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

Administrative 1. The meeting was called to order by President Paul Bigford at 9:03 a.m. 2. Attendance: Jay Barnhart, Paul Bigford, Jim Bos, Jeff Carpenter, Jill Engelman, Dave Gabrielson, Eric Lewis, Dick Schwikert, Tom Seroczynski and Grant Snider

Excused: Rick Conney, Steve Fraley, Fred McLane, Kevin Morlock and Chuck Turk

Guests: Bill Arnold, Kim Balke – Conservation Resource Alliance (CRA) and Ken Gibbs.

3. Minutes of the October 4, 2008 Board of Directors’ Meeting were APPROVED Motion/Seconded by Dave Gabrielson/Eric Lewis.

4. President’s Notices: A. Via an email from Nominating Chairman Fred McLane, read by President Paul Bigford, Fred indicated that Clint Anderson, due to his business obligations limiting his ability to attend meetings and functions, had offered his verbal resignation to the Board of Directors to be followed up with his formal written letter of resignation.

Fred also having spoken with Ken Gibbs and obtaining his willingness to serve on the Board of Directors nominated him to serve as a Director to the Pere Marquette Watershed Council for a term length deemed best suited to maintain a balanced term expiration for the entire Board.

The Board accepted Fred’s recommendations of accepting Clint’s resignation and the nomination of Ken to file the vacant term ending in July 2009. APPROVED Motion/Seconded by Jim Bos/Dick Schwikert. The entire Board welcomed Ken and expressed their appreciation for his past involvement and support of PMWC. Ken was given the draft of the PMWC Indoctrination Manual. Although unfinished, it will give him a better understanding of PMWC’s role.

B. Mason FFF Expo is planned for December 6. PMWC will not be attending this year as the date conflicts with our December Board Meeting.

C. Director, Steve Fraley is sponsoring a PM River Clean-up this date at Baldwin Bait & Tackle. Directors are invited to attend following the meeting, cocktails and dinner to conclude the project. Old Business 5. Financial Integrity: A. The October 31, 2008 Treasurer’s Report was reviewed. The report continues to show a net profit this month of $7,021.10 – between revenue and expenses. The insurance invoice questioned last month is due shortly. Report was APPROVED. Motion/Seconded: Jim Bos/Grant Snider.

B. Jill Engelman reported checking out several suppliers for fleece vests/jackets for men and women following last month’s discussion where the Board voted to expend up to $1,000 on new merchandise. She is having difficulty in locating a supplier for women’s wear that is economical. Several Michigan manufacturers were suggested. She will continue to search for a vendor.

C. PMWC received the third quarter 2008 Endowment Fund Statement from the Lake County Community Foundation/Fremont Area Foundation. The Fund total continued to slip due to the economic climate to a total of $16,065.89 as of September 30, 2008. The Foundation stated that their investment focus remains long term.

6. Watershed Restoration: A. Kim Balke – CRA reported on the projects under consideration by the Restoration Committee. She distributed a Completed/Upcoming Work Projects listing to the Board. Copy is on file at PMWC office. The owner, river location, and when known - total cost and PMWC’s committed portion along with CRA notes was given for 17 total sites. Kim will contact the Marquette Railroad regarding the erosion site adjacent to the Flint Rainbow Club to discuss their plans for streambank restoration. She is also in conversation with the Kolars as to four methods of restoration possible on their property – per the owner; the project will wait till Spring 2009. Work has also been requested from Cannon, Howard Johnson, Baker Road Bridge over the Middle Branch and Bill Arnold/Tank Creek Dam. Grass Lake Club is also still interested in installing at sand trap on their property.

Eric Lewis to visit the recently closed Baker Road Bridge to ascertain for the Board the pros/cons for the bridge – remove or replace. Emergency vehicles and school bus routes were of concern. The bridge deck has failed with loose sections falling into the river.

Kim summarized the situation surrounding the Tank Creek Dam at the Bill Arnold property. Tank Creek flows into the Mainstem of the PM in the west Wingleton Road area. The dam, originally installed by Mr. Arnold’s wife’s ancestors several decades ago is now leaking and during high water events is subject to collapse. If the dam does break and allow the pond to flood, the downstream area will be filled with sand, the culvert under Wingleton Road will likely become blocked endangering the state of the road, and the culvert under the Marquette Railroad tracks may also become blocked jeopardizing train travel, etc. All this in addition to massive flooding in the area very possibly could occur. Three engineers for CRA have reviewed the project and have come to the same conclusion – that the dam should be removed due to the seeps. The pond level fluctuates 18 inches between spring and late summer levels and the flow of the pond at the inlet has been reported as the same flow at the back side of the dam – thus indicating that water is indeed flowing through the earthen structure. The Board was in agreement that the dam should be removed and if at all possible this Fall/Winter, prior to another Spring potential high-water event.

