Coalition adopts bylaws at February 2018 Meeting

Shiawassee River Water Trail Coalition

February 22, 2018

Argentine Township Hall

Meeting Minutes

Introductions: 17 in attendance representing Friends of the Shiawassee River, City of Linden, Fenton, Village & Township of Chesaning, Linden, Headwaters Trails, Keepers of the Shiawassee, Owosso

Chair’s Update:

1. House Resolution 230 Passed, moving into Senate recognizing Flint River and Shiawassee River as water trails. David Lossing and Tom Cook testified in committee.
2. Tomorrow lunch with Ginger Koester at Fenton Winery and Brewery about creating a brew for the Shiawassee River to use as fundraiser for the Coalition, get a portion of the proceeds

Guest Speaker, Lori Eschenberg, St. Clair Metro Planning Commission - Click Here to Download Presentation (4MB)

1. Lori worked to establish the Island Loop National Water Trail – first National Water Trail in Michigan. Spoke on planning efforts in St. Clair County, through planning efforts identified 17 Blueways in 9 water bodies
2. Effort is hosted in planning department of St. Clair County, seeking funding from Coastal Zone Management to complete a strategic plan to determine the long term home of St. Clair Blueways. Variety of paddling experiences from lazy slow rivers, big river, largest freshwater delta in North America
3. All are detailed on the website BLUEWAYSOFSTCLAIR.ORG
4. Island Loop Route became a National Water Trail in November 2013, 10 Miles long, unique because it is in Lake Huron, St. Clair River, Black River, and Black River canal. Features 3 ADA Accessible launches, historical sites. Most of trail is for beginners, with exception of section on St. Clair River, particularly under the Blue Water Bridge, that is for experts only due to freighter traffic, open water, wind, and waves.
5. Trail Towns – assessed 10 different communities in the Thumb area. St. Clair City provides variety of services for paddlers, signage, showers, lockers, shuttle service. Study completed in 2015. “Blue Water Trail Towns”, Signage, coordinated through the Convention and Visitors Bureau. Work together so the entire region is a destination.

By-Laws Review

1. Motion to Support (Dave Richardson), Josh Adams support, all voted in Favor to adopt bylaws.

Partner Updates

1. UM-Flint applied research projects – share ideas with Sara, will be awarding funding in April
2. FOSR Speaker Series at the Wrought Iron Grill, 6pm Dinner, 7pm Presentation
3. End of March – Stream Monitoring will start recruiting volunteers
4. PST Lake Association – looking at more holistic approach to weed control, check out open group on Facebook
5. Chesaning – dealing with ice floes
6. Owosso – meeting with Tom Cook, Phil Hathaway to put launch in on river across from Curwood Castle; met with other towns (Holly, Linden) to explore economic development and work with water trail coalition; working with Oakland County Main Street programs on best practices
7. EZ Kayak – have road signs for the bridges, have permits, submitting plans for approval. Purchased signs for Canoe Access, bridge signs
8. Keepers of the Shiawassee River – approved to purchase rubber bracelets, $2 each that includes website and Paddle slogan
9. Fenton – June 23 City Cleanup, Bush Park, day before the Riverfest; Park proposal for “wellness stations”, trail extension, wayfinding signs, soil erosion control
10. Headwaters – Quiet Water Symposium coming up in 2 weeks! March 3 at MSU

Next Meeting

March 22, 2018

6:30PM hoping to bring USGS to speak to the group