The Boardman River Dams Committee (BRDC) held their monthly meeting on March 25, 2008 in Traverse City, Mich.  The BRDC mission statement is “to engage all interests in assessing and recommending the fate of the dams on the main stem of the Boardman River based upon a thorough analysis of options, including long and short-term economic, social, environmental, aesthetic, transportation and ecological impacts upon the community, individuals and riparian owners.”

Rick Westerhof from the Green Bay National Fish and Wildlife Conservation attended the public meeting along with close to 75 other government and non-government representatives. 

Dr. Bryan Burroughs gave a presentation on the fisheries habitat survey conducted in the Boardman River system. Other topics of discussion included an update on sediment sampling and the need for an additional $19,000 to take newer samples (taken 2005) and run them for heavy metals and an update from the finance committee that several proposals were submitted, one to Rotary Charities requesting $79,000 and one to USFWS for Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act funding. 

Jennifer Jay, project coordinator, accepted another job with the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy.  She will remain involved in the BRDC as an interested citizen and will continue to help out during the transition period.  Jay did an outstanding job for the BRDC and will certainly be missed by everyone.  Todd Kalish said, “Her patience, guidance, availability, community involvement, environmental stewardship and grace under pressure was amazing.”  Good luck Jennifer and we hope to see you at the meetings.