Dedicated to the preservation, protection, restoration...

Dedicated to the preservation, protection,

restoration, and sustainable use of the Muskegon River...

Annual Report 2013

Muskegon River Watershed Assembly

The Muskegon River Watershed Assembly received grant awards and project support from the following organizations in 2013:

Community Foundation for Muskegon County (CFFMC)

Cranbrook Institute Ferris State University (FSU)

Fremont Area Community Foundation (FACF) Mecosta County Community Foundation (MCCF)

Meijer Foundation Michigan Dept. of Environmental Quality (DEQ)

Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR) National Fish & Wildlife Foundation (NFWF)

Osceola County Community Foundation (OCCF) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Wege Foundation

West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission (WMSRDC)

MRWA Mission and Goals

The Muskegon River Watershed Assembly is dedicated to the preservation, protection, restoration, and sustainable use of the Muskegon River, the land it drains, and the life it supports, through

educational, scientific and conservation initiatives. MRWA goals:

Disseminate information about the Muskegon River Watershed Provide a forum for the discussion of watershed issues Initiate actions which will provide for the sustainability of a healthy Muskegon River Compile and correlate data and sources of data Actively promote collaboration and coordination to achieve MRWA objectives

Table of Contents

Inside Cover ········································· MRWA Funders & Mission

Page 2 ················································· MRWA History & Demographics

················································· MRWA Board of Directors

Page 4 ················································· MRWA Board of Directors & Staff

Page 5 ················································· Financial Information & Sustainability

Page 6-7 ·············································· Membership & Contributors

Page 8 ················································· Preservation

Page 9-10 ············································· Protection

Page 11 ··············································· Restoration

Page 12-13 ··········································· Education Initiatives

Page 13 ··············································· Scientific Initiatives

Muskegon River Watershed Assembly (MRWA) @Ferris State University

1009 Campus Drive JOH 303 Big Rapids, MI 49307-2280

Phone : 231-591-2324 Fax: 231-591-2306 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.mrwa.org

Cover: Little Muskegon River (photo by Ken Johnson) Inside Cover: 2013 water monitoring training

Muskegon River Watershed Assembly Annual Report—January 1 through December 31, 2013

2013 MRWA Annual Report

Page 2

History and Demographics

The Muskegon River Watershed Assembly (MRWA) was formed by volunteers in May 1998 to address the needs of the River and to assure that future generations are able to enjoy the River as much as we do now. In 2000, the MRWA was incorporated as a nonprofit organization and granted an exemption from income tax under Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. With the assistance from a three-year grant from the Wege Foundation and Great Lakes Fishery Trust (GLFT) in 2001, the volunteers hired two full-time employees. In 2012, the MRWA was awarded a Great Lakes Restoration Initiative grant providing a portion of the funding for a third full-time employee. Since 2001, the MRWA has been very appreciative of the Wege Foundation who has continued supporting the MRWA with operational funds and project match funds. In 2006, 2010, and 2012, the Fremont Area Community Foundation awarded additional operational funds for projects and activities directly benefiting Newaygo County from 2006 through 2015. Ferris State University (FSU) provides three offices for employees at their main campus in Big Rapids, MI. This is an ideal location since it is near the geographic center of the Watershed. FSU also provides computers and technology support. Gratitude is also expressed to the many individual and organizational contributors who support the MRWA with membership fees and donations (pages 6-7). In 2013, the MRWA worked on numerous projects and implemented programs that affected all the major counties within the Watershed as we worked to fulfill our mission. A few of the projects are contained in this report under the categories: preservation (page 8), protection (pages 9-10), restoration (page 11) and sustainability (page 5), through educational, scientific and conservation initiatives (pages 12-13).

The Muskegon River is the second longest river in Michigan and ranks as the third largest Michigan watershed encompassing over 2,700 square miles. The River and its tributaries flow through major portions of nine counties and touch upon three others. The River is considered a “cool-water system” with both cold and warm water tributaries.

