Minutes of the Board of Directors’ Meeting February 2, 2008 Lake-Osceola State Bank, Baldwin

Administrative 1. The meeting was called to order by President, Fred McLane at 9:05 am.

2. Attendance: Jay Barnhart, Paul Bigford, Jeff Carpenter, Jill Engelman, Dave Gabrielson, Eric Lewis, Fred McLane, Dick Schwikert, Tom Seroczynski, Grant Snider and Chuck Turk. Excused: Jim Bos, Rick Conney & Steve Fraley Absent: Clint Anderson, Kevin Morlock Guest: Tom Curtin 3. Minutes of the January 5, 2008 Board Meeting were APPROVED as amended. Corrections: 7D-ORV “northern counties” to replace townships” and 11-Baldwin Dam 2nd sentence “The plaintiffs in the lawsuit claimed that the maintenance” to replace “It appears that the maintenance”. Motion/Second –Dave Gabrielson/Chuck Turk.

4. President’s Notices: ▪ Fred McLane introduced and welcomed Grant Snider, the new Board of Director.

▪ Osceola-Lake Conservation District is having their Spring Tree Sale. Orders must be in by April 8, 2008. If interested call (231) 832-2950.

▪ Fred McLane previously sent letters to Les Russell, USFS District Ranger, regarding the PMWC’s comments on the Pere Marquette Environmental Assessment (PM EA) Alternate 5 and to Darrell Woods, the Acting Regional Forester for the USFS Eastern regional office regarding field law enforcement as a result of the new PM EA as directed by the Board during the December meeting.

A response letter was received from John Phipps, Acting Eastern Regional Forester, USFS in Milwaukee. Mr. Phipps noted appreciation of PMWC’s involvement in the revision of the PM River Plan. He indicated that he would be forwarding Fred’s letter on to Mr. Rich Glodowski, Special Agent in Charge, Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigations, who oversees all law enforcement operations in our region.

To date the USFS has increased Law Enforcement Officers (LEO) in the eastern region. The Pere Marquette Watershed area is affected by the increase from four to five LEO with the one being added in the Cadillac office. In addition the USFS Huron-Manistee Forest continues to fund cooperative law enforcement agreements with the Lake County Sheriff’s Department for additional law enforcement assistance. Finally, he stated that they also train new LEOs on the Baldwin and Manistee Ranger Districts, which increases the coverage on the Forest during this training period.

Fred included verbiage in his letter regarding the use of summer interns, which was met by Mr. Phipps with great interest. He has asked Mr. Jerry Bird, Acting Huron-Manistee Forest Supervisor to contact us to discuss partnership and environmental education opportunities within PMWC.

Old Business 5. Financial Integrity: A. Jay Barnhart summarized the Treasurer’s Report for January. Treasurer Report was APPROVED. Motion/Second –Paul Bigford/Tom Seroczynski.

B. Dick Schwikert presented a draft of the PMWC Inventory of Assets. He asked that Directors that had knowledge of the status of the field equipment and the value of such please relay the information to Secretary Jill Engelman so that the data may be added to the inventory. Chuck Turk suggested that a letter be written to MDNR in Cadillac to ask for confirmations of the possession of the items on loan are still in the PM Watershed District. It is understood that the DNR conducts an annual inventory of property at each year-end and that it could be utilized to confirm the possession of the PMWC items.

C. Officers signed the new 2008 signature cards for accounts at Lake-Osceola State Bank.

D. Jill Engelman relayed that thank-you letters have been sent to the donors of 2007 Lake County Community Foundation – Pere Marquette Watershed Endowment Fund.

E. Tom Seroczynski reported that the final check for the BBQ has been received from Reeling and Healing Midwest, a fly-fishing group serving cancer survivors. F. Paul Bigford transferred the CD of the riparians from the Lake County Equalization Department completed for the Lake County Riverside Property Owners Association (LCRPOA) and PMWC to Jill Engelman for use in membership growth. Tom Seroczynski offered to help in preparing Mason County list from the paper records received previously. The intent is to send invitations to riparians for membership in PMWC. This will follow the annual membership renewal drive. Jill Engelman will draft a 2008 membership renewal similar to last year’s version shortly. It was suggested that it could be included as an insert in the next Mainstream.

Tom Seroczynski suggested that PMWC hold an event at which current life members bring prospective new life members. The Board of Directors would host event. Suggestion to be considered by the Board.

G. Rick Conney and others will be representing PMWC at the March 8-9th Midwest Fly-Fishing Show in Macomb. Jill Engelman will be ordering two dozen hats and fabric patches this week to be added to the current inventory to be taken to the show.

