Minutes
Project S.H.A.R.E.
Community Building
Columbia Falls, Maine
October 7, 1999
I. Introductions/Anti-Trust
Chairman Donovan called the meeting to order at 9:45 A.M. and welcomed a good
attendance of 37 people to the thirty-third meeting of Project SHARE. After
a round of introductions, he asked Vice Chairman Bob Chandler to read the anti-trust
provisions to be observed during the meeting and further asked everyone to sign
the attendance sheet. Gary mentioned the field tour to take place after lunch.
II. Past Minutes
Executive Secretary, Matt Scott asked the membership if there were any errors
or omissions to the August 4, 1999 minutes, mailed to the membership. Nate Pennell
noted two corrections with comments. One, under IX that a correction be made
that Vaughn Raser is from the Heart Of Maine RC&D, not just Penobscot County
RC&D. Second, He took issue with the statement by Chairman Donovan under
item VI and the letter that went out to the GLSGA from Project SHARE and asked
that the issue be re-addressed with all stakeholders again involved for a decision.
After a lengthy presentation of opinions by Nate and his request to readdress
the issue, the minutes were approved as amended. Nate will prepare a written
response for the Steering Committee to readdress
III. Treasurer Report
Gary Donovan gave a summary of the Treasurer report prepared by Ed Hennessey
covering a period from August 2,1999, to October 2, 1999. The beginning balance
for the period was $44,062.13, with debits of $16,927.20 and credits of $15,196.25,
leaving an ending balance of $42,331.18. The Treasurer report was accepted and
approved, as submitted.
IV. Funding Initiatives
Jed Wright, USF&WS was not present and Matt Scott discussed the 319 grant
for the Dennys River that hopefully will be approved by the DEP very soon.
V. Atlantic Salmon Conservation Plan Update/ASC
Fred Kircheis Acting Executive Director gave us an up-date of his new position
and status with the combination of the Plan and Atlantic salmon management.
Fred is a candidate for the position, which will be filled as soon as the public
member at large is appointed. Fred brought everyone up to date on the weirs
and his view of some of the issues the new Commission will be faced with. He
will be appointing an advisory panel very soon of people representing each Atlantic
salmon river in Maine. Fred also gave us a biosketch of his 30 years of work
in Maine as a Fisheries Biologist. Fred has been directed by the Commission
to hold public hearings for statewide closure of Atlantic salmon angling. Questions
were asked of Fred following his comments.
VI. Steering Committee Report
Gary Donovan highlighted the Bangor meeting held on September 1. Discussions
were made over the concern of the ASCP and the new ASC. An action item was a
letter be sent to Commissioner Perry asking that the current contract be continued
for the Watershed Council Coordinator and the Americorp position through Project
SHARE. A copy of this letter was circulated to the membership. The amount was
for $63,952 to be awarded to Project SHARE. The meeting of today was discussed
and the award presentations were organized. Reports of the three Standing Committees
were made to the steering Committee.
VII. Executive Secretary Report
Matt gave a briefing of the usual number of meetings and his establishing a
good working relationship with Fred Kircheis, especially for the watershed councils.
His meetings at the various Council meetings lately has been lacking but Matt
has been attending to his health issue and will be going to MMC on Friday morning
October 8th for surgery and hopefully a cure.
VIII. Standing Committee Reports
Education Committee: Mike Hill reported on the NMFS contract and the watershed
council manual, as well as the Education Committee meetings for future workshops.
He reported on the beaver dam removal program with the inmates from the Downeast
Correctional Facility in removing 52 dams mostly on the Machias River.
Management Committee: Gregg Horton, is resigning and Norm Dube has been asked to take over the duties as Management Committee chair. This position is an appointment by Chairman Donovan under the current by-laws.
Research Committee: Bud Brown was not present and therefore no report. Matt stated that Bob Chase has expressed an interest in becoming Chairman if Bud does not have the time. Bud will be at the next Project SHARE meeting, Airline Snack Bar.
IX. Project Updates
Watershed Councils Representative
Kim Erskine has resigned as the watershed representative and under the SHARE
by-laws the Coalition selects their representative. Dwayne is bringing this
item to the table at the next Coalition meeting and hopefully we will have a
new person by the next SHARE meeting.
Watershed Councils Coordinator
Dwayne Shaw reported on the Centers end of the year activities with handouts.
He also announced Erin Burke as the new AmeriCorps person who is finishing up
her senior year at UMM. She is in the process of getting oriented into the WSRC
and the Councils activities.
DSF/WSRC/PRH
Dwayne gave several reports of the various activities, of the three groups including
Rep. Eddie Dugay's mitigation proposal for the Machias Fairgrounds issue which
sounds like a very good project. The schools are still included in the educational
activities of the Center. Torrey gave a briefing of the 319 project.
X Congressional Delegation: No report.
XI Legislators: No report.
XII. Program
Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline UPDATE by Pam Cahill, Community Relations
Representative. Pam gave us a very good slide presentation and an exceptional
educational view in detail of the whole project that will be completed on time,
in November 1999. She had Gus McLachlan, Environmental Manager with her who
participated in the discussions. They both have met with us in the past. A very
impressive project for 214 miles of gas pipeline from Nova Scotia through Maine
and into New Hampshire. We had a number of questions and we were well informed
of the project. Special concern was with the river crossings downeast, the wetlands
and welding safety but due to the dry year there were very few problems and
a perfect year to do the job. Gus and Pam also emphasized the help they appreciated
and got from all the public and private agencies involved. We gave them a big
round of applause.
Corporate Member Presentations: Bucky Owen gave us the background and handled this for us to recognize the contributors through Project SHARE to the WSRC. We honored the contributors with certificates of appreciation as follows:
Pam Cahill and Gus McLachlan for Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline
Ragnar Kamp for Cherryfield Foods
Ed Hennessey for Machias Savings Bank
Bob Chandler for Georgia Pacific Corporation
Bud Delano for Champion International Corporation
George Herrick for Eastern Maine Conservation Initiative a non
corporate contributor was recognized by Dwayne Shaw
Non-governmental sponsor presentation to Project SHARE: Matt Scott, Gary Donovan
and Bucky Owen on behalf of SHARE received the certificate.
XIII. Other Business
Nate Pennell reported on the irrigation workshop to be a success and the next
workshop is on permitting, November 18th. Also the filed trip was announced
again following lunch. Matt asked the United Methodist Women to come forward
for introductions and a round of applause was given to all.
Meeting adjourned at 12:15. Next meeting is December 2, 1999 at the Airline Snack Bar.