Huron River Report The Newsletter of the Huron River Watershed Council

Winter 2004

Argo Dam Removal p 5 Streamside Hunters Natural Areas Map p 10 Fishing stalk, skate, and dive for prey Site Design Fact Sheets p 9

Perhaps you’ve noticed one lying in wait guished by the arrangement of their eyes. along the bank of your local creek, on rocks Fishing spiders have eight eyes arranged in or vegetation, or maybe you’ve been lucky two rows of four each, while wolf spiders’ enough to watch one dancing across the eight eyes are arranged in three rows, with water’s surface. But most likely you’ve the two in the middle row being much never really noticed them at all. larger. Fishing spiders also frequent aquatic and riparian habitats, while wolf spiders are Fishing spiders are found throughout the more typically found in uplands. Huron River watershed. At least three species, all of the Dolomedes, have Fishing spiders, like wolf spiders, are been collected here. Members of this genus effective daytime predators that do not can be found throughout the continental spin webs to catch prey. They rely on United States and southern Canada. Fishing camouflage and excellent eyesight, waiting The six-spotted fishing , Dolomedes spiders can be large (females have a leg patiently for prey to pass their way and triton, sits in wait for aquatic prey. span of up to 3 inches), and therefore a bit swiftly springing upon unsuspecting victims. —photo: Giff Beaton intimidating, but they are harmless. These However, fishing spiders do not limit brown and gray, well-camouflaged spiders themselves to land-based prey. As their aquatic prey, including , caddisflies, are similar in appearance to the more name implies, these spiders also hunt and stoneflies hatching at the surface, as familiar wolf spiders, but can be distin- well as tadpoles and even small . continued on page 3 Water, Water… Everywhere? New proposed water withdrawal rules stir controversy

In a state literally defined by the Great efforts to divert water Lakes, Michigan’s ambivalence when it from the region’s vast comes to the delicate issue of water supplies, which hold 95% withdrawals from the Great Lakes Basin is of the U.S. freshwater understandable. Water is Michigan’s most supply and 20% of the prominent and plentiful natural resource. So world’s available freshwa- plentiful, in fact, that some are skeptical of ter. Despite these con- legislation that places strict limits on cerns, Michigan has no private use of the resource, particularly in programs in place to manage an already shaky economy. However, or regulate water withdraw- without effective controls, ever-increasing als. However, Great Lakes demand from our thirsty neighbors, both leaders from the United States near and far, could have far-reaching and Canada recently joined together environmental and economic consequences to publicly introduce a blueprint for how to Eight states and two Canadian provinces share for the Great Lakes Basin. approve, rather than ban, water withdraw- the Great Lakes Basin. als and exports from the basin. —illustration: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Many citizens and government officials in Michigan and throughout the Great Lakes continued on page 3 Basin have for decades vigorously opposed T a b l e o f C o n t e n t s Featured Articles = Adopt-A-Stream Monitoring Site * Streamside Hunters...... cover Fishing spiders stalk, skate, and dive for prey Indicates geographic location connected to article. Water, Water...Everywhere?.....cover New proposed water withdrawal rules stirs controversy

The Future of Argo Dam...... 5 UM researchers assess the feasibility of removal

Business Partner Highlight: Adopting a Stream with Auto Alliance...... 6 Auto Alliance Intl helps high school students page 8 learn about the Huron.

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page 6 cover 2005 EVENTS Taking “Adopt-A-Stream” Saturday, Jan. 22, 11:30-2:30 or 1-4 PM Save the Date: Statewide...... 7 (Register by Jan. 12!) The Michigan Clean Water Corps aims to Stonefly Search The 2nd Annual foster volunteer monitoring programs NEW Center & nearby streams State of the Huron throughout Michigan Call Adopt at (734) 769-5971 Conference Promoting Better Design in Saturday, Apr. 2, Noon Friday, May 6, all day Developments...... 9 Leadership Training Washtenaw Community College New fact sheets use local examples NEW Center & nearby stream Call Adopt at (734) 769-5971 This event is a great opportunity to What’s Left Out There?...... 10 learn about the overall health of the HRWC identifies the Huron’s remaining natural areas Saturday, Apr. 16, 9-3:30 or 10:30-5 PM watershed, highlight and celebrate River RoundUp successful efforts to protect and Other News Entire Watershed restore the Huron, and provide an Call Adopt at (734) 769-5971 opportunity to share ideas and What’s Going On?...... 7 strategize for the river’s future Great news on the Watershed Council Sunday, May 1, Noon-3 or 2-5 PM health. Please join us! ID Day Know Your Board “Rep”...... 8 NEW Center Kathryn Bowring, Dexter Township Call Adopt at (734) 769-5971 More events and updates on the web at: www.hrwc.org A Feast on the Huron...... 10 The NEW Center is located at “Dinner on the River” event a rousing success 1100 N. Main Street in Ann Arbor. Call (734) 769-5123 or visit the HRWC website for directions. Thank You!...... page 11 and on the back

