Chairman’s Report

It’s hard to believe that the summer trout season has come to an end, the fall salmon runs are well underway, and winter steelhead fishing is just around the corner… where did the year ago? Well, I am pleased to report that Michigan Trout Unlimited fiscal year 2021 has been quite productive. But, before I provide a few highlights, I thought you would like to hear what the chapters and Michigan TU teams accomplished during the 18-plus months of the Covid-19 nightmare.

Mainly working remotely, in 2021, our chapter and Michigan TU teams collectively raised nearly $570,000 from private and public foundations, state and federal agencies, corporations, members, and other sources. In terms of expenses, $480,000 was invested in conservation initiatives (68%), fundraising activities (14%), education programs (10%), with the remaining 8% covering advocacy and general operating costs. The net result, Michigan TU and the chapters combined generated a net income of approximately $90,000, with about 60% provided by the chapters. Congratulations to all for delivering such solid results in less than ideal times.

These events and projects were achieved through the efforts of hundreds of TU volunteers statewide who devoted nearly 26,000 hours of their time to: • Execute over 300 membership and fundraising events (primarily via zoom). • Engage in over 120 conservation projects (albeit socially distanced). • Participate in over 60 youth, women, and veterans events.

Thanks to chapter leadership and volunteers for their creativity, hard work, and dedication to engaging members and keeping the coldwater conservation programs rolling.

Our state is benefitting from a cadre of TU National staff executing initiatives across Michigan to improve fish passage by constructing new state-of-the-art bridges and culverts and enhancing fish habitat by installing riparian and in-stream enhancements such as rain gardens, tree plantings, and

by Tom Mundt

other structures. We welcome the TU National team as their projects complement the work performed by our chapters and the Michigan TU professional staff, which protects the state’s 30,000 plus miles of coldwater rivers and streams.

Turning to the current fiscal year, the planning and permitting work performed by Michigan TU Aquatic Ecologist Kristin Thomas last summer is paying dividends. With boots firmly on the ground, the Upper Manistee team has mapped the river’s flow, charted its topography, and installed the first round of in-stream habitat, including hinge-cut timber along several miles of banks. In addition, the project’s original $100,000 seed money has been leveraged to secure additional funding to install more woody debris in 2022, maybe via a helicopter drop – stay tuned. Kristin and her team of interns also assisted several chapters in executing fish population surveys and other in-stream geomorphology projects this past summer.

The Michigan TU staff initiated the drawdown of a dam contributing significant thermo-pollution within a tributary of Big Creek near Luzerne, Michigan. We had hoped to execute its removal this year but permitting has stalled so that the dam removal will be completed in 2022.

Executive Director Bryan Burroughs continues to address many legislative/policy issues ranging from largequantity water withdrawals and dam safety/removal studies to evaluating the Army Corps of Engineers plan to prevent Asian carp migration into the Great Lakes. He has also been advocating for legislation to protect game fish, trout, salmon, perch, and walleye from commercial exploitation, and I am pleased to report that this issue has been placed on the legislative back burner for now.

In closing, Michigan’s coldwater fisheries result from the state’s abundant aquifers and groundwater, providing a consistent and stable flow of cold water that creates an environment for trout and salmonids to thrive. To protect these waters, Michigan TU needs your help by donating during our annual year-end appeal, which will be mailed to our members around Thanksgiving. The funds generated provide the financial resources our professional staff needs to engage in the ever-growing list of issues impacting Michigan’s precious coldwater resources. Please take time to review the materials when received and donate to Michigan TU. For those reading this article who are not TU members but appreciate our work, please donate by visiting our website, www.michigantu.org. In the meantime, enjoy this issue of Michigan Trout and get out and enjoy your favorite trout, salmon, or steelhead stream before the hard-water fishing season begins in earnest.