MANISTEE RIVER MANGEMENT PLAN

River Management Plan 12

January 2007

Thomas J. Rozich

River Management Plan 12 January 2007

MANISTEE RIVER MANAGEMENT PLAN

Thomas J. Rozich

Introduction

This plan is a companion document to the Manistee River Assessment (Rozich 1998). The river assessment describes physical characteristics and biological communities of the Manistee River as well as unique resources found within the watershed. The purpose of the assessment is to: identify opportunities and problems related to the aquatic resources and fisheries within the watershed; provide a mechanism for public comment into fisheries management decisions; and serve as a reference document for those seeking information regarding the Manistee River. The Manistee River Assessment was drafted by Fisheries Division personnel, underwent a significant period of peer and public review and comment, and was completed in June 1998.

The Manistee River Assessment is a comprehensive document with a long-term focus and is intended for use by others beyond Fisheries Division; it identifies options that include items not within the responsibility of Fisheries Division. The Manistee River Management Plan is intended as a document for use by Fisheries Division with the purpose of guiding the Division’s management actions within the watershed over the short term. It is intended that the actions identified as priorities, after being weighed against other Division priorities, will appear in annual work plans. This is a working document. Therefore it will receive an annual review and update for progress made and tasks completed.

Prioritization of Actions The Management Options contained within the River Assessment are consistent with the mission of Fisheries Division, which is to protect and enhance public trust in populations and habitat of fishes and other forms of aquatic life, and promote optimum use of these resources for benefit of the people of Michigan. In particular, the Division seeks to: protect and maintain healthy aquatic environments and fish communities and rehabilitate those now degraded; provide diverse public fishing opportunities to maximize the value to anglers; and foster and contribute to public and scientific understanding of fish, fishing, and fishery management (Fisheries Division 2000). Selection of Management Actions from the Management Options list is also consistent with and is guided by the objectives found in the Fisheries Division Strategic Plan (Fisheries Division 2000).

Both the Management Options in the Assessment and the selection of Management Actions in the Plan follow the recommendations of Dewberry (1992). Actions that protect and restore headwater streams, riparian areas, and floodplains are give priority because the reconnection of streams and floodplains is critical to the health of the entire river system. The river system is viewed as a whole, for many important elements of fish habitat are driven by whole-system processes. Actions to protect, preserve, and rehabilitate resources take precedence over actions to improve an area or resources above and beyond the original condition.

A number of mitigating factors will alter strict adherence to this order of priorities. Examples of such factors are selection of actions which may:

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1) result in very high benefit for relatively low expenditure of effort or cost; 2) leverage Fisheries Division’s resources by capitalizing on existing energy or opportunity within a specific community or segment of the watershed; 3) reflect significant outside interest or support; 4) provide the Division with an opportunity to participate in partnerships; 5) continue an ongoing project; 6) appear in another Fisheries Division plan (e.g., Lake Sturgeon Rehabilitation Strategy and Fishery Status Reports); 7) fulfill a legal requirement (e.g., FERC related actions); 8) involve public health concerns; or address concerns for threatened and endangered species.

Selected Management Actions This list was developed from the Management Options section of the Manistee River Assessment. A copy of the Management Options section is attached as an appendix to this document. An individual action item may not address an entire Management Option, as many of the Options are wide in scope and long-term. Rather, an action item will accomplish a portion of a Management Option or take a short-term step towards accomplishing a long-term goal.

For each selected Management Action, this Plan identifies the Management Option being addressed and gives a brief explanation of the factors considered in selecting this action as a priority. Each Action also includes a schedule for up to five years for the accomplishment of the action items. This schedule contains information required for completion of annual work plans. These Actions are listed in order of priority, with the highest priority listed first.

Management Action 1

Proposed Action Review and comment on all plans that have the potential to affect or alter groundwater flows in the Manistee River watershed. Currently the Manistee River has very stable flows, ranking among the best in the country. Development that changes or affects the hydrologic cycle through land use changes, channelization, water withdrawal, dam construction, increasing the amount of impervious surface, etc., should be closely scrutinized.

Management Option Category: Geology and Hydrology Option: Protect wetlands, floodplains, and sandy uplands that act as water retention areas for groundwater recharge from adverse activities.

