Aquatic Connectivity: Benefitting Streams and Communities-Beyer, 2012

Conservation Resource Alliance

Infrastructure & Economic Benefits

•13 Counties

•15 Watersheds

•4 Million Acres

Penney

Bridge

Before

After

Before

After

Before

After

Before

After

GLRI

Larger Projects

Larger Impacts

Previous Condition vs. Restored Condition

North Branch Manistee/Flowing Well Trout Farm

Tom Hamilton, opening day N.

Branch Manistee River 1958

2 streams

11 dams

2 berms

2 raceways

1,600 acres

$1.2 millionGLRI

Sustain Our Great Lakes

USFWS-National Fish

Passage, GLFWRA

Michigan DNR

TU Chapters

Trout & Salmon

Foundation

USDA - NRCS

Flowing Well Creek – Dam 3 before

Flowing Well Creek – Dam 3 after removal

North Branch Manistee River -

before

North Branch Manistee River -

before

North Branch Manistee River –

after

Mecum Rd. Crossing - Before

Mecum Rd. Crossing - After

Manton Mill

Pond Dam

After

Wheeler Creek Dam

Wheeler Creek Dam After Removal

Bringing it Local

Who Cares?Michigan’s $18 Billion

Tourism Industry

Brown Bridge Dam

August 15, 2012

August 24, 2012

Benefits

• Restore over 3.4 miles of coldwater stream

• Reconnect 160 miles of high quality river habitat to the Great Lakes

• Restore more than 250 acres of wetlands and 60 acres of upland habitat

• Enhanced fishing, paddling, recreation

• Significant reduction in risk, maintenance, and liability cost

Project Implementation Team

• Grand Traverse Band

• City of Traverse City

• Grand Traverse County

• Michigan DNR

• Michigan Hydro Relicensing Coalition

• Traverse City Light & Power

• U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

• Conservation Resource Alliance

• Grand Traverse Conservation District

• GT County Road Commission

• Rotary Camps & Services

• Watershed Center GT Bay

• Garfield Township

Ex Officio Members

Major Funders ($5.7 million)

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (over 80%)

U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs

Sustain Our Great Lakes

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Great Lakes Fishery Trust

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Frey and Oleson Foundations(27 total funders/programs)

Thank You!