Meeting was called to order by the Co-Chairs, Phil Monson (Minnesota) and Diane Moore (Wisconsin). The gathering began with presentation of the 1999 Environmental Stewardship Awards, which are given to acknowledge efforts to preserve and protect the environment of the St. Louis River watershed (including the Nemadji River) in Duluth, Superior and Cloquet.

Awards given:

• Sally Gibson Award for an Individual - John Pegors.
• Milton E. Pelletier Award for an Organization/Club - Park Point Community Club for mapping Park Point shoreline, restoration of sand dunes and construction of Southworth Marsh, a wetland to honor Myra Southworth, a teacher and photographer.
• Randy Marshall Award for Business/Industry - Ogston's Body and Paint.
• School/Institution Award - Lincoln Park School for enhancement of Lincoln Park, stream studies and monitoring of Miller Creek, and murals painted on the school walls integrating art and science.
• Government/Agency Award - 148th Fighter Wing for planting and maintaining trees on Miller Creek, as well as cutting down weeds.
• Media Award - Joan Farnam of the Duluth Budgeteer for the articles written about mercury levels in the St. Louis River, and the CAC.
• Special Recognition Award - Mike Payton, former editor of the Superior Daily Telegram, who was given a posthumous award for his editorials in support of preserving the Superior Municipal Forest.

Award recipients responded with information about the project each one had worked on, and told of plans to continue with environmental stewardship efforts.

Meeting opened with members present introducing themselves. Minutes of the October 27, 1999, meeting of Board of Directors were accepted as mailed.

Results of election of Board members (Howard McCormick and Dorothy Anway, Judges):

• Keith Hanson, Tom Lochner, Bill Majewski, J. Howard McCormick, out-going Board members running for another term, were all elected.
• Dan Romans, representing City of Superior, (to complete the term of Board member Paul King who previously represented City of Superior) was elected.
• Kathryn Fuller, Willard Munger, Jr., Barb Peichel, Dana Slade, Bill Andersen, new candidates running for the Board, were all elected.
• Pat Collins, MN DNR, will not serve on the Board because of conflict of interest.
• Wisconsin Co-Chair, Diane Moore, elected for two-year term. (Phil Monson, Minnesota Co-Chair, will serve for another year),
• Nan Stokes was elected Secretary of the Executive Committee for a two-year term.
• Carl Richards was elected Treasurer of the Executive Committee for a one-year term.
• Jack Ezell, Bill Majewski, J. Howard McCormick, citizens, were elected to the Executive Committee; terms will be staggered and term limits will be decided by Executive Committee. Dan Romans was elected to the Executive Committee representing the City of Superior. Will Munger, Jr., citizen, will be added to the Executive Committee distribution list and receive special encouragement to attend.
• Jack Ezell, Harvey Hoven, Carl Richards, were elected to Finance/Audit Committee, each for a one-year term.

FY99 Budget Summary was distributed. There were questions about expenditures for equipment. Some equipment money was expiring grant money. The Executive Committee had okayed equipment purchases.

FY2000 Budget was distributed and discussed. TMDL is creating its own board and has hired a contractor. Printing costs have increased. In 2000, three major publications will be out. FY2000 will get more money and spend more money, including funds for office help. Moved, Seconded and Passed to accept FY2000 budget. An updated budget will be sent to all Board members.

Phil Monson, Minnesota Co-Chair, announced that everyone can come to Executive Committee meetings, which are held the second Wednesday of each month at 3:00 p.m., Room 307 DeWitt Seitz building. If there is a larger crowd than that room can accommodate, the meeting will be moved to a larger area. Board of Directors meets on the 4th Wednesday of January, March, May and October in the evening.

Project Report (Karen Plass, Executive Director):

• Historic Land Use Project (MPCA): Final report included CD and maps of historic use of harbor lands.
• Watershed Guardian Project (Cargill): Project is concluded, but some schools will continue with stream monitoring. There is another grant for Watershed Monitoring.
• Habitat Plan (EPA, MN DNR, Nature Conservancy): Mapping the basin prior to restoring habitat; refining direction of the contract.
• TMDL (Total Maximum Daily Load for mercury): Regulatory process for watershed. Currently assembling a Board of Directors; plans to submit grant request to LCMR; Howard McCormick is our representative to TMDL Board.

CAC Executive Board needs to think about grant opportunities; need a granting or fund-raising committee.

Discussion about mercury pollution followed the business meeting. Points included:

• Does CAC need to comment on zero discharge of mercury into Lake Superior, especially in regard to plans for direct reduction of iron ore at Northshore Mining in Silver Bay?
• McCormick went to IJC meeting in Milwaukee last fall and heard information about mercury from fish consumption and its effect on newborns.
• There are advisories in St. Louis Bay about mercury in fish.
• Airborne mercury is ubiquitous pollutant.

Discussion about Stryker Bay clean-up: Peer review by late February. Trying to arrive at a compromise between responsible parties.

Board members were asked to watch for announcement about a spring clean-up along the St. Louis River. There will also probably be another canoe trip. Introductory canoe classes are being held at Community Schools on Tuesday nights with Jerry Blazevic.

Karen Plass thanked the Co-Chairs and the Stewardship Committee for their help in preparing for this meeting.

Meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.

Nan Stokes, Secretary