Minutes of the Board of Directors’ Meeting November 3, 2007 Lake-Osceola State Bank, Baldwin

Administrative 1. The meeting was called to order by President, Fred McLane at 9:03 am. 2. Attendance: Jay Barnhart, Paul Bigford, Jim Bos, Jeff Carpenter, Jill Engelman, Steve Fraley, Dave Gabrielson, Fred McLane, Kevin Morlock and Dick Schwikert. Excused: Clint Anderson, Rick Conney, Eric Lewis and Chuck Turk. Absent: Tom Seroczynski 3. Minutes of the October 6, 2007 Board Meeting were APPROVED. Motion/Second – Jim Bos/Dick Schwikert 4. President’s Notices: ▪ Fred McLane welcomed new Board of Director Dave Gabrielson.

▪ Conservation Resource Alliance (CRA) Biennial meeting was held October 18, 2007. Dick Schwikert presented PMWC’s Excellence in Conservation Award to Jim Haveman (Jim was not able to accept award at PMWC annual banquet).

▪ The 8th Annual Fly-Tying Expo sponsored by the Great Lakes Council of Federation of Fly Fishers will be held December 1, 2007 from 9 am to 4 pm at the Ingham County Fairgrounds in Mason, MI. Contact www.fffglc.org for more information. Fred McLane to contact Rick Conney to be the PMWC representative if possible.

▪ PMWC has been made aware that the Lake County Community Foundation/Fremont Foundation has provided for a special opportunity to match a donation 2 to 1 for new donors, 1 to 1 for past donors making the same monetary donation and 2 to 1 for additional donations. This year these donations can be earmarked for the Pere Marquette Watershed Council Endowment Fund. Donations must be received by December 15, 2007 to be considered for this special match. Jill Engelman to send a note to those previously making donations to the PMWC Endowment Fund.

▪ The Board has adopted an electronic communication system to review and vote on PMWC issues that must be considered prior to the next scheduled board meeting. Fred McLane and Paul Bigford to review the system and provide a procedure for future use. It was suggested that the procedure include a date/time to close electronic voting and that if time is of the essence and the President has not received a quorum of responses that a telephone survey be made of ALL non-responding directors.

Old Business 5. Financial Integrity A. The treasurer’s Report for October was APPROVED. Motion/Second – Jim Bos/Paul Bigford.

B. The Lake County Community Foundation has reported that the Pere Marquette Watershed Council Endowment Fund has reached a total of $11, 762.11. One gift of $400 and one gift of stock has been received to date for 2007. C. No update on the status of the barbecue grill was available.

D. Jill Engelman recapped the July 14th Annual Banquet and Auction. In short – 140 persons attended the banquet including 38 Cast for Conservation© participants and their guests. This is 10 higher than 2006, but lower than previous years. The banquet netted $10,250 this year that exceeded previous year’s totals due to higher revenue ($1,966) received for auction items and a reduced rate from Ramada of Ludington. Prior advertising, new format for the invitation and program was received well. Information regarding the 50-50 Sweepstakes will be improved in 2008 although the $620 received this year was a success. The Directors suggested that the sweepstakes be continued in 2008. The “Sales Table” brought an additional $ 492 in sales and was deemed a success to also be continued next year. The Awards for Excellence in Conservation took the place of the featured speaker in 2007. The Directors indicated a desire for a speaker in 2008. Dick Schwikert offered to head a committee to look for a speaker. Jill Engelman will continue to chair the Annual Banquet.

E. Jill Engelman summarized the revenue earned by the Cast for Conservation© in 2007. The 8 ½ teams brought in a total of $4,300. After costs, PMWC netted $2,678. A smaller number of hats were ordered and a reduced rate for car spotting helped cut costs. It had been suggested previously and was agreed by the Directors that the Chairmen Tom Curtin and Steve Fraley consider eliminating the Saturday brunch. Steve Fraley stated that he would work to increase the number of teams participating.

Additional suggestions were made to consider advertising to novice fishermen that this may be a way to enjoy a great day of fishing with a professional guide in a more casual environment.

F. Paul Bigford relayed that the Lake County Riverside Property Owners Association (LCRPOA) has contracted with the Lake County to obtain a listing of all riparians. Motion was made and seconded (Paul Bigford/Jeff Carpenter) to contribute ½ of the total cost of $200 to LCRPOA for the opportunity to use this list. $100 to be sent on Paul’s direction. APPROVED. The listing, along with the list from Mason County, will be utilized in expanding our membership base. Once both lists are in hand a membership campaign will begin.