Option: Improve management of water in designated drains by working with drain commissioners on existing management.

Reasons for Selection Groundwater and surface water inflows determine an aquatic community of a river. Maintaining natural discharge patterns is critical to maintaining healthy biological communities, and controlling pollution and erosion.

In order to achieve this management objective, Fisheries Division should: 1) provide the Department of Environmental Quality expert advice and alternatives regarding Section 301 and 303 permit applications that could potentially degrade the Manistee River watershed hydrologic cycle;

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2) provide expert advice to the Pine and Upper Manistee Natural rivers zoning review boards regarding requests for variances that could affect the hydrologic cycle; 3) collaborate with and support environmental or watershed groups such as the Conservation Resource Alliance, Huron Pines Resource Council & Development, Inc., Upper Manistee River Association, Pine River Association, and Trout Unlimited with their efforts to preserve the natural hydrological cycle; 4) when funding becomes available, hire a Watershed Specialist to assist Fisheries staff with DEQ application responses, Natural Rivers Zoning Board issues, collaboration with local environmental groups, and public relations.

Schedule Year 2006–2010, inclusive Personnel days: Unit manager 3 days; three management biologists 3 days each Special needs: None Discretionary dollars: None

Management Action 2

Proposed Action Review and comment on all Department of Environmental Quality permit applications to promote natural methods of bank stabilization, ensure wise development, and protect wetlands.

Management Option Category: Geology and Hydrology Option: Protect wetlands, floodplains, and sandy uplands that act as water retention areas for groundwater recharge from adverse activities.

Management Option Category: Biological Communities Option: Preserve and protect wetlands within the floodplain of the watershed, with no mitigation that would increase fragmentation of the floodplain.

Reason for Selection To protect and maintain healthy aquatic environments and stable flows.

In order to achieve this management objective, Fisheries Division should: 1) provide the Department of Environmental Quality expert advice and alternatives regarding Section 301 and 303 permit applications that could potentially degrade the Manistee River watershed hydrologic cycle; 2) when funding becomes available, hire a Watershed Specialist to assist fisheries staff with DEQ application responses, Natural Rivers Zoning Board issues, collaboration with local environmental groups and public relations.

Schedule Year 2006–2010, inclusive Personnel days: Unit manager 3 days; three management biologists 15 days each

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Management Action 3

Proposed Action Assist the City of Manton to obtain funding for an engineering feasibility study to put Cedar (Manton) Creek into a natural channel, create an off-line pond, and remove the old dam structure. In August 2000, the City of Manton council unanimously passed a resolution supporting this action.

Management Option Category: Channel Morphology and Dams Barriers Option: Restore high gradient areas by removing hydroelectric (Tippy and Hodenpyl) and other dams, especially those no longer being used or serving little purpose (Manton Millpond, Copemish, and Goose Creek dams).

Management Option Category: Biological Communities Option: Rehabilitate fragmented segments of the river system by removing dams and barriers.

Reasons for Selection Restore degraded fish habitat and improve summer water temperatures for coldwater species below the dam.

In order to achieve this management objective, Fisheries Division should: 1) assist Conservation Resource Alliance (CRA) in developing a request for proposal; 2) assist CRA in reviewing and selecting an engineering firm to prepare an engineering/feasibility study; 3) assist CRA in writing grant applications to secure funding for project completion.

Schedule Year 2006 Personnel days: Unit manager 2 days; management biologist 3 days Project dollars: $40,000 for engineering feasibility study for removal and bypass Year 2007 Personnel days: Unit manager 5 days (develop a request for proposal to submit to prospective engineering firms; review proposals and select a firm) Year 2008 Personnel days: Unit manager 5 days (write grant applications for project completion) Project dollars: Estimate $100,000

Management Action 4

Proposed Action The Conservation Resource Alliance (CRA) has completed an inventory of every road–stream crossing in the Manistee River watershed, 462 in total. These crossings are characterized to reflect severity of existing and potential erosion conditions at each location (severe—57, moderate—362, and minor—43). It is estimated that the severe and moderate categories will cost about $9.3 million to remediate. Repair of the minor category is estimated at $300,000. The CRA inventory indicates 75 sites are most critical and deserve immediate attention. Road–stream crossings are currently the major source of sediment, now that all severely and moderately eroding stream banks have been stabilized.