Muskegon River Watershed

MRWA Board of Directors


Page 3

Kurt Ray Finance/Human

Resources Committee Chair

Doug Trembath Secretary

Jean LaLonde Education Committee

Chair

Ron Kadelsik Resource Committee

Chair

Greg Mund Outgoing Vice-Chair

Incoming Chair

Ken Johnson Treasurer

Mark Pitzer Retiring Chair

Cindy Fitzwilliams-Heck Incoming Vice-Chair

Gary Noble Executive Director

Terry Stilson Program Director

MRWA Staff


Karen Ickes-LeMasters Project Manager

Gabrielle Blythe Clerical Assistance

Wayne Groesbeck Member at Large

MRWA Board of Directors

Don Henning Incoming Member at Large

Nancy Burmeister Incoming Member at Large

Financial Distribution—2013

In 2013, the MRWA received a total of $569,424 in revenues, gains and other support as illustrated in the graph left.

The audited “Comparative Statement of Functional Expenses—Year Ended

December 31, 2013” is illustrated in the graph right, giving the percentage of

expenses used for general management tasks, fundraising and program services. Total

expenses for 2013 were $576,468.

4.1%

94.6%

0.6%

0.4%

0.3%

Sustainability

Page 5

The MRWA completed a sustainability planning process in 2010 working with a professional consultant, who prepared a “MRWA Sustainability Plan.” The Plan defines strategies for long-term sustainability and aligns the organization to support these strategies. The Plan also identifies the most appropriate structure, systems, staffing, leadership, and revenue model for the MRWA to adopt. As recommended in the Plan, the MRWA formed a Transition Team (in 2011) to oversee and assist with organizational change efforts. A MRWA Development Committee was also formed in 2011 to help create, implement, and evaluate fundraising strategy and annual fundraising plans, as well as oversee all fundraising activities in order to meet annual MRWA revenue goals. In 2013, the Transition Team met 3 times and the Development Committee met on 3 occasions to help guide transition and fundraising efforts, respectively. During 2013, the MRWA increased its staff capacity by

hiring a new Project Manager (3rd full-time position) following a phased approach as resources allow. Phase 1 (completed in 2011) involved hiring a part-time Administrative Assistant to assist in office duties to allow current staff more time to address critical tasks. Since late 2012, reduced office duties assistance comes from a part-time Clerical Assistant (student), allowing the MRWA to eliminate the Administrative Assistant position. Phase 2 (initiated in 2012) involved planning for and selecting the new Project Manager, thanks to the MRWA receiving a Great Lakes Restoration Initiative grant award, which funded most of our new Project Manager during 2013. 2013 fundraising efforts, eliminating the Administrative Assistant position, and cost savings in using a student Clerical Assistant also supported our new full-time Project Manager position during 2013. Phase 3 (beyond 2013) will address anticipated administrative support needs by hiring a Development / Marketing Associate (4th full-time position) to help as more volunteers and members become more deeply engaged in MRWA’s work.

2013 MRWA Annual Report MRWA Members

MRWA Paid Membership (July 1, 2012-June 30, 2013)

Cindy & Bob Ackerman Edwin Anderson Tom Anderson William and Judith Anderson Carmen Atteberry Richard & Mary Bakale Bruce Baker, Environmental Stewardship Dick Baker Maureen Beekman Eldon Birtles Todd Blake, Newaygo Co-City of Fremont Tom Blandford Lee Brown Ron Brown, MERES/Muskegon Cons. Dist. Scott Brown, MI Lake & Stream Assoc. Gary & Betty Byl, Muskegon/White River Chapt TU

Roger Care, McNaLMS Edwin Carter Fred Chidester Lillie Coster Jerry & Ila Cox Karleen Cox Tony Crosser, Muskegon Co-Cedar Ck Twp.

