Minutes of the Board of Directors’ Meeting August 4, 2007 Lake-Osceola State Bank, Baldwin

Administrative 1. The meeting was called to order by President, Fred McLane at 9:05 am. Fred welcomed the new directors and guest, and introduced the directors. 2. Attendance: Clint Anderson, Paul Bigford, Jim Bos, Jeff Carpenter, Rick Conney, Jill Engelman, Steve Fraley, Eric Lewis, Fred McLane, Kevin Morlock, Dick Schwikert, Tom Seroczynski and Chuck Turk. Excused: Jay Barnhart Guest: Bill Sessions 3. Minutes of the June 2, 2007 Board Meeting: Motion by Rick Conney to accept the minutes as distributed: APPROVED 4. Minutes of the July 14, 2007 Business Meeting: Jill Engelman clarified that the two new directors (Clint Anderson and Eric Lewis) would be filling the un-expired terms of the directors that resigned (Henne and Sink) and thus would be serving two (2) year terms; this is an amendment to the letter from the Nominating Committee. Motion by Jim Bos to accept the minutes as amended: APPROVED. 5. Election of Officers: Fred McLane announced he was willing to continue to serve as President for one more year and that Paul Bigford had agreed to serve as Vice-President. Jay Barnhart, Treasurer and Jill Engelman, Secretary have consented to continue their posts for one more year. A vacancy for director exists to complete our roster of 15 directors. Motion by Rick Conney that the directors elect the slate of officers as presented: APPROVED. 6. President’s Notices: Fred McLane read and circulated a letter from Jim Cline, U.S. Forest Service (USFS) in appreciation of PMWC’s contribution of $200 to Kid’s Fishing Day and a card from Sean Clymer for our donation to the Sable River’s Youth Fly Fishing Seminar. Jim Miller of the Sable River Watershed Council sent an e-mail of appreciation for our $200 contribution to the Fishing Seminar and asked that we recommend kids to participate in the future.

The Cedars for the AuSable are available for those interested. See Fred McLane.

Two new life memberships were received this month: Peter Rossi and Ken Gibbs.

The Bell Sandtrap was cleaned in May of 2006 at which time PMWC agreed to pay up to $500 to re-seed and mulch the sandtrap pad. Sean Kanouse invoiced $ 475 to the USFS and had not yet been reimbursed; PMWC will pay Mr. Kanouse and notify the USFS we have settled the account. Fred McLane asked directors if they would volunteer to oversee projects in which they have an interest. Eric Lewis has offered to head the Turk Trap and the Middle Branch Restoration Project, which in the past was Ken Sink’s project. They toured the site the last week of July and found the chain had been cut with bolt-cutters. Eric will repair and reinstall the chain.

The Large Woody Debris Project was rejected by the Great Lakes Fishery Trust, but our interest, with and without Lansing DNR’s support, continues. We will await Federation of Fly Fishers’ (FFF) decision on proceeding. With regards to chairman’s positions – Steve Fraley indicated that he would be here next year and would co-chair the Cast for Conservation© Event with Tom Curtin. Jill Engelman has agreed to chair the Annual Banquet again. Assistance from Laura Bos, Chuck and Carolyn Turk and others would be much appreciated again.

Dave Gibbs is working out details for management of our website and will have a report at the September meeting.

Directors who are willing to chair or assist on these or other projects/committees should notify Fred McLane.