Kim has a commitment from Inland Fisheries Division for a $10,000 grant and CRA would complete the necessary plans, and obtain permits while also contributing $10,000 to the project. Estimated at $35,000, an additional $15,000 is needed to begin work. Kim has talked with one bidder and is showing the project to a second contractor this date. Bids will be requested to be good through 2009. It is hoped that the actual bids come in lower than the estimate. Kim also indicated that CRA had NCRS Whip money to pay for the up to $18,000 necessary for the 2009 re-vegetation/stream channel improvement/streambank restoration that would be required following the dam’s removal.

A motion and second by Dick Schwikert/Grant Snider was made that PMWC pay $15,000 towards CRA’s River Care Fund for their use in completing streambank restoration – with PMWC still approving the projects and amounts. Following discussion the motion was withdrawn. It was determined that the Board was more comfortable in approving individual projects upon request from CRA.

When questioned, Bill Arnold made an offer of $2,000 towards the removal of the dam. Additional funds might be obtained from the Road Commission/Railroad. Kim will research further options.

The Board felt that while this was a worthy project and one that could be used to market PMWC, that, all current projects needed to be evaluated and prioritized prior to making a decision on the amount with which to fund the Tank Creek Dam. It was determined that once the estimates were received by CRA that the final cost would be submitted to PMWC with all possible funding means listed and then PWMC would consider the project and it’s cost impact. This may be done via E-mail due to the time sensitive nature of this project. The Board was reminded that to respond to an E-mail ballet that directors must select the “reply all” feature when sending their electronic vote.

On other issues: Kim relayed the CMI Grant for the Baldwin Stormwater Drain Project has been extended the final time – for one more year. Project has undergone re-engineering. Work must be complete by October 1, 2009.

The next meeting will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 12th at LOSB 2nd floor conference room.

B. Jill Engelman read an E-mail PMWC received from Bob Stuber, Fisheries Biologist, Huron-Manistee National Forests - USFS. “Mike Joyce and Bob Stuber of the USFS conducted a structure inventory on the Pere Marquette River on October 14. They floated from Gleason’s Landing downstream to Rainbow Rapids. Thirty nine (39) wooden structures, mostly of the log jam type, were identified. All identified structures were photographed and located using a GPS system. A report with photos, maps and recommendations will be prepared later this fall.” Jill indicated that Bob said that once the report was complete that he would forward a copy to PMWC and also attend an upcoming meeting to review it with the Board.

C. No additional Riparian-Rehab requests were received this month. D. The ORV Advisory Committee met October 16th and invited the Township Officers to attend. Eric Lewis reported that several did attend. It seems that support for the ordinance is still split between the northern portion of Lake County and the remainder. Per the Lake County Board of Commissioners Meeting minutes dated October 22, 2008 regarding the meeting “Commissioner Maiville reported…..The general consensus was to open access to businesses and trails and work with the DNR.”

A joint effort between PMWC and the Lake County Riverside Property Owner’s Association (LCRPOA) mailed nearly 800 letters/maps and contact information to Lake County riparians, PMWC and LCRPOA members urging that they write letters to their township and county officials expressing their concerns for the ORV ordinance. Some officials have already been receiving letters, to which the pro/con percentage is running about even according to some reports. PMWC feels it important that everyone should voice their opinion. It was noted that the upcoming election may change some of the contact information.

Following the election, Paul Bigford will write a letter, on behalf of PMWC to the Lake County Star for submission into a future edition of the paper as well as to all officials.

D. Grant Snider provided an Excel spreadsheet of the PMWC River Restoration Projects Listing showing all projects listed to date. Copy will be on file at the PMWC office. Fifteen projects are shown with more to be added. The potential project at the Wide Waters of the Baldwin River will be added to the listing. Grant will work with Kim Balke to include all CRA/Restoration Projects.

E. Dave Gabrielson relayed that West Shore Community College’s (WSCC) Streamside Project for the Lincoln River/stream/pond is receiving campus support.

G. Kim Balke updated the Board that the cleaning of the Bell Sandtrap would be completed yet this fall. Date is yet to be determined. Dick Schwikert reported that the trap was full.