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Fisheries Division needs to continue partnering with CRA and other groups to secure funding to address these crossings.

Management Option Category: Biological Communities Option: Rehabilitate gravel substructure through bank stabilization, sediment basin construction, and remediation of road and stream crossings.

Management Option Category: Water Quality Option: Rehabilitate the river system by controlling non-point sediment sources.

Reason for Selection Point and non-point pollution adversely affect the entire Manistee River aquatic community. Additionally, certain stream reaches have excessive sand bed load, which needs to be addressed.

In order to achieve this management objective, Fisheries Division should: 1) provide technical assistance to CRA and county road commissions for remediation of road and stream crossings identified in the inventory; 2) continue to maintain all existing sediment basins in the watershed.

Schedule Years 2006–2010, inclusive Personnel days: Unit manager 2 days/year; management biologist 5 days/year Project dollars: Provide up to $50,000/year as match to organizations that can address specific site problems; seek additional funding through various grants (i.e., U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services Fish Habitat Restoration Fund).

Management Action 5

Proposed Action The Upper Manistee River (Missaukee–Wexford County line upstream) and the Pine River were recently designated as the state’s 15th and 16th natural rivers. Central Lake Michigan’s unit manager and management biologists will need to serve on the zoning review boards and continue to support and work with the Upper Manistee River and Pine River associations toward good stewardship. The access plan for the Upper Manistee River needs to be finalized.

Management Option Category: Special Jurisdictions and Citizen Involvement Option: Improve land and water management activities by establishing a basin-wide watershed council that will provide good stewardship and leadership.

Reason for Selection Foster and contribute to public and scientific understandings of fish, fishing, and fishery management.

In order to achieve this management objective, Fisheries Division should: 1) promote the formation of a watershed-wide council, similar to the Pere Marquette and Little Manistee watershed councils or the Muskegon River Watershed Assembly; 2) have CLMMU staff serve as leaders on the Pine and Upper Manistee rivers zoning review boards, to train and teach fellow board members regarding fisheries management.

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Schedule Years 2006–2010, inclusive Personnel days: Unit manager 10 days; management biologist 10 days

Management Action 6

Proposed Action Construct and maintain a sediment basin on the Pine River. A suitable site has been located on private land just below the confluence of the North and East Branches of the Pine River. Gaylord Alexander, retired MDNR-Fisheries Research Biologist, after review of fish survey data, estimated the Pine River has about half the trout abundance it could have. He attributed that to an excessive sand bed load, which was documented by Hanson (1971).

Management Option Category: Fishery Management Option: Rehabilitate the aquatic habitat by constructing and maintaining sediment basins.

Management Option Category: Biological Communities Option: Rehabilitate gravel habitat through bank stabilization, sediment basin construction, and remediation of road and stream crossings.

In order to achieve this management objective, Fisheries Division should: 1) ensure timely emptying of the sand trap; 2) evaluate effect of sediment basin on trout populations and channel morphology.

Reasons for Selection The Pine River’s excessive sand bed load is negatively affecting aquatic invertebrate and trout populations by covering available spawning habitat, reducing exposed woody material, and filling undercut banks.

Schedule Years 2006–2010 inclusive Personnel days: Management biologist 2 days/year; technician 2 days/year; equipment operator 3 days Special needs: Excavator 3 days; bulldozer 1 day Project dollars: $10,000 for year one and $5,000 thereafter, in lieu of division’s equipment crew, for a contractor

Management Action 7

Proposed Action The majority of the 109 Manistee River tributaries have not been surveyed since the 1960s, when the original stream classifications were made. We have made significant progress in this area, but need to concentrate efforts to complete this task.

Management Option Category: Fishery Management Option: Survey intensively, fish species distributions (rotenone and electrofishing surveys), particularly the mainstem below Sharon.

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Reasons for Selection Fisheries data is not up-to-date and insufficient for proper management. Updated information is needed particularly to provide consistent resource objectives in reviewing and addressing forest treatments in departmental compartment reviews.

In order to achieve this management objective, Fisheries Division should: 1) annually schedule 6 to 12 of the 109 tributaries for fisheries surveys; 2) request Surface Water Division–MDEQ to schedule Procedure 51 surveys for these tributaries.