Ray Czarnik Jason DaDay & Lori Anderson, FSU Mary Daloisio Duane DeVries, Izaak Walton League Eckhart Dersch Scott & Kim Dickinson Mark & Kathy Evans Fred Evenson, Lake Georg POA Tom & Susan Fabus Wayne Falda Solomon Feravich Fremont Lake Assoc. Norm Fullmer C. Mitchell George Kurt Giberson, Newaygo Co-Brooks Twp. Jerry Groebe Toni Rae Gurn Michael Guy William D. Hall Robert Haskell Fred & Cindy Heck, Ferris State University James & Pamela Hegarty, Prein & Newhof

Jim & Gloria Helgemo Dave & Ruth Helpap Ellouise Hieftje Houghton Lake Lake Assoc. James & Linda Jackson Tom Jennett James Johnson, Crawford-Roscommon CD Ken Johnson, Richard H. Johnson Builder Inc

Marilyn Keigley, Feris State University Jack Ketchum Mark King, NCRESA Lyle Kingshott Ross & Mary Linda Kittleman Mark & Jeanette Knoph, The Old Log Resort Beverly Koning Dick Kruger Ted Kusowski R. Joseph Kwaiser Jean LaLonde Pat Lemson William Marsh Jim Maturen, MI Wild Turkey Hunters Assoc.

John & Ginni Mazur Sue Ellen & Bob McCreary Norbert McFarland Bob & Mary Michela, HLLA Kristin Miedema, Newaygo Co-Garfield Twp.

Montcalm Cons. Dist. Patrick & Cynthia Moran Dean & Jean Morehouse Kathy & John Morrison, Morrison Orchards Max Morrison Stephen Morrison Morton Twp. Tri Lakes Assoc. Greg Mund Charles Nash, Muskegon Co.-Dist. 6 Edward Nellist, Roscommon Co-Lyon Twp. Don & Dee Nelson Mike Niemiec Gary Noble Virginia O'Neill Amy Packard Robert & Nancy Parsons Mary Payne Roger Peacock, Fairview Floral/Garden Ctr. Dan Postema, TrueNorth Com. Services Sarah Pregitzer & Randy Butters Charles & Sheryl Presler Todd Price, American Red Cross/Yellow Dux

John & Ailene Pugno Allan Puplis Mary Pylman Kurt Ray Michael Reagan, Newaygo Co-Bridgeton Twp

Roscommon County Commissioners Bill & Irene Ruga Clayton Rye James Rynberg, Newaygo Co-City of Fremont

Richard & Ruth Santer Claude Schmitt Lee Schrader Dave & Kerry Scripps James Smalligan, Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr & Huber Fred Smith John & Kathleen Snider Don Snyder, Kalamazoo Chapter T.U. Doug Snyder Robert Soltess Leo & Nancy Speese Marilyn Speese Vicki Springstead, Higgins Lake Foundation Robert Stegmier, Izaak Walton League Al & Annoesjka Steinman Don Stephen Keith Stiles, Houghton Lake Lake Assoc. John & Terry Stilson Kathy Stolaruk Carl & Peggy Straathof Kent Stroop Jim & Jean Sweet George Sweetman Gary & Gloria Switzer Vivian TenBrink Melora Theunick, Local Dev. Finance Auth. Bill Torry Doug Trembath Roger Tuuk Dale Twing, Newaygo Co. Donald & Joann Vandermolen Village of Hersey-Osceola Co. Bev Visser Ron Welton Dick Wheeler, Mecosta Co-Morton Twp. Fred Wilder, Muskegon Conservation Club Robert and Mary Wygant Todd & Tim Young, Young Ag LLC Dennis Zimmerman, MLSA/Lake George POA

Mimi Zwolak, Missaukee Lake Assoc.

Karleen Cox Scott DeBoe

Peggy Jensen & Gerald Nehra Jack Ketchum

Ross & Mary Linda Kittleman Emert Lange

John & Kathleen Snider Al & Annoesjka Steinman

Lisa Symons Kenneth & Marguerite Winter

2013 MRWA Endowment Contributors


Contributors

2013 MRWA Contributors Edwin Anderson Tom Anderson William and Judith Anderson Richard Arnold Doug Bard Big Rapids Rock, Gem & Mineral Club Eldon Birtles Edward & Mary Brayton Sharon Brechon Keith & Karen Bumgarner Bill & Nancy Burmeister Mark & Miriam Bush Gary & BettyByl,Muskegon/White Rr Chapt TU Gilbert & Johneva Campbell Fred Chidester J.A.Conrad,Big Rapids Riverwalk Susan Conradson, DEQ Debra Cox, Ferris State University Jerry & Ila Cox Ray Czarnik Mary Daloisio Todd DeKryger Rod Denning, GVSU-AWRI Valerie & Paul Deur Greg DeWeerd, Muskegon Save Our Shoreline Scott & Kim Dickinson Peter Farougi Fremont Lake Assoc. Solomon Feravich Vicki & Neil Frye C. Mitchell George Bea Griffith-Cooper, Learnsmith Assoc. Jerry Groebe Emily Hancock Fred & Cindy Heck,Ferris State University

