Chapter 7 - Implementation Strategies

7.0 Best Management Practices

Included in this chapter are land management practices that landowners implement to control sources or causes of pollutants in the Les Cheneaux Watershed. These practices are considered Best Management Practices, or BMP’s. There are three types of BMP’s, including:

· Structural BMP’s: “brick and mortar” practices that require construction activities to install, such as storm water basins, grade stabilization structures, and rock and rip-rap.

· Vegetative BMP’s: that use plants, including grasses, trees, and shrubs, to stabilize eroding areas.

· Managerial BMP’s: that involve changing the operating procedures at a site.

7.1 Systems of BMP’s

Best Management Practices are typically applied as systems of practices because one practice rarely solves all water quality problems at a site, and the same practice will not work for all the sources and causes of a pollutant. All three types of BMP’s may be needed to address a source of pollutants. Several manuals of reference were used to develop the BMP’s for the Les Cheneaux Watershed:

Source	BMP Manual	System of BMP’s
Failing road/stream crossings; impoundments	Guidebook of BMP’s for Michigan Watersheds	Culvert replacement, embankment stabilization, run-off deterrents
Eroding stream banks/shoreline	Guidebook of BMP’s for Michigan Watersheds	Riparian buffers, stream course clean up, riparian landowner education
Rural storm water-roadside ditches, lot boundary drainages	Guidebook of BMP’s for Michigan Watersheds; Stormwater Management Guidebook; Information and education	Land use planning, ordinances, riparian buffers, check dams, grassed waterways and ditches
On-site septic systems and municipal discharge	Information and education	Seek alternative wastewater discharge management; Information and education; ordinance development
Impervious surfaces	Information and education	Information and education
Animal wastes	Guidebook of BMP’s for Michigan Watersheds; Information and education	Information and education, habitat protection ordinances, riparian buffers
Development and human disturbance	Guidebook of BMP’s for Michigan Watersheds; Information and education	Habitat protection ordinances, SESC and wetland law education and enforcement; construction strategies (staging and scheduling), conservation easements, deed restrictions, land trusts
Improper hazardous material/waste management	Information and education	Information/education; develop local hazardous waste management program

7.2 Recommended BMP’s

The goal of this watershed implementation plan is to suggest activities that will provide the most benefit for the Les Cheneaux Watershed in terms of restoring degraded areas, preventing further pollution, and protecting aquatic resources. The following strategy for protecting water quality is organized by pollution sources found in the watershed. Some sources can contribute many different pollutants. Consequently, treating a pollution source may reap multiple pollution control benefits. There are a number of objectives for each source of pollution, a task to reach the objective along with partners who will help perform the respective task. Typical systems of BMP’s are described along with milestones and a timeline within which the BMP’s are proposed to occur. The milestones and timeline are also considered benchmarks for evaluation. Success will come with realizing a respective goal in the time frame proposed. Short term objectives are slated for completion and adoption within the first 3-5 years and long term objectives were determined to require 5-10 years. These time proposals, however, are suggestions and will depend on the type and availability of funding.

Structural cost estimates are based on Conservation Resource Alliance’s unit costs for road crossing repair estimates (Road/Stream Crossing report), Natural Resource Conservation Service, and the Grand Traverse Bay Watershed Plan (FTCH).

Estimated milestones and the timeline are based on the LCWC volunteers coordinating the project for the first year with a full time project manager coordinating the project for the subsequent minimum 3-5 years. Many of the costs associated with coordinating workshops, meetings, and other I/E activities will not be broken down into specific dollar amounts. They are included in the manager’s salary.

7.3 Responsible Party Acronyms

CT - Clark Township Officials

MCRC - Mackinac County Road Commission

CEMCD - Chippewa/East Mackinac Conservation District

MDEQ-Michigan Department of Environmental Quality

CCRC - Chippewa County Road Commission

MDNR - Michigan Department of Natural Resources

EPA - Environmental Protection Agency

MDOT - Michigan Department of Transportation

EUPISD - Eastern Upper Peninsula Intermediate School District

MGSP - Michigan Groundwater Stewardship Program

TWP’s - Local Township Officials (Clark, Marquette, and Raber)

