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November 2020 Baas h kaado di n G i i z i s / ( Fr eez ing M oon)
FishPass project virtual ground-breaking ceremony The FishPass virtual ground breaking ceremony was held on World Fish Migration Day, Saturday Oct. 24th. The virtual event was broadcast via live-stream on the official FishPass Facebook page allowing the public to safely attend during COVID-19. The “in person” ceremony was held near the Union Street Dam in Traverse City. The Fishpass project will “provide up- and down- Photo provided by Carolan Sonderegger stream passage of desirable fishes while simultaneously blocking and /or removing undesirable fishes. FishPass will replace the deteriorating Union Street Dam in downtown Traverse City, Michigan with an improved barrier featuring a fish-sorting channel and a nature-like river channel.” - from fishpass.php
Environmental Services Personnel conduct field surveys during Covid-19 During the past few months Environmental Services employees have conducted fieldwork relating to the Clean Water Section 106 and 319 Programs. These programs assure that the ground and surface waters are clean by using surface water quality monitoring, using trends and analysis to detect problem areas, wetland protection and restoration, and education. Water Quality Sampling The spring/summer field season started at the end of May with collecting spring water quality samples. Samples are taken from ten locations across the Six County Service Area. These sample locations are: Leland River, Victoria Creek, Mebert Creek, Crystal River, Betsie River, Boardman River, Mitchell Creek, Elk River, Clam River, and Torch River. Sampling takes place once in spring, summer, and fall. Data is entered into the EPA’s Water Quality Exchange (WQX) where it is stored with previous uploaded data. The WQX allows researchers, government employees, even the general public the ability to download water quality data from across the country.
Environmental conduct field surveys during GTB Contributions to local ecosystems has Services been crucialPersonnel in kicking of this project. Covid19 Brett P. Fessell, GTB NRD Restoration Stormwater Runoff Surveys Section Leader and River Ecologist (pictured above) had this to say at the event, “A cornerstone this process During the past fewof months Environmental Services employees conducted fieldwork relating to the the yearly Another fieldhave activity that was conducted was (from the perspective of the Grand Traverse Band) has Clean Water Section 106 and 319 Programs. TheseStormwater programs assure thatSurvey. the ground surface waters Runoff Thisand survey is conducted on been to help the human community better understand and are clean by using surface water quality monitoring, using trends andSix analysis to detect problem areas, properties in the County Service area with a focus on integrate Traditional Values and Tenets within the context erosion and stormwater systems. Results from the survey wetland protection and restoration, and education. of contemporary scientific practices and standards in the are shared with the Tribal Maintenance staff to correct Water Quality spectrum of “data collection” effortsSampling that would inform any issues that would interfere with the effectiveness of decisions and actions.” any water erosion or potential The spring/summer field season started at the endstormwater of May withsystems collectingor spring quality samples.erosion issues. Samples areGrand taken Traverse from ten locations GTB also provided drum by The Band across the Six County Service Area. These sample locations are: Leland River, Victoria Creek, Crystal River, Betsie River, Boardman River, Mitchell Creek, Community Drum. Tribal members JoAnneCreek, Cook Mebert and Melissa Road Stream Crossings Elk River, Clam River, and Torch River. also Sampling takes place once in spring, summer, and fall. Data is Wiatrolik along with Tribal Councilor Tina Frankenberger entered into EPA’s Quality Exchange (WQX) where it is stored with previous uploaded data. performed a water ceremony. GTBthe NRD willWater continue their Five road stream crossing surveys were conducted as part The WQX allows researchers,ofgovernment even the Stream general public the abilityFruitbelt to download partnership in contributing to the improvement our water employees, of the Tribal and Michigan Collaborative. water quality data from across the country. and environment. These surveys are conducted to find any issues related to - by Jared Sonderegger, Editor road stream crossings within Leelanau County. Findings are Stormwater Runoff Surveys given to the Leelanau County Road Commission for repairs Another field activity that was conducted was theor yearly Stormwater Survey. This survey is replacement ofRunoff the crossing. Staff are required to least on 5 surveys during the year. Of the 5 survey conducted on properties in the Six County Serviceconduct area withata focus erosion and stormwater systems. culverts perched. Perched culverts serve as Results from the survey are shared with the Triballocations, Maintenance staff towere correct any issues that would a barrier to fish passage. Not only to larger interfere with the effectiveness of stormwater systems or any erosion or potential erosion issues. edible fish such as trout, but also to smaller fish such as daces and darters. Road Stream Crossings
A successful hunt & sincere Miigwetch to GTB NRD.
Five road stream crossing surveys were conducted as part of the Tribal Stream and Michigan Fruitbelt Collaborative. These surveys are conducted to find any issues related to road stream crossings within Leelanau County. Findings are given to the Leelanau County Road Commission for repairs or replacement of the crossing. Staff are required to conduct at least 5 surveys during the year. Of the 5 survey locations, culverts were perched. Perched culverts serve as a barrier to fish passage. Not only to larger edible fish such as trout, but also to smaller fish such as daces and darters.
Thomas Thompson harvested a Bull Elk early this month and wanted to say the following, “Thanks to GTB Natural Resources, I've had the hunt of a lifetime.”