H. The Annual Banquet is planned for July 19th this year. Jill Engelman, Chairman, reported that she has considered alternate venues in the watershed area without much success. Due to the high number of attendees PMWC is limited as to venues. There seem to be a few options, i.e. West Shore Community College (WSCC), etc. if the format is changed to include an outside caterer, but none if we want to contract a venue with a full service. Dave Gabrielson is continuing to talk with WSCC about liqueur service and will report when the College has arrived at a determination. Meanwhile, we are proceeding with Ramada of Ludington as our venue this year.

Jill met with Ramada and reviewed their new menu options. They have recently outsourced their food service and have assured us that the challenges at the 2007 Banquet will not be repeated. Based on Ramada’s new menu and pricing, Jill prepared a spreadsheet outlining the expected costs for this year’s HorsD’oeuvres, dinner, dessert, room fee, service fee and parting gift per person, based on 100 paid guests. Including costs to cover the approximately 10 guests to whom we offer complimentary dinners, the cost per person came to $ 32.51. As costs will continue to increase and we don’t want to raise the price of the Banquet each year it was suggested by several Directors that the price be raised from $30 to $40/each for the dinner. This increase was APPROVED. Motion/Second by Dave Gabrielson/Tom Seroczynski.

Jill suggested a parting gift/premium of a metal carabiner in the shape of a fish. This was met with approval from the Board.

Tom Seroczynski relayed that he would be coordinating the donation of a Weber Grill for the auction. Other “corporate” gifts are encouraged as donations by anyone able to facilitate them. The 50/50 Sweepstakes will be repeated this year and along with bucket raffles, live and silent auction items will make up the fundraising portion of the Banquet.

Dick Schwikert, Chairman for the Banquet speaker, met with Dave Gibbs and Rick Conney recently. They are suggesting that due to the 10-15-minute time frame for a speaker that it be eliminated, unless one surfaced that had a “hot topic” and it could be presented within the time frame. It was suggested by various board members that in lieu of the traditional speaker that a table be available where a project/projects could be presented on a continuos loop on a computer where someone could speak about the work. Mike McKinney of WSCC was suggested as an option. Another idea presented was that various PMWC projects from 2007 be projected behind President Fred McLane as he gave his President’s Message. This would better illustrate the work accomplished during the year. A committee of Dick Schwikert, Dave Gabrielson, Paul Bigford and Fred McLane to firm up and execute this portion of the Annual Banquet Program. Chairman to be appointed.

I. Tom Curtin, Chairman for the Cast for Conservation© recommended that the format be repeated except for the elimination of the Saturday brunch due to small attendance in the past. The Board agreed. He then presented a spreadsheet with the expected costs of to each team, both with and without the Banquet dinner costs (free dinner/drinks/raffle tickets). Using 12 teams as a base - with the dinner cost included, the cost for a team participating in the Cast is $387.46. This cost is being held down by the donation of the guides’ time and their drift boats for the event, which is much appreciated by PMWC. Following discussion, the Board agreed that the past $500 donation per team would not be raised this year with certain considerations. One - an increased number of teams should be sought, and two - that free dinners should be eliminated for fishermen’s guests (the guide and his guest will continue to both receive free dinners). Jay Barnhart relayed that in his experience that a personal invitation to fisherman for the Cast has been the most effective in bringing in new teams.

There was a question raised as to PMWC offering a special program or event for the fishermen’s guests that are left once the contest has begun. A nature walk or canoe trip down the Pere Marquette River was suggested. Carolyn Henne, past Director and USFS employee was suggested as a possible contact. Paul Bigford also offered his services, as he was a Park Service Naturalist in one of his “past lives”. Paul to consider what might be offered and report at the March Board Meeting.

After Jill Engelman explained what publicity had been provided in past years for both the Banquet and the C4C, Grant Snider suggested that invitations be sent to the fishing clubs at Ferris State, WSCC and other colleges. Jill will forward information to Grant, who will transmit it to these groups.

6. Restoration Committee: A. There was no update available from Kim Balke on the status of the 319/CMI Grant. Contract agreement was due January 1st, 2008 including the fee for Conservation Resource Alliance (CRA). Kim has been negotiating with the Land Conservancy for addition funds to assist CRA in its expenses related to the updating of the PM River Management Plan to meet federal EPA standards.

Dick Schwikert and Eric Lewis attended the January 9th public hearing for the Curtice Bridge project proposed by Newaygo County. It seems that the 2-year paving project of Walnut Avenue has been designed in such a way that no water will be directed into the river.

B. Riparian Rehab: Fred McLane reported that the check for $3,455 had been received by the Osceola-Lake Conservation District for PMWC’s part in the streambank restoration work preformed on the Lalibertes, Telford, Gumser and Heyboar properties.

