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Lake Charlevoix Watershed - Phase 2
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Preserving Water Quality for Today and Tomorrow
The Lake Charlevoix Watershed Project - Phase 2, is funded by two grants awarded to the Charlevoix Conservation District. These grants were made possible by the development of an approved Watershed Management Plan, the product of the Lake Charlevoix Watershed Project - Phase 1, planning grant.
The grants are very similar in nature, addressing nonpoint source pollution and preventing future contributions to Lake Charlevoix. The Section 319 grant is focused on "information and education". The CMI grant is dedicated to "implementation of proposed Best Management Practices (BMPs)".
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EPA Section 319 Grant
Task One - Reduce pollution impacts from stormwater runoff
Task Two - Reduce pollution contributions from shoreline properties
Task Three - Implement strategies addressing road/stream crossings
Task Four - Implement strategies addressing agricultural activities
Task Five - Implement educational programs for recreation groups
Task Six - Promote land stewardship & land protection
Task Seven - Encourage forestry management
Task Eight - Improve land use planning & management
Task Nine - Actively work to involve the community
CMI NONPOINT SOURCE GRANT
Road/Stream Crossings
Lakeshore Erosion
Recreation Access
Agricultural Activities
Stormwater Problems
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EPA Section 319 Grant
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Inventories completed as part of the Lake Charlevoix Watershed Project planning grant, surveyed a variety of land use activities contributing nonpoint source pollution to the lake and its tributaries. Reducing the amount of nonpoint source pollution and preventing future contributions to Lake Charlevoix is essential to protecting the many high quality uses this resource provides including swimming, boating, and fishing. The proposed implementation activities for the Lake Charlevoix Watershed Project will work towards this goal.
The Charlevoix Conservation District was awarded an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Section 319 grant, through the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (M.DEQ) to accomplish the following goals by implementing tasks to protect and enhance the water quality of Lake Charlevoix and its tributaries, by reducing current and future polluted runoff. The goals of the project are:
- Goal #1 - Implement priority recommendations to reduce and prevent nonpoint source pollution to Lake Charlevoix and its watershed.
- Goal #2 - Implement information and education programs targeted towards priority problems and audiences.
- Goal #3 - Involve the community in the implementation project.
The proposed goals and objectives will be accomplished using a partnership approach. The tasks will be divided among the partners based on experience and expertise. The implementation of the recommendations developed will reduce nonpoint source pollutants from the most significant sources identified and address long-term protection through efforts to modify existing land use ordinances and education.
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Task One - Reduce pollution impacts from stormwater runoff
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REDUCE POLLUTION IMPACTS FROM STORMWATER RUNOFF
One of the activities for this task was to identify storm drains with highly visible markers (stencils or other means) to highlight to the community that the drains discharge directly to surface water in the watershed.
Students from Boyne City Middle School, in cooperation with members of Friends of the Boyne River and the Lake Charlevoix Watershed Project, took time in May 2002 to learn some lessons on protecting the precious northern Michigan environment. A major foacl point was the storm drain identification project. Over a year in the making, the project involved students affixing "No Dumping/Drains to Lake" labels on what amounted to over 100 Boyne City storm drains. The project is important stated eighth grade teacher Ameila Ryan, because many people are unaware that the storm drains lead directly to the Boyne River and Lake Charlevoix, without passing through any sort of treatment process. Therefore, any debris from driveways, backyards, and streets, including products applied to the ground, as well as materials dumped directly into the drains, wash into the storm sewer system.
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Documents/Forms:
stormwater runoff advertisement
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Task Two - Reduce pollution contributions from shoreline properties
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![Cladophora Example [Click here to view full size picture]](media/govern/tn_cladophora.gif)
REDUCE POLLUTION CONTRIBUTIONS OF NUTRIENTS AND SEDIMENT FROM SHORELINE PROPERTIES.
