Flint River W THE Watershed Coalition atershed Reporterflintriver.org/Apr2005news.pdf · gloves, sturdy clothes, rakes, and wading boots, if desired. For additional information, call

Flint River THEWatershed Coalition W

FU~:IVER==~ atershed432 N. SAGINAWST., SUITE805

FUNT,MI 48502. 810-767-6490

April 2005

ReporterPartnerlng to protect our natural resources

CHAIRMAN'S

UPDATEOur Board of Di,rectors· has selected

former State Representative Jack Minoreas the new Executive Director of theWaters.hed Coalition, Minore has know-ledge of the legislative and politicalsystems, having served 15 ears as aFlp1t qty Councilpe ix years'lis a Stl:lte!t~presen rings tothe coalition hisyears enenee asan educator at Whaley Children's Center'and five years of adtniriistrative service .as tile Executive Director of the GeneseeCounty Bar Association.

.Ipersonally extend aspecia]welcome ,to him» He dedicates himselfto whatever work he takes on. He isthorough, considerate and energetic. Ilook forward to working with him as webegin tltis year of challenge: reinvigor-ating our membership and increasing thenumber of volunteers.,

'00/IwantlR'pay specialtribute to our, foimer chait, Darien Bagley. He-hasctonel:i'supeltjob for th~past two years

4with a special effort to keep Us on trackthis p;1stYear. We on the Board are

0'grilteful for his efforts and his active4R~rticipation·on the Board., , , ' we ha~f thr~e Ilewboard meiriberS

j?f~~ustltiuear .•They ana other):,~0a:r~··liI~1rib,~rs~Iisfe9.,elsewherein~lthenewsletter.Lefus4t&ow your

~oncernSan Itm~;v for; and ''parti~ip~te!n;c .,v~tyciu~receiV1i1gthis:not a current menlber of e

it Coalition; pleagesUppoitu's4,· 'do ".. 0" .. i!np~¥~,;.)

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Watershed projects:a "road map" for future planningBy Brent Nicko!.a

Over the course ofthe past several yearsmany advances weremade in protectingwater recourses in theFlint River Watershed.The Flint RiverWatershed Coalition(FRWC) has continuedto conduct programslike the River Cleanup,Volunteer Monitoringand this spring will beadministering Project . D~ we rea/.(y know what's coming out of those pipes? Shouldn't we? TV'eGreen for the first time will, as soon as the Swartz Creek Watershed Stu4J is complete in Mqy.

in the watershed. In addition to theseexisting programs several other activitieshave been under way to greatly enhanceour protection of the Flint RiverWatershed. What other activities havebeen underway you ask? Watershedplanning and lots of it!Approximately three years ago the FRWCand the Center for Applied EnvironmentalResearch (CAER) embarked on the thefirst watershed planning process on atributary of the Flint River Watershed.Since the beginning of that project I ampleased to report that more watershedplanning efforts have started and that theyare being funded by increasingly diversesources. As several of these projects arenearly complete and others are startingthis spring, I felt this was a great time tobriefly review them and to express howimportant each and every one of us will bein implementing them.

THE PROJECTS:The Swartz Creek Watershed

Planning Project was the first project ofits kind in the Flint River Watershed andas such has played an important role in theFRWC's watershed planning efforts. Thisproject has provided the necessaryresources to build FRWC's and cAER'scapacity in watershed planning. Thelessons learned from this project havebeen used in the other projects and willprove invaluable in future watershedplanning efforts in the Flint RiverWatershed.

The Kearsley Creek Watershedmanagement planning effort led by theGenesee County Drain Commissionersoffice will be completed in 2005. Thisproject is unique in that it used highlysophisticated computer models as a basisfor its analysis. The information from this

See WATERSHED continued on page 2

FRWC • April 2005 Page 2

Save our river: volunteer for the annual river clean-up on May 21By Dennis Zawo!

The Watershed's annual Flint Riverclean-up will be 9:00am-1 :OOpmonSaturday, May 21st at various sites alongthe Flint River. Volunteers are encouragedto sign up in advance by calling the FRWCoffice, 810-767-6490, or just show up at oneof the sites on the morning of the clean-up.Vietnam Veterans Park: James P. ColeBlvd., between Hamilton Ave. & Robert T.Longway Blvd., west side of river

Holloway Dam Canoe Access: CarrRoad at the damFlushing Riverview Park: Cherry St. indowntown FlushingUM-Flint Campus: near Harrison Streetat the riverLapeer - Crampton Park: Genesee

A sense of ownership is a greatmotivator for involvement.

