Federal Section 319 Northeast Coucil of Goverments Nonpoint Source Grant Contact: Diane Rekowski 2000-0162 Phone: (989)-732-3551

Cheboygan River/Lower Black River Watershed Initiative December 15, 2001-December 14, 2003

Project Description: This project developed a watershed plan Project Sustainability: for the Cheboygan River/Lower Black River sub- o Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council and Science watersheds. This plan is the last of five phases and Environmental Education for the North. are to implement a water resource protection continuing efforts in educational programs program for the entire Cheboygan River o The Cheboygan District, USDA, and Natural Watershed. It is the remaining area within the Resources Conservation Service will continue to watershed that had not been inventoried for educate the agricultural community in ways to nonpoint source pollutants. protect water quality and aid in incorporating The Cheboygan River/Lower Black River BMP’s watershed is a 19,212 acre watershed located in o The City of Cheboygan, Cheboygan County, and Cheboygan County and consists of 75% Huron Pines RC&D Council is currently working to agricultural land. The rivers are part of the improve the storm water control program, Inland Waterway with 36 miles of navigable including effective zoning and model storm water water from to the inland lakes of ordinances. Mullett, Burt, Crooked, and Pickerel. o Northeast Michigan Coucil of Goverments is Tourism is becoming an increasing part of funding this project to sustain this project in the the local economy, with residential seasonal home lon term basis. Also they are going to continue to development occurring throughout the watershed. to pursue fiding for information and education The overall water quality is good; however the programs, and implementation of the stormwater, rivers drain extensive agricultural lands and agricultural, road/stream crossing, stream bank, urban lands. and lake shore recomendations set forth by the Suspected nutrient and sediment sources Wateshed Plan. include livestock access to the river, barnyard runoff, stream bank erosion, road stream crossings, septic systems, development practices, shoreline lawn maintenance practices, and urban runoff. The Watershed management plan made recommendations to address these issues.

Project Goal:

The goal of the Cheboygan River/Lower

Black River Watershed Initiative is to

protect and enhance the physical,

chemical, and biological integrity of the Grant Funds: $116,198

Cheboygan River watershed so that it Match Funds: $22,000 meets all its designated uses. Total: $138,198

Tracking code 2000-0162 2/7/05

PROJECT ACCOMPLISHMENTS PROJECT PARTNERS: • Established a steering committee • Huron Pines RC&D Council comprised of key stakeholders in the • Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council watershed to provide input and • USDA-Natural Resources Conservation assistance on plan development. • Established the administrative Service (NRCS) structure for program operations and • Cheboygan Conservation District management. • Douglas Lake Association • Increased the awareness of key • District Health Department #4 stakeholders in the watershed on • Petoskey Regional Audubon Society ways to prevent nonpoint sources of • pollution from occurring through the Michigan Groundwater Stewardship development of an Information and Program Education Program. • Cheboygan Tribune • Prevented sedimentation and nutrient • Michigan State University Extension inputs from occurring through the • institution of land use management University of Michigan Biological Station practices such as improved zoning and site plan reviews. PRODUCTS: • The County storm water program • Watershed goal and objectives checklist is now administered within the • Digital stream bank erosion severity city limits • The City of Cheboygan is in the index process of adopting an updated • Digital severity scoring worksheet for zoning ordinance and improved road stream crossing site plan review standards that • Yearly newsletters will better protect the river from • Informational packets including; maps, the impacts of development along the river corridor newsletters, and an overview of the • Inventoried major sources of watershed project nonpoint source pollution such as • Presentations stream bank erosion, road/stream • Databases containing specific crossings, agricultural activities, information on road/stream crossing storm water runoff, septic systems, and shoreline management practices. sites, shoreline characteristics, stream • Developed recommendations and Best bank erosions sites and agricultural sites Management Practices for priority of concern problems identified in the inventory. • Numerous information articles • Completed a Watershed Management • Resource library containing a wealth of Plan for the Cheboygan/Lower Black Watershed. watershed information was assembled • Developed evaluation program for • Completed and approved a watershed planning and implementation phases of plan the program.

Tracking code 2000-0162 2/7/05