Minutes
Annual
General Meeting
of the
Hunter-Clyde
Watershed Group
The annual general meeting of the
Hunter-Clyde Watershed Group met on April 8, 2008 at 7:30 P.M. at the New
Glasgow Fire Hall.
Those present were: Steve Howatt,
Andrew Lush, Phil Pineau, Mike Willcock,
Libby Larkin, Heather Dingwell, Giena Dingwell
Andrew Lush called the meeting to order and
presented the Agenda for the meeting.
1. Minutes were passed out. Andrew proposed
the minutes be accepted, seconded by Libby.
2. The 2007 Work Day was tree planting behind
Steve Howatt’s, Willie Nicholson’s and Melanie MacNeill’s properties. There were about 200 trees planted
there. Altogether there were 1400 trees planted, 55 brush mats installed and
several beaver dams removed during the summer.
3. The Financial Statement was brought before
the meeting and it showed about $2,000 on hand. $17,000 was received for
programs, and the cost of the programs were about
$16,000.
4. Michael Willcock
has been working since January and presented a draft of the stewardship plan.
Meetings were held in various communities: North Rustico
Lions, Hunter River Lions and New Glasgow Fire Hall and feedback from the
community was incorporated into the stewardship plan. There was work done on a
short term and long term plan. In the short term, it was hoped that nitrate
levels be tested on a continuous basis. 60% of land use is agricultural, but
there are more issues than just farming. There should be more environmental
education in the communities. In the long term, it was hoped to reduce sediment
loading and improve recreational fishing. It was hoped to create a fish
hatchery in the community and restore the fish. It appears as if some
infrastructure is already in place for a hatchery. Basically, we are looking at
things to make a difference in the watershed.
5. Funding applications are in. There should
be one worker funded by Wildlife Conservation Fund; 2 workers by Watershed
Management Fund; 1 summer job under the Canada Summer Jobs program; a Watershed
Technician and Watershed Manager funded by the Watershed Management Fund. Three
people who worked with the watershed last year are not able to come back. The
Canada Summer Jobs program is for those over 16 and in school and the pay is
$8.50 per hour for ten weeks. Workers are covered by Workers Compensation and
are covered with insurance by Cooke Insurance and have to have a one day first-aid
course.
6. Appointment of Officers: President: Philip
Pineau, moved by Libby seconded by Steve; Vice
President - Andrew Lush, moved by Steve seconded by Phil. Secretary - Giena and Heather Dingwell, Clyde
View Girl Friday; Treasurer - Janet Lester.
Members at large from the community groups:
Administrator: Margot Harris; David Blacquiere, Gail Gallant, Fred LeClair,
Nancy Gauthier, Shane McKenna, Dan MacFarlane and Randy Perry.
New Glasgow: Libby Larkin, Chair; John Arenburg, Martin Caird, Dan Viau, Giena Dingwell,
Jim Newson, Carole MacMillan, Betty Cameron and Glady Hunt.
7. Spring Work Day - This will be the first
weekend in June - Bob Bentley and the Sea Cadets usually plant trees. Phil Pineau is going to see about a field near his place - the Huges property. Giena and Heather
suggested the field next to them along the river bank.
8. Work on the
9. The Government watershed initiatives -
Twenty-three groups met and an idea presented by Bruce Raymond to split the
The idea of an alliance - possibly a website
for sharing information and exchanging ideas – was popular. There may be two or
four meetings per year.
10. Phil Pineau
mentioned the workshop on Invasive Species, trees/plants/insects and animals
which he had found quite interesting.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:40 P.M.