Don & Karen Henning Higgins Lake Property Owners Assoc. Diane Horrisberger Tom Jennett Ken Johnson, Richard H. Johnson Builder Inc. Peter & Janet Jordan Ronald & Robin Kadelsik Marilyn Keigley, Ferris State University Robert Kersman Joellyn Kieren Mark King,NCRESA Randy & Debbie Knapp John & Leischen Krause Ted Kusowski John and Patricia Lunden William Marsh Jim Maturen, MI Wild Turkey Hunters Assoc. Norbert McFarland Rick & Anne Meeks Kristin Miedema, Newaygo Co-Garfield Twp. Denise Mitten Karen and Kamal Motawi Greg Mund Don & Dee Nelson Gary Noble John & Cheryl Orlikowski Amy Packard Robert & Nancy Parsons Dick Pastula Mary Payne Matthew & Bonnie Pinter, Ferris State Univ. Scott Plummer Dan Postema,TrueNorth Com. Services Ronald & Terry Potterpin Phil Potvin, MI House of Representatives-102 Sarah Pregitzer & Randy Butters Charles & Sheryl Presler

Todd Price, American Red Cross & Yellow Dux John & Ailene Pugno Dave & Betsy Randall, Maple Hill Farms John Randle, Ferris State University Tom Reichard, District Health Dept. #10 Mike Rolf Margaret Ross, Mecosta Audubon Club Stephen & Barbara Ross Barbara Ruga Richard & Ruth Santer Lynne Scheible, FireStarter Leadership Center Al & Sue Schneider Lee Schrader DuWayne & Jean Schuler Craig & Cathy Simons John & Kathleen Snider Don Snyder, Kalamazoo Chapter T.U. Robert Soltess Al & Annoesjka Steinman Don Stephen John & Terry Stilson Kathy Stolaruk Carl & Peggy Straathof Vivian TenBrink Doug Trembath Roger Tuuk Donald & Joann Vandermolen Theresa VanVeelen, Muskegon Com College John Walhout, Muskegon Nature Club Gail Warnement, Newaygo Conservation Dist. Tim Weiden Jr. Bruce Werner Cathy Whitford Gary Williams Richard Wright Mimi Zwolak, Missaukee Lake Assoc.

In 2001, an endowment fund was created by the MRWA at the Community Foundation for Muskegon County.

Contributions to this fund are held in perpetuity with only earnings available for

the MRWA to use. As of December 31, 2013, the MRWA has not used any of the

earnings from this account.

Preservation 2013 MRWA Annual Report

The MRWA has two funded projects under the Federal Clean Water Act, Section 319 Nonpoint Source Management Program.

The Bear Creek/Lake Watershed Implementation 2 project goals are to reduce external nutrient loading sources to Bear Lake (Muskegon County), develop a strategy to reduce internal nutrient loading to Bear Lake, update the existing watershed management plan, involve and educate watershed stakeholders, implement best management practices in the watershed, and facilitate land use planning meetings with local units of government within the watershed area. Project partners include Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr & Huber (FTCH), Grand Valley State University Annis Water Resources Institute (AWRI), Muskegon Conservation District (MCD), West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission (WMSRDC), and local units of government in the Bear Creek/Lake Watershed. This project was completed in 2013 (except for some administrative work).

In 2011, the MRWA received funding for the multi-faceted three-year Upper Watershed project (Roscommon and Missaukee Counties). In 2013, two Steering Committee meetings were conducted. Numerous articles were published in newsletters and local media. AWRI conducted a visioning workshop for local elected officials. AWRI continued their research in preparing an upper Muskegon River Watershed Management Plan. Sampling for E.coli was conducted in Houghton Lake by volunteers and the Central MI District Health Department (CMDHD). From this sampling, locations that indicated E.coli was present were “sniffed” by a canine detector unit (pictured above). Six sites

were identified by the canine and these samples will be further tested with DNA analysis. The Trestle Park rain garden was planted by MRWA and Friends of Trestle Park. The Roscommon County Road Commission (RCRC) will restore a Houghton Lake road end through this project. Project partners include AWRI, CMDHD, RCRC, and local concerned citizens (steering committee).