Road and Monroe StreetLapeer - Farmers Creek: Off M-24 eastside of the Home Depot parking lot

Lunch and t-shirts provided for allvolunteers; please bring your own workgloves, sturdy clothes, rakes, and wadingboots, if desired. For additionalinformation, call the FRWC office,810-767-6490 or contact Dennis Zawol,clean-up chair, at [email protected]

WATERSHED continued from page 1

project's analysis has led to the discovery ofspecific causes of stream degradation,impaired uses, and provided a means formeasuring the success ofcorrective efforts.

The Gilkey Creek_Watershed, the.smallest.in.the __ .,. ...;,.-_,"--,~~ ,""",",~_""="~""""", ",,;;,,,,

Flint River Watershed andlocated in the heart of the Cityof Flint, will be undergoingwatershed planning this springand summer. This watershed,like so many urban rivers hasbeen neglected to the point ofalmost being entirely forgottenas a resource. However, this

Watershed.Finally, the Lapeer Committee of the

FRWC and CAER have solicited fundingto develop a watershed management plan

clear that we are beginning to see increaseof watershed planning activities in the FlintRiver Watershed. In only the past threeyears we have gone from having no

watershed planning efforts to havingover 750 square miles of land andover 950 liner miles of streamsundergoing form al watershedplanning. These accomplishmentsare great and should serve as asource of pride for the FRWC and itsmany partners. However, the mostexciting aspect of these projects istheir potential impacts on the futureof the watershed.

These plans and planning effortsprovide us with a "road map" toprotecting the watershed byidentifying the critical issues that wemust address in our advocacy. Ifwe

are to be successful in protecting our localwaters we must encourage decision makers,landowners, farmers and citizens to use therecommendations set forth in these plans.This task will require effort and hard workfrom all that are concerned with the issue.

spring the FRWC and CAER.,with funding from the Ruth MottFoundation, will be working to change thatimage of the creek. This unique projectprovides FRWC and CAER with theopportunity to work with a distinguishedgroup of stakeholders that included MottCommunity Collage, The ApplewoodEstate, the Flint Cultural Center, and severalvibrant neighborhoods in the City of Flint.The goals of this project are to identifypotential sites for water quality improve-ment and to raise the awareness of the needto restore and beautify the Gilkey Creek

for the headwaters of the South Branch ofthe Flint River. The "Headwaters Project"will focus largely on protecting the riverfrom negative impacts related to theexpansion of M-24 in southern LapeerCounty. This project will work withseveral large land owners and concernedstakeholders to protect the only selfsustaining trout stream in the Flint RiverWatershed.

Through the hard work of the FRWCand several of its project partners it is

But, in that effort, be confident that theplans being developed will provide us withtools to guide our dialog and decisions topreserve, protect, and restore the greatnatural resource that is the Flint River.

Brent Nickoia (right) and DEQ Director, Steve Chester, met recently inLansing to discuss watershed issues and to tape a brief segment for a spot toair on public television station, WFUM

FRWC • April 2005 Page 3

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S

REPOR1 ~0p~d to"itavea&sumed the

positiCc?nQfExecutiye Director~of theFlint RivetWatershedCoalitionand Ilook forward to working with you toadvance good environmental practicesin the area. Our work is,and willcontinue to be, largely volunteerdriven. Our success depends on all ofus working together to improve waterquality and to preserve waterresources ip the region.

Iwelcome' your ideas andstions as I begin this-new

nture. Ihope that you will feel freetact me at any time with your

w-we can best achieve ourentalconcems.

__ I hopefoincrease our visibility inthe entire watershed area, in order toincrease membership and memberpartlcipa{ionin'our various programs.One means of achieving this goal toregular communieatien ~~speciallythtougJ:bthis quarterly newsletter, In'addition, Iinvite all of you to checkpllrwebsite at www.flintriver.erg for5()lllplete information aboutusand our.programs.

'eye If you have an interest in a healthy~,~.environment across our entire water- .

shed but have not yet become amember, please consider joining,l~day. Our viability as an organization

,depends on increasing our membership'"annually over the next two years.Please contact us for membershipinformation.

Jack [email protected]

Disposal of household hazardous waste atthree sites in Genesee County on May 14

Everyone has dangerous stuff lyingaround their home: material that could bepoisonous or have a bad effect on theenvironment. These hidden dangers arein your basement, your garage, and underthe kitchen sink. Some of it could beleftover from when you bought yourhome. Often it is hiding in your parentsor grandparents house because they don'tknow how to properly dispose of thestuff.

Take an opportunity this spring to getrid of it! Landfills aren't designed to holdhazardous waste, they are designed tohold everyday trash. Dispose of your oldchemicals properly at the Genesee CountyHousehold Hazardous Waste Collectionon Saturday, May 14th from Warn until2pm at three locations:

City of Flint Water Service Center3310 E. Court StreetOpposite Consumer's Energy betweenCenter and Dort Hwy., at the comer ofAverill Avenue.

