The Current State of the Pere Marquette River. October 1997 Well, here it is ... time for our annual autumn weather report and news from the valley of the Mighty Pere Marquette. Weatherwise we've had a beautiful color season, in fact Indian Summer truly outshone the brief summer we saw in July. Recent winds from the north are relocating the leaves from their lofty position in the trees to the ground, much to the delight of the bird hunters. This year's salmon season was unique, but much different from last year's. The sheer numbers in 1996 were the greatest I've witnessed in our twelve years on the river; the 1997 run seemed about half of last year's, at least on the Little South Branch. However, the size of this year's Chinooks really made the previous crop look puny. And the run ended early with very few sightings in October (I know, the Little South is closed in October). So much for the weather and wildlife news ... what else have we been up to? The request for funding for our Watershed Assessment is under review by two foundations; since many of these organizations meet infrequently, it's apt to be a while before we receive a response. We continue to hope the compilation of data can begin this winter in order to allow time to set our priorities for next summer's activities. In the meantime, if any of you have archival or historical records about our river or watershed which you think might not be in the public domain or uncovered by our researchers, please let me know and we will incorporate the information in the assessment. I will personally assure you that we will retain your books, photos, whatever to you after we've included it in the database. We learned in early September that the Ludington Pumped Storage Project's Scientific Advisory Team might consider some projects for funding at their September 10th meeting; we quickly bundled together a package of proposed projects from early 1996 and sent it in. The SAT however did not make a decision in September, other than deciding to make a decision in October. Their guidelines for proposals (they have yet to decide on a formal format) called for a two-page limit, with eight criteria, and a deadline of October 13th. The Watershed Council scrambled to develop a unique demonstration project, in cooperation with the Forest Service and the DNR, to conduct an erosion control/habitat improvement project on the Big South Branch. The goal is to improve the natural reproduction of all fish species, but especially to increase the spawning and recruitment opportunities for salmonids, principally Chinooks. Our proposal includes extensive measurements (streambed depth and composition, invertebrate census, fish populations, etc.) before and after erosion control is undertaken and sediment is removed. We would also create at least one new public access site, and use the project to educate the public on effective practices, which can be used to improve the fishery. We're really proud of the fact we were able to get USFS and MDNR endorsement and cooperation to put this plan together so rapidly. If the SAT reacts favorably to our request, the Great Lakes Fisheries Trust Board will vote in early December on funding the project. Stay tuned for details. Your Board also discussed at length the continuation of the Indiana University Aquatic Survey; the final sampling of the ten-year study was done in 1996. The Board is in favor of continuing to monitor the insect populations, but perhaps in fewer sites within the M-37 to Rainbow Rapids test area, with some additional counts both upstream and downstream. We would also like to begin stream depth and streambed composition records to learn more about sand traveling/river cleansing which are a result of the Restoration Committee's erosion control efforts. It has also been suggested that the "continuation" study record as many observations as possible prior to and following the energizing of the electrical grid at the Custer Weir. Rest assured any changes beneficial or detrimental, will certainly be attributed to the Custer Weir... you still hear comments that "we never had weather like this before they started putting satellites in space" (fill-in your historical preference here). We hope to convene a subcommittee to design a protocol for a "continuation" study, and hopefully find a college or university to help us conduct the study. Many other "happenings" have occurred since the last newsletter, including: A final ceremony was held by the Restoration Committee to place the "last rock" in the bank stabilization project on the main river; an engraved boulder can be seen on the river bluff overlooking Rainbow Rapids. Placement of the "Respect the River" signs has been completed at all the access sites, and more noticeable "Welcome to Federal Land" signs are in the process of being posted to identify National Forest property along the river; Most of the resolutions we supported were endorsed at the annual MUCC convention, including increasing penalties for trespass and certification and licensing of guides; these will now be forwarded to the legislature to become bills for consideration. One resolution which did not receive support and has been postponed indefinitely would have limited and eventually banned deer baiting. The Kennedy Bridge on 76th Street crossing the Little South Branch is scheduled for replacement in 1998; the plan is for the new bridge to be constructed of timber; Bowman Bridge is scheduled to be reopened by the first of November.   The best, Dick Schwikert President