Page 2 Winter 2004 Huron River Report Streamside Hunters continued from cover WALKING ON WATER escape from terrestrial Fishing spiders are capable of skating across enemies. These spiders can the water using surface tension, much like remain underwater for up to the common water strider, an insect. The 45 minutes by breathing air tip of each of the fishing spider’s eight legs trapped in the tiny hairs on forms a depression in the water surface. their abdomens. The spider skates along by rowing within these tiny dimples. This ability to walk on NURSERY-WEB SPIDERS water provides access to a supply of Fishing spiders belong to a aquatic prey that is inaccessible to other group called the nursery- spider species. web spiders. Although they do not spin webs for When startled, a fishing spider may quickly catching prey, the female The dark fishing spider, , is the gallop or hop across the water surface to uses silk to construct an egg largest fishing spider found in the watershed. escape. The water surface actually is sac for her fertilized eggs. —photo: Peter J. DeVries broken in the course of this slapping She carries this sac in her movement, but it happens so quickly that jaws until the eggs are ready to hatch. She stream or lake this spring. Peek around the spider does not sink. then places the egg sac in a nursery web dock and bridge supports that reach the shelter she has constructed from silk and water, as well as on the trunks of trees and AMPHIBIOUS vegetation, where she guards the eggs and stems of aquatic plants. You may also find As if stalking on land and skating on water her newly-hatched young until they are them lying in wait on rocks and wood along weren’t enough, fishing spiders also will ready to move out on their own about a the shoreline. If you’re patient enough, you chase prey underwater by diving in or week later. may observe them skating across the water crawling down the stalk of a cattail or surface, or diving right into the water in other aquatic plant. Fleeing below the Be sure to look for these amphibious pursuit of prey. water surface also is an effective means of arachnids during your first trip to your local - Jo Latimore Water, Water… Everywhere? continued from cover

The new proposal, known formally as the strategy is viewed as a step backward by Great Lakes Charter Draft Annex 2001 those who maintain that a strict policy of Implementing Agreements, is a bid by the “no diversion of Great Lakes water” is region’s leaders to balance the need to use necessary to protect the resource. water as a tool to compete effectively in the global economy with the desire to MUCH CONTROVERSY, LITTLE ACTION preserve the lakes, rivers, and aquifers that The controversy over whether the Annex This billboard was put up in Grand Rapids in make the Great Lakes an inviting place to would adequately protect the basin from 2001 by state Senator Ken Sikkema (R- live and work in the first place. withdrawals is the latest development in Michigan’s ongoing debate over protecting Grandville) and his nonprofit group “Citizens for Michigan’s Future,” to raise public aware- The Annex, the result of more than three Great Lakes water quantity. ness of the issue of Great Lakes water years of negotiation among stakeholders diversions. from the basin’s eight states and two The original Great Lakes Charter was signed —photo: Mark Heckman Canadian provinces, aims to establish a in 1985 by the basin’s eight states and two amendment to the state Constitution in common standard for judging new water provinces as a strategy to improve water September, 2003 that aims to prohibit all withdrawals. The hope is that the Annex resource management. But 19 years later diversions of Great Lakes water from the will allow enough flexibility to permit local Michigan has yet to live up to that basin. water projects that grow the economy but, document’s basic terms. Efforts in recent at the same time, remain powerful enough years to enact protective measures at the However, many legal and water resource to stop ill-advised attempts to divert state level have been watered down or experts contend that a simple ban would water from the basin to other parts of an stalled in the legislature and have yielded not withstand legal challenges. While increasingly thirsty planet. little action. Reacting to rising public current federal law empowers individual criticism over the state’s inaction on the Great Lakes leaders to simply veto plans to The Annex would make approval of plans to issue in an election year, Republican remove bulk loads of water from the divert water out of the basin extremely lawmakers in the state House introduced an region’s bountiful lakes, rivers, and aquifers, difficult, but not impossible. Such a there has long been an unproven concern continued on next page

