Conservation

St George River Management Work-Plan

Conclusions and Recommendations

These conclusions and recommendations are drawn from the work of the Georges River Chapter of Trout Unlimited on the St. George River from 2005-2010. For the last 5 years the chapter has gathered information about the health of the river, watershed, fishery and its fish from a variety of sources. These include, but are not limited to:

1) Scientific collection of water quality data by trained workers, including water temperature, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, Ph, and e-coliform bacteria

2) Engagement of a Maine fish biologist, Mark Whiting

3) Work with employees of Maine DIF&W

4) Literature search

5) Direct observations of volunteer members of the chapter

6) Information gathered from fishermen on the river

For 4 years the chapter paid a part- time coordinator to gather, organize and analyze this data. The chapter discussed this information during its meetings in January and February, 2011, and reached the following conclusions and recommendations.

1. Conclusions:

a. The St George River is a wonderful treasure of a river along its entire 35-mile length from its headwaters in Liberty to the tidal, salt water influence at Payson Park in Warren. The river flows through 5 ponds and lakes and 7 different towns on its way to the sea. It and its watershed are an important environmental influence on the region.

b. The St George has a long history of importance as a fishery, recreation site, means of transportation and livelihood and has a significant economic impact on the midcoast region of Maine.

c. The river suffers from periods of high water temperatures and low flows that can produce lethal conditions for trout. This appears to occur once every 3-4 years, usually during July or August. Trout can survive these conditions if they can access thermal refuges like spring holes, cooler brooks and deep sections of the ponds and lakes. However, this is not always possible.

d. The growing population in the St George watershed and certain practices of the people who live or visit the area can have deleterious impact on the river and its fish. Examples of this include: improper installation of culverts; water runoff from roads; cutting trees within the riparian zone of the river and its tributaries; improper use of chemicals; broken septic systems. Most of these problems are caused by a lack of understanding of the unintended consequences of these practices and occasional abuse.

e. Trout can co-exist with bass and other warm water species , but the recent illegal introduction of predator species like pike could have catastrophic impact on the fishery.

f. The watershed is a large complex eco-system, and preserving and enhancing it requires the active involvement and cooperation of land owners and organizations like Trout Unlimited, Maine DIF&W, Atlantic Salmon Federation (ASF), the Georges River Land Trust (GRLT), the Tidewater Association, Coastal Mountain Land Trust, towns, other state regulators and local concerned citizens.

2. Recommendations to preserve and enhance the river, the watershed and the fishery

a. Create temperature refuges in the river and ensure fish have access to them. This should include:

i. Complete the Jam Black Brook project that replaces an over-hanging culvert which currently prevents fish from traveling between the river and a main spawning area of small brooks.

ii. Ensure the colder water of Jam Black Brook has clear access to the river

iii. Check all tributaries for unimpeded access to the river. Address as appropriate.

iv. Offer to help purchase and plant trees for shade and canopy along the river.

v. Consider installing overhead covers in key areas.

vi. Help landowners understand the value of trees and other canopy along the riparian zone

b. Help landowners, farmers, town and state officials, road departments and others understand the key issues that affect the watershed. Maintaining a positive, constructive, helpful attitude will help address issues such as:

i. Stream buffers and erosion prevention

ii. Proper installation and maintenance of culverts

iii. DEP regulations

c. Research the pros and cons of advocating for a switch from brown trout to rainbow trout, which appear to be more heat tolerant and willing to travel further to seek cooler water.

d. Promote practices with fishermen and boaters that will prevent invasive plant species such as milfoil and didymo (rock snot) from getting into the river. DIF&W has signs that could be put up at the most common access points.

e. Continue to be an active partner with GRLT and others in an effective watershed coalition.

f. Hold a major fundraising event in the summer of 2011, to help support this work.

g. Continue to make this work a key focus of the Georges River chapter, including continued funding of a river coordinator, volunteer work parties and possible creation of a river management committee of the chapter.

Dear Council Chairs and Chapter Presidents,

The National Leadership Council was asked to conduct a survey regarding chapters or councils stocking non-native, hatchery trout in streams containing populations of native trout. At the Annual Meeting in Bend, Ore, the NLC discussed this, and the following resolutions were passed by the NLC, the Organizational Development Committee of the Board and the Board of Trustees. Hence, these resolutions affirm that it is TU policy that all chapters and councils are not to participate in the stocking of non-native trout in streams that contain native trout species (e.g. hatchery brown trout in streams with native brook trout).

The resolutions:

The National Leadership Council "RESOLVED, that the NLC is opposed to chapters or councils stocking of non-native hatchery trout on top of native trout populations."

The Organizational Development Committee of the Board considered this resolution and unanimously supported the NLC directive that all chapters and councils cannot participate in the stocking of non-native, hatchery trout over native trout.

Finally, the Board of Trustees considered the above resolutions and “RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees of Trout Unlimited fully supports the NLC's directive to chapters and councils that no chapter or council can participate or support the stocking on non-native, hatchery trout in streams containing native trout.”

Thank you for your attention to this important resolution.

Sincerely,

Larry Harris

TU National Stocking Resolution

Goals and key projects-Draft for Discussion October ,2011

The goals of the Chapter for the 2009-2010 year were:

" Remediate the improperly installed culvert for the

" Jam Black Brook, an important spawning tributary

" to the St. George River.

" Undertake production of a St. George River Guide.

" Develop an introduction to fly fishing for young people.

" Continue our work with Project Healing Waters.

" Conduct a habitat survey of Wiley Brook.

" Hold Chapter outings and fishing trips to other rivers.

Potential goals and projects for 2012 and beyond include:

" Complete Jam Black Brook (JBB) culvert project if funding is acquired

" Address stream flow issues between JBB culvert and St George River

" Continue to implement components of St George River management plan

" Monitor Wiley Brook and take action as needed

" Create a didymo education and cleaning station at the rock ramp on the St George River

" Evaluate possible development of a sea-run brown trout fishery in the Payson Park area of the St George River

" Continue to work with GRLT and others on an effective watershed association for the St George River area

" Hold a "one fly " fishing contest

" Hold a banquet