Old Business 7. Financial Integrity: Jay Barnhart A. Treasurer’s Report: Tabled till the September meeting as Jay is on vacation. Jill Engelman noted that the Lake County Community Foundation/Fremont Foundation’s 2nd quarter fund statement lists our endowment fund at $11,136.84. An accompanying letter indicates an opportunity for those over 70 ½ to transfer up to $100,000 from their IRA to the Foundation tax-free. Additional information can be obtained by phoning Mr. Jordan at the Foundation at (231) 924-5350. B. Membership: Jill Engelman reported that the receipt of two new life memberships brings our total to 28 plus 194 paid members. PMWC to continue to expand our membership base, through several suggested methods. C. Annual Fundraising Banquet: Jill Engelman reported that the Banquet grossed over $12,000. Increased attendance and more dollars donated for auction items helped boost the revenue. The list of auction items complete with the revenue or tickets received for each was passed around. A full accounting will be provided at the September meeting. Format changes included more advertising in the form of magazine articles and newspaper stories, a new 50-50 sweepstakes, a new design for the invitation and program and no speaker. Issues with the venue and its service were of concern. Jill has met with them to insure the situation is not repeated next year and that the service will be improved. Jill will meet again with Ramada in the next two (2) months to plan the 2008 banquet meal and service requirements. PMWC to consider increasing the banquet ticket amount at that time.

Directors were asked to e-mail suggested means of realizing the value of a KitchenAid BBQ grill. An e-Bay auction, a raffle, or an in-kind exchange with a larger non-profit is possible.

D. Cast for Conservation©: Eight and one-half teams participated and the 2006 format was again favored, but needs refinement. Tom Curtin reported that the Saturday brunch was not well attended and the winning team was not present at the Banquet. Co-chairmen Tom Curtin and Steve Fraley will recommend changes at the September/October meeting.

8. Communication & Information A. USFS Pere Marquette River Management Plan: the anticipated July 21st deadline for publication of the final report has passed. It is in Forest Supervisor Leann Marten’s hands. It was noted that the Environmental Assessment is a formal category and is not does not contain as stringent requirements as an Environmental Impact Statement. We will await receipt of the final report. B. DNR Land Consolidation: Directors Jim Bos and Dick Schwikert appeared before the National Resource Commissions on June 7th to inform the NRC and DNR Director Becky Humphries of PMWC’s objection to the transfer of the DNR’s river access sites to the USFS. The minutes of that meeting indicated the DNR had earlier received numerous comments also disapproving such transfers based upon previous experiences with federal management practices. The Minutes state the entire process is on hold while the DNR staff adopts performance criteria for if/when any land is transferred (deed or lease) by DNR to other agencies. The NRC and Director Humphries will review DNR’s draft proposals. Commissioners Frank Wheatlake and Mary Brown were instrumental in requiring further scrutiny and evaluation. C. DNR Right-of-Way Trimming: Policy has not yet been resolved, but it was alluded to as being addressed in the final PM River Management Plan. A PMWC member noted to a director that we have been involved in trimming in the past and requested the Middle Branch be cleared of Tag Alders to allow watercraft passage. The director responded that the vegetation was desirable to stabilization of the streambanks.

