On January 30, TLA, in collaboration with several other organizations (known collectively as the Elk River Chain of Lakes-Watershed Plan Implementation Team – or ERCOL-WPIT), participated in the second annual informational forum to update members of our local government entities on the state of our watershed, the challenges it faces, and the opportunities ahead for all of us to help keep this place beautiful and healthy.

Here is the agenda from the meeting, which includes links to some of the presentations.

Watershed Workshop Agenda (pdf)

9:00am:  Registration

9:30am:  Introduction – Joe Meyers, Antrim County

9:37am:  Elk River Chain of Lakes LOON Network – Peg Comfort, Michigan Audubon

9:40am:  Watershed 101 (pdf) – Sarah U’Ren, The Watershed Center of Grand Traverse Bay
Stormwater Action Plans, Small Dam Inventory (pdf)– Andy Knott

Organization Initiatives:

10:00am: A. Invasive Species (pdf)

• Becky Norris, Three Lakes Association
• Sharon Vreeland, Acme Township
• Purple Loosestrife (pdf), Leslie Meyers, Three Lakes Association

10:15am:  B. Natural Shorelines (pdf)

• Jen Gelb, Tip of the Mitt
• Diane Crandall, Bloomin’ Buddies
• Heidi Schafer, Antrim Conservation District

10:55am:  Break

Elk River Chain of Lakes Projects:

11:00am:  Fish Shelters Project (pdf) – Fred Sittel, Three Lakes Association/Friends of Clam Lake

11:15am:  Grass & Rapid Rivers’ Sedimentation Project (pdf) – Anthony Kendall, Michigan State University

11:40am:  Future Projects – Panel Discussion & Electronic Voting – Future Projects TBD

• Grenetta Thomassey, Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council
• Andy Knott, The Watershed Center of Grand Traverse Bay
• Dean Branson, Three Lakes Association
• Bob Kingon, ESLA
• Christy Roman, ACD
• Terry Smith, Forest Home Township

12:20pm:  Wrap-Up and Acknowledgements

12:30pm:  Lunch (Lunch provided by Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council)