Betsie River Watershed Restoration Committee

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1 Betsie River Watershed Restoration Committee Date: Tuesday, April 25, 2017 from 1pm to 3pm at the Weldon Township Hall in Thompsonville Facilitator: Kimberly Balke Notes taken by: Kimberly Balke Committee Members Present: Kimberly Balke, (CRA) Katie Grzesiak, Northern Michigan Invasive Species Network Mark Tonello, MDNR Fisheries Division Casey Ressl, (CRA) John Ransom, Benzie Conservation District (BCD) Max Bromley, Springdale Township & Betsie River Landowner Matt Skeels, Benzie County Road Commission Chris Sullivan, Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy Ed Hoogterp, Betsie Crystal Lake Watershed Management Plan Charles Mayer, Citizen & Betsie Landowner Mike Parshall, Betsie Landowner Bob Hahn, US Bridge Ron Hitesman, Weldon Township & Betsie River Landowner Ron Evitts, Colfax Township Craig Meredith, Betsie River Sportsman s Club Ed Kowalski, Joyfield Township resident Agenda: Introductions were made, meeting notes from September 2016 were approved, and the meeting proceeded as follows: River Care Financial Report The 1 st quarter River Care financial report 2017 is attached. There was a $100 contribution from Suzanne Wilson (a thank you letter was sent) and no expenditures in the Betsie River Care fund this quarter leaving a $2, balance. There is $3, in the Betsie endowment. Crystal Lake/Betsie River Watershed Plan Update With the plan now approved by MDEQ to meet EPA standards, next steps will be explored by Ed Hoogterp and Scott Gest this summer. One consideration is streamlining/funding the monitoring system for the watershed between Networks Northwest, Benzie Conservation District and others to include flow, chemistry, aquatic insects on a regular basis. Invasive Plant Species Work Katie Grzesiak provided the following information (also see attached annual report): ISN survey crew is funded into 2017 to treat Betsie Lake and the lower Betsie River for aquatic invasive plant species. New grant applications submitted for 2018 work are pending. New Zealand mud snail measures only 1/8 and has been confirmed in Boardman, Pere Marquette and AuSable Rivers. Benzie Conservation District is exploring options for wader wash stations. See attached wader wash protocol put together by CRA staff. Some graduate students are looking at fish consumption of the NZ mud snail. Survey crew found the first confirmed location of black jet bead shrub in Benzie County. On May 13 at Boardman Nature Center, MISIN hosted a trade up opportunity for Japanese Barberry where residents get a $5 coupon towards a new native shrub from a participating nursery for bringing in their Japanese Barberry. Katie noted a study that found J. Barberry harbors ticks. The study found 10 ticks/acre where there were no J. Barberry, 40 ticks/acre where land was mitigated from having J. Barberry, and 120 ticks/acre with Lyme disease on land with J. Barberry. Woolly Adelgid harms hemlock trees and has been found in a couple counties south of Benzie. Feel free to contact Katie with any locations, finds or questions at kgrzesiak@gtcd.org or x29.