Schedule: Year 2006–2010, inclusive: Personnel days: Management biologist 15 days; three technician or STWs five days each

Management Action 8

Proposed Action The discharge from Hodenpyl Dam currently violates the 1992 Federal Energy Regulatory Commissions Settlement Agreement in terms of temperatures. Consumers Energy Company is working with a consultant and addressing the feasibility of a cold-water draw from the bottom of the reservoir. Continued department involvement is necessary to provide critical review of consultant studies and negotiate a reasonable alternative to the existing situation.

Management Option Category: Fishery Management Option: Improve natural salmonid recruitment below Tippy and Hodenpyl Dams by spilling cold water during summer months.

Management Option Category: Water Quality Option: Rehabilitate stream temperatures by drawing cold water from the deep water in the Hodenpyl Dam backwaters, particularly in June, July, and August.

Reasons for Selection Improve natural reproduction to reduce reliance on hatchery stocking and improve growth rates.

In order to achieve this management objective, Fisheries Division should: 1) assist the Habitat Management Unit in gathering biological data and reviewing Consumers Energy studies to accomplish this action.

Schedule Year 2006–2010 Personnel days: Unit manager 5 days; management biologist 5 days; habitat management unit 10 days

Management Action 9

Proposed Action Purchase critical access parcels, large tracts that block in ownership, or environmentally sensitive lands.

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Management Option Category: Land Use Patterns Option: Protect critical areas by identifying and purchasing key parcels or their development rights.

Management Option Category: Recreational Use Option: Improve public access by buying and developing public access sites where needed.

Reasons for Selection Blocking in ownership not only simplifies land management, but also serves to meet the objectives of Management Action 1. Purchasing or protecting environmentally sensitive areas is critical to the overall health of the Manistee River watershed, especially aquatic communities. Finally, providing and controlling public access is an important aspect of resource use and protection.

In order to achieve this management objective, Fisheries Division should: 1) support and gain funding through the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund for purchase of fee title or conservations easements on selected parcels; 2) support and assist conservancy groups in their efforts to acquire tracts or conservation easements; 3) support the Upper Manistee River Access Committee recommendations for purchasing key tracts for access; 4) purchase the King Trout Ranch, a key parcel identified by the Upper Manistee Access Committee.

Schedule Year 2006–2010, inclusive Personnel days: Unit manager 3 days; management biologist 3 days

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APPENDIX A

The following is a copy of the Management Issues and Options section of the Manistee River Assessment, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Fisheries Division Special Report 21, Ann Arbor.

MANAGEMENT ISSUES AND OPTIONS

Agency River Management Scoping Meeting At the beginning of this assessment, a two day meeting to discuss management issues with various management agencies was held. Those involved included Michigan Department of Environmental Quality--Land and Water Management and Surface Water Quality divisions, Michigan Department of Natural Resources--Fisheries, Forest Management, and Wildlife divisions, US Forest Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the US Geologic Survey. Many issues were identified that were problems and opportunities:

Dams, hydroelectric and others Land management flows, run-of-river versus peaking old growth/biodiversity in flood plain water temperature best management practices fish passage, up and downstream hiking/horse trails erosion/sedimentation recreational use (user conflicts)/integrated recreational planning turbine entrainment and mortality riparian development fragmentation (habitat and genetic) deer yard management wetland habitat loss

Water quality Nonpoint source pollution point source discharges road crossings, pipelines, ORV trails contaminated groundwater bridges and culverts wetland loss sediments and nutrients from agricultural lands municipal sewer/storm outfalls temperature

Fish and habitat Management issues insufficient recruitment/costly stocking programs sea lamprey and chestnut lamprey sea lamprey rough fish (carp, redhorse, etc.) regulations rusty crayfish and zebra mussel large woody debris beaver stream bedload purple loosestrife and Eurasian milfoil gypsy moth, forest tent caterpillar, and budworm (spruce & jack pine) threatened and endangered species eagles and potamodromous fish fur bearers and fish

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The two major issues identified by the dozen people in attendance were: erosion control & sedimentation under dams (9 votes) and nonpoint source pollution and hydroelectric dams (8 votes). These concerns were mentioned by practically all in attendance. The balance of the items identified had 1, 2, or 3 votes.

