Adams Trout Blog

The process to determine the fate of four dams on the Boardman River is moving along like the flow of the river, faster in some areas than others. And, if additional funding to keep the process moving isn't obtained soon, the flow will slow once again to a trickle.

There are an estimated 2,500 large dams in Michigan and 79,000 in the United States. Generally there is money available for removal, but not for the process itself. Locally and nationally there appears to be great interest in the Boardman River Dams process because it's unique in that it gives equal consideration to societal, economic, environmental, and engineering issues, coupled with the full involvement of the public in the process. It will become a model for many other communities to follow, but since this concept is so new, there's not a great deal of funding readily available, but we hope it's coming. The citizen-based Finance Team has recently sent out numerous proposals to local, state, and national foundations and other organizations in an effort to keep the process moving. We're confident the money will surface, but when is the key question.

So far, through a U.S. Fish and Wildlife grant to the Grand Traverse Band, wildlife and aquatic habitat data have been conducted, mapping, and baseline evaluations of the dams have been developed. The Army Corps of Engineers have collected cross section, sediment and other bathymetry data to determine existing flow conditions and to support hydraulic modeling. Contributions from the City, County, Light & Power, Rotary Charities, the Great Lakes Fisheries Trust, MDNR, MDEQ along with volunteer support from the general public and numerous organizations such as the Adams Chapter of TU, the Conservation District, CRA, the Watershed Center, NMC, and many others have brought the process to where it is today, but more cold hard cash is needed to keep the process moving.

The Adams Chapter's own Gabe Schneider is active on the Finance Team. Gabe is an aid for Senator Carl Levin and has been instrumental in alerting us to some potential funding opportunities, one for which a grant proposal was just submitted. Senator Levin has been a strong backer of the project and always provides letters of support.

Chapter members Jack Murray and Steve Largent serve on the Bottomlands Task Team
and Scoping Team. Pat Kelly is a regular at the regular monthly meetings.

Among numerous other activities, a critical next step involves determining the economic cost of the various alternatives both long and short term. This will help the community determine the ultimate fate of the dams due sometime late 2008, unless additional funding is not obtained.

The Boardman River Dams Project is the most comprehensive dam removal/retention project in Michigan history, with the potential reconnection of 161 miles of river with Lake Michigan. This is truly a community driven process. If you haven't already, please consider getting involved. For more information, or to share your thoughts, please visit www.theboardman.org or contact Steve Largent at (231) 883-9960.

Thanks to the support of more than 250 donors, the Grand Traverse Conservation District has begun construction on the Boardman River Nature Center!

The Nature Center will be located on the banks of the Boardman River at the Grand Traverse Natural Education Reserve's Sabin Pond Trailhead on Cass Road. The new nature center, scheduled to open in the Fall of 08, will include an interactive exhibit gallery, community room/classroom and staff offices. No offense Ken, but this will be a great place to hold future board meetings!!

Through the Nature Center, up to 60,000 area children each year will be able to explore the wonders of nature, including what lives in healthy rivers and streams. Each year, hundreds of children and families enjoy the District's Discovery Nature Hikes ranging from "Creepy Crawlies" to the "Wonder of Ponds." "Fishing for Kids" and "River Ecology" are popular adventures often led by TU volunteers-thanks!

As we work to complete the campaign for the Nature Center and bring it to life, we welcome your support. And now, your gift will be matched dollar for dollar by Grand Traverse County! Consider giving a gift to the nature center in honor of a loved one this holiday season. Visit www.gtcd.org to learn more. You may even "buy a brick" through our "Wildside Walkway" program. Order forms are available online or call 231.941.0960.