2 Sustain Our Great Lakes Kim B. closed out the SOGL grant for $335,000 and an additional $480,000 in match for a completion of 8 project sites including road crossing replacements, crossing (road/rr) removals, streambank stabilization and instream habitat work; a photo report and updated Benzie Watersheds accomplishments map was passed around. Follow up planting work at the high river bank on the VanNoord, Mathes, Greenough site will happen this spring. A new SOGL application was submitted by CRA and includes sites in the Platte & Betsie watersheds (Mason Creek road crossing near Duck Lake); photos of the proposed sites were passed around. CRA should hear late summer if this grant is awarded. Recreation Networks Northwest (NN) continues to work as a subcontractor to MDNR, with partners on the Betsie River Access Inventory and Improvement Assessment. A public input survey regarding Betsie recreational use was distributed via by partners and was due April 28. It was noted that Kurick Road is the upstream limit for guide fishing for steelhead and salmon on the river. Land Protection Chris S. reported that the Railroad Point grant is now closed out. The final FEMA payment for the property at the Crystal Lake outlet is pending. The Trapp Farm preserve now has open trails at the northeast end of the property on Aldridge Road. GTRLC is considering having a pilot program of having goats eat invasive plant species there. Aquatic Insect Monitoring John R. reported that Benzie Conservation District and volunteers will collect on the Betsie and Platte Rivers, and Herring Lakes on Saturday, May 13 and check Benzie Conservation District website for details. Betsie River Clean-up Is scheduled for Saturday, June 10 with Platte on June 1; check Benzie Conservation District website for details. Bridges Benzie County Road Commission submitted applications for Reynolds, Nostwick and Haze Road Bridges (BCRC priority is Reynolds first, Nostwick second and Haze third). Matt S. noted that due to low traffic volumes at all these sites and the competitive nature of the Local Bridge Program the chances are slim to get the funding. BCRC did repair Nostwick (originally built in 1900) with road millage funds and the weight restriction is up to 19 tons. The loaded snow plow weight is 30 tons and it will still be difficult to maintain this road in the winter. Matt S. was going to look at the sites with Bob Hahn of US Bridge to see if there are other options with his company as they build steel bridges with different deck material options. Fisheries Mark T. reported that the Betsie is still being stocked with steelhead and brown trout. Mark T. will be inheriting the Muskegon, White and Pentwater Rivers temporarily due to an MDNR Fisheries biologist retirement in the Muskegon office and so Heather Hettinger will be stepping in on the Betsie until a replacement is hired. Other Benzie Conservation District hosts the Benzie Watershed Coalition meetings in the spring and fall; contact them if you would like to be on the list for notices and meeting notes. Next meeting is May 25. Benzie Conservation District is going to have a crew of two people parked at Benzie County boat wash stations this summer to do outreach. A public hearing is coming up on Green/Duck Lake dam regarding reaffirming the water levels for summer. Some residents want to drop the level 6-8 in the winter. GT County Drain Commissioner controls the water levels. Lake levels are managed through the judicial system. Kim B. will explore addressing erosion issues in the former Thompsonville impoundment this summer. Next Meeting Tentatively planned for Tuesday, June 27, 2017 at 1pm at the Weldon Township Hall; meeting agendas will be mailed in advance. If anyone has any questions or comments please contact Kim B. at kim@rivercare.org or

3 River Care Working Funds Available: - at the start of the Quarter $ 369, $ 2, $ 2, $ 3, $ 1, $ 2, $ $ $ 381, Regional Betsie Big Sable COL Pere Marquette Big Manistee Pine Little Manistee Quarterly Activity Report: (River Care) (River Care) (River Care) (River Care) (River Care) (River Care) (River Care) (River Care) Total River Care River Care Working Funds Quarter Jan - March Plus Contributions Rec'd For Quarter $ 30, $ $ $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ 30, Expense Fruitbelt Operating Transfer to projects 1, , Wage & Fringe 6, , Indirect Costs 1, , Sub Contract 0.00 Staff Travel Printing & Postage & Photos Permit Fees 0.00 Meeting Expense 0.00 Newsletter & Impact Report Office Supplies 0.00 Field Supplies, Equipment Repair River Care Kids 0.00 Reference Materials/Maps Training & Education 0.00 Dues Less Total Expenses $ 11, $ - $ $ $ - $ - $ - $ - $ 11, Cumulative Summary: Equals River Care Working Funds Available $ 388, $ 2, $ 2, $ 3, $ 1, $ 2, $ $ $ 400, River Care Permanent Funds Balance of Permanent Funds $1,076, $3, $1, $0.00 $0.00 $7, $0.00 $7, $1,095, Total River Care Funds Raised to Date** $2,918, $27, $103, $20, $194, $26, $135, $48, $3,474, Reviewed By:

Lake Michigan Frankfort Betsie Lake 22 Crystal Lake Benzie County Manistee County 22 115 1 2 Otter Creek Otter Creek Watershed Platte Lake Betsie River Watershed 15 31 14 115 17 D 6 20 5 C Honor 16 A

Green Lake Long Lake Duck Lake Wexford County F Benzie County Michigan Completed Projects Benzie County River Care TM 1. Otter Creek Timber Bridge 2.

