Minutes of the Board of Directors’ Meeting March 1, 2008 Lake-Osceola State Bank, Baldwin

Administrative 1. The meeting was called to order by President, Fred McLane at 9:06 am.

2. Attendance: Clint Anderson, Jay Barnhart, Paul Bigford, Jim Bos, Jeff Carpenter, Jill Engelman, Dave Gabrielson, Eric Lewis, Fred McLane, Kevin Morlock, Dick Schwikert, Tom Seroczynski and Grant Snider. Excused: Rick Conney and Chuck Turk Absent: Steve Fraley Guests: Wayne Andersen, Tom Curtin, Mike McKinney, Peter and Ingrid Wadel 3. Minutes of the February 2, 2008 Board Meeting were APPROVED as written. Motion/Second –Jim Bos/Dave Gabrielson.

4. President’s Notices: ▪ Fred McLane introduced the guests.

▪ Fred McLane relayed that Mark Tonello, Fisheries Biologist with the MDNR-FW will be attending the April 5th Board Meeting in response to our recent invitation.

▪ The Volunteer Meeting is planned for April 9th in Grayling. Subject will be water diversion. Further details to follow at next months meeting.

▪ Grant Snider reported that the Ferris State Midwest Student Outdoor Educator’s 9th Annual Conference is planned for April 4-6 and offers opportunities for presentations from PMWC.

▪ Fred McLane reported that he had received a response from the MDNR that the night vision goggles and drift boat, on loan from PMWC, were in active use in Lake and Mason Counties.

▪ Dick Schwikert reported that he recently received his tax assessment and that his property was listed as increasing in value 56%. Other Board Members indicated that they have received lower, and higher, tax assessments. All owners are advised to inspect their tax assessments.

Old Business 5. Financial Integrity: A. Jay Barnhart summarized the Treasurer’s Report for February. Treasure’s Report was APPROVED. Motion/Second –Jim Bos/Jeff Carpenter.

B. Dick Schwikert asked that the debris screen installed by PMWC in the Village of Baldwin storm drain to the Baldwin River be added to the draft of the PMWC Inventory.

C. Jill Engelman reported that the Fremont Foundation/Lake County Community Foundation made a $481 distribution from the Fred Mans Fund to PMWC in February. This money will be added to the current fund for restoration work earmarked for the Flies Only Water.

D. Jill Engelman distributed a draft of the Annual Membership Renewal form that will be inserted in the next Mainstream newsletter. She will finalize, including Director’s comments, and forward to Paul Bigford for printing.

E. Tom Seroczynski will contact Mason County to determine if they can provide an electronic file of riparian owners. If available, this will facilitate the project of membership growth with the Lake/Mason County mailing to all riparians. F. PMWC will attend the Midwest Fly-Fishing Show, March 8-9 in Macomb. The Pere Marquette fishing hats arrived and will be taken to the show. G. The Annual Banquet is planned for July 19th this year. Jill Engelman, Chairman, relayed that Glen Blackwood has again agreed to be our auctioneer. Notices of the event will be sent to publications in March. H. Tom Curtin, Chairman for the Cast for Conservation© Event distributed a draft of the 2008 invitation for comments. Event is planned for July 18th. Jill Engelman to finalize the invitation and begin sending to the membership, fly shops, publications, etc. 6. Restoration Committee: A. The next Restoration Committee meeting is scheduled for March 25th at 10:00 am at Lake Osceola State Bank in Baldwin. Kim Balke will forward agendas prior to the meeting.

B. Paul Bigford reported there were no riparian rehab requests during the month of February.

C. House Bill 4324 ORV Ordinance is still stalled in the Senate, Apparently MDOT and county road commissions are objecting. Eric Lewis relayed that a newspaper article recently noted the MDNR was reissuing their draft for ORV use on State lands.

D. Eric Lewis has drafted a memorandum from PMWC in support of the moratorium on new or expanded concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). The Board reviewed it, favored it over the Sierra Club draft and APPROVED the motion unanimously. Motion/Second Dave Gabrielson/Jay Barnhart. Jill Engelman to email original memo to the Board of Directors. The finalized memorandum to be sent to the distribution list at the conclusion of the memo as well as others.

E. Fred McLane, Chuck Turk and Mark Tonello to visit the Quality Trout Lake later in March as weather allows.

F. Fred McLane and Dick Schwikert looked at the rock pile needing relocation to Dunroven’s property but found, with the recent snowfall, that it was impossible to view. If the stones are of the size that Eric Lewis is able to move, he asked if some of the rocks could be utilized in a project along his property. The Board indicated favorably, but no rock size is known at this time.

