Minutes
Project S.H.A.R.E.
Whitneyville Community Center
Whitneyville, Maine
October 13, 2005
I. Introductions/Anti-Trust
Chairman Brooks called the meeting to order at 9:35 A.M. and
welcomed the 15 people in attendance to the 69th meeting of Project S.H.A.R.E.
After the general introductions, Chairman Brooks read the Anti-Trust guidelines.
II. Past Minutes
There was a motion by Gary Donovan, second by Matt Scott, to
accept the minutes as presented. Motion carried.
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 including: 2005 restoration activity, the White House Conference
on Cooperative Conservation, and the arch culvert workshop.
Carl Burger presented the American Fisheries Society Conservation Award
to the members. He described the background and purpose of the award and
read the nomination letter that described SHARE.
V. Standing Committee Reports
Research and Management Committee-Dan Kircheis reported. The George Mitchell Center supports the liming project.
However a problem exists due to no historic record of water quality, yet we know acid rain exists. The legislature required
demonstrating that downeast water quality has changed. In addition after 5 years we need to demonstrate salmon have benefited.
The stream side study did not demonstrate impact to smolts on the Dennys, Evidence on the Pleasant and W. Narraguagus does exists.
The Dennys liming project currently is on hold.
VI. Watershed Council Reports
Machias/E. Machias – Bill Cherry reported on
the Forestry Tour with stops at Guptile Logging, the Biomass Plant, and Maine
Forest Service. Restoration activity included assisting SHARE and the District
on GMO, DOC, and Wagner lands. He also assisted Washington Academy with riparian
planting projects.
Dennys – Sheila Huckins reported on water quality monitoring
and outreach activities on the Dennys River. She is working with the Cobscook
Bay Learning Center on outreach activities.
Narraguagus/Pleasant – The dedication of the cable pool memorial was
successful with many local residence attending
VII. Other Reports
- DSF – Funding raising for the Great Falls project has been completed. Dwayne Shaw recently went to Washington to
testify in Congressional hearings on the ESA. The education program continues to be going strong. It is well received in local schools.
- Sheepcot – The comprehensive plan is nearly complete. The Palermo restoration project is in the permitting stage. Coopers
Mills project is also underway and in the initial information gathering stage.
- WCSWCD – Nate Pennell reported that the 2005 WFAP project on Old Stream is nearing completion. The Northern Stream
project has been completed. Lime is being applied to District projects at an application rate of 2 tons/acre. The Sustainable irrigation
project is nearing completion. A new funding request has been approved as submitted. Local fishermen are focusing on some areas of DPS
rivers to actively fish for bass and other predators. The District is working with the wildlife group supporting a planting workshop at
Washington Academy.
- DEP – 12 years of water quality data on the Sheepscot River are being reviewed. Mark Whiting is also reviewing WQ data
on all of the DPS rivers. The George Mitchell Center has completed the Atlantic Salmon Commission WQ survey report. An issue exists as
to whether or not the extent that the downeast rivers are naturally acidic.
- ASC – There have been some aquaculture escapes (20,000 + 13,000) due to vandalism. Nets are being cut. Fish have been
reported in Canadian rivers and the Dennys River (8). Most are reported not sexually mature.
VIII. Guest Speaker
Matt Scott and Bill Reid reported the results of their crawfish survey on the Dennys River. The project is part of the
background monitoring for the liming project. One species has been located in the Dennys. They will be issuing a final report to the
Acidification Working Group.
There being no other business, the meeting adjourned at 12:05
PM.
The next meeting is December 8, 2005 at the Hillgrove Community
Center.
back to archives