6. Restoration Committee A. Kim Balke will update the status of the 319/CMI grants at the upcoming November 13th Restoration Committee meeting. The DEQ is requiring Conservation Resource Alliance (CRA) to divide their management fees between the projects. Kim’s goal is to be under contract by January 2008. PMWC to stress the importance of scheduling monthly meetings for this committee at the November 13th meeting.

B. Paul Bigford reported on the Riparian Rehab requests. Bill Arnold has indicated that he will pay for his rehab entirely. Bill Sessions’s project was resolved at last months board meeting. Bill Bos Sr. property was reviewed by the committee and Kim Balke previously and was found to be acceptable to receive funds from PMWC for work. The project consisting of sweeping trees to the banks resulting in downcutting and gravel riffle water is budgeted at $8,500. Motion and second (Jeff Carpenter/Steve Fraley) for PMWC to fund $850 (10%) of project. APPROVED. It was suggested that the photos taken before the project be compared with those after. Also to confirm that the sand trap is above or below the project site. Note: Dan Pearson suggested this project for consideration.

Kim Balke and Shawn Kanouse are to review the Hus property where trees are jeopardizing the corner of the house. The rough proposal for the work is $400. It was moved and seconded (Jim Bos/Jill Engelman) that if the homeowner is unable to pay that PMWC will fund up to the $400 invoice.

C. There was no update on the Baldwin Village Stormdrain.

D. After discussion it was moved and seconded (Steve Fraley/Dave Gabrielson) to amend the ORV letter to the Michigan State Senators originally drafted by Eric Lewis as follows: 1. Spell out 311 miles in paragraph 6. 2. Eliminate a portion of the first sentence in paragraph 7 to read “This proposed bill would result in dust clouds along our roads, increase accidents and increase trespass and other crimes on our public and private lands.” 3. To eliminate the last sentence in it’s entirety in paragraph 7. 4. To reword the 8th paragraph to read “The Pere Marquette Watershed Council Board of Directors ask that you oppose this bill and reject any future proposals to allow widespread ORV use of our county roads.” Amendments were APPROVED unanimously. Jill Engelman to make corrections. Letters to be mailed to all Senators and the Governor.

A copy of the letter from Yates Township to the Lake County Commissioners urging them to vote NO on the local proposal was distributed. The PMWC letter also opposing the local proposed ordinance has been mailed to all Lake County Commissioners.

E. No report was available on the CAFO/Right to Farm Contamination issue.

F. Mark Tonello, of the MDNR, will respond to Fred McLane shortly about their involvement in supporting the Quality Trout Lake proposed by PMWC.

G. The Turk Sandtrap has been cleaned by Tom Knoop at a cost of $1,500. Tom to provide quantity of sand removed so that an accounting can be kept as is currently done for the Bell Sandtrap.

7. Unified Management A. Paul Bigford reported that the Natural River Zoning Review Board approved three variances at the October 15th public hearing. Each application was approved as amended by the Board. John Worden – Webber Twp. Baldwin River O.J. Cunningham – Pleasant Plains Twp. Mainstem Edie Mitchell – Baldwin River No meeting is scheduled for November 2007.

Note: John Worden has a pile of rocks that he has offered to the PWMC for use at other sites. Paul Bigford reported that heavy equipment and a dump truck would be required to remove the rock. Paul and Fred McLane to follow-up on personnel/equipment for the work. Jeff Carpenter volunteered his bobcat if needed.

B. Bill Farr reported through Dick Schwikert that the Pagura’s original plan for the removal of the dam on their property was not approved by the DEQ. They have now resubmitted a revised plan for consideration. The Attorney General is not pursuing payment of fines at this time as long a progress is being made for the removal of the dam.

C. On October 2, 2007 the judge signed the order that gave the owner of Henry Campground 90 days to obtain a hydrological analysis from a Floodplain Engineer which certifies that no harm has occurred or to restore the property to the condition prior to the infill.

D. Paul Bigford relayed that he had talked with Homeland Security and Lake County Sheriff Hilts about the trespass complaints/dispatch responsibility. He was told that Lake County will be taking over the dispatch of calls within 30 days. Sheriff Hilts indicated that if one did not receive a proper response from a 911 call that he would respond himself if contacted.

E. Dick Schwikert relayed that he was told by Nick Welti that Pleasant Plains Township Planning Commission was not going to take action on restricting developers in Forest/Rural Zoning. Dick to pursue this further with other Commission members.