C. House Bill 4324 ORV Ordinance is still stalled in the Senate.

D. Eric Lewis has been following the bill to deregulate Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) operations in Michigan. In conversation with the Sierra Club, Eric was informed about a letter signed by numerous organizations and watershed councils supporting the immediate moratorium on new and expanding CAFOs. They have asked PMWC to consider being a signature or drafting an independent resolution. The Directors agreed to support this movement, but asked Eric to complete further research and find the best vehicle to express our opinion. It was apparent that the Directors did not want to sign a letter drafted on Sierra Club letterhead, as they did not want to imply that PMWC supported all of the Club’s activities/opinions.

E. No update on the Quality Trout Lake partnerships between supportive organizations. Fred McLane to follow up.

F. Fred McLane to follow up on the relocation of rock from the private property to the Dunroven stockpile site. This rock will then be available for bank stabilization projects.

G. Several responses have been received as a result of PMWC’s call for suggested restoration projects within the Pere Marquette River Watershed on which to spend the earmarked $20,000. A letter from past Director, Chuck Smith was received suggesting float trips beginning with the “flies only” water reviewing the condition of previous projects while looking for potential new sites. He noted in particular – “…one just upstream of the railroad trestle below M37 and a site near the railroad tracks upstream of the of the Flint Rainbow Club --- it appears that the tracks may be in danger of being undermined).” He also suggested that consideration be given to the Little South Branch where erosion may be contributing to the source of the Bell Sandtrap accumulations.

Chuck Turk recommended consideration of the Upper Baldwin River, a stretch of the river producing Brook Trout that could be improved with log cover fish habitat structures.

Several months ago, Kim Balke indicated that the recent work at the Jarvis Project at the Forks could be further improved with further narrowing of the stream in several areas. She also emailed PMWC a listing of sites inspected in 1999 for consideration.

A meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 5th at 3pm at LSOB to review the strategy for these improvements. Kim Balke, Dick Schwikert, Eric Lewis and others to attend the meeting.

7. Unified Management: A. Paul Bigford reported that there will not be a Natural River Zoning Review Board Hearing in February. Dick Schwikert noted that Steve Sutton is considering expanding the Natural Rivers Program with the addition of more rivers and the opening up or widening of the statute.

The Lake County Board of Commissioners has named Chuck Turk as the representative for Lake County, with the alternate position open for appointment.

B. Pagura Case: Attorney Bill Farr relayed to Dick Schwikert that McNeely/Pagura’s response from MDEQ was deemed inadequate and the second request has not been responded to. Attorney General Pam Stevenson is preparing documents to the court requesting Pagura be found in contempt of court and will file shortly. The Attorney General wants the dam removed this year but wants it done via DEQ permitting process rather than via court ruling. The Attorney General’s documents to be forwarded to Bill and then onto PMWC for our files.

C. Per Paul Bigford’s understanding, the Lake County Sheriff’s Department is now in control of the 911 dispatch.

D. Fred McLane has a call in for information regarding the status of the Henry Campground. The Daily News recently reported that Scottville was trying to purchase the property. Directors expressed concern that if the property sold that the remedial work would still be preformed.

E. PMWC’s concern about the Baldwin Dam centers around it’s structural integrity and of the water quality downstream. Eric Lewis is looking for a professional Civil Engineer who can advise PMWC as to the dam’s risk of failure without a detailed inspection. PMWC is striving to obtain this engineering analysis on a “no-fee” basis. Once a general opinion is reached, PMWC will then decide whether to delve further into the issue.

F. Right-of-Way (ROW) Trimming is an issue following several weeks of heavy snow, wind and ice resulting in trees falling in/over the river. Following Jim Bos’s return early February, he, Dick Schwikert and Fred McLane will review the removal of these trees. Three trees are known to have fallen in the Flies Only Water. Fred to email all Directors with the results of their meeting.

8. Communication & Information: A. No update on the status of the USFS Pere Marquette Environmental Assessment – Alternate 5 as to when the plan will put into effect.

B. Jill Engelman recently sent letters to Les Russell, USFS, and Mark Tonello and Tom Rozich of MDNR inviting them to attend an upcoming Board of Directors’ meeting. An email response was received from Les Russell’s temporary replacement indicating that he would pass the letter on to Les upon his return to the Baldwin Office in March.

C. No update on MDNR land transfers. Jim Bos to follow up.

D. Fred McLane, Dave Gabrielson and Jill Engelman met late in 2007 to review the possibility of WSCC hosting our website. WSCC has recently initiated a project of assisting non-profit cultural arts and conservation organizations with their website. Dave indicated that they would be able to assist PMWC this Spring with both the hardware and the technical assistance for the change over from our current website service to their service. Their system would allow for ease in updating or replacement of documents on the site - which is difficult with the existing service.