Picture left: Horse Crossing Before: Horses had unlimited access to Staples Drain, allowing sediment and phosphorus to directly enter the

stream. Right: stabilized stream with fencing and vegetation

Right: Steering Committee members review project maps created by AWRI.

Since the MRWA received one of the first Michigan Clean Water Corps grants in 2005, 86 volunteers have been trained to complete habitat assessments and collect macroinvertebrates to determine water quality in our Watershed’s streams. In 2013, a training session was conducted in Cadillac (pictured below). A “Meeting of the Monitors” was held in Big Rapids to help unify our water monitors and provide them with information. Pete Badra, MI Natural Features Inventory, (pictured left) spoke about freshwater mussels contained in

the Muskegon River Watershed. Volunteers collect macroinvertebrates each spring and fall and send datasheets to the MRWA who inputs them into a database. The data is then sent to the state MiCorps program who in turn provides the data to the DEQ. After the initial two-year grant was completed, the MRWA Board allocated funding to continue the program for eight additional years through 2015.


Page 9

Protection

Trash in our waterways is not only unsightly but it has harmful consequences. Liquid in containers, leaching plastic, chemicals, medicines, and other contaminants pollute our water, plus animals can become trapped in trash and die.

In 2013, three groups that conducted cleanups were Cindy Fitzwilliams-Heck’s FSU Nature Study Class (pictured above), a Muskegon County group (pictured below) and a

Newaygo County group (pictured above). Each of these groups cleaned sections of the Muskegon River in their counties.

Rain gardens are living detention ponds for containing and filtering storm water. Two rain gardens were planted through the MRWA in 2013. A rain garden was planted at Velma Matson Upper Elementary School in Newaygo. Program Director Terry Stilson first provided education sessions where Julie Berwald’s third grade students learned about storm water and the importance of rain gardens. Then, the students planted the garden in May (pictured left). Funding for the garden was from MRWA discretionary monies from the FACF. Trestle Park in Houghton Lake was the second location for a rain garden that was planted in July. This garden collects storm water from a road that ends at the lake. Planting the garden was

MRWA staff, Friends of Trestle Park, and Houghton Lake Lake Association (pictured right). Funding for this garden was provided through a state grant and the Wege Foundation. Informative signs were installed at both rain gardens.


Page 10

Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) are spreading throughout the Great Lakes. Many of these species have populated our lakes via boat traffic. The MRWA received grant funding in late 2012 from the U.S. Forest Service to purchase a portable power washer to remove aquatic invasive species (AIS) from boats in the upper watershed, and contract a person to coordinate activities there. In 2013, Shelby Eagan and Doug Pavlovich served as coordinators for the project. They set up the power washer at different boat launches around Higgins and Houghton Lakes and washed boats entering and exiting the lakes. Boat owners were also surveyed to gain information on how much boat owners knew about the spread of AIS. The coordinators also provided educational presentations to local organizations and groups.

Work continued towards the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) grant project objectives. The GLRI grant was awarded to the MRWA in October 2012 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. After planning for field work, MRWA and project partners were able to confirm areas of land that had potential for reforestation, streambank restoration, erosion control, conservation easements, and forest stewardship plans. In the upper watershed, inventory data was compiled on 23 miles of stream for road stream crossing, streambank erosion, invasive species, small dams and instream habitat. There was a forest stewardship workshop for watershed residents and outreach tools were developed. In the lower watershed, 3 forest stewardship plans were developed and landowners were contacted to gauge interest in conservation easement development. Meetings were held with landowners interested in reforestation activities. A total of 131 acres on private property were reforested and 68.5 acres for reforestation in spring 2014 were secured. A total of 10,980 lineal feet of vegetated forest buffer on streambanks were installed and 5,695 lineal feet of stream to be planted (stream buffer) in the spring of 2014 were secured. MRWA and project partners continued toward accomplishing the objectives of the GLRI project in the Muskegon River Watershed. The project has been extended until June 2015.

