Northern Lake Michigan Islands Collaborative February 6, 2020 Charlevoix Public Library, Community Room A Meeting Notes Attendees Jennifer Kleitch (DNR WLD), Matt Preisser (EGLE WRD), Laurie Abel (DNR FOD), Cynthia Johnson (Northern Islander), Krys Lyle (Peaine Twp.), Brad Frederick (RAF), Tom Callison (GTB), Archie Kiogima Jr. (LTBB NRD), Bill Parsons (LTBB NRD), Noah Jansen (LTBB NRD), Katie Grzesiak (NWMI Invasive Species Network), Erin Victory (DNR WLD), Steve Griffith (DNR WLD), Rex Ainslie (DNR WLD), Denise Pallarito (MI Association of Timbermen), Christie Deloria (USFWS), Heather Rawlings (USFWS), Bobbi Welke (BIHS), Lee Boisvert (MKD), Melissa Wiatrolik (LTBB THPO), Lori Taylor-Blitz (BIHS), Cynthia Pryor (CRC), Bruce Beaudoin (BI Wildlife Club), Benjamin VanDyke (CAKE CISMA), Pam Grassmick (BIA), Brian Mastenbrook (DNR WLD), Keith Kintigh (DNR FRD), Kathleen Stocking (FILA), Sandra Bradsahw (FILA), Officer Baldwin (DNR LED). Via phone: Don Tritsch (BIWC) Welcome, Introductions, Agenda Review Matt Preisser distributed handouts. Introductions followed. The agenda is organized by activities and topics related to the goals within the Management Plan for State-owned Lands on Northern Lake Michigan Islands. (https://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/island_management_plan_wld_529105_7.pdf) Matt Preisser referenced the project matrix that was developed from a brainstorming session at the February, 2019 NLMIC meeting as well to point out that we are working on some of the ideas in the matrix currently. State Staff Roles in NLMIC A roles document developed for the September, 2019 meeting was distributed with the handouts (Include file) and describes the primary “who does what” related to the NLMIC. Jennifer Kleitch (Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Division) is the lead on activities in Charlevoix Co. islands on which the state owns lands (Beaver, Garden, High, Hog, Whiskey Islands) Steve Griffith (Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Division) is the lead on the Leelanau Co. islands on which the state owns lands (North and South Fox Islands). Matt Preisser (Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, Water Resources Division) is primary facilitator of meetings. Email Jennifer ([email protected]) or Matt ([email protected]) with questions and they can determine who is best within the State ranks to address topics for which there are questions. Other Networks Matt provided an update on the Great Lakes Islands Alliance. This is a voluntary network of ~125 people from 15 year-round islands in the Great Lakes. Mission is to share information between island communities and elevate their unique needs. Nearly all members are islanders- local elected officials, Chambers, island businesses and NGOs, school principals, etc. Led by a 5-islander Steering Committee. Matt serves as central coordinator. From Beaver, there are 15+ people who are GLIA members, including Bob Anderson who sits on the GLIA Steering Committee. Holds an annual Islands Summit meeting. Last Summit was Oct 2019 on Mackinac Island. 126 in attendance. Discussions of tourism, community development, schools, conservation, housing, more. GLIA provides an access entry point to local contacts in each of the island communities. Website is under transition, see www.GLIAlliance.org Landscape Level Planning & Implementation Landscape Level Implementation Planning The map “Management Zones on State-owned Lands” was finalized by the Landscape Level Planning Subcommittee and approved by the NLMIC previously. On the map there are three zones shown in different colors: Habitat Management and Restoration (green), Selective Management (yellow), and Special Conservation (pink). A plan is being developed by Jennifer Kleitch and Erin Victory (DNR Wildlife Planner for the Northern Lower Peninsula Region) which will outline implementation strategies for management and protection within the zones. At the September 2019 NLMIC meeting it was decided to allow Jennifer and Erin to draft the plan and alternatives for management/protections and bring them to the NLMIC. A timeline for the planning process was presented to the group. The process would take until August/September 2020. Clarification on activities that could occur in the management zones was asked of Jennifer and Erin. Erin described the process of decision making and the outcomes; there will be a range and a preferred outcome with alternatives for the collaborative to make the final recommendation. Discussion on the process ensued with some in the group having concerns about whether input would be taken in consideration using the timeline presented. The conversation ended with a suggestion to involve the Landscape Level Planning Subcommittee in this process and update the timeline. The