Off Campus Event: New Meadows Watershed Partnership Spring Public Forum: Wed. May 3

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New Meadows Watershed Partnership Spring Public Forum
May 3, 2017 9:00am-1:00pm
West Bath Seaside Grange

Aquaculture in the New Meadows – What’s happening? Why here? What’s next?

9:00 Registration (Victoria Boundy, CBEP)

9:30-9:45 Welcome, overview of the agenda, summary of community interviews & introductions (Alicia Heyburn, New Meadows Watershed Partnership)

20 minute presentations, followed by 10 min Q&A

9:45-10:15 Aquaculture in Maine – Where is it now, where is it headed, what is happening on the New Meadows? (Dana Morse, Maine Sea Grant)

10:15-10:45 Research – Introduction to Sustainable Ecological Aquaculture Network – SEANET.
(Paul Anderson, Director, Sea Grant & Aquaculture Research Institute)

10:45-11:15 Location & Monitoring Conditions – What makes the New Meadows well suited to aquaculture? How can New Meadows communities benefit from SEANET?  What is the carrying capacity of the NM? What can we learn from the Damariscotta? What proactive planning can be done to ensure that optimal conditions are maintained?
(Damian Brady, Professor of Marine Sciences at Darling Marine Center)

11:15-11:45 Discussion of What’s Next – Opportunities for collaboration and data sharing. How do quahog/other wild harvests and oysters/aquacultre coexist? Vibrio? How do New Meadows Lakes impact downstream water quality? Opportunities for public participation in lease decisions.
(moderated by Jon Lewis, Aquaculture Program Lead, Maine Dept. Marine Resources,)

CONCLUSION of PRESENTATIONS

Working Lunch: Turning Knowledge into Action

12:00-1:00 CHOWDER LUNCH DOWNSTAIRS @ grange for those who have been engaged in the NMWP, or are interested in becoming involved. Tables arranged by topic.

12:00-12:10 Get food, table introductions

12:10 Discussion guidelines (Alicia) Timekeeper (Victoria)

12:15-12:45 Table Discussions

Facilitator guides discussion on objectives from the 2008 NMWP Action Plan and how to prioritize, brainstorming players/partners/next steps for action items. Scribe keeps parking lot lists of new ideas, indicates priorities. Identify a reporter.

12:45-1:00 Reporting 3 min each table
Top two priorities for action & why

1:00 Forum Concludes

TABLE TOPICS

Objective 1: Eliminate pollution, and prevent future water quality issues (OBD, NPS, setbacks)

  • Facilitator – HEATHER TRUE, CCSWCD
  • Scribe – West Bath, Selectman Hennessey

Objective 2: Improve Marine Resource Harvesting (wild harvest, aquaculture, water access)

  • Facilitator – DAN DEVERAUX, Brunswick Marine Patrol
  • Scribe – KELT, Ruth Indrick

Objective 3: Conduct Research and Monitoring

  • Facilitator – Mike Doan, FOCB
  • Scribe – Bowdoin College, Collin Roesler

Objective 4: Expand Climate Resiliency & Habitat Protection

  • Facilitator –  Mary Ann Nahf, Harpswell ConCom
  • Scribe –  BTLT, Margaret Gerber

Objective 5:  Explore Tidal Restriction Restoration (research, impacts, decision making process)

  • Facilitator – MATT CRAIG, CBEP
  • Scribe – tbd

Objective 6: Broaden Municipal Engagement and Community Outreach

  • Facilitator – Julia McLeod, HHLT
  • Scribe – Phippsburg, Lynda Doughty