Issues and Options Although the Manistee River is a high quality resource, there are a number of fishery related problems that need addressing to rehabilitate the system. The management options in this document are an attempt to address the most important issues and to set priorities for future actions and investigations.

The identified options are consistent with the mission statement of the Fisheries Division, MDNR. This mission is to protect and enhance the public trust in populations and habitat of fishes and other forms of aquatic life, and promote optimum use of these resources for benefit of the people of Michigan. In particular, the division seeks to: protect and maintain healthy aquatic environments and fish communities and rehabilitate those now degraded; provide diverse public fishing opportunities to maximize the value to anglers; and foster and contribute to public and scientific understanding of fish, fishing, and fishery management.

Options convey four approaches to correcting problems in the watershed. First, we present options to protect and preserve existing resources. Second are options requiring additional surveys. Third are opportunities for the rehabilitation of degraded resources. Opportunities to improve an area or resources, above and beyond the original condition are listed last.

Further, the following options follow the recommendations of Dewberry (1992), who outlines measures necessary to protect the health of the nation’s public river ecosystems. Dewberry stresses the protection and rehabilitation of headwater streams, riparian areas, and flood plains. Streams and flood plains need to be reconnected where possible, with restrictions on the construction of seawalls and bulkheads, and the restoration of large woody debris. We must view the river system as a whole, for it is the entire system that must be managed, not fragmented pieces.

Biological Communities The Manistee River system originally supported a large population of Michigan grayling, that through habitat destruction, over harvest, and introduction of exotic species (competition) was extirpated. Introduction of other salmonids has occurred and filled this niche. Other fish stocks, especially native potamodromous species, have suffered severe declines: walleye, Great Lakes muskellunge, lake sturgeon, lake trout, lake herring, round whitefish, and lake whitefish. Changes occurred due primarily to loss of high gradient habitat when hydroelectric dams were constructed. Loss of stream habitat was due to erosion and sedimentation of the streambed from logging, poor land use, road crossings, and “peaking” at hydroelectric facilities. Declines in populations were also affected by changes in Lake Michigan and Manistee Lake.

Present fish community information is not adequate to show distribution or scientifically manage the fishery, particularly in Segments 3 and 4. Some plant and animal species are threatened or endangered from changes to or loss of habitat.

Option: Rehabilitate historic spawning runs of potamodromous species above Tippy and Hodenpyl Dams by removing barriers or providing fish passage, both upstream and downstream.

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Option: Survey current fish community, aquatic invertebrate, reptile, amphibian, and mussel distributions.

Option: Survey the pre-settlement flora and fauna in the watershed through historical records.

Option: Preserve remaining high gradient areas.

Option: Rehabilitate graveled habitats through bank stabilization, sediment basin construction, and remediate road and stream crossings.

Option: Preserve and protect wetlands within the floodplain of the river system, with no mitigation that would increase the fragmentation of the floodplain.

Option: Protect river corridors through green belt provisions and low density development through zoning or purchase of key riparian parcels or development rights.

Option: Rehabilitate fragmented segments of the river system by removal of dams and barriers.

Option: Protect endemic and naturalized species by controlling the several plant and animal pest species present that negatively affect the aquatic system. species include: sea lamprey, chestnut lamprey, rusty crayfish, zebra mussels, purple loosestrife, Eurasian milfoil, gypsy moth, mute swans, and beaver.

Geology and Hydrology The Manistee River has very stable flows, ranking among the best in the country. Some segments have less stable flows, both high and low. East Branch of the Pine River, Pine River mainstem, and Bear Creek exhibit the least stable flows due primarily to finer till soils, geology, agricultural land use, and designated drains.

Option: Protect wetlands, floodplains and sandy uplands that act as water retention areas for ground water recharge from adverse activities.

Option: Survey historic records to determine pre-settlement flows.

Option: Rehabilitate stream corridors in agricultural areas by working with county agricultural agents to implement best management practices.

Option: Improve management of water in designated drains by working with county drain commissioners on existing management.

Option: Improve management of water in designated drains by working to change the current drain code.

Option: Rehabilitate the stream flows from Lake Margrethe by removing the lake- level control structure or changing to a fixed-crest structure.

