief explanation of the lower ending balance, which will be back to $50K by the August meeting.
Cinda Jones from NFWF attended and gave us a summary of the Snowe/Collins emergency appropriations amendment to the USDA, Agriculture Bill of $5 million and how this would be distributed through NFWF. There was some uncertainty and clarification about the Bill and how these funds were to be allocated. Matt was to follow up on this item, see enclosure. Cinda explained that this was an emergency appropriations bill by the two Maine Senators. The breakdown was for $2 million going to the ASC, $0.5 million to the NAS for a peer review of the proposed Federal Services listing with $2 million for habitat acquisition that required no match and this funding would be a pass through NFWF. Certain issues were to be tied to this bill regarding aquaculture and agriculture problem solving for the remaining $0.5 million. Jim Lyons, USDA/NRCS Under Secretary followed up in support of the Bill and linked this to NRCS activities and that Bob Wengrzynek is now the New England Specialist on Atlantic salmon and dam removal issues. He told us that Bob is a very busy man. Lots of discussion ensued from Cinda and Jims visit with us. Morton Moesswilde reported that things are now on hold and no new progress has been made on MFS grants and possibilities with Project SHARE. Matt reported that he has some smaller finding sources he is working on and will report on these at the August SHARE meeting.
Fred Kircheis reported on the new ASC quarterly grant process for the Councils and encouraged them to get their applications in by June 7, 2000 for the Evaluation Committee. Fred discussed several staff changes also stated that Ed Baum is officially done and that he will de advertising for a new person to fill the vacancy within the next several months, probably after the new fiscal year.
Matt gave a briefing of his work over the past two months producing the deliverables for the existing contracts and attendance to the ASC and TAC meetings. The three-year plan with the transition for a new full-time person to be funded has taken a fair amount of time. Matt introduced Mark Whiting as the new Water Quality Biologist for the DEP to be working on the seven Atlantic salmon Rivers. Mark gave us a brief description of his education and background. He has been with the DEP since 1992 and looks forward to the SHARE meetings.
Education Committee: Mike Hill was not present and Andy Goode gave a report on ASF activities, the Atlantic salmon posters and wallet handouts for distribution. These are available for the Kiosks and other organizations. He discussed the model plan, which was funded by NMFS, to be distributed soon. Torrey discussed the divers swim through assessment project.
Management and Research Committees: Norm Dube discussed the smolt traps installation and the collection process thus far. He has been coordinating all this work with NMFS and the USF&WS. Fry stocking was also discussed, as well as the Pleasant River smolts that were of aquaculture origin. Jerry Marancick discussed the removal of Pleasant River wild smolts from the traps and taken to Craig Brook Hatchery for river specific rearing. This is a second attempt with some uncertainty, to see if smolts could be raised this way without significant mortality. Thus far the fish look fine and are feeding well. Jerry will provide us with a report to be included in the August mailing. He also handed out a copy of the NMFS/USF&WS/ASC annual work plan on the Downeast Rivers for our review and it does answer al lot of questions on what, why and how. Norm did talk briefly about a possible workshop on stream habitat enhancement sometime this fall.
Watershed Councils Representative: Sherrie Sprangers, new member of the SHARE Steering Committee, was elected by the Coalition. She gave us a briefing of the downeast activities. Fred mentioned the additional coordination worker for Project SHARE to be established under the new contract. Matt has drafted up a job description. Other Councils official representatives reported on various projects. Nate emphasize the various ATV fords that are impacting salmonid habitat are being proposed for corrections.
Watershed Councils Coordinator Report: Dwayne Shaw circulated highlights of his report on coordination work. He is spending a lot of time on the East Machias dam removal. We want to keep separate from his hat as the Downeast River Coordinator and the DSF activities. This is a problem at times because of overlapping issues.
Kathy Gunderman commented on the various acronyms we tend to throw around in our discussions. She gave us a good handout for the RC&D mission and accomplishments.
Dwayne Shaw gave a very good PowerPoint presentation of the CHAMP project on the Narraguagus River in Cherryfield. This technology is very helpful in seeing these areas. We must thank Torrey Sheafe for technical assistance in the use of PowerPoint for this digital enhanced photographic presentation. Dwayne went into the details of the CHAMP project and the benefit to protecting the Atlantic salmon habitat in the project area and that the time line for this project will be several years. This is a collaborative effort between the Town of Cherryfield the landowners and the Narraguagus River Watershed Council. The Council deserves a lot of credit for this effort and Dwayne is coordinating this under his contract. He discussed the various phases and questions followed. Good presentation.