Huron River Report Winter 2004 Page 3 Water, Water…. Everywhere? continued from previous page that such decisions could be viewed as developing similar arbitrary and might be overturned under plans to supplement legal challenges based on recent interna- their strained or tional trade policy. So U.S. law — backed by polluted local supplies. a wave of committee recommendations, special reports, and popular opinion — also TOO STRICT FOR directs Great Lakes leaders to develop BUSINESS, TOO EASY consistent, legally defensible standards that FOR ENVIRONMEN- guide decisions about water use and TALISTS withdrawals. Great Lakes governments Experts on all sides of would use the standards to determine if the debate raise individual withdrawal projects — whether serious questions leaving the water in the basin or removing it about the potential implications for the outside of its natural boundaries — are a A great blue heron presides over the Huron River where it flows safe and effective use of fresh water. regional economy and into Lake Erie. Water diversion does not affect just the Great environment. Some Lakes, but all of the watersheds that support the Great Lakes If passed, the Annex would amend the officials believe that system. original Great Lakes Charter to provide the Annex can succeed —photo: HRWC those standards. The Annex is loaded with in allowing Michigan highly complicated details and it marks a and other basin states and provinces to Industry advocates contend the plan is too sharp departure from the current “no harness the region’s abundant water extreme and threatens to whittle away at withdrawal from the basin” policy. The resource without harming it, and without their ability to use the water and, by Annex essentially outlines the conditions allowing other states, nations, or commer- extension, the economic advantage that under which major withdrawals would be cial entities to remove it from the basin. comes with it by permanently locking up a permitted. Broadly, it would require that resource that allows companies to the largest water withdrawal projects Michigan state Senator Patty Birkholz (R) of generate electricity, assemble cars, and implement modern conservation measures, Saugatuck observes that different people even make prescription drugs. “We oppose avoid significant harm to the environment, read the newly released Annex in different diversions out of the Great Lakes,” said and instead actually improve the Great ways. “The public sees this [Annex] exercise Michael Johnston, director of regulatory Lakes. as much about a way to say ‘no’ to diver- affairs for the Michigan Manufacturers sions as any number of jurisdictions see this Association, at a September 14 hearing in WHAT DOES IT REALLY MEAN? as a way to get to ‘yes’,” the senator said at Lansing. “But the [Annex] goes way beyond The Annex makes the Great Lakes diversion a September 14, 2004 public hearing about that goal by controlling in-state uses and issue — often characterized by images of the proposal in Lansing. “If you look at it in posing costs that will fall disproportion- plumbers piping water from Michigan to those terms, it becomes a very difficult ately on citizens and businesses.’” thirsty cows and cowboys in dirt-dry Texas problem: How to say ‘no’ when you want to — just one component of a much larger and say ‘no’ and how to say ‘yes’ when you want The Annex has divided advocates for the contentious story about regional water use to say ‘yes’, but do it in a way that is environment. Many environmentalists cheer management. Shortages due to local reasonably fair-handed.” it and say it has the potential to become a overuse are already occurring within the model of water resource management basin. Annex standards would also address “The draft agreement and the concept are worldwide, if only it were a little stronger. intra-basin diversions of water within the basically very well thought out, sound, and But others contend the proposal threatens Great Lakes region. can work very effectively,” said David Ullrich, to undermine existing protections, including director of the Great Lakes Cities Initiative, James Olson, the attorney for Michigan Some basin states, including Wisconsin, a coalition of mayors representing U.S. and Citizens for Water Conservation, which last Illinois, and New York, have considerable Canadian communities, at a September 8, year won a lawsuit against a Nestle Waters territory and numerous cities outside the 2004 hearing about the proposal in bottling operation in central Michigan. Mr. Great Lakes watershed. As a result, Great Chicago. “But there is room for improve- Olson argues that the Annex begins with Lakes water is already being shipped ment.” the flawed legal premise that water is a wholesale within the “Great Lakes” states, commodity. He says the Annex, as drafted, but beyond the watershed itself. For Farmers worry about a bureaucratic threatens to replace traditional common- example, two communities outside the permitting program. Their complaints range law water use limits with more lenient Great Lakes watershed— Pleasant Prairie, from worries that the proposal’s require- standards. He also asserts that the Wisconsin and Akron, Ohio — already have ment to provide precise information about proposal fails to draw legal distinctions permission to take water from the Great where their water wells are located could between traditional water uses — such as Lakes. Other communities are actively help terrorists, to fears that they could lose their rights to the water they use to grow their crops. continued on page 9

Page 4 Winter 2004 Huron River Report The Future of Argo Dam UM researchers assess the feasibility of removal

