Little Manistee Watershed Conservation Council

Little Manistee Watershed Conservation Council
15th Annual Membership Meeting and Fundraiser
July 9, 2011

Skinner Park, Irons, Michigan

 

Board Members/Trustees in attendance:

Tim Phillips (President)               Greg Block (Membership)

Jim Squier (Vice-President)         Roger Buckingham (Trustee/SWAT Team)

Dan Sernick (Treasurer)             Dave Gendler (Trustee/Ticket sales)

Evelyn Furman (Secretary)         Gordon Lewis (Trustee/River Stewards)

John Gorys (Raffles)                  Kaye MacDonald (Trustee/Volunteer Projects)

David Spruance (Newsletter)

 

LMWCC Committees:              Guest Speaker: 

Tom Bastion (Water Quality)       Mark Tonello, Michigan DNR Fish Biologist

Gene Means (Grants)

Joyce Durdel (Bug studies).

Anna Jo Rogers (Webmaster)

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Secretary Report (Evelyn Furman):  After asking for comments and corrections to the 2010 Annual Membership Report, Tim requested a motion be made to approve the 2010 annual meeting minutes.  A motion was made by Gordon Lewis and was supported by David Spruance to approve the minutes as presented. Hearing no dissentions, the motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report (Dan Sernick):  Dan presented insight into the current status of our accounts, as well as information about the Howard Roberts Memorial Fund and its designated use (for river and habitat programs).  Additionally, Dan presented an accounting inventory implemented for equipment and where it was stored. A motion to approve the 2011 report as presented was made by Gordon, approve by Tony Roberts, second by Sam Phillips.  Hearing no dissentions, the motion carried.

Projects Report (Tim Phillips): Fish cover projects were completed at Fox Bridge.  DEQ approval for Indian Bridge has been received and will be installed by using volunteers.  Approval from NEPA and USFS for the Sayers Creek project from M37 Bridge to the confluence, which is approximately a 400 foot section, will be contracted for the fall of 2011 or 2012.  A complete survey and inventory of bank erosions and habitat problems will be conducted by CRA.  Bank restoration can be expensive and sand traps have been discontinued.  Bridge crossings and approaches etc. are being closely monitored.  Currently, 11 Mile Bridge, 18 Mile Bridge, Carrieville, & Johnson’s Bridge are under consideration for improvement.  However, what is going to be done has not been discussed.  New signs are currently being placed at bridge crossings.

Salmon in the Classroom (Evelyn Furman): Mr. Wojo, Brethren High School Science teacher, has set up a program for Salmon in the Classroom focusing the students’ awareness, observation, comparison and record keeping of the salmon they grow from egg to smolt size. Mr. Wojo will head the program during the 2011-2012 school year.

Bug & Water Quality Surveys (Tom Bastion and Joyce Durdel):  Joyce and other volunteers helped conduct the survey on bugs.  Tom coordinates the volunteers and directs them to where the testing will be carried out. The 2011 macro invertebrate survey has been completed and Tom compared the results with previous years’ studies.  This year’s overall study provided “good” bug populations on average overall. Chemical analysis is still pending on water quality and the findings will be published in the newsletter.

Membership (Greg Block): We are always looking to increase membership.  Greg suggested that all those present to talk to their neighbors and encourage them to participate in some of the volunteer projects.  Also, to attend the meetings to get acquainted with who we are and what we do to promote the health and welfare of the river. If you know of someone who is interested in becoming a member, or who wants more information about LMWCC, contact the watershed using the web address www.lmwcc.org or by contact John Gorys at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

SWAT Team (Roger Buckingham): Roger reported that some of the new river designation signs have been installed at bridges/crossings and that the river is currently clear of blockages for those fishing or kayak/canoeing.  However, as was discovered at today’s meeting, the SWAT Team is always ready to work on a new blockage, should it occur. Roger can be contacted by calling 231-266-8489 or a problem can be reported by emailing John at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Your concern will be forward to Roger.

Newsletter (David Spruance):  David reported that his goal is to keep the membership aware of on-going projects, information gathered, and an understanding of the significance of the numbers found in the different studies.

Website (Anna Rogers)   Anna was unable to attend the meeting, so Tim reported that the website is up and running, however there are still some issues that need to be ironed out.  LMWCC is looking into “Pay Pal” for use to pay dues.  When the program is implemented our membership will be advised.

River Stewards (Gordon Lewis):  Gordon indicated that we are always looking for additional stewards to check out the river.  If you would like to participate, contact Gordon by checking out the web address www.lmwcc.org or by contacting John Gorys at 231-266-8145 or emailing John at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Project Volunteers (Kaye MacDonald):  Kaye reports we are always!!, always!!, always!! in need of volunteers to work on our projects.  Contact Kaye though the web address www.lmwcc.org  or  contact John Gorys at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Each time you volunteer, your name is entered in a drawing that takes place at this annual members meeting.  Volunteer prizes were awarded to Lou Fitz & Dale Downs at the July 2011 Annual Membership Meeting.  A special thanks to Wolverine World Wide for their generous donation of gift certificates for a complete footwear package to be used as our volunteer drawing prizes!