LCCS - Les Cheneaux Community Schools

MNFI - Michigan Natural Features Inventory

MSU - Michigan State University

LCIA - Les Cheneaux Islands Association

MSUE - Michigan State University Extension

LCWC - Les Cheneaux Watershed

NRCS - USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

Little T - Little Traverse Conservancy

TNC - The Nature Conservancy (Michigan Chapter)

LMAS - Luce-Mackinac-Alger-Schoolcraft Environmental Health Department

U of M - University of Michigan

LSSU - Lake Superior State University

USGS - United States Geological Survey

USACE - U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

7.4 Description of Implementation Tasks

Descriptions include Objective by Source, Task #, Responsible Party, Typical System of BMP if different from task and required, Milestones/timeline, estimated cost/per site, number of sites where applicable. Many of the following strategies are informational/education in nature and are developed also in the I/E Plan.

1. Objective by Source: Pathogens, nutrients, and toxins from on-site septic systems

Task A

Reduce the input of pollutants (pathogens, nutrients, and toxins) reaching groundwater and surface water from on-site septic systems by completing shoreline and creek surveys to determine potential failing septic system sites based on Cladophora populations, observations of illicit discharges, or discussions with landowners. Enter data into GIS format. Number and Location of Sites: 200 linear miles of shoreline.

Responsible Party: LCWC, LCIA, LSSU, LCCS

Milestones/timeline: Total linear mileage of shoreline surveyed/year 2;

GIS map complete/year 2

Estimated Cost: $5,000

Task B

Conduct focus meetings with LMAS Health Department to devise a strategy for local OSS problems. Poor building sites, consideration for alternative OSS for special situation residents in watershed, lack of inspections, etc. will be considered in strategic planning. Include 20 hours preparation time per meeting.

Responsible party: LCWC, LMAS Health, MDEQ, LCIA

Milestones/Timeline: Host introductory strategic planning by during year 1. Outreach plan developed by year 3.

Estimated Cost/Site: Manager’s salary; $250/meeting

Task C

Reduce the input of pollutants (pathogens, nutrients, and toxins) reaching groundwater and surface water by consulting area financing institutions, civic groups, regional funding organizations to create a funding system to provide resources to local landowners to repair failing OSS and upgrade non-compliant OSS. An endowment fund will be explored to provide funding for this project goal.

Responsible Party: LCWC, LCIA, CEMCD, LMAS Health, MDEQ

Milestones/ Timeline: Consultation with local and regional institutions by year 3; Establish endowment fund by year 5

Estimated Cost/Site: Manager’s salary

Task D

Work with LMAS, MDEQ, Township Officials, and other appropriate parties to develop a strategic plan to protect drinking water. Project staff will work with USGS, MDEQ, MDNR to identify priority groundwater discharge and recharge areas, groundwater flow, and aquifer characteristics, produce local aquifer maps, and determine strategic activities to protect existing water sources. Project staff will also assess prevalence of abandoned wells throughout watershed. The product will be a groundwater protection plan including I/E strategies and management actions based on this focused inventory and assessment.

Responsible parties: LMAS, CEMCD, TWP’s, MDEQ, MGSP

Milestones/Timeline: Gather and present existing groundwater concerns/data into a locally-based characterization including ground-proofing wetland areas; potential recharge areas by year 3

Estimated Cost: Manager’s salary; $6,500

2. Objective by Source: Reduce pollutants originating from Clark Township municipal discharge.

Task A

Reduce the input of pollutants (pathogens, nutrients, and toxins) reaching Pearson Creek and Cedarville Bay from the municipal wastewater discharge by supporting BMPs designed in planning phase to minimize nutrient and pathogen discharges and pursuing an alternative municipal wastewater discharge system. Work with local township to explore alternatives and/or management strategies to eliminate nutrients, toxins, and potential pathogens from wastewater discharge and from the water bodies in which it is discharged. Members from LCWC will explore the wastewater treatment industry for alternative systems that will accommodate the watershed’s future wastewater treatment needs. Industry leaders will be solicited to provide preliminary alternative systems with competitive cost, low maintenance guarantees, and low impacts to aquatic and terrestrial systems as criteria for consideration. Meetings will be sponsored by LCWC to expose the township officials to the respective vendors who choose to participate.

Responsible Party: LCWC, CT, MDEQ, LMAS

Milestones/ Timeline: Implement iron chloride bmp during year 1. Contract consultant by year 2

Estimated Cost/Site: Manager’s salary; $60 hr Consultant

3. Objective by Source: Reduce the input of pollutants (pathogens, nutrients, and toxins from urban and rural storm water.

