President’s Message – Summer 2006

Having worked in business environments most of my adult working career, now I have to accustom myself to a more slow moving process of decision making in the conservation and environmental arena. This is not necessarily bad, just different, and some of the issues that I spoke about last year are still a work in progress. Some projects have been completed; some have progressed; and others have stalled. We will discuss these and NEW projects and issues later.

As most of you know, your Board of Directors are the individuals who, with your financial help and support, carry on the business of protecting and preserving the inherent natural values of the Pere Marquette Watershed. Jill Engelman is a very young recently retired project manager from Chicago, who decided to join the Board. She has hit the ground running and has immersed herself in many activities already and we are grateful. On a sad note, current Directors Bob Kennedy and Gary Nummikoski are leaving the Board. Bob has served this organization ably and with much distinction. He has been our C4C Chairman for a number of years and very instrumental in the success of this fishing “competition” and fundraiser. He has also been a wise counselor on many issues and will actually chair the PMWC sponsored Custer Weir symposium in October. Gary has served on the Board for over 15 years, and recently was our MUCC representative. We owe these Directors our heartfelt gratitude for their dedication and service to this organization.

Summary of Projects and Activities

Custer Weir Operations-2006: Undoubtedly, the most controversial issue and the one that sparked the most passionate debate among members, river users, riparians and PMWC Directors was the operation of the Custer weir. We were notified in February 2006 that the United States Fish and Wildlife Service ( USF&WS) planned to treat portions of the PM Watershed with TFM this summer. TFM is the chemical substance used to kill sea lamprey. The Great Lakes Fishery Commission (GLFC) is the agency that approves and funds the sea lamprey control measures in the Great Lakes and they contract with the USF&WS to implement the plan. On May 1, 2006, your Council sent a letter to the GLFC indicating that we could not support the combined multiple approach of weir operation and periodic TFM treatment. Unfortunately, each activity or measure to control sea lamprey carries some undesirable risk and consequences. We want them to minimize the risk and negative impact to our resource. In addition to objecting to the combined practice of weir operation and periodic TFM treatment, we sought to educate ourselves, our members, and the public at large about the current and future practices and alternatives. To that end, PMWC is sponsoring a full day Custer Weir Symposium to be held at West Shore Community College on October 14, 2006. All pertinent agencies and experts have been invited to speak and answer questions, including a representative from the electrical weir manufacturer, Smith-Root.

Right-of -Way (ROW) Tree Trimming: This issue has been discussed and debated for years in meeting after meeting with appropriate parties. Finally the US Forest Service (USFS) and Michigan DNR, after sustained prodding by the

Council, have begun to address the problem of indiscriminate cutting by users without regard for the resource’s need for woody debris and overhead cover. A couple of float trips in late spring with the USFS, DNR, Michigan River Guides, Livery Operators and PMWC representatives have proven beneficial. Each downed tree that was impeding navigation was discussed, and with minimal cutting agreed upon, removal was accomplished. More education of best management practices is needed as well as the establishment of formal guidelines to address the “who, when, how” to remove trees, and “what” constitutes obstructions to navigation.

Restoration Projects: Currently two projects are underway and we call them the Jarvis Forks project and the Baldwin River project. The Jarvis Forks project monies were bequeathed from the Jarvis Family and entail the installation of nine log jam structures and two island structures in the stretch of the river from the Forks to M-37. The project cost was $12,300 and is half completed with the remaining structures to be completed this year. The Baldwin river project has seven remaining bank restoration sites to be completed. The remaining work is being funded from a $25,000 grant from the Great Lakes Commission and a 10% match by the PMWC. It is estimated that the Riparian dollars contributed will approximate $20,000. A third restoration effort deemed the Custer Boat Launch project is expected to begin in late September at an expected cost of $12,000 including in-kind contributions from volunteers. This project came about as the result of our acquiring a Dow Chemical community grant for $2,500, monies from Custer Township, and some funding from PMWC. It will armor approximately 215 feet of eroding bank above and below the launch.

US Forest Plan for Huron-Manistee: The US Forest Plan for the Huron-Manistee Forest was published in March. The process has been underway for over a year and a half and some of the issues that we were concerned about in the preliminary plan were addressed and changed and others were not. Now we get to wait another 10-15 years for another update of the plan. Although we think the Pere Marquette River Plan should have been a part of the Forest Plan, its revision has been a separate effort and underway for nearly three years. We understand that now it will have attention and hopefully be completed soon. The USFS has our positions on all the major components of the River Plan.

Administration and Litigation Matters: This past year we have revised and published our new PMWC membership brochure that tells a little about our mission and what we do. I think it looks terrific. We have also published a Natural Rivers Review Board brochure that outlines the process and identifies voting members so that riparians who request permits understand the system. On the litigation front we are still pursuing the wetland fill-in case in Mason County. Although we thought the case was settled out of court, it appears that the defendant has not acted on the mitigation plan as of yet. Regarding the State of Michigan vs. Pagura in Newaygo County Court, we understand that the Judge is going to issue a verdict and establish a plan for remediation. Damage was done to our installed riffles on Freeman Creek by the Pagura dam blowout. The court date is June 15, 2006.

Finally, I want to again thank all who care for this marvelous resource and encourage you to attend our annual Fundraising banquet on July 15, 2006, at the Ramada Inn of Ludington at 5:15 PM. As usual we will have a terrific buffet dinner and raffles as well as auctions. Hope to see you there.

Fred McLane President ©PMWC 06.20.06 PRB