Ted Smith called the meeting to order and introduced the guest speaker, Cathy Techtmann from UW-Extension.

A String of Pearls: Wisconsin’s Estuaries Along Lake Superior
Cathy Techtmann introduced the video she helped make about the freshwater estuaries along the South Shore of Lake Superior. The video highlighted specific rivers that flow into Lake Superior, covering the span from the Chequamegon Bay area to the St. Louis River. In addition to educating people at the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center, this video underscores the need for a National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) designation for estuaries along the South Shore.

After the video, Cathy Techtmann gave an update on the NERR project. The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) manages the NERR system, though site selection and designation can take 4-6 years. A site with a NERR designation provides a special place for scientists to conduct research; for educators to share information with the public; and for concerned citizens and land managers to address coastal resource management issues. Presently only one freshwater estuary has a NERR designation, and NOAA supports a NERR site within the Lake Superior bioregion. NOAA received a letter from Governor Doyle supporting a feasibility study of Wisconsin's entire Lake Superior shoreline, and NOAA will begin the designation process once staff and funding are available.

Business Meeting:
Minutes of the March 23, 2005 meeting were approved as distributed.

Update on the SLRIDT remediation – Lisa Neitzel:
* The capping of Slip 7 is a success, with consistent coverage throughout the capping area.
* The consolidation of the Hallett Dock is featured in an article in the Duluth Seaway Port Authority magazine. To see the article, go to www.slridt.com and click on "Latest Happenings."
* For 2005, the MPCA will approve Interlake’s design requirements and permit information. The next community workgroup is scheduled for June 15th, 2005, 6:30 – 8:30 pm, Evergreen Senior Center, 5830 Grand Avenue, Duluth.
* In 2006, the soft soils at the end of Slip 6 will be dredged and construction of the end dike in Slip 6 will take place for the containment of contaminated sediments.

Habitat Workgroup – Rick Gitar:
* Meetings are taking place every other month; one took place in March and one in May.
* The workgroup is partnering with the DNR to redistribute material on a wing dam on the St. Louis River. It will have a stair-step formation good for fish egg-laying habitat. They are also harvesting seeds near McGregor to restore wild rice beds on the lower St. Louis River. Carp/crayfish exclosures will prevent wild rice predation.
* Sturgeon in the St. Louis River are coming to reproductive maturity, and there is hope for a spawning population.

Stewardship Workgroup – Lynelle Hanson:
* A canoe tour focusing on wild rice restoration and edible plants along the St. Louis River will take place on September 10th.

Financial Workgroup – Ted Smith:
* The good news: through Lynelle’s careful management and a couple of funding sources, SLRCAC will be able to operate until a federal grant starts in October. To stay operational, however, SLRCAC is spending down its cash reserves, which creates a difficult situation. Ted stressed the importance of participation from members on how to make SLRCAC a more viable long-term organization.
* Raising membership dues: the proposal is to raise the $10 per year individual membership to $25/year. This increase will bring the SLRCAC in line with other local groups and show our financial contributors that we are trying to be fiscally responsible. The executive committee has endorsed the increased membership dues, but they require approval by the Board of Directors. This will be on the agenda at the next quarterly meeting.

Director’s Report
* A special meeting will take place on June 15th, from 3-5pm in the 3rd floor conference room in the DeWitt-Seitz Building. SLRCAC can be classified as a non-profit organization/small business, and to continue its operations it needs an assessment of its strengths so it can maximize upon them. The Rivers Alliance of Wisconsin will act as a facilitator during this assessment. Board members will put a team together to hire a consultant to come up with a business plan. Contact the office by June 1st for a Board survey and other information on the upcoming assessment. Twenty-five Board members will receive a survey and a follow-up call.
*Lynelle got word that "big cahunas" from the EPA might want an AOC tour of the St. Louis River. Such recognition underscores the need for SLRCAC to stay in operation.
*Lynelle thanked Dwight Morrison for scheduling a habitat presentation and getting out the word about the habitat plan to neighborhood groups.
*Radio campaign: 3 people in the room had heard the radio spots, which tend to play in the evening.
*Anyone interested in contaminated sediments should contact Lynelle. They would work with the Fish and Wildlife Survey to look at issues related to contaminated sediments and habitat, because the last step in remediation is restoration of ecological function.
*Hog Island will be remediated this summer.
*Watershed Festival: June 4th from 10 – 3pm in the K-Mart parking lot in the Miller Hill area of Duluth. Lots of prizes for kids!
*Ten-year anniversary: March 19th, 2006. All the Board members will be brought together for an anniversary event. Donations are welcome.

Other
At the next meeting, Dwight will discuss assessment of handicap accessibility for trails in the area.

Kari Jacobson Hedin, sitting in for Diane Thompson, secretary