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Channel Morphology The channel of the Manistee River has been altered. Many high gradient areas have been impounded. Turn of the century logging, land use practices, road and stream crossings, and peaking operations at dams have resulted in an aggraded and degraded streambed in both the mainstem and tributaries.

Option: Restore high gradient areas by removing hydroelectric (Tippy and Hodenpyl) and other dams, especially those no longer being used or serving little purpose (Manton Millpond, Copemish, and Goose Creek dams).

Option: Restore recruitment of large woody debris through greenbelt zoning.

Option: Survey road and stream crossings to determine ongoing sources of sediment. Option: Survey historic records to determine pre-settlement channel form.

Option: Protect existing instream large woody debris.

Option: Rehabilitate stream channels by stabilizing all major and moderately eroding streambanks.

Land Use Patterns Recreational, agricultural, and urban developments are low to moderate in the watershed. However, soils are predominantly sandy and very susceptible to erosion. Erosion from uplands, drainage systems, and irrigation is low to moderate.

Option: Protect riparian uplands through land-use planning and zoning that emphasize protection of critical areas.

Option: Improve stormwater management throughout the watershed..

Option: Protect lands and therefore streams by encouraging private land owners to enroll properties in programs that provide tax credits or direct payments for preserving lands in their natural state, such as the Conservation Resource Program or The Farmland and Open Space Program.

Option: Protect the river by using USDA Natural Resource Conservation practices to reduce erosion.

Option: Protect critical areas by identifying and purchasing key parcels or their development rights.

Special Jurisdictions The State of Michigan, US Forest Service, and Consumers Energy Company own the majority of the riparian lands. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has authority over hydroelectric dams and project lands. The entire Manistee River system is a candidate for designation as a State Natural River, and portions of the mainstem, Bear Creek, and Pine River are designated as a Federal Scenic River.

Option: Improve land and water management activities by establishing a basin wide watershed council that will provide good stewardship and leadership.

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Option: Improve ecosystem management of the watershed by recommending all governmental agencies incorporate river protection measures in their land and water management plans.

Recreational Use Outdoor recreational activities are ubiquitous in the watershed, especially on public lands. Fishing, particularly for potamodromous species, is limited by hydroelectric dams. Impoundments also limit boating recreation and offer limited public access. There are areas that are affected by overuse and misuse by canoeists.

Option: Rehabilitate the Manistee River mainstem by removing Tippy and Hodenpyl dams.

Option: Rehabilitate the Manistee River mainstem by establishing fish passage at Tippy and Hodenpyl dams, both upstream and downstream.

Option: Improve public access to Tippy and Hodenpyl backwaters by enforcing the Settlement Agreement with Consumers Energy Company to provide adequate public access to these impoundments.

Option: Improve public access by buying and developing public access sites where needed.

Option: Improve existing access sites and make them in compliance with the American Disabilities Act.

Option: Improve the recreational experience by limiting the number of canoe launches on the Pine River during peak times.

Option: Improve the recreational experience by banning possession of alcohol in water craft on the Pine River.

Dams and Barriers Five of the 63 dams on the Manistee River system are hydroelectric facilities, with three of these being retired (Manton Millpond, Manton Upper Power, Stronach dams). Tippy and Hodenpyl dams are active. Five others are wildlife floodings, with four located on cold water tributaries. The balance are on tributaries and used for fish rearing, swimming holes, or waterfowl. All are harmful to the river ecosystem as they fragment resident fish habitat, reduce aquatic invertebrate habitat, impound high gradient habitat, trap woody debris, nutrients, and sediments, warm the water, create flow variations, kill fish, and block potamodromous fish migrations. Tippy Dam does have a positive effect by blocking migration of adult-spawning-phase sea lamprey.

Option: Rehabilitate the river by removing retired hydroelectric dams (Manton Millpond and Manton Upper Power dams) and dams serving little purpose especially Horseshoe Lake and Ash dams.

Option: Rehabilitate the mainstem by removing four wildlife floodings, Big Cannon Creek (two), Goose Creek and Fife Lake outlet.

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Option: Protect the future of the river by requiring owners of dams to escrow funds for future removal.

Option: Rehabilitate the fish community by installing fish passage for designated species, both upstream and downstream.

Option: Rehabilitate the fish community by initiating a trap and transfer of desirable potamodromous species at Tippy and Hodenpyl dams, and create downstream fish passage.