G. Additional projects were suggested for the PM River Restoration Project. It was recommended by Jill Engelman that a specific person manage the project by creating a spreadsheet that lists the properties, their size and complexity, note the manpower type needed, etc. Owner’s permission, permits, insurance coverage is all of concern. Fred McLane indicated that Kim Balke with CRA could create this list for PMWC and that the project would be added to the agenda for the March 25th Restoration Committee Meeting. Dave Gabrielson indicated that once projects are listed, that he would assist PMWC with overseeing the completion of ones that students from West Shore Community College (WSCC) could be the labor force.

H. Eric Lewis and Dave Gabrielson recently attended a special meeting presented by the Little Manistee Watershed Council on sandtrap alternatives. Jill Engelman to email summary by Eric to all Directors for their review and file. Streamside Systems provided a Power Point presentation highlighting two of their systems. A Dropbox Filter is another system comprised of a stainless steel box with a grate at the top, through which sand drops. A second system, the Sand Wand, is a vacuum-like device that was designed to be mobile. Additional information will be available in an article written for the upcoming Mainstream Newsletter. The Little Manistee Watershed Conservation Council is considering a pilot project with a concrete in-stream sediment collector where spoils will be pumped up to a disposal area. 7. Unified Management: Paul Bigford reported that there will be a Natural River Zoning Review Board meeting March 17th at 4:30 pm at the Carr Fire Barn. Applicant Western MI Fleet Parts has requested a variance for a new cabin and deck in lieu of an existing cabin and to repair a septic system. Location is on the Big South Branch, Lee Drive off Washington Road east of Ruby Creek Store, Oceana County. B. Pagura Case: no update.

C. Henry Campground: There has been no response from the Owner to date. There is some confusion as to whether the response date is May 15th or prior, but it appears that the Owner is delinquent of providing the necessary certification or remedial work.

D. Baldwin Dam: Eric Lewis to determine the extent of the DEQ letter request of the dam owner.

E. A float trip is planned for early March, weather permitting, to view the trees that have come down in the winter storms. Jim Bos, Bob Stuber, USFS, etc. to attend. It is understood that permits are needed to cable tie any trees. Another float trip is planned again in May with canoe liveries, etc. to determine the extent of Right-of-Way (ROW) trimming. 8. Communication & Information: A. No update on the status of the USFS Pere Marquette Environmental Assessment (River Plan) – Alternate 5 as to when the plan will put into effect.

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

C. Jill Engelman prepared a draft of the new “table of contents” for the new website and distributed it to the Board for comments. Directors should email/call/mail comments to Jill for incorporation into the website. 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 McLane and Dave Gabrielson to meet again prior to the April 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. 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 April meeting what special project PMWC will do to celebrate Earth Day April 22, 2008.

G. Dave Gabrielson recently recommended to the Board of Directors that consideration be made to include student involvement in PMWC projects.

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 and Grant Snider as members was suggested. When a list of projects is available Dave and Grant will address student involvement.

Paul Bigford reported the grant with Sweetwater Township and Ferris State Honors Program for river clean up from M37 to Lower Branch Bridge is pending.

H. Paul Bigford has drafted the winter issue of the Mainstream Newsletter. Following minor revisions it will be ready to go to print. The membership renewal form will be an insert. Jill Engelman requested that all Directors take and submit photographs of all PMWC events/activities for use in future publications. 9. Ecological Impact: A. Paul Bigford reported there is no update available on both the Tires-To-Diesel Plant and the Wood-based Ethanol Plant planned for the Baldwin area.

B. John Cooley of the Lake County Board of Commissioners has proposed their passing of a resolution relative to ground water at the meeting mid March. 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. No other information was available.

PMWC decided to draft a separate position statement. Fred McLane to draft and Jill Engelman to distribute the letter. Motion/Second by Dick Schwikert/Tom Seroczynski.

New Business 10. Clint Anderson and Kevin Morlock relayed the comments of the Michigan River Guides Association (MRGA) with regards to their research of USGS real-time data recorders that they wished installed in additional locations on the river. The initial cost came in at $ 18,000, at which time the project was redesigned to consider alternate types of recorders. The Board of Directors asked that when MRGA had a proposal for PMWC to provide it in a written format.

President Fred McLane adjourned meeting at 11:40 am. Motion/Second –Paul Bigford/Jay Barnhart.

Hard copies of the following documents/handouts are on file in the PMWC office. 1. Minutes of the February 2, 2008 Board of Director’s Meeting 2. Treasurer’s Report – February 2008 3. Draft of Website Table of Contents

Next scheduled meeting is April 5, 2008 at 9:00 am at the Lake-Osceola State Bank, Baldwin.

* Minutes AMENDED 3/29/08 to correct information in 6H – Little Manistee proposed project.

Respectfully submitted Jill Engelman, Secretary