Task A

Reduce the input of pollutants (pathogens, nutrients, and toxins) reaching groundwater and surface water from urban and rural stormwater by organizing appropriate Mackinac County officials, Watershed Township Officials, LCWC, and local hydrology specialists to develop stormwater management plans and/or ordinances for Cedarville and Hessel and the surrounding watershed. LCWC will present priority concerns to group, state and federal regulations and facilitate strategic planning to adopt local stormwater management. The group will be charged with recommending stormwater BMPs, maintenance, and development of ordinances to reduce stormwater problem causes, etc.

Responsible Parties: LMAS, TWP’s, LCWC, MDEQ, RC’s

Milestone/Timeline: Host focus meetings/public meetings by year 3

Estimated Cost: Video development $6000; photo presentation $250; public meeting $250; coordination $1,200 = $7,700

Task B

Work with aforementioned group to install appropriate stormwater BMP’s in urban and rural areas where appropriate based on information obtained from stormwater management plan. Preliminary BMP’s include revegetate all county maintained ditches along Blindline Road, M134; install check dams along same routes, including drainage into Flower’s Creek, and Cedarville Creek.

Prior to installing BMP’s several tasks will need to be completed: A water quality resource management plan (WQRMP) will be developed for each BMP site. The plan will detail the Proposed system of BMP’s, site plan, cost estimates, and certified engineering plans for MDEQ approval. A contract with the landowner will also be affirmed to facilitate the project and future maintenance. All permits will be secured upon initial project approval.

Responsible Parties: LCWC, CEMCD, LMAS, TWP’s, MDEQ, RCs

Milestones/Timeline: Define BMP needs by year 2;

Begin installation of corrective BMP’s by year 3

Estimated Cost: $25,000/year salary; BMP’s $30,000

4. Objective by Source: Improve Hazardous Waste Management

Task A

Work with township, local waste haulers, and other successful (hazardous waste program) communities to develop a regular hazardous waste pick-station to provide opportunity for watershed residents to regularly discard of hazardous waste.

Responsible parties: LCWC, CEMCD, MDEQ, LMAS, Waste Management

Milestone/Timeline: Contact regional waste haulers, hazardous waste disposal companies, Chipppewa Co. Recycling Center and develop alternatives by year 3

Estimated Costs: Manager’s salary

5. Objective by Source: Reduce Development impacts to warm/cold water fishery and other indigenous aquatic and terrestrial wildlife

Task A

Work with contractors, developers, realtors, local government, and other appropriate organizations to recommend BMP’s and wise land use planning guidance during construction activities, real estate development, local township decision-making and other activities impacting the local fishery and aquatic organisms. Activities to promote will include increased enforcement of SESC and wetland regulations, water quality protective ordinances, development of indicators, point of sale disclosure/protection, stormwater management. Product will be confirmation of voluntary strategies from participating stakeholders.

Responsible parties: TWP’s, LMAS, MDEQ, MNFI, realtors, contractors, LCIA, CEMCD, and LCWC.

Milestones/Timeline: Ongoing

Estimated Cost: $11,000 per year

Task B

The group will work to guarantee SESC and wetland regulation compliance at construction sites. LCWC will keep track of local SESC permits and building permits to assess compliance.

Responsible party: LCWC, LMAS, MDEQ, local contractors

Milestones/Timeline: Partnership with LMAS to monitor SESC/Wetland Regulations where appropriate by year 3

Estimated Cost: $12,500/year

Task C

The LCWC will develop resources to assist contractors, prospective landowners, and realtors with site plan review, building site review, permit applications, and strategies to minimize development impacts on critical fishery and other indigenous wildlife habitat. The council will provide a partnership with these local businesses to provide natural resource protection information and technical assistance in land transactions, building plan development, and general land use decisions. LCWC will provide the contact point for DEQ and LMAS permits for contractors and developers, and will house permits in order to monitor the amount, type and location of development in the watershed.

Responsible Party: LCWC

Milestones/Timeline: LCWC will possess needed resources to provide consultation to area constituents by year 3

Estimated Cost: Manager salary

Task D

LCWC and local township officials will review current Master Plans and Zoning Ordinances and enforcement trends for counties and townships to determine the effectiveness of protection given to water quality and natural resources. Assist townships and counties with land management regulations to develop guidelines that protect water quality and natural resources. Activities include assistance with improving ordinances concerning land splits, setbacks from water bodies, wetland protection, and point of sale protections.

