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Sunday, June 18, 2006

Mark Johnson

CRA

10850 Traverse Highway

Suite 1111

Traverse City, Mi. 49684

Dear Mark,

Please plan on the Little Manistee Watershed Conservation Council contributing $15,000 towards the cost of the three fish cover projects in the vicinity of Bear Track Campground planned for the summer of 2006.

Of this $15,000, $14,000 will be furnished by LMWCC and $1000 will be donated by The Flint River Valley Chapter of Michigan Steel headers.

In Addition LMWCC and the Flint River Valley Steel headers are planning to have volunteers help out with the labor aspect on one of these projects scheduled for Saturday, July 22, 2006.

Sincerely

Dave McIntire

President LMWCC

Sediment Basins
(sand traps) by Dave McIntire

IT HAS BEEN A LONG TIME COMING, BUT THIS SUMMER THE LITTLE MANISTEE RIVER WILL HAVE TWO NEW SAND TRAPS

THE METHOD
Basically this is a large hole dug in the bottom of the river. The bottom is normally dug down about 3- 5 feet deeper and 150 - 200 yards long. It spans the whole river from one bank to the other bank on the opposite side. This is normally dug with an excavator big enough to reach across the river or with a dragline. The spoils are deposited on the bank long enough for the water to drain out. Next they are hauled away for disposal. It can save considerable costs if this sand can be used for fill in the general area.

THE REASON
Sand loads on the river bottom covers gravel needed for macro invertebrate habitat and for fish spawning. Sand continuously drifting down stream fills deep holes and covers woody debris, which is needed for, fish cover. Before a sand trap is to be effective and even considered for construction, the source of the sand must be located and corrected up stream.

LOCATION
To be effective, a sand trap needs to be constructed just down stream from a high gradient section of the river. It has to be in an area that is also easily accessible for equipment to dig and remove the sand from the area.

TREAD LIGHTLY
This must be accomplished in a manner that will not hurt the surrounding area. The effect on the wet lands is a determining factor of getting a permit from the Michigan department of Environmental Quality. Care must also be exercised in not damaging the surrounding area. Minimal foliage removal is critical.

THE PROCEDURE
Once the source of the sand has been corrected, the location is chosen and the river bottom is dug out. The area effected the most is down stream from the trap. Sand from up stream washes down into the trap or big hole. It will start to fill from the up stream end, kind of like a big sand bar. Slowly the hole fills in, but before it is completely filled, equipment comes back and digs it out again. This usually happens twice the first year and starts to taper off after that. It all depends on the sand load up stream. A sand trap must be maintained for 10 - 20 years. The area down stream from the trap starts to have gravel and woody debris exposed along with holes created where they once were. This happens by the natural current. Existing sand will constantly drift down stream. Because sand is caught in the trap, it can no longer drift down and existing sand below the trap moves on.

THE PLAN
Thanks to our members working on erosion sites, dues, raffles and donations, we were able to create a sand trap fund. Plans were to have one trap further up stream and wait until there were sufficient funds in the next few years to have another strategically located down stream to take over an area that the first trap could not directly effect. Through our Little Manistee Partnership, we were able to locate the first trap in the Manistee National Forest just down from Old Grade Camp Ground near M-37. The construction of this is to be funded from a 319 grant. The US Forest Service and the LMWCC sand trap fund will share the Maintenance costs. We will be required to continuously build this fund to cover our share of the on going costs. We plan to do this with donations, fundraisers, member dues etc.

This summer there was a press review of a major restoration project, site 34, down a ways from Driftwood campground. In attendance was a family who has ties to the area and visiting on vacation. They represent a foundation that issued grants primarily for educational purposes. Along with West Shore Community College and the Manistee Regional Math/Science Center at Chittenden, we were able to meet the educational requirements. A sand trap is to be the focal point for various studies. Macro invertebrates and fish count and size will be monitored. Additionally sand loads will be documented. These studies will take place before and after the sand trap is created. Benchmarks will be established above and below the sand trap. The study results will be beneficial for years to follow. Because of this joint venture and the generosity of the private Partnership foundation, we have received a nice donation solely for this second sand trap. These funds are invested in timely certificates to create and maintain this trap for at least 10 years. Additionally this donation serves as matching funds for future restoration state and federal grants. Plans are to have this second sand trap installed at the lower end of private property just upstream from Manistee National Forest public property. We are also indebted to the property owner who is allowing us to install this basin.

THE SCHEDULE
So far we have met at each site with Mark Johnson (CRA), Eric Hudy (DEQ), contractors and Don Halverman (engineer). We have the go ahead approval. Plans are being drawn up, permit applications are being prepared and construction bids will be placed.

We hope to have both traps constructed simultaneously late this June or early July. This will be after the Steelhead spring run and before the Salmon fall run. We want to disrupt the river as little as possible.

We are planning a bigger and more exciting annual membership meeting and picnic in Irons, July 14 (many more details to follow). If all goes as planned, we will be able to take members on a field trip to see the operation of our second sand trap first hand. It should be real exciting and educational.

There you have it. We will keep you abreast of further developments as they come up.

THANKS FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT.