Conservation Resource Alliance (CRA) held its Annual River Care meeting on December 11, 2008 in Traverse City, Michigan.  The purpose of the meeting was to review the 2008 accomplishments and plan the 2009 projects.  Representatives from the U.S. Forest Service, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, CRA Board members and staff, and U.S Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) were all in attendance.  The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians and the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians were unable to attend because of a scheduling conflict, but provided comments on the 2008 accomplishments and 2009 work plan.

In 2008, 20 projects received River Care funds totaling approximately $244,000, while leveraging approximately $1.2 million.  USFWS projects that were completed in 2008 and received River Care funds included:  1) Dair Creek, Boardman River Dams Disposition Study, Big Sable, Bear Creek, and the Pine River 220^th Bridge.  River Care funds have been instrumental in getting projects completed, especially when it comes to unforeseen situations.  The 2009 work plan was reviewed and discussed, with monies allocated to specific projects on the basis of need and potential funds from partners, like the USFWS National Fish Passage, Coastal and Partners for Fish and Wildlife programs. 

The River Care Fund was created by CRA as a private funding mechanism to encourage participation of individuals, families and corporations.  The funds are used on working projects (like Dair Creek) and long-term maintenance, monitoring, and care projects.  Having dedicated funds for long-term maintenance, monitoring and care is one component of River Care that is unique and vital to ensure the continued benefits to fish and wildlife resources.  Funds contributed to River Care are used to find and repair physical problems before they become worse, and maintain efficient, coordinated local watershed partnerships.  The program is designed to maintain the aesthetic and economic value of Northern Michigan streams, by connecting interest groups, landowners, developers, and government agencies.  The program plans and implements long term river care that cross political boundaries.  River Care is a pro-active program created to guarantee natural resource professionals maintain a consistent and prioritized action plan for rivers in the 13 Northwest Lower Michigan counties.