In 1995, the Michigan Department of opinions about the Natural Resources conducted an assess- parks, but only 44% and ment of the Huron River and identified Argo 35% of respondents Dam as a candidate for removal, as it no expressed opinions longer serves its original purpose of about Argo Pond and producing hydropower, and its removal Argo Dam, respectively. could benefit the aquatic environment for Of those who expressed this urban stretch of the river. A group of opinions about the graduate students from the University of parks, 95% had favor- Michigan’s School of Natural Resources and able opinions. In Environment (SNRE) recently completed a contrast, just 49% of study of the social, political, and economic those with opinions feasibility of removing Argo Dam using about the dam ex- Argo Dam, reconstructed in the early 1970s, no longer interviews with stakeholders, an economic pressed favorable provides flood control recreation on Argo Pond. —photo: HRWC analysis, and a mail-based survey. opinions. pay approximately $135 per adult per year MAIL SURVEY RESULTS The researchers found that of the features to remove it. However, because the The mail survey, sent to 2,000 Ann Arbor in the Argo area, the parks around the pond number of supporters of dam removal is area residents, revealed that 43% of the are more important to residents than the greater than the number of opponents, adult residents of the study area visited the pond itself, and the pond is more important residents of the study area were willing to Argo area in the 12 months prior to the than the dam. Most residents feel strongly pay an average of approximately $22 per survey. In contrast, nearly 22% had never that the parks around Argo Pond are adult per year to remove the dam. This been to the Argo area and were not familiar attractive, are an asset to the local area, suggests that residents of the city of Ann with it. provide good recreational opportunities, Arbor value dam removal enough to pay and increase local property values. In their over $2.1 million per year for it. For those who visited Argo, the most opinion, Argo Pond is a suitable place for popular activities were walking, running, and most types of recreation and the pond is NEXT STEPS bicycling, with more than half of users generally attractive and good for property The survey results indicate that the public participating. Five percent or fewer of the values. They think that Argo Dam improves is ready to discuss the idea of removing study area residents fished, kayaked, rowed, recreation on the Huron, despite their belief Argo Dam. However, an informed discus- or skied there. However, over 64% of the that it is unattractive and that it harms the sion would also require studies of the kayaking and over 95% of the rowing done health of the river ecosystem. potential effects of dam removal on the by adults in the study area was done at floodplain, the rate of accumulation and Argo, suggesting that while these types of In response to two questions asking composition of sediment, the potential for recreation are not as popular as walking or whether Argo Dam should be removed or wetland loss or creation, and possible bicycling, Argo is an important site for remain in place, about 60% of respondents restoration options. Likewise, further these pond-based activities. initially indicated no preference; of those public education is necessary to clarify expressing a preference, a small majority misconceptions about the dam and its In response to the entire set of perception favored keeping the dam. However, after functions and publicize the potential questions regarding Argo Pond, Dam and reading two pages of background informa- benefits of dam removal. parks, about 60% of respondents expressed tion explaining the tradeoffs between dam removal and dam maintenance, respondents The perception data indicates that if were again asked if they would support changes are to occur at Argo, they need to dam removal. This time, fewer than 7% maximize the utility and beauty of the indicated no preference, and 62% indicated parks, which residents value highly, and that they would vote to remove the dam if continue to promote varied types of there would be no cost to them. recreation at the site, while removing hazards that threaten the river The survey used an economic tool called ecosystem’s health. contingent valuation to estimate the -Elizabeth Riggs public’s willingness to pay for removing or retaining the dam. Results suggest that Summarized from the University of opponents of dam removal are willing to Michigan SNRE Masters Thesis, Investigat- pay approximately $161 per adult per year ing the Feasibility of River Restoration at to keep the dam and pond in place. Argo Pond on the Huron River View of Argo Pond looking upstream from the Supporters of dam removal are willing to Argo Dam. —photo: HRWC

Huron River Report Winter 2004 Page 5 AutoAlliance International HRWC business partner highlight

AutoAlliance International Inc., located in Rock High School Huron River Study project Flat Rock, Michigan is a supporting member (see article below). AutoAlliance financial of the Huron River Watershed Council and and employee support, combined with the its mission. AutoAlliance opened in 1987 as involvement of Flat Rock Community Mazda Motor Manufacturing (USA) Schools teachers and the technical Corporation (MMUC). In 1992 MMUC knowledge of the HRWC “Adopt-A-Stream” became AutoAlliance International, a 50-50 program, engages local high school joint venture between Ford and Mazda. The students in the study of the Huron River in facility has more than 3,500 employees on their community. AutoAlliance is very 400 acres with 2.7 million square feet of proud to provide this opportunity to the building space producing the Mazda 6 and high school students and is hopeful that This is one of the first of many environmen- Ford Mustang vehicles. these students continue as stewards of the tal initiatives AutoAlliance sees being Huron River. This project has been ex- launched in cooperation with the commu- AutoAlliance recently launched a Commu- tremely well received by the community nity. These types of cooperative commu- nity Initiative Committee through which it school district. AutoAlliance hopes this nity environmental activities are good for has engaged local Lower Huron community program will be integrated into the high the business by keeping it in touch with members to better understand how school curriculum for many years to come. surrounding community values. AutoAlliance International’s operations are AutoAlliance very much appreciates the linked to the surrounding community. An This project is one of many business- and technical expertise that the Huron River environmental sub-committee is currently community-oriented environmental Watershed Council brought to the table in developing strategies to build on the activities in which AutoAlliance is engaged. getting this project off the ground. positive impact the environment has on the Other projects include ISO 14001 Environ- surrounding communities. mental Management System certification, -Terence M. Filipiak, Wildlife Habitat Council Certification, and AutoAlliance International One of AutoAlliance’s recent community support of the elementary school initiatives resulted in launching the Flat Experiencia EarthWorks program.

The Next Generation of Huron Stewards AutoAlliance International helps high school students learn about the Huron Adopt-A-Stream is delighted that The students will compare their informa- AutoAlliance has made it possible for Flat tion to historic data from the site and, with Rock High School students to monitor the Adopt-A-Stream assistance, the students conditions of the Huron River in their will write and design a report that they will community. present to the Flat Rock City Council for consideration. The students, with their environmental - Ellen Offen education teacher, Carolyn Grapentine, and Adopt volunteers Paul Cousins, David Reichhardt and Don Rottiers, have mea- sured the width, depth, substrate and bank Flat Rock High School students measuring characteristics at several places in the the river. —photo: Carolyn Grapentine stream at Huroc Park in Flat Rock. They also have been busy documenting land use, has lived next to the Huron all of her life vegetation, and any erosion problems. and now she knows a lot more about it.

The students are enjoying learning more Ms. Grapentine spent her free time working about the ecological conditions at the with the Adopt-A-Stream staff during her Huroc Park site by using kicknets to collect summer vacation and on Saturdays to learn samples of the macroinvertebrates and how to do measuring, mapping, and then spending time in the classroom collecting so that she could be prepared to identifying their collections. Amy Adopt-A-Stream volunteer Don Rottiers help her students combine the monitoring helps students identify macroinvertebrates. McDonald, a student participant, said that experiences with the classroom curriculum. she found her work interesting because she —photo: Carolyn Grapentine

Page 6 Winter 2004 Huron River Report What’s Going On? Great news on the Watershed Council… spread the word

The Watershed Council is going at full 6 Protecting and upholding the strength. Following is a summary of some Natural Rivers Act and the Huron of the great works we are doing throughout River’s Natural River Designation, the ‘shed. the only river designated as such in SE Michigan, against attacks to IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS, HRWC HAS weaken the Act and the Huron BEEN: River Plan under the Act 6 Chosen to co-direct Governor 6 Reviewing the Codes and Ordi- Granholm’s Michigan Clean Water Corps nances of 16 Huron River Water- (see article, below). HRWC will provide shed Communities and recom- statewide trainings, mentorship, and mending improvements for better grant funds to lake and stream volunteer water quality protection 6 Helping 110 volunteers monitor monitoring programs in conjunction with 6 Directing the development of the macroinvertebrates in 46 sites; 45 the Great Lakes Commission program and the selection criteria as a volunteers to assess habitat at 11 sites; 6 Working with a citizen’s group in Chelsea member of the City of Ann Arbor’s and 24 volunteers to monitor flow at 14 to stop erosion into Letts Creek and Greenbelt Commission sites in three creeks. The Middle Huron change City mowing practices to 6 Initiating and advancing with 6 commu- program engaged 12 volunteers in provide a buffer nities ordinance improvements in the monitoring nutrients, total suspended 6 Receiving three grants from the Michi- Mill Creek watershed solids, and flow at 10 sites gan Department of Environmental 6 Working with 22 municipalities to Quality totaling $400,000 for water develop a roadmap for protection and Thank you to our volunteers, individual, quality improvements and protection. restoration of the Lower Huron and business, and government members, These funds leverage the membership Chain of Lakes subwatersheds in the technical advisors, board members, and dollars raised by four-to-one Huron funders. HRWC would not have this 6 Assisting high school classes in Flat Rock 6 Advancing the Middle Huron partnership breadth and impact without you. to learn river monitoring techniques, agreement, an innovative agreement data interpretation, and how to present between point and non-point source - Laura Rubin the findings to local decision-makers pollution partners to voluntarily reduce (see article on page 6) phosphorus pollution

Taking “Adopt-A-Stream” Statewide The Michigan Clean Water Corps aims to foster volunteer monitoring programs throughout Michigan

Starting this year, HRWC’s Adopt-A-Stream MDEQ hopes the Corps will provide: volunteer monitoring groups statewide. Joan Program will get a chance to share its 6 Frequent collection of reliable data on an was earlier appointed by MDEQ Director knowledge and experience about how to increased number of streams and lakes Steven Chester to sit on the Steering begin and sustain a volunteer monitoring throughout Michigan Committee for the Corps. program with the rest of the State of 6 Volunteer activities that generate Michigan. stewardship statewide The program is funded through August 6 MDEQ biologists working with citizen 2007 and may be extended for additional The Michigan Clean Water Corps, created scientists years. in 2003 by an Executive Order signed by 6 Knowledge about the current conditions - Joan Martin Governor Granholm, will establish and train of streams and lakes a statewide network of volunteer monitor- throughout Michigan ing organizations to assist the MDEQ in available on the web protecting our water resources. The Corps 6 A grant program that assists will build on existing volunteer water new groups to begin and monitoring programs established by the sustain a monitoring MDEQ for both lakes and rivers. The MDEQ program has contracted with the Great Lakes Commission, in partnership with HRWC, to Jo Latimore and Joan Martin assist in the development, implementation, will apply their experience and administration of the Corps. with HRWC’s Adopt-A-Stream program to train and advise HRWC trains volunteers to collect benthic macroinvertebrates. —photo: HRWC