H. MDNR has accepted Mike McKinney and WSCC’s assistance with fish sampling at Kenosha Lake – the proposed quality trout lake. Survey work will proceed.

7. Unified Management: A. Dick Schwikert updated the Board on the progress of Unified Management. That while the MDNR is still considering leased access sites, they seem to be backing away from the proposed agreement between them and the USFS. They are currently reviewing land use rules and law enforcement issues.

B. The Pere Marquette Natural River Zoning Review Board met October 20th and reviewed two requests. The first, Kirker’s (Branch Twp) received approval for the construction of an addition to the side of their residence. The Demmink’s (Pleasant Plains Twp.) were give approval for a septic system for a one-bedroom home. As a system for a two-bedroom home seemed more reasonable as the property is for sale currently and future additions could be made to increase the size additional discussion is on-going. There is no November meeting.

C. A Motion to Show Cause was filed in the Pagura case re: a judgment of $88,000. The 180 day period to remove the dam is up November 17-18th. DEQ has indicated that they will remove the dam and lien the property.

D. Fred McLane, via E-mail, reported that “Henry Campground submitted a Flood Plain Engineer’s analysis to the MDEQ that has accepted it as evidence that no harm has been done to the flood plain and will issue an ‘after-the-fact permit’ such that the sand can remain at the site. Court action will confirm this and issue will be resolved.” Fred also noted that the MDEQ may go after costs as the permit had to be issued ‘after-the-fact’.

E. PMWC received a note from MDEQ and a copy of a letter sent by the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) to land owner Steve Miller of Chase. This letter is in follow-up to a complaint PMWC received anonymously about the fouling of a tributary stream to the Pere Marquette River using questionable farming practices. We forwarded the note on to the MDA several months ago. Since that time the MDA has visited the site and made requests that the livestock facilities practices be revised/corrected and that work was to be completed by October 25, 2008. The MDA will be revisiting the site on October 28th to confirm the work has been completed satisfactorily. This is one example that when PMWC is confronted with an environmental issue concerning the health of our water, that with our insistence and the cooperation of MDEQ and MDA that progress can be made to correct the problem. Our thanks go out to that anonymous (SP?) writer who called the issue to our attention.

8. Communication and Information: A. Jill Engelman is continuing to collect documents from directors to begin the process of updating the website.

B. Jill Engelman, Editor for the Mainstream, relayed the next issue will be January 2009.

C. Rick Conney has agreed to chair the Annual Watershed Conservation Organizations’ Volunteer Meeting for PMWC next Spring. The date and location are to be determined.

D. Dick Schwikert reported that the Great Lakes Appraiser is completing a sales survey of ‘like’ properties in the area. This study is made over a 30 month period. It was noted that due to the economy that the property values should be going down which will help in possibly lowering the SEV assessments.

E. It was noted that Todd Kalish, MDNR, is taking Tom Rozich’s place beginning Monday, November 3rd. Paul Bigford will send a congratulatory note and invitation to join PMWC at a future Board meeting. Todd’s E-mail address is kalisht@MI.gov. Kim Balke reported that Todd was recently a fisheries biologist in Traverse City and that she felt that he and Mark Tonello would make a good team to support conservation in the Pere Marquette River Watershed.

9. Environmental Impact: A. Industrial Plant Updates – no update this month.

B. Eric Lewis contacted MUCC regarding their article on the Bottle Bill recently highlighted in the MUCC magazine Michigan Out-of-Doors. To date he has not received a response.

10. Public Comment: (time limited to 5 minutes) No public comment this month.

New Business

11. The Resource Stewards Meeting is planned for December 3, 2008. Dick Schwikert will attend on PMWC’s behalf.

12. Grant Snider reported that Ferris State University will be holding an Alternative Energy Conference in April. More details to follow.

President Paul Bigford adjourned the meeting at 11:38 a.m. Motion/Seconded: Jeff Carpenter/Jim Bos. APPROVED.

Respectfully submitted, Jill Engelman Secretary

Next meeting: December 6, 2008 at 9:00 a.m., Lake-Osceola State Bank in Baldwin.

* Hard Copies of the following documents/handouts are on file in the PMWC office. 1. Minutes of the October 4, 2008 Board of Directors’ meeting. 2. Treasurer’s Report of October 31, 2008 3. Fremont Foundation Third Quarter Report 4. CRA’s Completed/Upcoming Project List 2008-09 5. PMWC’s Watershed Restoration Project Listing – November 1, 2008