result was adding a step in the timeline to bring in the subcommittee and then another step to bring it to the collaborative all prior to the “final draft” being presented for review. This may extend the timeline for the final draft, but the goal is to still meet it. Options for Special Conservation Zones This topic was requested to look at the options for protecting the Special Conservation Zones (SCZ; pink on the “Management Zones on State-owned Lands” Map) over the long-term. A handout with various types of protections was distributed. Discussion ensued over the various types of special conservation areas within the SCZs which already have existing protections that are defined by state land use rules. This would include Archaeological sites and Ecological Reference Areas. Unless there is a reason to manage withing the SCZs (e.g., invasive species) the thought is that it is a hands-off area with no other hands-on management such as timber harvesting. Because the person who requested this topic be discussed was not present, it was decided to bring this to the Landscape Level Planning Subcommittee and then make a more detailed and informed decision. Pollinators & Related USFWS Opportunities Meredith Holm and Heather Rawlings, both with the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), had new items for the NLMIC. Meredith is the USFWS Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) Pollinator Coordinator and was scheduled to discuss the GLRI Pollinator Strategy and Action Plan, however she was not able to attend due to last minute logistics and poor weather down-state. Meredith is now on the NLMIC distribution list and can perhaps attend a future meeting. Heather presented on a program called “Partners for Fish and Wildlife” that may be available for funding on private lands on the islands to improve habitats. The program works on habitat restoration within rivers, wetlands, grasslands, and early successional forest habitat. This is a cost-share program and the landowner is responsible for a 10 year commitment of the restoration work. One idea for the islands would be to assist in improving habitat for for pollinators like Monarch butterflies and bees. An idea to work on the airport properties with pollinator habitat was discussed briefly. A similar project was successful on Kelleys Island down in Lake Erie. Heather will work with islanders and one or both island airports to see if there is interest. Related Funding Opportunity Christie Deloria, also USFWS, is the coordinator for the USFWS Great Lakes Coastal Program. She recently released a request for project ideas to implement the Midwest Region Coastal Program Strategic Work Plan. The program is currently supporting High Island invasive species removal being conducted by the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, and also funded the Michigan Islands study conducted by the Michigan Natural Features Inventory. CZM is interested in supporting additional invasive species work or other projects related to improving habitats of rare, threatened, or endangered species. New project ideas can be shared with Christie by March 5, 2020. Matt will forward her recent email announcement to the full NLMIC list. Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas (CISMA) Charlevoix, Antrim, Kalkaska, Emmet (CAKE) CISMA Benjamin VanDyke presented the update for CAKE - They have three grants within the archipelago currently. HWA is a small insect feeding off starches in hemlock trees, eventually starving the trees. o This grant covers the west coast of MI and is designed to detect instances of HWA. o HWA surveys with The Nature Conservancy are mostly focused on private property, looking at ornamentals that could be bringing in HWA. o CAKE is interested in getting the word out to private landowners on this survey and the BI Wildlife Club has already assisted. o Mostly spread by humans, could be spread by birds. o Looking to survey around 45-50 properties. Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) grant used to treat invasive cattails and Phragmites. o Surveyed St. James harbor and Little Sand Bay. o Hog Island is the outlier of the project and water conditions were not cooperative – they were not able to get to the island when planned. o The goal is to treat once surveyed and identified. Education and outreach o With State of Michigan funding (Michigan Invasive Species Grant Program), CAKE will be hiring two interns this summer (May through August) which will be dedicated to the islands. o Interns will be certified herbicide applicators and will also work on education/outreach efforts. o 40 acres surveyed with maps, herbicide applications, record keepings, outreach events, public service announcements, long term management plan for one species on the island, end of