President’s Message

This past year has been another busy one for the PMWC. This has been the first time in recent memory that the presidency has been held by someone who is not a full-time resident of Lake or Mason counties. I would like to credit the executive efforts of your immediate past-president and current secretary, Dick Schwikert, in maintaining this organization’s effectiveness during the term of a "part-time" president.

• Membership is at an all time high at 584.
• We welcomed two new board members in the last year - Dave Gibbs & Rick Conney.
• We’ve had a change in management in our C4C ™ fly-fishing tournament, with Steve Fraley & Bob Fisher of Baldwin Bait & Tackle running this year’s event.

Our major accomplishment over the past year has been completion of the Comprehensive Watershed Assessment. As you will recall, we received grants from Frey Foundation and Steelcase Foundation in Spring ’98 and contracted with NES of Reed City to prepare the document. This was the first time preparation of a document of this type has been attempted by a private group, and it was completed in April ’99. The production of the Assessment was not without a few bumps in the road, largely attributable to the comprehensive nature of the document and lack of experience within the private sector in such an endeavor. Although not perfect, we feel we have a quality final product, and the Steelcase and Frey Foundations can be proud of the results of their contributions. The production costs were approximately 33% over the initial estimate, with the overrun shared by PMWC and NES.

Our major ongoing project is the Big South Branch Restoration Project funded by the Great Lakes Fishery Trust. Baseline data were cullected in Summer and Fall of 1998 with a Comprehensive Surface Resource Assessment of the Big South Branch proper into the tributaries.

The work plan was finalized in January ’99 and consists of six manor sites:

• Ruby Creek
• Freeman Creek
• Cedar Creek
• Winnepesaug Creek
• Tank Creek
• 1 site on Big South proper.

The work can be grouped into three treatment categories with specific treatments chosen on a site-by-site basis:

• Erosion Contrul: Traditional rock riprap treatments as well as "softer" bioremedial measures where appropriate

• Sediment Removal: Two non-traditional methods will be tried

• Use of existing, partially filled oxbows to trap sediment. Diverters will be placed to enhance the natural trapping ability of several oxbows.

• Michigan Council Trout Unlimited’s amphibious suction dredge. The "Operation Stream Sweep" dredge will have nominal impact on the riparian zone and has the added benefit of transporting the spoils by pipe up to ½ mile. The spoils are pumped out in a thin layer (< 4") at an upland site, eliminating the need to truck spoils away to a disposal site.

• Habitat Improvement: Artificial riffles, boulder clusters, lunker structures, large woody debris, stump islands, fry nurseries will provide cover for both fish and insects.

I am pleased to inform you that the MDEQ permits were issued May 18 and that all necessary National Environmental Pulicy Act documentation required by the USFS has been completed. Construction is expected to commence in mid-July with completion in Fall ’99. All of us are excited about seeing construction underway and anxious to see the long term benefits of our work.

As part of our Big South Project, we hosted a very successful symposium at West Shore Community Cullege on February 20, at which time the findings of the CSRA were presented. A diverse audience of more than 150 attended the symposium with presentations by members of our management team, Mainstream Resources, as well as DNR Chief K.L. Coul.

Other areas of current involvement:

• PMWC entered into a cooperative agreement as funding partner with USFS and PM Rod & Gun Club for habitat reconstruction on the Flies Only stretch of the PM. Of 105 inventoried structures in 1997, 23 have already been repaired, 28 are non-repairable, and 54 still need repair. The goal is to complete the 54 repairable structures in the next three years.
• PMWC Board supported the USFS recreational user fee demonstration project for the Huron-Manistee National Forest as initially proposed; but withdrew support when the final version eliminated watercraft fees.
• PMWC and LCRPOA co-hosted a Riparian Rights Primer by Attorney Jim ulson of Cedar River/Shanty Creek fame on May 8^th at Gibbs Country Inn in Ludington.
• PMWC funded the purchase of electroshocking equipment for use by WSCC, consisting of boat, generator and electronic equipment. This should be useful in future years in connection with the Big South Project as well as more intensive surveying of the mainstem and other tributaries.

Additional River News:

• Custer weir is under construction with redesigned fish passage, and operation is expected in the year 2000. The 1999 TFM treatment could be the last one needed if weir operation/fish passage is successful.
• A commemorative "Last Rock" was placed at Rainbow Rapids in recognition of the completion of a ten-year, $1.4 million mainstream restoration project funded by MDNR and USFS. Restoration Committee partners were PMWC, USFS, MDNR, Michigan Council/Trout Unlimited, Mason Lake Soil Conservation District and NW Michigan RC&D.

Not all of the news is positive:

• PMWC vulunteers were unable to assist DNR staff last August during the yearly electrofishing at index stations in the Flies Only water due to increasing liability concerns per the DNR.
• DNR Fisheries Division has proposed changes in trout regulations for the year 2000 which would:

• Increase daily creel limits in the Flies Only water from one fish to three fish.
• Eliminate the no-kill for brown trout currently in place for the entire mainstream during the extended season (September 30-last Saturday in April).

PMWC board members have attended several public hearings held by the DNR and we remain hopeful that our concerns for the Pere Marquette will be addressed in the final proposal that will be presented to the NRC in August.

• The three-year results of our Middle Branch sandtrap are inconclusive. It now appears the initial design did not optimize effectiveness. After site review by staff of Huron Pines RC&D in April ’99, they recommended

• Extending the trap 30’ – 50’ upstream.
• Armoring the pad.
• Digging the trap 1’-2’ deeper.
• Removing in-water vegetation at the trap.

We are actively seeking funding to make these modifications and to continue to monitor upstream and downstream transects for at least another five years.

Jan Potter is preparing our 29^th Anniversary Banquet to be held at Lands Inn in Ludington July 10. It promises to be another fun-filled evening with plenty of prizes for auction and raffle. Dave Cozad from Mainstream Resources will give us an update on the Big South Branch construction and we’re hoping to have the "Operation Streamsweep" dredge in the parking lot for your inspection.

See you there,

Jim Bos, President

Pere Marquette Watershed Council