Great Lakes Energy, through contract tree-trim firms, is currently using defoliants to kill all vegetation beneath their utility lines. While they have an easement which permits clearing, questions remain - as to how it is done, what chemicals are to be used, what effect it has on birds and wildlife, how close to the river can vegetation be killed, and how the Natural River controls any of this? Can the formal “vegetative strip” be excluded? Eric Lewis will follow-up on this and the utility’s procedures, whether they can trespass to access utility easements, and whether restrictions can be imposed in the future. D. MUCC Annual Meeting: Rick Conney was unable to attend. New Director Dennis Muchmore, former lobbyist from Laingsburg, said he looked forward to working with the MDNR. Mr. Muchmore replaces Sam Washington. E. Lake County Riverside Property Owners Association (LCRPOA): The recent Annual Meeting’s featured speaker was Dr. Alan Steinman who spoke of the impact of aquifers and surface water resulting from water withdrawal. The audience expressed much interest, but offered few questions. The Lake County Sheriff also warned owners that the unauthorized removal of aluminum and copper has recently been an issue in Lake Co. Cut up canoes and copper tubing from propane tanks has been found at re-cycle sites. F. USFS Recreational Access Tax: This “fee demonstration” project has been extended to 2014; it required such sites to provide security, parking, toilets, picnic tables, trash receptacles and interpretation signs. Although he has experienced difficulties, Tom Seroczynski is collecting data on fee/site and resulting USFS income. G. Tribal Litigation: Jim Schramm reported the decision has yet again been deferred to September 28, 2007. H. Michigan Resource Stewards: President Dave Borgeson has officially expressed opposition to DNR’s land transfer of 1800 acres south of Grayling for an amusement park. He also advocates further restrictions on ORVs. A bill reducing phosphates in dishwasher detergents will likely pass now that industry has reformulated their products. I. Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS): Greg White has been named as successor to Ed Rivard; Ed will introduce Greg to PMWC. J. MDNR Fisheries Electroshocking: MDNR (not Hunt Creek Research) intends to electroshock the Little South (Taylor Bridge) index station if time permits on August 28-29 (Tues/Wed). They claim no resources to count Mouth-of-Baldwin River and Wadell riffles stations. Dick will e-mail plans to Board for those interested in watching. K. Mainstream Newsletter: Paul Bigford is collecting topics for the Fall issue of the newsletter. Topics so far – Recap of Annual Banquet and Cast for Conservation© Fremont Foundation – IRA contributions PM River Management Plan 9. Restoration Committee: A. 319 Grant: The $470K grant request is rumored to be “not likely”. B. Land Conservancy of West Michigan (LCWM): Plan has been published and is available at the PMWC office. A portion of this grant is to assist riparians in obtaining conservation easements. C. Baldwin Village Stormdrain: PMWC delivered a letter and historical information to the new Mayor Doug Bolles; we expressed concerns that the DEQ permit and funding expire at year end and offered assistance in completing the system yet this year. D. Jarvis Project: The second phase of the work was completed in July; a platform structure, two log-raft structures, two islands, and a deflector (old Christmas tree bundles) have been added. Several directors toured the site following the meeting. E. Bell Sandtrap: DNR’s Doug Hall cleaned the trap August 1st, he Removed 1,000 cubic yards adding to last Fall’s 300 yards on the pad. PMWC hired Adams Trucking to move the spoils on August 7th. Fred will check into re-seeding and mulching. F. House Bill 4323 ORV Bill: The bill passed the House and is in the Senate; comments on the State website are either strongly in favor or violently opposed. If approved by the Senate and signed by the Governor, counties could (Lake Co. would) allow townships to permit ORVs on certain roads. Erosion, traffic and safety are issues, while spurs from trails to food and gas outlets are what are really needed. Paul Bigford will draft a letter from PMWC (he has already completed one from LCRPOA) to be reviewed and voted on by the directors via e-mail. If approved, Fred McLane will sign and mail. The vote will require ratification at the September meeting. G. MDEQ Permit Brochures: Paul Bigford distributed an extensive compilation of the practices necessary to obtain joint MDEQ/US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) permits for PM River bank stabilization work. Copies will be available for riparians upon request to the office and we will look into including a version that can be downloaded from our website. MDEQ/USACE permits are required for island and bank erosion projects; fees are $50 for up to 300 linear feet of work, $500 above 300’. A Natural River Permit is necessary only if structures (i.e. lunker structures, retaining walls etc.) are planned. It was noted that this brochure would be ideal for new riparians, but cooperation of realtors has been sketchy in the past. H. Streamside Widening: Dick Schwikert will check with West Shore Community College’s (WSCC) Mike McKinney and DNR’s Andy Nuhfer and report next month. DNR’s Hunt Creek Crew has a stream morphology study underway below a series of sandtraps. I. Custer Weir: Tom Seroczynski reported the grid was turned off August 1st and the pumps have been pulled for maintenance. Tom will get the 2007 final figures for the September meeting. Anglers continue to note that the Steelhead do not easily migrate back to Lake Michigan across the electrified grid, resulting in pooling up in schools in Nieland’s Marsh. The warmer water and less than desired insect diet are detrimental to the fish, prompting the guides to report smaller sized trout. J. Riparian Rehabilitation Project: Kim Balke will review the Bill Bos (Baldwin River), Roger Kolar (Middle Branch), and Eldon Stielstra (Little South) sites and develop a proposal. The Sheepranch rocks may still be available for use. Kim will also look into sites on the Cannon and Flint Rainbow Club properties; The O.J. Cunningham bank is recommended for re-vegetation. K. Baldwin Dam: Downstream riparian Roger Wolfe has initiated litigation vs. dam owner David Stevenson for pulling boards resulting in flood damage to their residence. Many neighbors favor removal of the dam.