Grants (Gene Means):  Gene is currently pursuing grants to aid funding additional projects. If you have information about where funding could be obtained, contact John Gorys at 231-266-8145 or email John at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  John will forward your contact to Gene.

The Little Manistee Watershed Conservation Council wishes to extend a sincere “thank you” (once again) to the Indian Club for their continued support of our endeavors and the luncheon that was provided at the 2011 Annual Member Meeting. The Committee appreciates your dedication and your support of our cause.

In closing, a special thanks to an extraordinary friend ………… A special presentation of a Lifetime Service Award was given to LMWCC’s constant friend and founding member, John Gorys.  John has given untold years of dedicated service to the watershed.  Recognizing his dedication, many members had requested that he be acknowledged for these years of service to the Little Manistee River and this association.  Congratulations John!!!.....and thank you from each of us and from the entire Membership!!!  Without your expertise we would be lost.

Raffle Winners

Kayaks - Sue Lukens of Melborne, FL

Camping Equipment - Dan Sernick

Silent Auction

We wish to acknowledge a “Thank You” to everyone who donated to the silent auction and the bucket raffle.  Your donations will provide the opportunity for additional permitting and the implementation of additional habitat improvements.

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If you wish to attend a monthly meeting, we meet on the first Saturday of each month. During the summer, we meet at 9:00a.m. Winter months begin at 10:00a.m. Eden Township Hall………………………………Irons, Michigan

Respectfully submitted: Evelyn Furman-Secretary / Johnel Buckingham

 

Guest Speaker Mark Tonello Michigan Department of Natural Resources Fish Biologist and Avid Fisherman

Below is a short synopsis of Mark’s presentation:

The Little River is truly a little river; with 150 cubic feet of water flow per second, it is about a tenth of the size of the Big Manistee which is 1500 cfs a second. It is amazingly productive, even though half is owned by the Federal government and half in private ownership. Grayling were originally found in the river, but are now extinct.  Today there are 5 species found in our waters: brook, brown & rainbow trout, Chinooks, and Coho salmon. These remain a healthy, wild re-producing species, with a good return to the river every year.

However, we have noticed some differences; there is now an early spring return of steelhead that did not originally occur.  We are attempting to determine what changed for this event to appear.  One avenue of thought is some event may have occurred at the weir, but this is only speculation.  Also, even though the species is healthy and reproduction is good, the size of the fish is smaller.  Where there once 25-30 pound fish, the size is now between 15-20 pounds, which may be do to the reduced forage fish (alewives).  There seems to be a question as to what has changed, water temperature, less habitat, or more competition for food.  Currently these areas remain under study.  However, at this time we are attempting to see what changes have occurred in Lake Michigan. The Quagga Muscles (cousin to Zebra Muscles) are found resembling carpet on the Lake Michigan bottom.  These muscles are found much deeper than the Zebra Muscle (found at about 50 ft.) and this could bring issues of a sterile lake. The Quagga is in direct competition for food and they are able to survive against other predators. Currently, it appears not much is understood when it comes to this predator and whether it has a predator itself, to combat its expansive growth.

The “Restoration Committee i.e. Partnership Committee”; consists of (Road Commissions, DEQ, DNR, Forest Service, and Watersheds), to name a few. Basically, this partnership works on eco-system management.  Their concentration is on the entire watershed and covers areas such as: rivers, bridge crossings, tributaries, and agriculture, everything and anything that might affect watersheds and they know and recognize anything occurring on land will affect rivers. They plan, prioritize and are involved in fund raising (through CRA).

Mark also discussed size and weight of our fish and presented some thoughts as to why there are smaller fish in the Little Manistee River.  One thought was that rivers are experiencing lower water flow.  People are relating facts they find meaningful, remarking that over the last ten years (in their estimation) the rivers are all at lower flow levels. Also, competition for food, bugs, the die-off of alewives, and water temperature issues all affect fish growth.

Also, woody cover is not as plentiful as it should be (that is, places where fish can hide and that provide addition habitat). Since we recognize these issues we begin to acknowledge something must be done.  What can we do?  We can provide additional habitat, replace woody debris and leave it in tact, provide channel diversity, overhead cover, and we can narrow and deepen channels. Without the support of each organization little could be accomplished.  These organizations keep everyone informed on what is happening within each watershed.

Thank you Mark, for your insight into the health, welfare of our “little river” and the accomplishments of volunteers that donate time and effort maintaining the Little Manistee.