Huron River Report Winter 2004 Page 7 Know Your Board Representative Kathryn Bowring, Dexter Township

Kathryn Bowring, representing Dexter Township, is the newest member of the HRWC Board of Directors. She is a native Michigander raised in South Lyon. Her love of water began in her family’s backyard where a pond afforded her many hours of swimming, fishing, boating, and catching frogs and turtles. Since childhood, Kathryn has broadened her aquatic horizons through an interest in deep sea fishing, having won a tourna- ment and a trip to Hawaii with her catch of a 400 lb. Blue Marlin.

A number of years ago, Kathryn, divorced with two small children, had to decide how to support her family. An interest in computers led to several positions, starting with a very minimum wage, until she had a job with Apple Computer and then with Microsoft. She is now between careers and looking for the next challenge.

In the meantime, she is enjoying her work with HRWC, her HRWC board representative for Dexter Township, Kathryn Bowring. local lake association and her three grandchildren. If you have —photo: HRWC questions or comments or wish to become more involved with the issues surrounding the river and environs, call Kathryn at (734) 878-7081. You may also call the Watershed Council at (734) 769-5123. -Eunice Burns

HRWC BOARD OF DIRECTORS HRWC STAFF Jo Latimore Adopt-A-Stream Co-Director CITY OF ANN ARBOR GENOA TOWNSHIP SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP [email protected] Shirley Axon Kelly Kolakowski Vacant Joan Martin Dave Borneman Paul Edwards (alternate) SUPERIOR TOWNSHIP Adopt-A-Stream Co-Director Eunice Burns (Exec. Comm.) GREEN OAK TOWNSHIP John Langs [email protected] Craig Hupy Fred Hanert VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP Suzy Morse Joan Lowenstein HAMBURG TOWNSHIP Dan Swallow Planning Workshops Coordinator Sumedh Bahl (alternate) Rudy Feldt WALLED LAKE [email protected] John Hieftje (alternate) HURON TOWNSHIP Carol Woodruff Ellen Offen ANN ARBOR TOWNSHIP Deeda Stanczak Loyd Cureton (alternate) Director of Development [email protected] Diane O’Connell Robert Stanczak (alternate) WASHTENAW COUNTY Kris Olsson VILLAGE OF BARTON HILLS LIVINGSTON COUNTY Janis Bobrin (Exec. Comm.) Watershed Ecologist James Wilkes Jill Thacher (Vice-Chair) Richard Norton (alternate) [email protected] CITY OF BELLEVILLE VILLAGE OF MILFORD Evan Pratt (Treasurer) Cynthia Radcliffe Steven Walters Vacant John Russell (alternate) Webmaster CITY OF BRIGHTON MILFORD TOWNSHIP WAYNE COUNTY [email protected] Eric Piehl (Exec. Comm.) Mary Bajcz Kurt Heise Chris Riggs BRIGHTON TOWNSHIP NORTHFIELD TOWNSHIP WEBSTER TOWNSHIP Upper Huron Watershed Bud Prine Ray Fullerton Eric Petrovskis (Exec. Coordinator BROWNSTOWN TOWNSHIP OAKLAND COUNTY Comm.) [email protected] Leonard Mannausa Lev Wood (Exec. Comm.) W. BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP Elizabeth Riggs Middle & Lower Huron VILLAGE OF CHELSEA Al Drenchen Vacant Watershed Coordinator Brad Roberts VILLAGE OF PINCKNEY WHITE LAKE TOWNSHIP [email protected] COMMERCE TOWNSHIP Michael Powell Mike McAdams Laura Rubin Connie Guest PITTSFIELD TOWNSHIP CITY OF WIXOM Executive Director Tom Zoner (alternate) Jan BenDor Michael Howell [email protected] DEXTER TOWNSHIP SALEM TOWNSHIP VILLAGE OF WOLVERINE LAKE Debi Weiker Kathryn Bowring Debbie Lee (alternate) James L. Donahue Watershed Program Associate VILLAGE OF DEXTER SCIO TOWNSHIP CITY OF YPSILANTI [email protected] Paul Cousins (Chair) Chuck Ream Edward Kluitenberg Jennifer Wolf CITY OF FLAT ROCK VILLAGE OF SOUTH YPSILANTI TOWNSHIP Marketing Specialist Ricky Tefend ROCKWOOD Bob Neely (Exec. Comm.) [email protected] Susan Wooley Vacant Carolyn McKeever (alternate) Office Manager [email protected]

Page 8 Winter 2004 Huron River Report Promoting Better Design in Developments New fact sheets use local examples

An excellent set of fact sheets now is available for use in your area to encourage improved design in new developments. These fact sheets, developed by Washtenaw County Drain Commissioner Janis Bobrin, provide illustrations and specifications about Low Impact Develop- ment (LID). LID is an environmentally- friendly approach to land development and storm water management that balances growth with environmental integrity. LID designs are often cost-effective and improve the aesthetics of the site. Each fact sheet provides a brief description, diagram, locations where the techniques are in use, and special considerations such as maintenance issues.

