The Chapter received 27 separate grant applications for a total of $106,000.  The Board of Directors approved 25 requests totaling $31,400.  In addition, $1,000 was given to Trout Unlimited’s Coldwater Conservation Fund and $2,000 was given to the Michigan Council of Trout Unlimited, divided equally between the Executive Director’s Fund and the re-usable water bottle project.  Details of this year’s PHY grants follow.  Please do not hesitate to contact any of the Board members if you would like additional information concerning any of the grants or if you would like to participate in the granting process.  Your input is valued and always welcomed. 

AmeriCorps Support
Amount Granted: $ 500
Administered by:  Huron Pines 

The focus of the Huron Pines AmeriCorps Program is to help existing nonprofit and volunteer conservation organizations increase their ability to implement resource conservation projects.  The role of members will be focused in three core areas: Organizational Development, Recruiting/Retaining Volunteers and Public Outreach.

Anglers of the Au Sable – Kolke Creek
Amount Granted: $ 1,800
Administered by:  Anglers of the Au Sable 

The Anglers of the Au Sable (Anglers) and Lynn lake Property Owners (LLPO) continue to challenge DEQ’s granting of a permit to allow Merit Energy to discharge over a million gallons a day of treated water from the Manistee headwaters into the headwaters of the Au Sable mainstream.  The effects of this dumping, if it is allowed to proceed, include increased flows and water levels, erosion, sedimentation, pollution, changes in water chemistry, temperature modification of the local ecology and unnatural transport of water between watersheds. 

Au Sable River Grayling Stormwater Project – Phase III
Amount Granted:  $ 1,500
Administered by:  Huron Pines 

Phase III of the Grayling Storm water Project will include the construction of new rain gardens on the north side of town. Current rain gardens will also be enhanced with new plant material.  Surrounding municipalities will be approached to explore the opportunity of installing a low-impact storm water project in those communities.   

Au Sable River (North Br) Watershed Plan
Amount Granted:  $ 1,000
Administered by:  Huron Pines 

A Watershed Plan is required to establish a long-term protection plan for the N. Br. of the AuSable River.  This project will establish baseline data and develop a plan for a framework to address long-term issues.  This plan will pull together partners including conservation groups, Huron Pines and commercial activities in the watershed.

Upper Black River – Habitat Improvement
Amount Granted:  $ 1,000
Administered by: Upper Black River Restoration Committee 

AGP funds will be used to support in-stream habitat enhancement work being performed in the main branch of the Black River in Montmorency County.  The work will consist of the placement of natural woody debris, whole tree revetments and deflection logs. 

Cedar Creek – Habitat Improvement
Amount Granted:  $ 1,000
Administered by: Muskegon Conservation District 

Cedar Creek has long suffered from historical impacts related to erosion and sedimentation due to a legacy of logging, agriculture, and rural road construction of the early 20th century.  Since the 1950’s land use has been changing rapidly with construction and development in the area due to its close proximity to Muskegon and the M-120 highway corridor has altered the hydrology of the river system.  These impacts combined with the overall loss of native vegetation have slowly increased water temperatures and made runoff from storms more sudden and more destructive.  This project will help to stabilize a portion of the river ecosystem, preserve areas of ecological significance and improve fish and wildlife habitat.   

Clinton River Coldwater Conservation Project
Amount Granted:  $ 500
Administered by: Clinton River Watershed Council

Now in its 7th year, the Clinton River Coldwater Conservation Project (CRCCP) is a joint effort of local Trout Unlimited chapters, Michigan Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Division (MDNR), City of Auburn Hills, and the Clinton River Watershed Council.  Its mission is to engage anglers in coldwater fishing and in river stewardship activities.  CRCCP generates interest in trout fishing and coldwater conservation, recruits new trout anglers, and provides hands-on involvement with conservation projects.

Connor Creek Habitat Improvement
Amount Granted:  $ 1,200
Administered by:  Fred Waara Chapter Trout Unlimited 

This project will apply best management practices to improve habitat quality for increased brook trout production in Connors Creek, an important native brook trout nursery stream in the Dead River watershed.  Brook trout habitat rehabilitation to Connors Creek is important because much of the habitat in the creek is degraded, most of the trout population in the Dead River was destroyed as a result of a flood in 2003 caused by a dam failure, and trout produced in Connors Creek will help to repopulate the Dead River.  The grant will allow the Fred Waara Chapter, in cooperation with Fisheries Division, DEQ and the Marquette County Conservation District to rehabilitate the fisheries habitat in Connor Creek.   

Ground Water Protection & Conservation
Amount Granted:  $ 2,400
Administered by: Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation 

Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation (MCWC) shares the commitment of the Paul H. Young Chapter in preserving Michigan’s most precious cold-water resources.  The grant will enable MCWC to enhance its effectiveness in working to protect these resources from multiple new water mining proposals.  MCWC’s environmental experts and legal team will review and monitor the reports from watersheds and trout streams where Nestle (and others) are known to be collecting data from test wells.  MCWC’s environmental experts and legal team will also monitor and challenge commercial applications for permits to mine Michigan’s water.  MCWC will continue to work to improve Michigan’s water withdrawal laws. 

Huron River (Marquette / Baraga County)
Amount Granted:  $ 1,900
Administered by:  Lake Superior’s Huron River Restoration, Inc 

The Huron River is experiencing an alarming number of concerns that are inhibiting affecting spawning habitat and blocking river passage at its mouth.  Recent mining pressure and current logging practices are contributing to the increased sediment loading.  This project will involve working with the Plum Creek and the Forestland Group to see what can be done to reduce these problems.  The Baraga MDNR Fisheries has made this the number one project for this year along with the “Stream team” (MDEQ) that mandates which studies are required to meet standards for future grants.  This is a joint project between the Copper County and Fred Waara Chapters of Trout Unlimited. 