Atherton Middle SchooL3444 South Genesee Rd., Burton, MI

Hili-McCloy High SchoolMontrose Community Schools301 Nanita Dr., Montrose, MI

Material accepted include usedmotor oil, gasoline, antifreeze, oil-basedpaints, stains, paint thinners, oldmedicines, mercury (includingthermometers and thermostats),pesticides, fertilizers, cleaningchemicals, batteries (all kinds;automotive, rechargeable, household),.

We do NOT accept latex paint,radioactive materials, explosives, or anymaterial from businesses.

Residents in Lapeer County shouldcontact Phil Kaatz, Lapeer County MSUExtension Director, at 810-667-0341, forinformation about the next collection day.Residents of other counties should call

their environmental health department.

Upcoming events to put on your calendarAPRIL 2005 MAY 2005

FRWC Board MeetingApril 15, 8:30 a.m., Matt cc. Prahl

Earth DayApril 23, 9 a.m.- 3 p.m., Matt ee

WildLapeer DaysLapeer, MJ

April 23, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.Training for River Monitoring

April 23, Matt eeFRWC River Monitoring

April 30, Matt ee

FRWC River MonitoringMay 4

FRWC Board MeetingMay 20,8:30 a.m., Matt cc. Prahl

Annual Flint River Clean-upMay 21, 9 a.m. - 1p.m.

JUNE 2005Ortonville "CreekFest"

June 11FRWC Board Meeting

June 17, Matt cc. Prahl

I!""""'"------------------

FRWC • April 2005 Page4

Friends of the Flint River Trail bike rides begin May 1By Jack Mino,:!

One of the goals of the Watershed

Coalition is to promote recreational use of

the water and areas adjacent to the water.

Friends of the Flint River Trail (FFRT) is a

volunteer organization that promotes the use

of the trail that runs alongthe Flint River from

downtown to

Carpenter Road where it

connects to one of the

Genesee County Parks trails.

They organize a bike rideevery Sunday, May through

October, beginning at 2:00 pm, at the Flint

City (or Farmer's) Market. The "norm al''

ride is from the Market and ends at Genesee

County Parks and Recreation's, Bluebell

Beach on Bray Road. Most of the ride is on

paved trail- though it includes

minimal street rid~ also. The

round trip is about 13 miles and is

done at a leisurely pace to

accommodate amateur riders.

Shorter loops are available on all

rides. You can find a link to thei

FFRT on our website.

There are occasional "special"

rides during the season including,

for example a June 5th "Kids Day"The paved bike trail at Bluebell Beach on Bray Road where

with shorter rides to the Kearsley FFRT bike riders s/opfor a brief break before ~ading back to

Park Playground for play and the Flint City Market.

snacks: that ride is intended for the very exhibits at the Buick.Gallery at Sloan

young (say 5 years old & up) but with Museum. Occasional Saturday rides on

longer loops available for older children. other bike trails will be scheduled.A Father's Day Ride (June 19th) will The first ride is Sunday, May 1st at

include refreshments and a look at the 2:00 pm. All riders are welcome.

Water WIse• All the water we have ever had

and all we will ever have is on theearth right now.

• The average American uses 200gallons of water every day.

• A five-minute shower uses 50gallons of water.

• A dairy cow drinks 56 gallons ofwater to produce 12 gallons ofmilk.

• An open faucet allows five gallonsof water to pass in just twominutes.~-------------~The Flint River Watershed is the 1400

square mile area of land that drains to theFlint River. It includes portions of Genesee,

Lapeer; Oakland, Saginaw, Shiawassee,and Tuscola Counties.I

Come together to protect, preserve, and improve the

Flint River Watershed.Provide community education programs to develop good

watershed stewards and wise use of your resources.

Collect water quality data throughout the watershed toidentify problem areas.

Facilitate region-wide river management and restoration.

Keep 100% of your membership dollars focused on localprojects.

Stay "tuned in" to localen.vironmental and natural resourceissues through our newsletter and seminars.

Access information on how to protect and enjoy your watershed.

Help your local environment through river cleanups and river

and stream monitoring.

Meet and work with people with similar interests.

FRWC • April 2005 Page 5

Celebrate Earth Day at wild LapeerBy Sara LesAry

Join environmentalist from around

Lapeer County on Saturday, April 23,from 10-4 at the Lapeer Courthouse Square.

This event will be a day of family fun

though learning, exploring, and

experiencing the natural world. This yearmany of the programs and activities will

focus on the environmental benefits of

farms and our local environmental industry.