Option: Improve salmonid habitat and reproduction by installing a device to draw cold water off the bottom of Tippy Dam backwaters during June, July, and August.

Option: Improve aquatic invertebrate populations by trapping and transferring aquatic invertebrates from above to below hydroelectric dams.

Option: Rehabilitate the fish community by installing devices to screen turbine intakes at operating hydroelectric facilities.

Option: Improve the recreational experience by requiring fish passage at all dams.

Option: Survey culvert crossing to determine if they are barrier to fish passage and correct those that are fragmenting the system..

Water Quality The overall water quality in the Manistee River basin is very good due to the geology (deep permeable sands) and limited development. Much of the river system has an excessive sand bedload and there are temperature problems below Tippy Dam. Groundwater contamination occurs sporadically. Mercury contamination in inland lakes is widespread.

Option: Rehabilitate the river by controlling non-point source sediments.

Option: Rehabilitating stream temperatures by drawing cold water from below the thermocline in Tippy Dam backwaters particularly during June, July, and August.

Option: Rehabilitate groundwater by cleaning up identified groundwater contamination sites.

Option: Improve enforcement of air quality standards, particularly concerning mercury emissions.

Option: Rehabilitate and improve water quality by establishing riparian greenbelts to reduce sediments and provide cooling overhead cover.

Fishery Management The fishery is generally good. One of the seasonally excellent areas is below Tippy Dam. Sediment is affecting fish populations in much of the watershed. Many human made and beaver dams are

A-6 Manistee River Management Plan 12, Appendix A Fisheries Division, Michigan Department of Natural Resources affecting water quality and fish production. The two hydroelectric dams impound high gradient river areas and block potamodromous species; fishing is fair to good in these impoundments.

Option: Rehabilitate the aquatic habitat by stabilizing all severe and moderately eroding sand banks.

Option: Survey all road and stream crossings and work with county road commissions to correct problems.

Option: Rehabilitate the aquatic habitat by constructing and maintaining sediment basins.

Option: Survey and evaluate steelhead and chinook salmon reproduction below Tippy Dam.

Option: Survey existing lake sturgeon population in Hodenpyl Dam backwaters.

Option: Rehabilitate fish communities by providing fish passage at the two hydroelectric dams on the mainstem, both upstream and downstream.

Option: Rehabilitate the fish community by installing devices to screen turbine intakes at operating hydroelectric facilities.

Option: Improve brook trout populations in the North Branch of the Manistee River by removing sediment in the stream.

Option: Survey angler use throughout the watershed.

Option: Survey habitat in Tippy and Hodenpyl dam backwaters.

Option: Rehabilitate fish communities and habitat by removing retired hydroelectric dams (Manton Millpond and Upper Power).

Option: Rehabilitate fish communities and habitat by removing four wildlife floodings on trout streams (Cannon Creek (2), Goose Creek, and Fife Lake Outlet).

Option: Improve impoundment fisheries for warmwater and coolwater species until dams are removed.

Option: Survey tributaries for problem beaver areas and implement removal.

Option: Improve natural salmonid recruitment below Tippy Dam by spilling cold water from below thermocline during June, July, and August.

Option: Improve the fish community balance by chemically treating portions of the mainstem for chestnut lamprey.

Option: Survey lower mainstem (below Tippy Dam) for muskellunge and reintroduce if not found.

Option: Survey intensively, fish species distributions (rotenone and electrofishing surveys), particularly the mainstem below Sharon.

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Option: Rehabilitate aquatic habitats by working with owners of private dams to remove them.

Option: Survey fish habitat, modify, and increase where necessary.

Option: Survey the unique fish community existing in the Pine River and determine the effects of Great Lakes fish on this community.

Option: Survey the fish community existing in the mainstem above M-72 and determine the effects of Great Lakes fish on this community.

Citizen Involvement Many recreational interest groups exist that are concerned with fisheries management. The watershed encompasses many local units of government (counties, townships, villages, cities), that affect land use through zoning.

Option: Protect citizen involvement by creating a basin wide watershed council to oversee watershed planning and management.

Option: Improve and educate river users and property owners about sound watershed management.

Option: Protect the resource by continuing to work with local units of government on common stewardship issues.

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