Hodges Creek – Road Crossing Restoration
Amount Granted:  $ 1,900
Administered by:  Huron Pines 

Hodges Creek is a small coldwater tributary to Tubbs Creek that eventually drains into the Upper Black River.  The Hodges Creek - Black River Road Crossing is currently impeding fish passage and contributing large amounts of sediment to the river system.  The Michigan Department of Natural Resources conducted a survey of this stream segment in 2007 and found naturally reproducing brook trout populations.   The purpose of this project is to replace the existing culvert with a larger elliptical culvert that will eliminate any fish barriers and to stabilize the embankment and roadbed to reduce the amount of sediment entering the stream. 

Jordan River – Lamprey Barrier Removal
Amount Granted:  $ 1,000
Administered by:  Conservation Resource Alliance 

This project involves the removal of a non-functioning lamprey barrier and restoration of the free flowing nature of the stream.  Removal of the barrier would restore the site, reconnect fish populations, and eliminate the need for a portage. 

Little Manistee River – LWD
Amount Granted:  $ 1,000
Administered by: Little Manistee Watershed Conservation Council 

The project will improve overhead cover for steelhead parr and brown trout, two species that rely on woody cover to reduce predation and provide current breaks.  Various structures in the form of stream islands and log raft structures will be installed ranging from 16-40 ft. in length and 3-6 ft. in width.  These structures will be secured to posts jetted into the stream bottom, but will otherwise not contact the bottom sediments.  This allows sand and silt to freely move downstream under the structures, which prevent them from filling with sand.  These efforts will build on similar efforts completed in the summer of 2006. 

Michigan Clean Water Corps (MI Corps)
Amount Granted:  $ 1,100
Administered by: Huron Pines

The AGP funds will be used to help create a volunteer stream monitoring program for all of the watersheds in our 11 county service area.  Starting with the Pine River/Van Etten Lake watershed in 2008 and the Upper Manistee for 2009, volunteers will be trained to perform proper water sampling.  A Quality Assurance Protection Plan will be created and approved by MiCorps and stream sampling events will be scheduled.  After the macro-invertebrates are collected and bottled, they will be identified and preserved.  The results will be entered into the MiCorps database.

Reeling & Healing
Amount Granted:  $ 750
Administered by: Reeling & Healing – Dick & Judy Walle 

Reeling & Healing promotes physical and mental healing and provides social support for breast cancer survivors while gathering in beautiful natural setting to learn fly fishing.  The grant will be used to purchase supplies for use at this year’s retreats. 

Reeling & Healing, Midwest
Amount Granted:  $ 750
Administered by: Reeling & Healing Midwest– Cathy Sero 

Breast cancer survivors head to Gates AuSable Lodge for a weekend to get away from treatment and learn about Fly Fishing, Fly Tying and connecting with nature, which is truly a "healing" experience.  Reeling & Healing Midwest New Participant retreats offer introductory fly fishing skills to participants as well as an opportunity to build a support network beyond the hospital and their families and physicians.   

Salmon in the Classroom
Amount Granted:  $ 1,000
Administered by: PHY – Matt Huhta, Bloomfield Hills Schools 

The Salmon in the Classroom project provides students an opportunity for hands-on environmental education at the Bloomfield Hills Model High School.  By studying salmon habitat, water quality, and the salmon themselves, students can learn about the interrelationships of species within their local watershed.  In learning how to protect the salmon's environment, the students are ultimately learning how to protect their own environment. 

Salmon in the Classroom
Amount Granted:  $ 1,000
Administered by: PHY – David Forman, Southfield Schools 

The Salmon in the Classroom project provides students an opportunity for hands-on environmental education at the Burney Middle School in Southfield.  By studying salmon habitat, water quality, and the salmon themselves, students can learn about the interrelationships of species within their local watershed.  In learning how to protect the salmon's environment, the students are ultimately learning how to protect their own environment. 

Sturgeon River Project
Amount Granted:  $ 2,000
Administered by: Headwaters Land Conservancy 

The AGP grant will help fund a system wide survey and much needed river inventory.  The project will look as such things as agricultural impacts, significant garbage, road-stream crossings, and stream bank erosion.  The assessment will include an evaluation of the fisheries habitat, monitor sediment levels and water temperatures at various locations. 

Upper Manistee Watershed Maintenance Projects
Amount Granted:  $ 3,000
Administered by: Upper Manistee River Association 

Within the Upper Manistee River system there are many large projects underway or being developed.  Many smaller projects such as stream bank erosion sites or the ability to utilize fallen trees for LWD can also have a significant collective impact on the cold-water resources of the Upper Manistee River.  The AGP funds (together with that from other sources) the Committee, through the Kalkaska Conservation District, will (1) systematically manage (i.e., cut where necessary, move and tether in place) the increasing number of in-river treefalls as LWD to enhance trout habitat as well as facilitate navigation; and (2) upgrade the public access site a few river miles above the CCC Bridge.   

Watershed Protection / Restoration Fund
Amount Granted:  $ 1,000
Administered by:  Huron Pines 

This AGP grant will provide Huron Pines with the capability to immediately address small scale watershed issues identified by concerned landowners or conservation groups.  Having funding with flexibility to visit landowners, provide expertise, develop permits, and fundraise allows Huron Pines to create well-rounded projects incorporating the best resource protection strategies.