4 Lake Michigan Frankfort Betsie Lake 22 Crystal Lake Benzie County Manistee County Otter Creek Otter Creek Watershed Platte Lake Betsie River Watershed D C Honor 16 A Benzie County 4 7 Dair Creek B Platte River Watershed Platte River E Betsie River Lake Ann Little Betsie River Leelanau County 11 Grand Traverse County 31 Green Lake Long Lake Duck Lake Wexford County F Benzie County Michigan Completed Projects Benzie County River Care TM 1. Otter Creek Timber Bridge 2. Otter Creek Grand Traverse Band Brook Trout Study 3. North Branch Platte River Culvert Removals (2) 4. North Branch Platte River & Gudemoos Rd Culvert Replacement & Stabilization 5. Brozofsky Creek & Platte Road Culvert Replacement 6. Tamarack Trout Farm Restoration 7. Platte River & South Street Stabilization 8. Platte River & Burnt Mill Road Timber Bridge 9. Platte River & Burnt Mill Road Instream Habitat 10. Woodcock Creek & Burnt Mill Road Timber Bridge 11. Platte River & Reynolds Road Timber Bridge 12. Stanley Creek & Hulbert Road Culvert Replacement 13. Kinney Creek & Stanley Road Culvert Replacement 14. Streambank Stabilization Projects (72) 15 Betsie River Creek Drainage Project 16. Fred s Landing Access Improvement 17. Dair Creek Recovery, Dam Removal & Culvert Replacements, and Betsie River Stabilization & Instream Habitat 18. Dair Creek & Landis Road Culvert Replacement 19. Dair Creek & Weldon Rd Culvert Replacement 20. Misty Acres Dam Removal, Road Crossing Removal, Instream Habitat & Streambank Stabilization 21. Betsie Rive & Psutka Rd Improvements 22 Betsie River Instream Habitat & Stabilization (2) 23. Betsie Streambank Stabilization & Instream Habitat 24. Betsie Day Use Facility Stabilization 25. Betsie River & King Road Improvements 26. Little Betsie & Bently Rd West Culvert Replacements (2) 27. Little Betsie & Nessen Road Timber Bridge 28. Betsie River & Long Road Abutment Removal & Stabilization Future Needs A. North Branch Platte River Tributary & Dymond Road Crossing Replacement B. North Branch Platte River & Skinner Road Crossing Replacement C. North Branch Platte River & Hooker Road Crossing Replacement D. Little Platte Lake Creek & Saffron Road Crossing Replacement E. Platte River Instream Habitat F. Mason Creek & East Duck Lake Road Crossing Replacement Contact us at or visit for more information

outlet showing channel constricted & deteriorating structure Site #B-12,

5 Betsie and Platte Rivers Fish Passage and Instream Restoration Project Photo Report Site #B-12, Little Betsie & Nessen Road Before of outlet showing channel constricted & deteriorating structure Site #B-12, Little Betsie & Nessen Road After of outlet, bridge fully spans stream channel

5 dia, 39 l culvert Site #B-33, Red Creek & Haze Road After, elliptical

6 Site #B-33, Red Creek & Haze Road Before, pool formation & embankment erosion were problems due in part to aging, 2.5 dia, 39 l culvert Site #B-33, Red Creek & Haze Road After, elliptical arch 10.7 w x 6.9 h x 67 l elliptical arch recessed now adequately provides for stream at high flows.

