May. 26, 2011 - Students Pack Greater Bear Watershed Plan Steering Committee Meeting
Contact: Tim Ervin
231-723-4325
For Immediate Release
STUDENTS PACK GREATER BEAR WATERSHED PLAN STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING
Bear Lake, Michigan – Twenty-nine 7th, 8th and 9th grade students from Bear Lake School packed the house at the second meeting of the steering committee that is guiding development of a watershed plan for the wise use, management and protection of the Bear Creek watershed that includes Bear Lake.
When completed, the “Greater Bear Watershed Management Plan” will be a guide for local governments, businesses, property owners and nonprofit organizations to ensure long-term management of this unique resource which, among other things, provides one of Michigan’s most productive environments for natural reproduction of migratory salmon and trout species in Bear Creek and diverse recreational opportunities on Bear Lake.
With the encouragement of Bear Lake Science Teacher John Prokes, students overwhelmingly said that they wanted to help prepare the watershed plan and take part in activities to improve and protect local waters.
Many said that they were interested in helping to monitor the status of Bear Lake, Bear Creek and the smaller streams in the watershed by learning how to collect and classify organisms that live in water.
Others said that they wanted to document through photography the problems, opportunities or attributes of the watershed that could be displayed on the Greater bear Web site (www.bearwaters.org) to build community awareness. Many students said that they wanted to expand community stewardship of the watershed by distributing information to residents about what they can do to manage their land to protect water quality.
Students were also asked when they could become involved in watershed projects. Many said they’d make time available after school or on weekends or as part of extracurricular activities with school oversight. Others said that they’d like to see watershed projects integrated into curriculum and classes so that they could learn while making a contribution to the watershed. A large number of students said that they’d like to work with the local watershed groups, such as the Bear Creek Watershed Council and the Bear Lake Watershed Alliance.
“We’re delighted with the student response and interest,” said Jack Bails, the lead project consultant from the firm Public Sector Consultants. “Throughout Michigan, including our recent experience with the Portage Lake watershed, students often play a crucial role in developing watershed plans and in seeing that plan recommendations are carried out. The plan is about protecting the waters and quality of life that is near and dear to them and their families and to the next generation. We’ll be working with the school and the watershed organizations to ensure we maximize the talents and interests of students.”
The Greater Bear Watershed Management Plan Steering Committee selected member Jim Draze of Draze Consulting as committee chair and Laura Heintzelman, Executive Director of the Manistee County Community Foundation as vice-chair. The committee also established a separate work group to research and address matters involving water use issues involving Bear Creek and Bear Lake that at times create conflicts among users, such as anglers and property owners.
Bails and Jon Beard from Public Sector Consultants presented a progress report that include a fact sheet and poster about the watershed plan development process that will be circulated within the community, an outline of the watershed plan, and information involving a description of the watershed and an identification of watershed uses, threats, sources and causes.
A survey will be available soon to gather more information from community members about the watershed and watershed concerns and opportunities.
“Whether you are a student, a business owner, a resident, a local government leader or a seasonal user of our wonderful watershed, we want your help and opinions as we chart a course for the future of our watershed that encompasses 118,000 acres and includes the villages of Bear Lake, Brethren, Copemish and Kaleva,” said Steering Committee member Rich Russell who also presides over the Bear Lake Watershed Alliance. “This is about all of us unifying around a plan and then making that plan happen through grass-roots volunteerism and by seeking financial support such as grants to implement Plan recommendations.”
The Greater Bear Watershed was singled out as the only watershed in the northern half of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan to receive a grant for watershed planning made available through the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency that is administered by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. The grant was awarded to the Manistee County Community Foundation. The Alliance for Economic Success is helping coordinate and administer the grant under an agreement with the Foundation.
The next meeting of the Steering Committee will be held on June 28, 2011 from 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. in the Schmidt Outfitters Conference Room, located on 918 Seaman Road in Wellston, Michigan. All meetings are open to the public.