Michigan Clean Water Corps
Annual Conference

Eighth Annual Conference Proceedings

The eighth annual Michigan Clean Water Corps (MiCorps) conference was held October 29-30, 2012 at the Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center on Higgins Lake near Roscommon, Michigan.

This year's conference showcased presentations from volunteers around the state, regional experts, and DEQ and MiCorps staff, covering both lake and stream topics of interest and success stories from volunteer monitoring efforts. In particular, the 2012 conference focused on monitoring the effects of human impacts on Michigan's freshwater systems, including presentations on monitoring activities associated with the 2010 Kalamazoo River oil spill, dam removal, mining, nutrient and wastewater management, and invasive species, as well as lakeshore habitat and human disturbance indicators in Michigan lakes.

Two optional training sessions on "Insect Identification" and "Plants of Michigan's Lakes and Streams," were offered on Monday afternoon to kick off the annual conference.

Conference Program and Other Documents:

Conference Program

Conference Attendees

Optional Workshops:

Insect Identification

Dr. Paul Steen, MiCorps Staff, Huron River Watershed Council

(Please contact Dr. Steen for more information.)

Plants of Michigan's Lakes and Streams

Dr. Jo Latimore and Paige Filice, Michigan State University, and

Todd Losee, Michigan DEQ

Presentation (2.6 mb)

Handout

Conference Presentations:

Welcoming Remarks
Bill Dimond, Michigan DEQ, Presentation (1.3 mb)

Morning Plenary: The Kalamazoo River Two Years after the Enbridge Pipeline Rupture: The Water Quality Monitoring Story

Steve Noble, Michigan DEQ, Enbridge Response Unit

(Please contact Mr. Noble for more information.)

State of the MiCorps Program
Dina Klemans, Michigan DEQ (No presentation available)

Awards for New MiCorps Members

Presented by: Bill Dimond, Michigan DEQ, and

Dr. Paul Steen, MiCorps Staff, Huron River Watershed Council

Breakout Session 1:

Option A: MiCorps 101

Moderator: Dr. Paul Steen, MiCorps Staff, Huron River Watershed Council, Presentation (1.4 mb)

This session was geared toward those who are new to MiCorps and volunteer monitoring, or those who wanted a refresher. An overview of the program and how to get involved was provided, followed by Q&A from the audience.

Option B: Monitoring the Effects of Human Impacts on our Watersheds

Moderator: Jason Frenzel, MiCorps Staff, Huron River Watershed Council

Panelists:

• Emily Whittaker, Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve - Water Quality Monitoring in Mining Impacted Watersheds, Presentation (3.7 mb)

• Mark Janeczko, Central Michigan District Health Department - A Study of E. coli on the Whitney Drain / Singing Bridge Beach, Presentation (7.7 mb)

• Jeremy Geist, Clinton River Watershed Council - Paint Creek Dam Removal and Habitat Restoration, Presentation (7.7 mb)

 

After-Lunch Presentation: Improving Water Quality of Lakes and Streams through the Use of Zoning Ordinances

Paul Sniadecki, Zoning Administrator, Milton Township, Cass County

(Cancelled - No presentation available)

Breakout Session 2:

Option A: Lake Monitoring for Human Disturbances

Moderator: Dr. Jo Latimore, Michigan State University

Panelists:

• Dr. Thomas Tisue, Duck Creek Watershed Assembly - Zebra Mussels in Duck Lake, Presentation (1.5 mb)

• Dr. John Wilks, Indian Lake Association of Vicksburg, Inc. - Monitoring Nutrient Inputs on Indian Lake, Presentation (5.9 mb)

• Dr. Stacy Daniels, Crystal Lake & Watershed Association - Human Impacts upon Crystal Lake (Benzie Co.): Past, Present, and Future, Presentation (2.8 mb)

Option B: Stream Monitoring Programs Presented by Past and Present MiCorps Grantees

Moderator: Dr. Paul Steen, MiCorps Staff, Huron River Watershed Council

Panelists:

• Kevin Cronk, Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council, Presentation (7.4 mb)

• Julie Lovelace, Cannon Township (No presentation available)

• Jaime Welch, Flint River Watershed Coalition, Presentation (3.2 mb)

MiCorps grantees discussed their volunteer stream monitoring programs' successes and the lessons they've learned along the way.

Afternoon Plenary: Assessing Lakeshore Habitat and Human Disturbance Indicators in Michigan Lakes: The National Lakes Assessment Survey - Michigan

Ralph Bednarz, Michigan DEQ (retired), Presentation (8.9 mb)

Conference Wrap-up and Evaluation
Bill Dimond, Michigan DEQ (No presentation available)

Contacts for More Information:

For more information on the MiCorps program or conference, contact Laura Kaminski, MiCorps staff, Great Lakes Commission, 734-971-9135, laurak@glc.org.