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Cedarville and Cedarville Bay
Pearson Creek at State Avenue Before
After
Pearson Creek at Meridian Road
Flowers Creek at Nordquist
Before
Stabilization Material
McKay Creek
Hazardous Waste Collection
Cedarville Bay
Weed Havester
Les Cheneaux Schools
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Home>Projects ProjectsCLEAN WATER ACT (SECTION 319) FUNDED ACTIVITIES In early 2007, the Chippewa/East Mackinac Conservation District began work on the Les Cheneaux Watershed Implementation Project. The “Project”, as it is commonly referred to, is funded by the Clean Water Act – Section 319 – and by local match; i.e. volunteer time, donations, local agency dollars, etc. The State-funded program consists of a number of watershed protection projects to be completed over the course of three years – 2007 through 2009. This program is a continuation of the project planning phase conducted from 2002 through 2004, where the Conservation District worked with representatives from Les Cheneaux community to develop the Les Cheneaux Watershed Management Plan and establish the Les Cheneaux Watershed Council. Following is a summary of the projects currently underway in the Les Cheneaux watershed: ROAD AND STREAM CROSSING IMPROVEMENTS Pearson Creek at State Avenue (PRS-5) In the Fall of 2008, preliminary surveys were undertaken and best management practices selected for replacing the culvert on Pearson Creek at State Avenue. Engineering plans were approved by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality for construction in 2009. This project will help eliminate erosion near the crossing, reduce sedimentation into the creek and restore hydrologic flow through the crossing.  Construction of the culvert began in early July 2009. Mackinac County Road Commission personnel assembled the culvert on site and prepared the new alignment across Stat e Avenue. With the help of a crane, the culvert was set into position on July 13, 2009. The road was opened to traffic on Thursday, July 16, 2009. Pearson Creek at Meridian Road (PRS-2) The Watershed Project has been working with the Mackinac County Road Commission and Clark Township to replace three deteriorated culverts at the Pearson Creek crossing of Meridian Road in Cedarville. Construction of the project began on Monday, September 14, 2009. The culverts were in disrepair, the concrete headwall on the west side of Meridian Road was collapsing into the creek, and the wooden retaining wall on the north stream bank was failing. The project includes replacing the existing culverts with one concrete box culvert and repair/restoration of the stream bank east of the crossing. For additional pictures of the completed project, click here.  R.S. Scott Associates developed the engineering plans for the project. Flowers Creek at Nordquist Road (FLR-7) During the road and stream crossing inventory of the Les Cheneaux watershed, the Watershed Project team identified the crossing of Flowers Creek at Norquist Road as a severe erosion site. The steep embankment on the downstream side required stabilization. This site was approved for funding. During the week of September 14, 2009, Watershed Project staff and Michigan Works staff, installed the stone around the culvert outlet to elimate soil erosion at this site. Due to the steep slope at this location, a cellular confinement system made by Geosystems (Presto) was installed. The material provides an innovative and technically sound way to solve challenging soil stabilization problems.  STREAM RESTORATION McKay Creek Streambank Restoration Project In a joint effort between the Watershed Project, the Watershed Council, Lake Superior State University, boy scouts, and Islands Wildlife Association, 200' of eroding streambank will be stabilized with tree revetments, live fascines, and tree planting. The project is scheduled for construction in the Spring of 2009. Pearson Creek Streambank Restoration Project The Watershed Project hopes to restore the streambank at the mouth of Pearson Creek near Meridian Road during the fall of 2009. The wood retaining wall east of Meridian Road has deteriorated to where it no longer prevents soil from eroding into the mouth of Pearson Creek. The Watershed Project plans to stabilize the site with rip rap (angular stone). INFORMATION AND EDUCATION WORKSHOPS Several workshops have been held to provide water quality management information to the community. In March, low impact development techniques and wastewater treatment technology were presented to Chippewa County septic installers at the health department conference. In April, the watershed project hosted the Mackinac County Septic installers conference. Content included pollution prevention techniques, flood plain septic installation regulations, and construction practices to improve onsite wastewater treatment. The project is also planning a waterfront land owners workshop for Aug. 2009, where intereste waterfront land owners will learn to protect their natural waterfront ecosystems through landscaping techniques and other land use practices. CLARK TOWNSHIP PLANNING AND ZONING The Project and Council have been involved in helping the Township protect water quality through the updating of their Master Plan and zoning ordinances. The updated Master Plan has included components of our Watershed Plan. Water quality successes included Of the zoning ordinances approved by the planning commission, site plan review is a water quality success. When we carefully plan our development, we make better decisions that allow for the protection of our natural environment. During the ordinance update process, it was discovered that Clark Township has been a member of the National Floodplain Insurance Program (NFIP) since 1986 but has not followed through with its commitment to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to enact and maintain adequate land use and control measures consistent with the criteria set forth in the NFIP regulations. To rectify this, the Watershed Project proposed a “Floodplain Management Ordinance” for their consideration.