Responsible Parties: LCWC, TWP’s, LMAS, MDEQ

Milestones/Timeline: All documents assessed by year 3; recommendations made to boards, commissions, etc.

Estimated Cost: $30,000

Task E

Explore program with local townships and the State of Michigan to protect critical habitats through purchasing development rights/conservation easement or outright purchase. Focus would be on lands critical to water quality, wildlife habitat, and lands that would protect against degradation of these entities.

Responsible Parties: MDNR, TWP’s, TNC, Little T, LCWC, LCIA

Milestones/Timeline: Draft strategy by year 3

Estimated Cost: $70,000 year

Task F

Work with townships and counties to develop local initiatives that preserve habitats critical to coolwater fishery and other indigenous wildlife.

Responsible Party: Mackinac County Officials, Local Township officials, LCWC, Little T, TNC

Milestones/Timeline: Initiative drafted by year 3

Estimated Cost: Manager’s salary

Task G

Work with Little Traverse Conservancy, The Nature Conservancy, and other land trusts to protect lands critical to water quality and aquatic and terrestrial organisms. Work together to develop a strategy including short and long term land protection priorities, landowner contacts, promotion addressed to the specific community, and financial resource attainment.

Responsible Party: Little T, TNC, LCWC, LCIA, TWP’s

Milestones/Timeline: Ongoing

Estimated Cost: $5,500 per year

Task H

Implement land protection endowment fund to assist local land conservancies and the Les Cheneaux Watershed Council in purchasing conservation easements on priority parcels developed through consultation with local land conservancies and Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Parcels targeted would contain sensitive features integral to water quality.

Responsible Party: Little T, TNC, LCWC, MDNR

Milestones/Timeline: Endowment fund established in first year

Estimated Cost: $1,500,000

Task I

Develop a Revolving Conservation Land Acquisition Fund for conservancies to purchase lands for conservation easement implantation and resale. This would be for critical properties that area on the market or in cases where landowners are unwilling to sell the conservation easement, but would rather sell the land outright. This would provide a mechanism to allow local land conservancies, including LCWC to purchase the land, restrict the land with a conservation easement prohibiting or severely limiting building /development, and then resell the land to conservation buyers: at its restricted value. This would require funds to cover the cost of the conservation easement (i.e. difference in value).

Potential Project Partners: Little T, TNC, LCWC

Milestones/Timeline: 3 years

Estimated Cost: $1,500,000

Task J

Work with local units of government to explore feasibility of a locally funded purchase of development rights/conservation easement acquisition program focused on preserving lands critical to water quality and wildlife habitat preservation where public support exists. An initial public opinion poll will be administered to determine public voter support.

Responsible Parties: Local Township officials, LCWC, Little T, TNC

Milestones/Timeline: 5 years

Estimated Cost: $120,000 per initiative

Task K

Work with MDNR to develop additional Designated Natural Areas throughout the watershed for recreation, education, and protections.

Responsible Party: LCWC, Little T, TNC, MDNR, MDEQ, MNFI

Milestones/Timeline: Develop strategy within 5 years

Estimated Cost: $50,000

Task L

Continue to conduct inventories of aquatic habitat conditions throughout the watershed (riparian corridors, shorelines, BMP sites, road/stream crossings, etc.) to monitor habitat conditions, development trends and activities.

Responsible Party: LCWC, LCCS, LSSU, LCIA

Milestone/Timeline: Ongoing

Estimated Cost: Manager’s salary

Task M

Work with MDNR to enhance fishery and other indigenous wildlife habitat including collecting information, conducting surveys, and evaluating sites for installation of habitat enhancing structures.

Responsible Party: MDNR, Trout Unlimited, LC Sportsman’s Club, LCWC

Milestone/Timeline: Draft plan for public sites by year 3

Estimated Costs: $35,000

Task N

Install in-stream and lake habitat improvements in consultation with MDNR and appropriate inventories.

Responsible Party: MDNR, LCWC, CEMCD, Trout Unlimited, LC Sportsman’s Club

Milestone/Timeline: Fish enhancement structures installed within 10 years

Estimated Cost: $100,000