Jerry Hancock, who reviews plans with developers for the City of Ann Arbor, has found the fact sheets to be very effective. Hancock says, “Immediately upon printing of the low impact design fact sheets I found them useful. While reviewing site plans I give the fact sheets to designers and developers to correspond with my specific recommendations. Within the first month alone I was able to persuade one petitioner to utilize porous pavement, and another to add a bioretention island, by showing them the fact sheets. These sheets pack in a lot of useful information in an easy to read format. But the most persuasive aspect of The fact sheets are available for viewing and printing at the them is that they rely entirely on local Drain Commissioner’s website: examples. Designers are usually more http://www.ewashtenaw.org/government/drain_commissioner/dc_lid.html. comfortable knowing that these practices (A simple way to locate them is to Google the following: Washtenaw County have already been successful in the area.” Drain Commissioner + LID.) Four topics are available: porous pavement, native -Joan Martin landscaping, bioretention islands, and vegetated swales.

Water, Water…. Everywhere? continued from page 4 agriculture or manufacturing — and ber, 2004 Great Lakes Bulletin. Andy received), but comments will continue to water used as a product in the bur- directs the Great Lakes Water Project and be accepted by the Council of Great Lake geoning bottled water industry. “Why manages the Michigan Land Use Institute’s Governors for consideration in preparation should we write rules that would for regional office in Grand Rapids. Reach him of the final draft, expected to be released the first time provide the means for at [email protected]. next spring. You can send your comments legal export of water outside of the via email to [email protected]. Great Lakes Basin for private profit?” You can find a draft of the proposed Annex asked Olson. at: www: cglg.org/1projects/water/ annex2001implementing.asp. The formal - Adapted by Chris Riggs from comment period closed on October 18 an article by Andy Guy in the Septem- (more than 10,000 written comments were

Huron River Report Winter 2004 Page 9 A Feast on the Huron “Dinner on the River” event a rousing success

Over 100 HRWC members and friends enjoyed a sumptuous meal and fantastic Richard Greene gave views of the Huron at the home of Richard members a brief and Linda Greene at the “Dinner on the history of the River” event, November 8. Local chefs Paul property, noting that Cousins, Ricky Agranoff, and Craig Common the farmers across the created a fantastic dinner. street would graze their cows on it The Greene home sits on a high bluff over because its access to the Huron, providing a scenic vista. the Huron provided drinking water. Many arrived early to take a walk down the bluff to a trail leading to neighboring The most frequent Osborne Mills County Park. suggestion of the Members enjoy the scenic vista from the Greene home. night was, “You’ve got —photo: Al Wooll Lively conversation punctuated the evening to do this again next as people met new friends who appreciate year.” the river and HRWC for a variety of reasons.

What’s Left Out There? HRWC identifies the Huron’s remaining natural areas

In order to provide local communities, land 237,000 acres (out of about a million acres map useful. Other communities have used conservancies, and other interested of total land) in the watershed. Once the a similar map that Livingston County organizations with information about the map of the areas was complete, staff Planning Department staff adapted from location and value of our remaining natural worked with faculty and students at the the HRWC map to enact ordinances to areas, HRWC has completed a map that University of Michigan School of Natural require a permit before development in the ranks the areas based on the ecological Resources and Environment to develop a areas occurs. services they provide. The map encom- computerized model to rank them. passes all of the communities in the Huron If you are interested in the map, please watershed. The ranking criteria included: contact Kris at (734)769-5123 or • Size [email protected]. HRWC staff spent 2 years digitizing the • Whether wetlands were on the site areas on a computer, using digital aerial • Whether rivers or lakes were on the site - Kris Olsson photographs taken over Oakland, • The potential for the site to contain Livingston, Wayne, Washtenaw, and Monroe groundwater recharge areas counties. We drew boundaries around areas • The potential for the site to harbor a high on the photographs that appeared to be diversity of ecosystems (determined woodland, wetland, or open field, and ended indirectly by measuring diversity of the up mapping nearly 1,700 sites, for a total of site’s geology and topography) • The potential presence of high value remnant ecosystems such as lakeplain prairie