With sound management tools (i.e. elevation survey with location of ordinary high water mark and 100–year flood elevation) and compliance with Michigan Building Code, the landowner, the Building Department and the contractor will be able to make better land use decisions relative to placement of the structures and protection of this ecologically sensitive area.
HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION On July 26, 2008, the Les Cheneaux Project facilitated removal of approximately 7,000 pounds of hazardous materials from our watershed. We collected everything from paints and oils to batteries and pesticides. These pollutants are truly considered non-point sources as they were collected from across the watershed. This year’s collection was entirely funded through the Community Foundation. Combined with the success of the 2007 collection, over 15,000 pounds of hazardous waste have been removed. The Project hopes to conduct the third collection this summer (probably in July so start getting your materials organized). As soon as funding has been secured for this year’s effort, we will post the collection date on the web site calendar. LAND PROTECTION AND CONSERVATION EASEMENTS The Watershed Project continues to work with the Little Traverse Conservancy to provide land owners with critical aquatic habitat information regarding land protection strategies. WATER QUALITY DATABASE Watershed Project staff and volunteers have been collecting reports, data, and articles related to our watershed. This information has been posted on the Les Cheneaux Watershed Project web site which “went live” in October of 2007. New information and features are continually being added to encourage return visits. The web site is an interactive clearing house of water quality information developed to help you make better land use decisions to protect the our watershed. WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT The Watershed Project has been working to improve the effectiveness of on-site septic systems and the municipal wastewater treatment plant. In 2007, The Les Cheneaux Watershed Project with help from both Mackinac and Chippewa County Health Departments, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, developed an on-site septic system management handbook to advise homeowners regarding managing their septic systems and maximizing their drainfield’s effectiveness at treating wastewater. The Les Cheneaux watershed is blessed with numerous islands, creeks, wetlands and near water sites attractive for development. It is also plagued with poor soils and fractured rock near the surface of the ground that facilitates quick movement of water underground. These conditions make it especially difficult for proper management of sewage generated at our homes and cottages. The Watershed Project has been conducting workshops for homeowners, septic installers, and contractors regarding proper use and installation of septic systems. Other Project Activities In addition to State funded activities, the Watershed Project and the Les Cheneaux Watershed Council have been engaged in other water quality and environmental concerns. Cedarville Bay Restoration This is the end of the second year for the weevils we planted in spring of 2007. The beds closest to shore are visibly thinning. Other areas that were thick with milfoil now have native plants beginning to grow. It is estimated that the weevils take three years to get fully established. Next year we are hoping for further decline in the invasive milfoil. We will continue to monitor of this project. While the weevils have been busy munching the milfoil, the Council contracted with Flotation Docking to remove the milfoil from the boat launch area and the town dock with the help of a mechanical weed harvester. Other areas included east of Cedarville Marine and in front of the Boat School. The cost of weed removal was $3,000. Approximately 700 cubic yards of weeds were removed from the Bay to make boating assess easier and more enjoyable. Les Cheneaux Community Schools and our Watershed The Les Cheneaux Watershed Project has been able to coordinate with Les Cheneaux Community Schools on several long term projects that have been very successful. Two primary goals were achieved with the implementation of these projects: 1. A large number of High School students were able to learn about our watershed and its resources while taking part in scientific investigations. 2. Water quality data has been generated and recorded begining as early as 1993. This long term data is extremely valuable in the understanding of water quality trends. Click here to check out the outstanding work performed by our youngest stewards of the Les Cheneaux watershed.
This page last updated on 3/2/2010.
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P.O.Box 578 | Cedarville, Michigan 49719
Email Address: icwatershed@cedarville.net | Phone: 906-484-3031
Email Address: icwatershed@cedarville.net | Phone: 906-484-3031
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![Box Culvet 1 [Click here to view full size picture]](javascript:showPic(new picObj('media/pages/img_6451.jpg', 'Box Culvet 1',800,600));)
![Box Culvert 2 [Click here to view full size picture]](javascript:showPic(new picObj('media/pages/img_6460.jpg', 'Box Culvert 2',800,600));)
![Box Culvert 3 [Click here to view full size picture]](javascript:showPic(new picObj('media/pages/img_6481.jpg', 'Box Culvert 3',800,600));)
![Opened to traffic [Click here to view full size picture]](javascript:showPic(new picObj('media/pages/img_6491.jpg', 'Opened to traffic',800,600));)
![Looking downstream [Click here to view full size picture]](javascript:showPic(new picObj('media/pages/img_6486.jpg', 'Looking downstream',800,600));)
![Box Culvert 4 [Click here to view full size picture]](javascript:showPic(new picObj('media/pages/img_6492.jpg', 'Box Culvert 4',800,600));)
![Completed Project [Click here to view full size picture]](javascript:showPic(new picObj('media/pages/img_6476.jpg', 'Completed Project',800,600));)
![Before [Click here to view full size picture]](javascript:showPic(new picObj('media/pages/flr7down.jpg', 'Before',800,600));)
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