Wild Lapeer will offer several programs and

presentations specifically about locally

grown foods and farmland preservation.Start the weekend out right with a

"Dinner and a Movie" package on Friday,

April 22. For a $20 per person ticket

purchase, each holder can get $10 off their

dinner at several of the downtown

restaurants and admission to the featured

movie, Barn Red at 7 p.m. the Pix Theater.This full-length feature film is the story of a

Michigan fruit farmer and a Native

American woman and their attempt to

preserve history and retain the farm

environment that has stood for many years.

Tickets can be purchased at the LapeerCounty Parks and Recreation Office, The

Pix Theater, and the Lapeer Conservation

District Office, or by mail by contacting

Marion Listwak at [email protected] or

810-688-3192. Seating is limited so you areencouraged to purchase tickets early!

Pack your picnic blanket and lunch

money on Saturday and visit the "lunch

wagon" for locally prepared and grownfoods. Several of the featured items include

home fries, roasted chicken and organically

grown vegetables. Many of the supplying

farms will also be displaying their products

and services in the booth area so you canfind out how to purchase these items year

round. Prior to lunch many of the growers

will be hosting a "Focus on Food" movie

and panel discussion for attendees at the Pix

Theater.

Throughout the day participants canvisit numerous educational and informa-

tional booths along the Courthouse Square

at no cost. Live presentations will also be

taking place at the Pix Theater. Some of the

featured presentations include hands on

native Michigan snake and reptile program,a cultural history of the Great Lakes(including walking through a birch tepee),

and exploring Farmers Creek, a guided river

adventure.

There will be a small fee for some of

the presentations, programs and other hands

on activities. Tickets can be purchased onsite for $1 per ticket or 25 tickets for $20

and can be used at all affiliated events and

programs. For more information about

participating in Wild Lapeer, please contact

Marion Listwak at wildlapeer@usoLcom or

810-688-3192 or visit the website atwww.wildlapeer.org.

O '/1 lie I.F tl' .. s· aturday Jun~ 11rtonvi e . ree.K ~s ~~,~.,~,,«.>~ !~ "'..,~ '.The 3rd Annual Ortonville ICreekFest" along the banks of KearsleyCreek, near the southernmost reaches of the Flint River Watershed, willbegin the festivities with a pancake breakfast at 8 a.m. The day willcontinue with games, crafts, nature exploration and lots of activities foreveryone. Fishing in a well-stocked pond is available for the kids, withtheir own poles. Don't miss out on all the fun!

Flint RiverWatershed Coalition

The Watershed Reporter is publishedquarterly by the Flint River Watershed

Coalition (FRWC), The FRWC is

dedicated to promoting the importance ofprotecting our natural resources and

works closely with public and private

agencies and citizens' groups in carrying

out its objectives.

Chairman of the Boards. OLOF KARLSTROM

Executive DirectorJACKMINORE

Board of DirectorsDARREN BAGLEY

. ~ =.-=LINDA BERKER

-JAY BLAIR

HARRY BLECKER

BOB_CARLYON

BILL DANIELS·STEPHANYDIAN~

KENELWERTi'

SUSANNE KUBIC7f3::.

MARION LISWIK

ROXY MORENO·

BRENT NICKOLAFRED TOWNSEND

BILL WELCHDENNIS ZAWOL.

DENNIS ZICHA~

Newsletter EditorROXYMORENO

-FRWC Board Meetings are the third

Friday of the month, January - June, atMott Community College in the PrahlConference Center's, Genesee Room

*Recently elected 10 theBoard of Directors

FRWC. April 2005 Page 6

BECOME A FRWC VOLUNTEER TODAY!We would like to offer you the opportunity to become a FRWC volunteer. There

are many options to choose from. Please indicate your volunteer preference.Name, ~ _

Committees

• Finance_• Strategicplanning_

• Govemance_• Membership_

general,

• RiverRescue_• Streammonitoring_

• Office_• Websiteinput_• Generalproject organization_

• RiverFest_• StudentNouth activities_

Please mail volunteer or membership form to:

FRWC, 432 N. Saginaw St., Suite 805, Flint, MI 48502

IVII'JU!I.:lP69 'oN J!LUJad

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Please start/renew my annual membership in the

Flint River Watershed CoalitionName, _

Address, _

Organization, ' --:- _

City State Zip, _

Telephone (h), (w) _

Emai,l ...:.- _

Student.. $20

Family $40

Individual River Sponsor $100

Family River Sponsor $250

Club/Organization/School. $60

Government. $100

Small Business $1 00

Large Business $250

Watershed Protector $500 annuallyfor 3 years, _

Watershed Patron : $1 000 or more annually

for 3 years, _

YOUR SUPPORT IS SINCERELY APPRECIATED

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