Jill prepared a draft of the new “table of contents” for the new website and will present it to the Board for comments in March. Much of the current information will need re-writing/updating, Many of the materials will mirror the information being prepared by Dick Schwikert and his committee for the PMWC Indoctrination Manual. Individuals interested in assisting with the re-writing should contact Jill. Jill, Fred and Dave to meet again prior to the March meeting.

E. Dick Schwikert and his committee (Eric Lewis, Dave Gabrielson, Paul Bigford and Fred McLane) are in the process of writing articles to be included in the new PMWC Indoctrination Manual. Don Ingle offered to prepare a history of PMWC. All materials should be in an electronic format – Word Document. Receipt of materials for publication is desired by May.

F. Rick Conney to report at the March meeting what special project PMWC will do to celebrate Earth Day April 22, 2008. Jill Engelman suggested that if there were a site needing planting material that PMWC could make use of the Osceola-Lake Conservation District Tree Sale shrubs/trees.

G. Dave Gabrielson recommended to the Board of Directors that consideration be made to include student involvement on the Board. A student (college) director could be added and would create an avenue to encourage young people to be involved in conservation on a first hand basis. Another suggestion was made to offer a $100, $200 or $300 scholarship to a student in the honors program for a special class or project relating to conservation.

In the past PMWC has involved the honors students from Ferris in the bank stabilization project in Custer and would be interested in doing more such projects. One possible project was discussed - brush could be stacked on top of the structures recently built at the Jarvis Project. A committee for Student Involvement with Dave Gabrielson, Grant Snider and Paul Bigford as members was suggested. They are to report at the March meeting.

H. Paul Bigford, on behalf of PMWC, recently applied for a grant in conjunction with Sweetwater Township and Ferris State Honors Program for river clean up from M37 to Lower Branch Bridge. PMWC, if the grant is approved, is to receive $900 of the $1,300 grant. The money would be used for breakfast, gas cards and t-shirts for the students, etc. The project is planned for September 2008. Paul to report status at the March meeting.

9. Ecological Impact: A. Paul Bigford reported on both the Tires-To-Diesel Plant and the Wood-based Ethanol Plant planned for the Baldwin area. Larry Finkbinder from Reed City is the developer for both projects, with the Tires-To-Diesel Plant ahead of the Ethanol Plant in schedule. The developer has indicated that 100% of the tires would be recycled into diesel, lampblack (printer ink, etc.) and steel. He has 100% funding, but has not received permits as of yet. The plant is planned for an existing gravel pit in Webber Township across from the vacant prison with construction to begin in 90 days. It appears that there is no environmental impact from this plant other that the truck traffic that would utilize bridges over the river – resulting in further erosion. Products may also be moved by railroad. Paul reported that 7,200 tires per day would be recycled into bio-diesel. 30 persons are to be employed with salaries ranging from $10-$18/hour.

The Ethanol Plant is not as far along in planning. The location is the industrial area next to the Baldwin Airport. The production of wood-based ethanol is more environmentally friendly than the corn-based ethanol production, although most of what is known has been published by the industry. Cellulose as well as wood pulp would be utilized. There are questions as to the source of the water needed for production as well as the resulting sludge. It is believed that City of Baldwin would be providing the water as well as sewage services.

B. The Lake County Board of Commissioners noted in the minutes of their meeting January 9, 2008 that they would discuss the passing of a resolution relative to ground water at the meeting (possibly) at 1:30 pm, February 13th. Representatives from both sides are to be present. It was stated that the ultimate outcome should be local control over our natural resources. The public is invited to attend.

New Business 10. The Volunteer Group’s next meeting is scheduled for April 9th in Grayling. This is a group of non-profit organizations that have shared interests. Many of the members are watershed councils. The subject is to be “no water withdrawal from Natural Rivers”. Details to follow at the next meeting. 11. Information on the USGS Real-time data recorder proposal is postponed until such time Steve Fraley is present.

President Fred McLane adjourned meeting at 11:55 am. Motion/Second –Jeff Carpenter/Grant Snider.

Hard copies of the following documents/handouts are on file in the PMWC office. 1. Minutes of the January 5, 2008 Board of Director’s Meeting 2. Treasurer’s Report – January 2008 3. Inventory of Assets – Draft 012708 4. Annual Banquet Spreadsheet 5. Cast for Conservation© Spreadsheet

Next scheduled meeting is March 1, 2008 at 9:00 am at the Lake-Osceola State Bank, Baldwin.

Respectfully submitted Jill Engelman, Secretary