Trees are important to a watershed. They produce shade to keep our waterways cool, and can absorb and filter a great amount of storm water runoff. Partnering with the Newaygo County Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Fremont Schools, the MRWA led a restoration project near Newaygo. NRCS Kelly Bishop and MRWA Program Director Terry

Stilson met with Terry Grabill’s class in early May to discuss the importance of native trees and provided students with a demonstration on the proper method of planting trees. Students applied their knowledge by planting 550 trees on Al and Sue Schneider’s property near Newaygo. Funding was provided through MRWA discretionary funding from the FACF.


Restoration


Page 12

Education Initiatives

The MRWA Education Committee continued providing Natural Shoreline workshops to watershed residents in 2013. These workshops provide education about the importance of natural shorelines and native plants, and assisted landowners in developing their own property site plan. Facilitators included MRWA Education Committee Chair Jean LaLonde,

Committee members Cynthia Fitzwilliams-Heck, Nancy Burmeister, Vicki Sawicki (pictured above), and Program Director Terry Stilson. Road signs (pictured right and developed through the Education Committee) were installed along Mecosta County roads in 2013. Mecosta County sign funding was provided through the Mecosta County Community Foundation’s Match Day funding.

The MRWA conducts water fairs to provide water-based education to elementary school students. MRWA staff participated and conducted two water fairs during 2013. The Twin Lake (Muskegon County) Water Fair was held in May for Twin Lake Elementary’ s third grade students at Twin Lake Park. This water fair was unique in that it used Ferris State University students to conduct the sessions (pictured left). MRWA Program Director Terry Stilson coordinated the event with Twin Lake teachers and Cindy Fitzwilliams-Heck led her Ferris Biology students in developing and conducting the sessions.

The West Michigan Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative was approached by the Cranbrook Institute in conducting a Muskegon County area Water Festival in 2013. The MRWA participated and was the fiduciary for the event. Program Director Terry Stilson, Project Manager Karen Ickes-LeMasters, and Board member Wayne Groesbeck also led sessions at the Water Festival that was held in September.

The Voyage of Discovery Committee decided the Little Muskegon River would be a good choice for their 2013 paddling trip. This 44.1 mile voyage from Seven Mile Road in Canadian Lakes (Mecosta County) to Croton Pond (Newaygo County) set out to “provide a recreational event to promote awareness and better understanding of the Muskegon River, identify and activate stewards in each sub-watershed, and perform monitoring tasks which will assist in identifying watershed problems and issues.” One of the paddlers, MSU professor emeritus Eckhart Dersch stated, “Overall, the Little Muskegon is a

spectacularly beautiful river ready to show off its many wonders to anyone willing to navigate its circuitous course and its occasional snag (pictured right). It is clearly a multi-faceted haven for nature lovers, birders, fishermen, adventurous small-boaters, photographers, anyone seeking tranquility, and a scattering of cottage and home owners.”

The three-day trip from June 7-9 was enjoyed by all the participants. They are looking forward to next year’s adventure.


In 2012, the MRWA was awarded grants from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Division and Higgins Lake Foundation for the Higgins Lake Evaluation Project. Researchers from Michigan State University (MSU) and University of Michigan (UofM) are reviewing hydrogeological, environmental, and engineering data, conducting bathymetric and lake floodplain surveys, conducting longitudinal channel and floodplain surveys in the Cut River, installing monitoring stations along the Cut River, preparing groundwater/surface water hydrologic models, and preparing habitat models to examine fishery-related impacts. In 2013, Huron Pines conducted a stakeholder survey focusing on identifying concerns about the lake. A second public meeting was held on August 10, 2013. The project grant period ends in December 2014.

Page 13

Scientific Initiatives

Muskegon River Watershed Assembly (MRWA)

@Ferris State University 1009 Campus Drive JOH303 Big Rapids, MI 49307-2280

Phone : 231-591-2324 Fax: 231-591-2306

E-mail: [email protected]

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