LAKE, MASON COUNTY — The Little Manistee Watershed Conservation Council will host a public input session at 6 p.m., Oct. 11 to gather and share information regarding the LMWCC community survey and the 2020 Watershed Management Plan.
This is the final meeting of the series and will be conducted online with the assistance of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Grand Valley State University an area conservation districts.
The webinar will include presentations by Amanda Buday of GVSU regarding the Little Manistee property owner survey and by staff from the Michigan DNR providing an overview of the DNR Natural Rivers Program, and a discussion of the 2020 Little Manistee River Watershed Management Plan.
The LMWCC sponsored a social survey to gather information about how people utilize and value the Little Manistee River. About 1500 property owners and others in the watershed have been asked to complete the survey conducted by GVSU. Surveys are still being sent out and collected. The results will be processed by GVSU and the results will be made available to the public on the LMWCC website at lmwcc.org, as well as at GVSU, area conservation districts and news outlets.
The Michigan Natural Rivers Program offers a method to protect the river’s shoreline, water quality fish and wildlife habitat, recreational use, and the aesthetic qualities of the river. The program offers a way to conserve what we currently have, while being able to develop private property in a wise way that encompasses the whole watershed’s health.
The 2020 Little Manistee River Watershed Management Plan helped LMWCC members recognize the potential for land use and development which would change the wild nature, economic use and many other current values of the Little Manistee River.
A time for audience questions will be provided following the presentations.
The webinar is accessible through Microsoft Teams meeting on a computer, via the mobile app on a phone or tablet, or via a web browser without downloading the app.
To join online, enter the following phrase into a Google search: “Join Microsoft teams meeting.” When prompted, enter the meeting ID: 296 823 967 159 and passcode: ksuKY3.
To join by phone call 1-248-509-0316 and when prompted enter Phone Conference ID: 112 056 055#.
For more information on the community survey contact Amanda Buday, Assistant Professor of Sociology, GVSU at budaya@gvsu.edu or at 616-331-3137.
For more information about the Michigan Natural Rivers Program contact Dana Castle, Fisheries Biologist, DNR at castled@michigan.gov or at 231-285-1042.