Site #B-33, Red Creek & Haze Road Two rounds of fish rescue efforts by Grand Traverse Band

7 Site #B-33, Red Creek & Haze Road During construction, the spray painted lines inside the culvert marked areas where pool/run habitat would be recreated. Site #B-33, Red Creek & Haze Road Two rounds of fish rescue efforts by Grand Traverse Band fisheries biologists were conducted with brook trout, steelhead, salmon and mottled sculpin being some of the species found.

Site # Betsie River Instream Habitat & Bank Stabilization After, 225 of woody

8 Site # Betsie River Instream Habitat & Bank Stabilization Before, a steep, sandy actively eroding streambank was increasing in severity. Site # Betsie River Instream Habitat & Bank Stabilization After, 225 of woody debris, 80 cu yds fieldstone, log terracing, topsoil & seed/seedlings have stabilized the site & provided instream habitat.

embankments Site #PLT-A6 Woodcock Creek & Burnt Mill Rd

9 Site #PLT-A6 Woodcock Creek & Burnt Mill Rd - A 3.5 dia x 22 long aging culvert was inadequate w/eroding embankments Site #PLT-A6 Woodcock Creek & Burnt Mill Rd After, stream now flows through single span timber bridge 16 w x 16 long

Site #PLT-A6 Woodcock Creek & Burnt Mill Rd After, paved approaches

10 Site #PLT-A6 Woodcock Creek & Burnt Mill Rd Before, approaches washed repeatedly into the stream during rain and snow melt events Site #PLT-A6 Woodcock Creek & Burnt Mill Rd After, paved approaches with curbing & spillways manage runoff away from the stream into nearby areas

11 Site #B-16 Betsie River & Long Rd Before, remnants of an abandoned bridge abutment leaned into the river with major erosion issues behind it after a 200-year flood/snowmelt event in 2014.

fieldstone, log terracing, revegetation with instream woody

12 Site #B-16 Betsie River & Long Rd After, the bridge abutment was removed, streambank stabilized with combination of fieldstone, log terracing, revegetation with instream woody debris placed at upstream end. Adjacent upland area was graded and revegetated.

13 Site #PLT-P1a North Branch Platte & Railroad Crossings Before, former crossings were constricting the river channel & impeding passage of aquatic life, along with natural movement of water, woody debris & sediments. Site #PLT-P1a North Branch Platte & Railroad Crossings After, removal of two 24 dia clay/concrete culverts & associated fill (30 cu yds), and stabilization work returned the stream to natural flow conditions.

Rich, forested instream habitat and Woodcock

and North Branch Platte, attesting to quality

14 Rich, forested instream habitat and Woodcock Creek Survey work on North Branch of the Platte River Red-backed salamanders were found in the riparian corridors of the Little Betsie and North Branch Platte, attesting to quality habitat that is well-worth doing restoration work in.

erosion. Site #PLT-P4 North Branch Platte & Gudemoos Road After, a 10.

15 Site #PLT-P4 North Branch Platte & Gudemoos Road Before, the stream was funneled through a 3.5 dia, 38 long boiler plate pipe causing pool formation, scour & resulting in embankment erosion. Site #PLT-P4 North Branch Platte & Gudemoos Road After, a 10.7 w x 7 rise, 38 long pipe arch recessed into stream bottom meets the streams needs & allows passage of all aquatic life.

Sites #BTS-37, 38, 38A Betsie River After, 580 of woody debris was anchored along the

16 Sites #BTS-37, 38, 38A Betsie River Before, this 45 high steep outside bend was continuously eroding & experienced a significant slump in Sites #BTS-37, 38, 38A Betsie River After, 580 of woody debris was anchored along the entire river bend in an effort to deflect the current away from the sensitive streambank & provide instream habitat.

streambank to provide habitat, improve aesthetics & deflect the current.

17 Sites #BTS-37, 38, 38A Betsie River After, woody debris was anchored on top of fieldstone placed at the toe of the more severe portion of the streambank to provide habitat, improve aesthetics & deflect the current. Upper slope was log terraced (photo not available of terrace work at this time).