10. Unified Management A. Natural River Zoning Board: Paul Bigford reported that at the July 16th public hearing Mark Luea (Little South on Forman Road) was denied a 10’ x 24’ deck, but given a permit for a 6’ x 15’ ground level deck.

At the August 13th public hearing, Edie Mitchell (Baldwin at Sanborn outflow) is requesting an 8’ x 20’ deck replacing a 2’ x 32’ deck, 28’ from the river. B. Henry Campground: Fred McLane announced the trial is set for January 29, 2008. DEQ has an injunction limiting campsites until the litigation is complete. Over 4th of July, two campers were onsite. C. Pagura Litigation: No report from Attorney General’s office.

11. Ecological Impact A. Water Sustainability: Nestle has announced they no longer intend to pursue water wells in White River headwaters. The furor and interest has seemingly subsided. No further plans have been discussed with the Muskegon River group. However, we continue to question what would be the adverse affects of water withdrawal. The four directors who heard Al Steinman at the LCRPOA luncheon suggest a mini-symposium by Al for PMWC and selected others to determine whether we should proceed to host a major symposium. Jill Engelman will check on availability of LOSB for a postponed Board Meeting on Sept. 8, 15th etc. Dick Schwikert will draft an agenda for a one-hour review if Al Steinman is available. Dick also noted the Nestle abandonment may be a result of the White River’s resolution regarding Water Quality Policy (public outrage, Nestle’s purchase of Gerber, growing discontent with all bottled water also played a role). Dick will draft a proposal for PMWC Board review in September.

New Business 12. Quality Trout Lake: Chuck Turk has investigated the conversion of a small lake to a catch & release, artificial lures only, walk-in fishing site. MDNR contacts strongly support the project, but USFS (whose land surrounds the lake) are less than enthusiastic. Chuck will follow-up and inform both agencies of PMWC’s interest in supporting the project. 13. Sable River Youth Fly-Fishing Seminar: An e-mail vote favored supporting this project. Motion by Rick Conney to ratify the electronic vote to contribute $200 for this seminar: APPROVED 14. PMWC Office: The offices, of which we are a tenant, have been closed including the deletion of reception services. If you need access to the PMWC office, please see Fred McLane, Dick Schwikert or Jill Engelman for a key. To date, we have not received indication regarding the cancellation of our lease (month to month). LCWM’s Chris Bunch expressed interest in sharing our office; we have no interest in subletting our office at this time. 15. Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO)/Right-to-Farm: Eric Lewis reported the Right-to-Farm Act has removed all local authority and DEQ authority leaving the Michigan Department of Agriculture in charge. This presents a huge pollution risk to groundwater, surface water and air. There is no oversight and no control. Eric will investigate further and report. 16. PMWC Youth Programs: Dick Schwikert noted the interest the Sable River Youth program has raised. FFF has offered their assistance. Directors were asked to e-mail each other with comments and suggestions. Rick Conney & Steve Fraley to coordinate comments for the Board. Meeting adjourned at 11:59 am.

ATTENTION: NEXT MEETING DATE IS 9:00 AM, SAT, SEPT. 15th AT LSOB.

Respectfully submitted, Dick Schwikert, Scribe Keyed & edited Jill Engelman, Secretary