F. It is understood that the judge has signed the MDNR 2007 Tribal Litigation Consent Decree. Fred McLane attended an informational meeting at which a handout was distributed explaining the Tribal Litigation. One item of concern was that fish could be taken directly above and below the Custer Weir. (where it is not allowed for the general population).

G. No report was available for the Custer Weir statistics. Kevin Morlock relayed that he recently was made aware that the Weir would operate the next three (3) years for experimental and data gathering purposes only and then shut down. If that is the case, the argument of why the use of both the Weir and TFM to control Sea Lamprey comes into question again. Fred McLane to follow-up for additional information.

8. Communication & Information A. The Fall issue of the Mainstream Newsletter, with approximately 420 copies, was recently mailed. Next issue to be produced in January 2008. Subjects to be considered are: Sea Lamprey updates, USFS PM River Plan, Tribal Litigation Effects, early announcement for Annual Banquet/C4C.

B. No update on the USFS Access Fees.

C. Fred McLane reported that it is still understood that the Pere Marquette River Plan – Alternate 5 will be distributed by the USFS by year’s end.

D. The only news regarding MDNR land transfers was a newspaper article from the Ludington Daily News October 25, 2007. MDNR Director Becky Humpries was quoted “We have concerns in terms of making sure they’re not taking them out of use” - said of lands the state may turn over to the USFS.

E. Paul Bigford reported that per a conversation with MDNR that a portion of the parking lot at the M37 Access Site will be removed and reconstructed to eliminate the direct-to-river drainage currently occurring with the existing design. The MDNR indicated that the contractor may not have complied with the permit restrictions and also noted that draining the lot to the low property on the lots east edge was not an option at the time of the construction as the DNR did not have permission from the owner. No time frame for the work was available.

F. It appears that it is doubtful that any additional areas other than the Mouth of the Baldwin will be electroshocked by the MDNR next summer due to funding.

9. Ecological Impact A. Eric Lewis to draft a Ground Water Regulation Statement for PMWC.

B. It appears that there is enough interest in continuing conversation about a PMWC Water Diversion Symposium. PMWC will continue to gather information. Dick Schwikert is awaiting details from Jim Clift the only dissenting vote on the Ground Water Advisory Commission study

New Business 10. Dick Schwikert, Fred McLane, Eric Lewis and Ken Sink met with Greg White, Osceola-Lake District Conservationist, with the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NCRS) to review restoration projects. Greg indicated that there were some monies available for those with sand issues, etc. but that property owners must express interest and contact him first for him to pursue restoration. PMWC to work with landowners to encourage them to contact Greg.

11. Kevin Morlock indicated that the MDNR is looking at severe cutbacks as of January 1st if budget dollars aren’t increased. It was moved and seconded (Jill Engelman/Steve Fraley) to write a letter to support the increase of license fees. APPROVED. Fred to follow up.

Kevin also suggested that fish tag program (like in some western states) where $3 or $5 be charged for residents and $8 or $10 for non-residents could be implemented and the income be directed to the MDNR for their programs. It was discussed that this fish tag program be possibly limited to only Natural Rivers. Kevin and Fred McLane to investigate this further. It seems that it should be taken through the Cold Water Committee then MDNR then Lansing.

12. Roger Wolfe has filed suit to prevent the owners from pulling boards at the Baldwin Dam which results in flooding residents downstream. PMWC will investigate possible support for this litigation.

13. CRA is one of the conservation organizations that will benefit from your shopping in Traverse City Saturday, November 10th. Mention CRA to a participating merchant and CRA will receive 15% donation of the amount of your sale.

14. Get ready for the Holiday Season. The PMWC Sales Table will be set up at the December 1st Board of Director’s meeting. Fleece vests, denim shirts and hats with the PMWC logo will be available for your shopping pleasure!

Motion and second (Jim Bos/Paul Bigford) to adjourn the meeting at 12:07 pm. APPROVED.

Hard copies of the following documents/handouts are on file in the PMWC office. 1. Minutes of the October 6, 2007 Board of Director’s Meeting 2. FFF Expo Flyer 3. Treasurer’s Report - October 31, 2007 4. PMWC letter to State Senators – ORV issue 5. Yates Twp. Letter to Lake County Commissioners – ORV issue 6. Newspaper articles, Muskegon Chronicle October 16, 2007 – Water diversion

Respectfully submitted,

Jill Engelman Secretary