18 Field Gear Decontamination Protocol The Field Gear Decontamination Protocol provides decontamination methods for field gear and equipment required in order to minimize the risk of invasive species transfer between work locations. Selection of specific decontamination methods is dependent on the type of work and the situation (e.g., time between site visits, work location and risk level). Staff should be aware of their work environment, known invasive species present at their work location, the level of risk of transporting invasive species and how their actions may contribute to the dispersal of invasive species. Based on this information, staff should select and implement the appropriate disinfection methods and complete all cleaning methods. If a high percentage of work is done in waters with invasive species, consider dedicating certain gear to be used only in those waters. Cleaning methods before you leave any work location: 1) INSPECT equipment and 2) REMOVE attached plants and animals 3) DRAIN all water from equipment 4) SCRUB equipment with a stiff brush, including crevices, to remove any invasive plants or pests 5) RINSE equipment with tap water to remove juveniles DO NOT clean equipment or gear in streams it may promote the spread of invasive species downstream. Disinfection methods before entering another work location: Please Note: If traveling to another watershed on the same day method 2) is required. 1) SOAK in disinfectant 2% Virkon solution (2.7 ounces per gallon) for 20 minutes and rinse 2) SWITCH to a completely new set of gear, or 3) Use the same gear if working on the same location over a period of time 4) FREEZE for 8 hours, or 5) WASH with 212 F water (steam clean), or 6) SOAK in 120 F water for several minutes Each CRA vehicle should be equipped with a Field Gear Decontamination Cleaning Kit. Kits should include a boot pick, scrub brush, hand pump pressure sprayer, clean water, disinfectant (Virkon Aquatic packets) splash apron, gloves and safety goggles, and soaking tub. Note on Mixing, Use, and Disposal of Virkon Aquatic Drafted 03/15/17

19 Must be mixed in a well-ventilated area, preferably outdoors. A splash apron, gloves and safety goggles must be used. The powder should be mixed with clean water according to the dilution instructions for a 1% or 2% solution. Do not apply the powder directly on the surface you are trying to disinfect. Mix the solution in a clean container of known volume. Measure the correct amount according to the dilution table (1 quart, 1 gallon, 10 gallons or 50 gallons). Refer to the Virkon Aquatic instructions and MSDS sheets for further information. Virkon Aquatic solutions can last up to seven days or more and will need to be checked regularly. Test strips can be purchased to test your solution. Not known to damage gear or equipment materials. Wear protective gear, eye protection and gloves, when using. Virkon Aquatic 1:100 solution represents no risk to municipal sewage works and so small quantities can be disposed of safely down foul sewer drains. Such solutions are also rapidly broken down on land so surplus solutions may be poured or sprayed onto dirt roads or waste land at a rate not exceeding 2 liters per square meter. CRA staff are encouraged to bring waste back in the soaking tub and dispose of at the CRA office building. Virkon Aquatic also breaks down rapidly in water and sediments and so can be disposed of into running water provided there is a dilution factor of one liter disinfectant to 20cubic meters of flowing water. Diluting 1:100 Virkon Aquatic solutions with fresh water before disposal greatly reduces the impact when disposing by any of these routes. Very dilute (2-4ppm ) solutions used in in-water sanitization applications are unlikely to have any impact and can be released into foul sewers, water bodies or onto land. Benefits of Virkon Aquatic solution include: 1) Effective - Kills Viruses, Bacteria, Fungi and Mold 2) Fast acting - 10 minutes is maximum contact time needed. 3) Non-Irritating - Solutions are non-irritating to skin and eyes. 4) Minimal Environmental Effect - The ingredients have been carefully selected for their ability to degrade quickly within the environment. 5) Labeling - The EPA approved label specifically mentions approvals for use in Aquaculture and Aquatic Applications. Drafted 03/15/17

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