Meeting was held in Secondary Technical Center on Central High School campus and called to order by Minnesota Co-Chair Phil Monson.

The gathering began with presentation of the 2001 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.

Phil introduced Jack Ezell, Chair of the Stewardship Workgroup, who explained the awards and talked about the role of the Citizens Action Committee. Nominators introduced the award recipients and told why they had been nominated.

Awards given:
• Sally Gibson Award for an Individual -- Zak Tollefson in appreciation for clean-up efforts at the St. Louis River overlooks on Highway 23.
• School/Institution Award -- Cooper Elementary School/Judith Hack for pollution prevention education programs and storm drain stenciling.
• Education Award -- Andrew Slade for leadership in helping teachers and students understand and care about the St. Louis River watershed.
• Milton E. Pelletier Award for Organization/Club -- Duluth Central High School Science Club in appreciation for efforts to support environmental responsibility in the watershed.
• Media Award -- Barbara Reyelts/KBJR Special Report to inform the region about mercury in the environment.
• Randy Marshall Award for Business/Industry -- Jerry Fryberger in appreciation for work representing industry in promoting stewardship of the St. Louis River.
• Willard Munger, Sr. Award for Government/Agency -- City of Superior for leadership in mercury reduction activities in the St. Louis River watershed.
• Special Recognition Award -- Jerome Blazevic for the amazing amount of time and energy given to the St. Louis River watershed.

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

Board of Directors Meeting:

Minutes of the October 24, 2001 Quarterly Board of Directors meeting were approved as mailed and e-mailed.

Ballots for the election were distributed.
Results of the election:
• Kamal Alsharif, Dorothy Anway, David Conley, Tom Fait, Kevin Kangas, Kathryn McKenzie, Philip Monson, Diane Moore, Nan Stokes, out-going Board members running for another 3-year term, were all elected.
• Gail Gilliland, Richard Gitar, Kinnan Stauber, Diane Thompson, new candidates for CAC Board (3-year term) were all elected.
•Wisconsin Co-Chair Diane Moore elected for 2-year term.
• Diane Thompson was elected for a 2-year term as Secretary to the CAC Executive Committee.
• Kathryn Fuller was elected for 1-year term as Treasurer.
• Jack Ezell was elected to the CAC Executive Committee for a 3-year term.
• Jack Ezell, Kathryn Fuller and Carl Richards were elected to the Finance/Audit Committee for a 1-year term.

Discussion held about modifying the CAC logo. J. Howard McCormick spoke in favor of including a water vessel (ore boat or ship) on the logo. Any change to the logo would require funding. Members present voted on the ballot and did not approve a change.

Financial Report:
• 2002 Proposed Budget was mailed with the notice of this meeting.
• There have been changes in the funding sources; monies have come from the Wisconsin DNR.
• Printing costs are increased in 2002 because a second edition of the canoe guide will be printed.
• Overhead is approximately 37% of costs.
• At present time, 95% of project money goes to that project.
• Moved, Seconded, Passed to accept 2002 Proposed Budget as presented.

Workgroup Updates:
• Stewardship Workgroup (Jack Ezell): planning for a clean-up in the spring and canoe trip in August. Anyone interested in being on this workgroup is asked to sign up.
• Habitat Workgroup (Pat Collins): Broad geographic approach to improve habitat: Plan is proactive, exclusive, specific with estuary guide, management objectives and obtainable conservation. Includes: 1) detailed analysis of existing information e.g. map of fishery habitat; 2) assessment of specific threats and analysis of ways to deal with stresses and threats; 3) identification of improvements. Draft document will be ready for review in a few weeks.
• Newsletter Workgroup (Phil Monson): Second edition of the newsletter will be out in the spring; Phil is working with Lynelle Hanson at CAC office, and Karen at UMD.

TMDL -- Howard McCormick asked interested people to sign up for the TMDL committee. The committee will be working on Total Maximum Daily Load for mercury.

Lynelle Hanson announced that special activities on the St. Louis River are being planned for members. Sign-up sheets are available at the registration desk. Number of attendees will be limited, so sign up soon.
Activities are:
• February 28, 2002 at 10:00 am skiing on the St. Louis River.
• May 16, 2002 at 6:20 am birding on the St. Louis River
• June 1, 2002 at 7:30 am Wisconsin free-fishing day with Dennis Pratt. Walleyes guaranteed!
• Fall: Geology of the St. Louis River at Jay Cooke Park with Nancy Nelson; time to be announced.

Lynelle Hanson thanked Jessica Hirsch, her assistant, for all her work at the CAC office and for this meeting.

There was a special gift presentation to Nan Stokes who has served as secretary to the CAC Executive Committee.

Nan Stokes, Secretary