The Lake Charlevoix Association and Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council are the responsible organizations for task two. Activities include: sending a general survey result summary to shoreline residents informing them they have Cladophora; contacting landowners who had Cladophora in 1996 but not in 2000 and evaluate why; creating and distrubuting educational packages to realtors for riparian clients; and to educate riparian property owners on nearshore habitat, impacts from beach sanding, living in mucky areas and concerns about aquatic vegetation.
What is Cladophora?
Cladophora is a branched, filamentous green algae that occurs naturally, usually in small amount in Northern Michigan waters. It is found mostly in the wave splash zone and shallow shoreline areas of lakes, and is common in streams. It grows best on solid surfaces such as rocks, logs, and seawalls. The preferred water temperature is 50 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Because of this temperature preference, late May to early July, and September and October are the best times for its growth in Northern Michigan lakes. Prominent growths of Cladophora occur when there are excessive nutrient inputs from both natural sources and human acitivity. sources of these nutrients due to natural conditions include springs, streams, artesian wells, and wetland seepage. However, the majority of Cladophora growth can be traced to human activities such as lawn fertilization, septic systems, poor agricultural practices, and soil erosion. Excessive nutrients, particularly phosphorus, can contribute to an overall decline in lake water quality. Cladophora can also indicate a potential health risk if it is the result of a malfunctioning septic system. Learning to identify Cladophora is the 1st step in preventing nutrients and other pollutants from decreasing the water quality of our lakes.
What you can do:
Use only fertilizers with phosphorus on shoreline properties
Do not fertilize at al within 30 feet of the shoreline
Use and maintain your septic system properly
Keep a minimum 15-foot buffer strip of natural vegetation along the shoreline
Control runoff and erosion in shoreline areas
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Task Three - Implement strategies addressing road/stream crossings
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IMPLEMENT LONG-TERM STRATEGIES TO REDUCE POLLUTANT LOADING TO LAKE CHARLEVOIX'S TRIBUTARIES FROM ROAD/STREAM CROSSINGS.
The Conservation Resource Alliance, Charlevoix County Road Commission, and Antrim County Road Commission are the responsible organizations for task three.
CRA has established a website pertaining to road/stream crossing projects they have worked on. The website is in progress and currently includes the Little Manistee road crossing inventory (and streambanks), the Boardman and Betsie. Eventually the Lake Charlevoix Watershed will be included as well. If you would like to check out that website click here.
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Related Links:
Best Management Practices Inventories
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Task Four - Implement strategies addressing agricultural activities
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![Wagbo Peace Center sign [Click here to view full size picture]](media/govern/tn_paving_paradise.jpg)
IMPLEMENT EDUCATION AND ASSESSMENT ACTIVITIES TO REDUCE NONPOINT SOURCE POLLUTION FROM AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES IN THE LAKE CHARLEVOIX WATERSHED.
The Charlevoix Conservation District working with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, implemented BMPs at Wagbo Peace Center through the CMI Lake Charlevoix Watershed Grant. In an effort to inform citizens and give credit to Wagbo Peace Center for their efforts to protect water quality in the watershed, a sign was made for the site.
If you would like to view pictures of this practice, look below under CMI Agricultural Activities.
Wording on the sign:
PAVING PARADISE? In an effort to become more sustainable, Wagbo has installed this concrete composting facility. The concrete acts as a barrier to prevent potential pollutants from reaching our water resources. This also creates a better environment for producing compost, a natural soil enhancer. FUNDERS FOR THIS PROJECT: Lake Charlevoix Watershed Project, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality; USDA-Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP).
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Task Five - Implement educational programs for recreation groups
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![Jordan River Stewardship [Click here to view full size picture]](media/govern/tn_jordanriver_sign.jpg)
IMPLEMENT EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR RECREATION GROUPS TO REDUCE IMPACTS ON THE TRIBUTARIES AND LAKE FROM RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.
Friends of the Jordan River Watershed, Friends of the Boyne River, Lake Charlevoix Association, Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council, Conservation Resource Alliance, and Michigan Department of Natural Resources are the responsible organizations for task five.
Working with the canoe liveries, educational signs were developed on stewardship of the natural resources. Working with the M.DNR, the signs will be istalled at the major launch sites on the Jordan River.