Efforts to preserve natural areas are nearly always limited by funding. The map provides one tool for prioritizing funding to preserve the best natural areas first, before encroaching development engulfs them forever. Programs like the City of Ann Arbor’s Greenbelt millage, where communi- ties are attempting to save the best natural Natural areas provide a host of ecological Kingfishers hunt and live along the river areas through purchase of development services, including habitat for this Northern Leopard Frog. —photo: HRWC system. —photo: HRWC rights or outright acquisition, will find the

Page 10 Winter 2004 Huron River Report A Special Thank You!! ... To everyone who made “Dinner on the River” a memorable evening

Linda and Richard Greene for opening up Bennigan’s Grill and Tavern for providing their beautiful home and being such salad. gracious hosts. A-1 Rental, Inc and Action Rental Center Paul Cousins, Craig Common and Ricky for donating so many items to make the Agranoff for preparing delicious food for all Dinner a success. of our guests. Beverly Black for bringing her harp and her Arbor Beverage for donating wine to help wonderful music. make the Dinner more festive. Al Wooll for taking so many beautiful Hiller’s Markets for providing all the food pictures. and ingredients. Dough Boys Bakery for the yummy baquettes.

Members wine and dine on the Huron . —photos: Al Wooll

The Huron River Watershed Council

The Huron River Watershed Council is a coalition of Huron Valley individuals, businesses and local governments established in 1965 under Michigan's Local River Management Act to inspire attitudes, behaviors, and economies that protect, rehabilitate, and sustain the Huron River system. The Watershed Council is a non-profit organization under section 501(c)(3) of the federal tax code.

If you enjoy this newsletter, please consider membership. Services of the Council include hands-on citizen education, technical assistance in policy development and direct river protection projects. You will find a membership form below. All contributions are tax deductible.

Yes, I want to help the Huron River Watershed Council protect and restore the Huron River. Here are my 2005 member dues: ‡ $5,000 Mink ‡ $500 Blue Heron ‡ $50 Friend ‡ $2,500 Smallmouth Bass ‡ $250 ‡ $30 Supporting ‡ $1,000 Green Heron ‡ $100 Steward ‡ $___ Other

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Address City, State Zip

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Huron River Report Winter 2004 Page 11 The Huron River Watershed Council NONPROFIT 1100 N. Main St., Suite 210 U.S. POSTAGE Ann Arbor, MI 48104 PAID (734) 769-5123 Ann Arbor, MI www.hrwc.org Permit #435

Please examine your mailing label for your HRWC membership expiration date and use that as a reminder to renew. If there is no date, then you may not be a current member of the Watershed Council. Please consider HRWC membership. We need your support. Thanks.

The Huron River Watershed Council receives contributions via payroll deduction through EARTH SHARE of Michigan.

Thanks to All of Our Supporters! Protecting the Huron River is a big job and we would be lost without the donations of time, talents, and resources from our dedicated volunteers and supporters. We extend Special Thanks toto:

Marc Akemann and Al Wooll for their The remarkable group of 125 resourceful Josie Parker, the Ann Arbor District excellent photography. and caring people (ages 3 to retirement!) Library Director, for taking her time to who made the Fall Roundup so successful. meet with HRWC members and provide Kristi Skebo for patiently entering Adopt them with information about the Mallets information. Jim Mudd for helping with sticky GIS and Creek Branch and the innovations computer questions and taking on the employed at the Branch to protect Dave Wilson for investigating our study watershed-wide impervious surface Mallets Creek. sites in Mill Creek. capacity study. Paul Cousins, David Reichhardt, Don Dave Brooks for organizing and complet- Scott Bell, Dan Herrema and their Rottiers, and John Stahly for helping us ing the mapping of our Geomorphic Pins, Limno-Tech, Inc. colleagues for their pro to teach students about the river and with help from Richard Bacolor, Noemi bono development of a hydrologic model local streams. Barabas, Rajeev Jain, Michael Landis and for Mill Creek watershed. Bob Ponte. Great Harvest Bread Company for Marilyn and Edward Couture who are generously providing delicious treats to Noemi Barabas, Donald Chung, Marga- mailing experts and always willing to help. hundreds of people at several events. ret Doub, Rajeev Jain, John & Tui Minderhout, and Marge Mogelnicki for Karen Prochnow for writing a wonderful Whole Foods Market for making our faithfully and carefully downloading our letter encouraging others to join HRWC. member events at the Metropark and transducers. Library even sweeter. Scott Munzel for his legal review and Paul Muelle of Huron Clinton Metroparks suggestions on our waiver form. Jim Fackert for making a wind-up box for for introducing the new Environmental the 60-foot cord on our flow meter just Interpretive Center at Indian Springs Carrie Turner for speaking on behalf of when we needed it. Metropark to HRWC members. HRWC at Women in Praise, Water for Life. See a Special Thank You on page 11.