2009 MAINE CHAPTER IAT/SIA SPRING MEETING
The Maine Chapter of the International Appalachian Trail/Sentier International des Appalaches held its annual spring meeting at Shin Pond Village, Mt. Chase Plantation, Maine, May 14th through May 16th.
Friday, May 14th: Several members, officers, and through hiker John Stough stopped at the Patten Lumberman’s Museum to view a video presentation of the museum tour before driving on to Shin Pond Village and joining other members and guests. Attitude adjustment and dinner was followed by Will Richard narrating the new PowerPoint presentation on the trail and its history that highlights important events and outstanding features between Baxter Park and Crow Head, Newfoundland-Labrador. The presentation has been enthusiastically received by the recently-formed IAT/SIA Council.
Saturday, May 15th: A full day’s program began with a review of 2008-April 2009 chapter activities by President Dick Anderson (summarized in the minutes below).
Bart DeWolf, who for many years has been the ecologist for Elliotsville Plantation Inc. that own most of the acreage between the East Branch of the Penobscot River and Baxter State Park next described and illustrated his multi-year work with interns inventorying and categorizing ecologically significant areas on the EPI property.
Mark Leathers, Sewall Co. forester now responsible for the management of the EPI lands, briefly described what his on-the-ground activities and liaison responsibilities consist of.
Jenson Bissell, Supervisor of Baxter State Park, presented the salient details of the Park’s Katahdin Lake Plan, which include campsites on the lakeshore, canoe rental, and trail maintenance.
Laura Rose Day, Executive Director of the Penobscot River Restoration Trust, explained the ecological importance of a freer flowing Penobscot and the progress of the Trust’s program of purchasing and removing certain dams and improving fish passage at others.
Bob Marvinney, the Maine State Geologist, Director of the Bureau of Geology, and a new member of the Maine Chapter, spoke about and showed map images of the update of the “Geology of Baxter State Park” that the bureau will be publishing shortly.
Dick Anderson, who is President of IAT/SIA Council, spoke briefly about the upcoming June trip to Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, by several Maine Chapter members, and representatives from Quebec and Newfoundland-Labrador, at the invitation of hiking groups across the Atlantic who are interested in having trail become part of the IAT/SIA. This opportunity was deemed a higher priority due to the expression of enthusiasm and specific interest than an exploration trip to Spain, Portugal, and Morocco mentioned last year.
The development of the 30 mile section of trail, largely over EPI land, between the eastern boundary of Baxter State Park and the Grand Lake Road, which would be officially opened Sunday, was quickly reviewed. Bill Duffy distributed a near final version of his very impressive, detailed map of the trail with a descriptive trail guide on the back for review and comment. The final map will be available for downloading from the Maine Chapter Website.
Dick Anderson called the business meeting to order at 3:15.
Dinner was followed by a presentation early Maine mapping on the life and work of Moses Greenleaf by author Walter MacDougall
Sunday, May 16th: The new section of trail mentioned above was officially opened with a ribbon cutting ceremony.
The Maine Chapter thanks Craig and terry Hill and their staff for their excellent hospitality and delicious meals.
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