ALLAGASH WILDERNESS WATERWAY ADVISORY COUNCIL

DRAFT MINUTES, MEETING OF MAY 21, 2008

The Allagash Wilderness Waterway Advisory Council met pursuant to notice on Wednesday, May 21, 2008, 9:00 a.m., at the Black Bear Motor Inn, Orono, Maine.

Advisory Council Members Present:

Don Cyr, Anthony Horihan, Don Hudson, Bob McIntosh, Janet McMahon, Don Nicoll, Dick Walters

Bureau of Parks and Lands Staff

Will Harris, Tim Hall, Tom Morrison, Melissa Macaluso

Others Present

Rick Denico, Paul Johnson, John Rush

Opening Session

The Chair Don Nicoll, called the meeting to order and invited members of the council, Bureau staff members and members of the public to introduce themselves. He than gave a brief overview of the meeting objectives.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting

The minutes of the February 15, 2008 meeting were accepted with an amendment to Dick Walthers' statement during the discussion of strategic issues. That paragraph is corrected to read:

"Dick: fisheries management, problem of invasive species; he referenced the Governor's Working Group draft mission statement, noting that he favored incorporating the language: 'enhance the maximum wilderness character' of the Waterway."

Directors Report

Will Harris gave a of the proposed reduction in AWW staff that was vigorously debated by the legislative oversight committee. The outcome was that the committee voted not to recommend the reduction but raised the camping fees for non-residents by $5/night. This was contained in the final budget recently passed by the full Legislature. The decision of Judge Woodcock regarding the lawsuit filed by Mr. Fitzgerald has been appealed to the First Circuit Court of Appeals. This will likely be a fairly lengthy process with no decision expected until next fall or winter. We are still anticipating the actual start-up of construction to replace Henderson Bridge to begin later this summer.

Bridges and Dams

The Bureau is monitoring the spring runoff situation closely from the record amount of snowfall this winter. The AWW Manager has opened the gates at Telos and Churchill dams to begin drawing down the lakes so that they can handle the extra water from the spring runoff. We are also concerned with the effect of the runoff, especially ice, on Henderson Bridge. May update – There was significant flooding along the Allagash from the spring rainstorm at the end of April. Many of the roads accessing the AWW are now impassable and will need significant reconstruction. None of the Dams was washed out, but there was water over the road at Churchill Dam as well as water running around the ends of Lock Dam. Neither of these dams appears to be in jeopardy at this time. The bridge at Umsaskis as well as the approach road were under water. Initially the bridge looks sound but the roadway will need significant fill to make it passable. At Henderson Bridge the north abutment and the road leading from it were considerably washed out. At this time we do not feel that the bridge is safe for heavy truck traffic and are posting it until repairs can be made. Our intention remains that the bridge will be rebuilt this summer, but we will have to have the current structure sufficiently strong to support cranes and other heavy equipment which will be used to build the new bridge. Several of the campsites on the Waterway were also affected by the flood and we will have to wait until the water recedes to assess how much work may be needed to repair them.

Subcommittee Update’s

Ecological

Janet reviewed the issues and work plan discussed on issues, the committee discussed in depth broad issues and recommended a GIS map be prepared of the ecological features with funding potential coming from the AWW Management Plan. The council spoke about the issues associate with mapping private landowners who would prefer data to remain private. Don suggested meeting with landowners to explain what council is looking to do.

Janet and Dick W stated maps could be prepared with existing data. Anthony will prepare draft map containing existing information and coordinate with landowners if more information is needed. Mapping would have to go through BPL for public info.

Recreation

Don H reviewed the issues and work plan discussed on recreation which included carrying capacity, controlled water flow levels and infrastructure required to maintain. Don N noted that ecology and recreation carrying capacity and dam management are areas that overlap and posed the question of what information does the council need to discuss the policy issues in each area. The committee will work with bureau and others to obtain information. Don H stated the overall dam management is central to the nature of the waterway. Janet suggested a request of lake level information from Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and a timetable for dam management including replacement. Don N suggested having a short paper on the hydrology that lays out the problems and impacts for review and debate at the next meeting. Jaime mentioned that the Army Corp of Engineers can study and review the dam issue. Carrying capacity is also a issue in determining to what degree the infrastructure should be built and maintained to be protective and provide maximum wilderness experience. Jaime stated there had been a week long trip taken with waterway staff and an expert form the National Park Service with comments made about the trip and information gathered on the trip would be useful. The reports will be posted on the website and emailed.

Historical Sites

DON C gave a history of the historical register. Henry Taylor camps are being redone and Moir Farm is in bad shape. Focus on logging history and developing into an information center and program and how to get the information in a booklet and website. Beauty of the website easy to maintain, keeping museum is difficult. Challenge is to present information in a way relative and consistent to wilderness experience. Archeology has to be kept confidential don’t want to attract treasure hunters. Tom Morrison asked what is in archives? Exploring museums to create exhibit for visitors and should have to be in Allagash and that kind of an effort could be a great thing. Tom M noted that the State Museum in Augusta also has pieces and equipment. Don N said aful tour of museums could feature different aspects of the waterway, Don H discussed removal of structures. Tom Desjardin will be asked to join at a meeting in the future.

Draft Mission Statement

Members discussed the need to justify and explain rational for changing the mission statement of the waterway and how to incorporate what was intended by the original legislation. The discussion examined the term wilderness and how it applies to users and workers to allow opportunity of wilderness in a working waterway and protect ecological and historical aspects by working with the users to ensure protection with cooporation between stakeholders and provide recreational experiences. Don N proposed to redraft the mission statement by each person writing down the essence of how we got here and what we feel about the mission and purpose of the waterway. Meet in June discuss the interface between the ecology and recreation aspect and key assumptions.

Public Comments

Rick Denico

Briefed the Council on maintenance issues of the dams year round operations. More work with the dams and build part of the road timber harvest on public lot adjacent to waterway and repaired. Is that a situation now the time to combine projects repair road or to allow lock dam and type of equipment. Lands division activity presents opportunity to not have to mobilize equipotent for a separate project and what you do and where. Allagash Manager should be attending the meetings. {THIS NEEDS TO REVIEWED WITH THE RECORDING}

Paul Johnson

Emphasized the importance of dams for flood, fisheries management and recreational use. Agreed that the manager should be present at the meetings and the council is to be working directly.

John Rush

Recreation form a practical stand point must have minimal facilities provided as well as separating cells at campsites would be helpful. State website to offer more information about times to visit and promote use. Mission Statement is helpful but could set us back.

Schedule

Assignments to get back together and advise to look at mission and get information from both the dams and try to get things in shape before the next meeting and papers to review.

June 20^th meeting in Augusta

August ( Tentative dates of August 11^th -13^th ) meet at Violette Camps for Allagash retreat, get back to Don N with best dates.