Upcoming Seminar

July 23, 2011.  9 am- 12 pm @ the Nature Center, Kensington Metropark.  Receive free training from the Clean Boats Clean Water program of the Michigan Sea Grant.  Participants will learn how to identify lake exotic species, and will learn how to prevent the spread of species from one lake to the next.  Participants will be taught the particularson finding exotic species on boats and how to effectively clean them off.  Participants will be given tips on how they can effectivity approach and talk to other boaters at public launch sites.

Please RSVP to Paul (psteen@hrwc.org) by July 21.

Past Seminars:

October 16, 2010: How Rivers Work and Why We Care.

This seminar was led by Dr. Mike Wiley, the Roosevelt Professor of Ecosystem Management from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.  Dr. Wiley  spoke on river processes that sustain life and healthy streams.  Topics covered graduate-level  geology, hydrology, geomorphology, biology, and chemistry.  Following a morning discussion, the class visited several stream sites in the Ann Arbor area to see examples of the problems streams experience when these natural systems are changed by changing land use  or building dams and culverts.

July 28, 2010:  Huron River Water Trail Meeting.

Keynote Speakers Barbara Nelson-Jameson with The National Park Service and Anita Twardesky from Riverside Kayaks presented information about successful water trails across the country.  The attendees then broke in to small groups to talk about developing a water trail for the Huron River.

Background: In several parts of the watershed, people are interested in and improving recreational access to the river, adding interpretive, way-finding, and historical signage, creating linkages from city to village, and creative economic development opportunities.  These ideas are at the heart of a “Water Trail”.  Water Trails take on many forms, but in general they are trails in (and on) the water.

Building on this interest and the existing parks and canoe and kayak liveries, the Huron River Watershed Council (HRWC) is initiating discussions with stakeholders and partners interested in developing a Huron River Water Trail.  HRWC wants to develop a Huron River Water Trail, reconnecting communities in Oakland, Livingston, Washtenaw, Wayne County to the Huron River and its recreational, economic, historic, and cultural values.  This trail will provide increased recreational opportunities, improved access, restrooms and portages, highlight historical significance, and link community hubs to the river for increased economic opportunities such as food and overnight accommodations.

Please e-mail Laura at lrubin@hrwc.org for more information or if you want to get involved.

March 26, 2010:  A Stormwater Utility–Providing communities with tools and resources for developing and implementing a stormwater utility

Summary:   On March 26, HRWC and CDM Michigan sponsored a seminar on stormwater utilities.  Approximately 40 people attended.  A stormwater utility is based on the premise that the urban drainage system is a public system, similar to water or wastewater systems. When a demand is placed on these systems, the user is responsible for that service. A stormwater utility, like other utilities, provides a service to the public, supported by charging fees to its customers. As a separate enterprise fund, the utility charges to operate and maintain the existing system, and, under certain conditions finance capital improvements. User fees provide a consistent, predictable, long-term revenue source.

Program and Presentations:

Click on program title to download presentation in pdf format.

Welcome and Overview: Laura Rubin, Executive Director, HRWC

General Funds in Crisis: Mark TenBroek, Vice President, CDM

What is a Stormwater Utility: John Aldrich, Senior Vice President, CDM

Case Studies: Issues and Opportunities

• City of Ann Arbor: Molly Wade, Water Quality Manager and Jerry Hancock, Natural Features Coordinator
• NE Ohio Regional Sewer District:  Kyle Dreyfuss-Wells, Manager of Watershed Programs

Statewide Legislation:  Amy Mangus, Coordinator, SEMCOG Environmental Programs

All five powerpoint presentations (zip file, 19 MB)

December 11, 2009: Huron River Dams Seminar–Providing Communities with Tools and Resources for Dam Removal Decisions

Huron River Watershed Council  and URS Corporation hosted a Huron River Dams Seminar: Providing Communities with Tools and Resources for Dam Removal Decisions.  This “by invitation” event was directed at the dozens of municipal officials and dam owners from communities along the Huron River.  The Huron River has more dams than any other river in the state.  There’s a growing interest in dam removals/ modifications for fish passage, and a real need to discuss approaches, funding opportunities, steps to removal, etc.

The seminar took place at the Library in the Village of Dexter (immediately adjacent to the Mill Pond dam removal/ stream restoration project site).   Speakers from the various state and federal agencies with a dams disposition role (i.e., MDNR, MDEQ, USACE, USFWS) contributed, as well as speakers from communities that have recently removed dams.  The goal was to connect local officials with the resources and tools needed to address dam removal/ modification needs in their communities.