Upcoming Seminar

Huron River Water Trail Meeting

July 28th, 2010

9:15 am-12:30

Dexter Public Library, 3255 Alpine St., Dexter, MI

9:15-9:30         Welcome & Introductions

9:45-10:45       Keynote Speakers Barbara Nelson-Jameson with The National Park Service and Anita Twardesky from Riverside Kayaks

10:45-11:00     Break

11:00-11:20     Bringing it to the Huron: The Huron River Water Trail

11:20-12:20     Getting your feedback and interest–Breakout sessions by topics

12:20-12:30    Wrap-up

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.

We need your help to get this off the ground.  HRWC is hosting a Huron River Water Trail meeting on July 28^th to garner interest, input, and manpower.  We’ll hear about successful water trails throughout the country, talk about what we have here in the Huron, and break into small groups for committee work.  I hope you can join us.

Due to limited seating, you must register in advance.  Please e-mail Laura at lrubin@hrwc.org or call 734.769.5123 x. 606.

Past Seminars:

March 26:  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.

Program

8:30 am       Welcome and Seminar Overview

– Laura Rubin, Executive Director, Huron River Watershed Council

-   Michael J. Donahue. Ph.D., Vice President, URS Corporation

8:40             Remove, Repair or Modify? Considerations in the Decision Making Process

– Michael J. Donahue

9:00             Huron River Dams- Issues and Opportunities

-  Laura Rubin

9:30 Michigan Case Studies in Dam Removal

-          Dexter Mill Pond- Paul Cousins, Dexter Village Council

-          Dimondale Dam-  Ralph Reznick, Dimondale Village Council and Michigan Department of Environmental Quality

-          Boardman River- Todd Kalish, Michigan Department of Natural Resources

10:45 Dam Removal Regulations, Funding and Community Assistance

Panelists:

-     Byron Lane, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality

-          Sharon Hanshue, Michigan Department of Natural Resources

-          Marty Kuhn, Ph.D. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers- Detroit District

-          Rick Westerhof, Fisheries Biologist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

11:45 pm   Closing Remarks

Noon            Adjourn