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Task Six - Promote land stewardship & land protection
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PROMOTE LAND STEWARDSHIP AND LAND PROTECTION OF SENSITIVE LANDS IN THE LAKE CHARLEVOIX WATERSHED.
The Little Traverse Conservancy, Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, and the Charlevoix County Land Conservancy are responsible for task six.
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Task Seven - Encourage forestry management
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IMPLEMENT ACTIVITIES TO ENCOURAGE FORESTRY MANAGEMENT THAT DOES NOT CONTRIBUTE NONPOINT SOURCE POLLUTION.
The Charlevoix Conservation District, Friends of the Jordan River, Friends of the Boyne River, and Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council are the responsible organizations for task seven.
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Task Eight - Improve land use planning & management
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IMPROVE LAND USE PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT TO REDUCE IMPACTS FROM FUTURE DEVELOPMENT AND LAND USE DECISIONS.
Charlevoix County Planning, Antrim County Planning, MSU Extension, Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council, Northwest Michigan Community Health Agency, and the Lake Charlevoix Association are the responsible organizations for task eight.
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Task Nine - Actively work to involve the community
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ACTIVELY WORK TO INVOLVE THE COMMUNITY IN ALL ASPECTS OF IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE LAKE CHARLEVOIX WATERSHED PLANNING PROJECT.
Charlevoix Conservation District, Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council, Lake Charlevoix Association, Friends of the Boyne River, Friends of the Jordan River, and the Charlevoix County Land Conservancy are responsible for task nine.
The Charlevoix Conservation District developed these web pages as part of this task.
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CMI NONPOINT SOURCE GRANT
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The results of the planning phase of the Lake Charlevoix Watershed Project identified that road/stream crossings; agricultural activities; recreation access to the tributaries; lakeshore erosion; and stormwater management as the priority problems that need restoration. Priority sites were identified in each category.
The Lake Charlevoix Watershed Advisory Committee, developed an integrated approach to reduce existing sources of sediment and nutrient pollution and prevent future contributions. The Committee proposed integrating the use of: 1) systems of best management practices (BMPs); 2) partnerships, community consensus building, and work with local governments; and 3) information and education components. A workplan was developed describing proposed activities to reduce sediment and nutrient pollution by:
- Restoring three road/stream crossings working in cooperation with the Antrim County and Charlevoix County Road Commissions.
- Repairing six lakeshore erosion sites on a cost-share basis and correct recreation related (access) erosion sites along the Jordan River.
- Improving recreation access sites to reduce erosion and polluted runoff from entering the Jordan River.
- Implementing BMPs for four agricultural sites contributing significant amounts of nonpoint source pollution in the critical area.
- Installing a series of BMPs to address stormwater problems for the drainage area from Hawk's Ridge, Wildwood Harbor Road, and Court Street area of Boyne City.
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Road/Stream Crossings
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This road/stream crossing is in section 10 of Boyne Valley Township. It's on the North Branch of the Boyne River on Thumb Lake Road. The culverts are too small for the river channel and are often dammed up by beavers as well. Total cost for the project $298,000, of which $78,400 is covered by CMI funds and an additional $219,000 is provided by Charlevoix County Road Commission and a Hazard Mitigation Grant.
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Documents/Forms:
Inventory Data Sheet
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Lakeshore Erosion
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Recreation Access
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Agricultural Activities
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Stormwater Problems
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This page last updated on 11/10/2005.
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![Cladophora Example [Click here to view full size picture]](javascript:showPic(new picObj('media/govern/cladophora.gif', 'Cladophora Example',402,600));)
![Wagbo Peace Center sign [Click here to view full size picture]](javascript:showPic(new picObj('media/govern/paving_paradise.jpg', 'Wagbo Peace Center sign',432,600));)
![Jordan River Stewardship [Click here to view full size picture]](javascript:showPic(new picObj('media/govern/jordanriver_sign.jpg', 'Jordan River Stewardship',800,600));)
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