Partnerships are Foundation for Fisheries and Watershed Restoration Program

The Huron-Manistee National Forests successfully completed 41 riparian and aquatic projects in 2008, due in large part to partner contributions.

In 2008, the Huron-Manistee National Forestes successfully completed 41 riparian and aquatic projects, in large part due to the contributions of nearly $915,000 and countless volunteer hours from 36 partners. Improvement work was done on 53 miles of stream and 800 acres of lakes. Another 20 miles of streams and 1,680 acres of lake had fisheries inventory work conducted on them.

Implementing Forest Plan objectives, employees worked alongside Conservation Resource Alliance, Consumers Energy, Elk Township, Federation of Fly Fishers (FFF), Great Lakes Commission, Lake County Road Commission, Lake Mitchell Improvement Board, Little Manistee Watershed Conservation Council, Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Michigan River Guides Association, Muskegon Conservation District, Muskegon River Watershed Assembly, National Forest Foundation, Natural Resource Conservation Service, Osceola County Road Commission, Pere Marquette Watershed Council, Pine River Association, Red Cedar Flyfishers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, various chapters of Trout Unlimited, and the Wellston Boosters Association.

Over 180 trees were placed in the Manistee River as part of the restoration program during this multiyear project in which over 1000 trees have been placed. This large wood restoration project replaced a portion of the downed trees removed during the logging era. Using a heavy-lift helicopter, trees are placed to form log jams to provide fish cover and habitat for other riparian wildlife (birds, reptiles, and mink), as well as providing streambank protection.

Management of pedestrian access was also part of our 2008 fisheries and watershed program on the Manistee National Forest. Conservation Resource Alliance and the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians worked with the Forest Service to restore degraded riparian habitats from the impacts of intense angler use along the Manistee River. Boardwalks, stairways, and fencing were constructed to facilitate angler pedestrian traffic through the sensitive riparian habitat. Interpretive displays to raise public awareness of these resources were also installed.

Within the headwater tributary to the Pine River, a National Scenic River and State-designated Natural River, a partnership was used to upgrade a poorly designed stream crossing that was delivering sand to the stream system. The crossing was revamped through the removal of failing arch culverts and the installation of a timber bridge. Other best management practices (BMPs) such as road and ditch runoff controls, paving of bridge approaches and curbing, and revegetation and streambank stabilization and protection were employed. These efforts resulted in an estimated reduction of 15 tons/year in sediment delivery, enhanced passage for aquatic organisms, and reduced flooding potential and maintenance costs for the county road commission.

A similar project was undertaken at Dewitt's Bridge on the Little Manistee River. BMPs included the paving of approaches, curbing installation on a bridge deck, and diversion outlets.

Sediment removal through the maintenance of sand traps on a dozen streams enhanced/restored aquatic habitat by reducing excess sand bedload that covered spawning gravel and fills in pool habitat.

Other fish habitat improvements undertaken in 2008 took place on Bigelow Creek and Mena Creek. Approximately 30 structures were maintained and shrubs were planted to increase fish cover and improve habitat. Instream cover was also restored in Mena Creek, a coldwater tributary to the White River. Fish cover structures were also installed in the Little Manistee River, a state-designated Blue Ribbon Trout Stream near Old Grade Campground.

Recreational fishing opportunities in several lakes within our forest were replenished through fish stocking by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR).

The Little River Band of Ottawa Indians operated their streamside sturgeon rearing unit again in 2008, releasing 20+ juveniles in September. This ongoing program is part of the overall recovery program for this State-threatened species.

The Little River Band of Ottawa Indians also conducted biological sampling, including electrofishing for fish population trends, aquatic invertebrate sampling, water quality sampling, and habitat assessments. Similar sampling was done by the MDNR. The results of this sampling are used by the Forest Service as part of our Forest Plan monitoring and evaluation program.

The Forest Service worked with the Lake Mitchell Improvement Board to control an invasive aquatic weed, Eurasian milfoil, using milfoil weevils and herbicide treatments on Lake Mitchell, a 2,600 acre lake on the Manistee National Forest, including the vicinity of Hemlock Campground. An estimated 300 acres of this lake were treated.

The Forest once again hosted Free Fishing Day events, volunteer cleanup days, and environmental education activities that brought kids and adults by the hundreds outdoors to participate in hands-on fun and projects while instilling a sense of responsibility and stewardship of natural resources. Partnering with the forest for these events were the Bitely Better Conservation Club, Boy Scouts of America, Lions Club, MDNR, National Wild Turkey Federation, Nichols Lake Association, Pheasants Forever, the Wellston Boosters Association, and Conservation Resource Alliance.

Highlighting the diverse accomplishments of the fisheries and riparian program on the Manistee National Forest would not be complete without mention of the collaborative work to clear navigation hazards (fallen trees) on the Pere Marquette and Pine Rivers by the river users (liveries, river guides, and conservation groups).