Introductions/Attendance
Steering committee members introduced themselves and indicated their affiliations with the project: Dr. Joe Ohren, ICARD/EMU; Dr. Kevin Gustavson, WRC/EMU; Catherine Pigott, Monroe Conservation District; Kathy Giszczak, Augusta Township Representative; Cheryl Baltrip, Exeter Township Representative; Roger Bezek, Exeter Township Representative.  Dr. Gustavson introduced Bob Jones from the Urban Planning program at EMU.  He has experience in watershed issues in other places and is here to participate, react, and share insight.  His contact info is as follows: phone (734) 644-1068, and email robert.jones@emich.edu.

Information Items
Kevin Gustavson and Bob Jones discussed a new trend in development being touted by the DEQ for reducing the impact of development on the watershed.  Kevin shared a brief powerpoint presentation and indicated that the entire DEQ supported presentation is on the website.  He noted that this is a primary DEQ funding initiative.  Considerable discussion ensued.

The concept of low impact development raises several issues regarding strategies:
1. would require amending existing/conventional approaches to development regulation
2. presents a significant educational task for developers as well as local officials
a. What it is – defining low impact development
b. Convincing local officials and developers that it is a cost-effective approach to development and that it is better than the traditional approach
c. Applicable to varied development patterns, though targeted to urbanizing area
d. Requires attention to whole range of ordinances and regulations implemented by townships to protect the watershed.

Strategies to Achieve the Watershed Goals and Objectives
The discussion then moved to the proposed strategies to achieve the Steering Committee’s objectives for the watershed.  Ohren provided some background on the table that was circulated at the start of the meeting; prior discussion at August SC meeting, request for input from Technical Committee members, feedback from Bezek and Rice.  He asked participants to examine the table with an eye toward raising “red flags,” areas where members might see concern on the part of their constituents, and also noted that each strategy will also require additional information potential implementers and estimated costs for the management plan.

Specific topics discussed included:
-Addressing problem septic fields:
    Role of Health Dept. in enforcing existing or adopting new regulations
    Americorp Program as a possible source of resources
    Educational program may be critical—alerting homeowners to possible problems
    Inspection on sale or transfer may be the most effective way to address problems.

-Creating a Stony Creek Watershed Council as a recommendation of the watershed management plan.  Such a Council would serve as a
continuing entity to provide regular monitoring of water quality and to serve as a catalyst for action by townships/relevant agencies

-Conducting an agriculture survey to identify
    How many acres under currently under cultivation?
    How many in acres in the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP)
    Cost-changing programs for BMPs.
    Recommend possible funding sources

Catherine Pigott from the Monroe Conservation District was identified as a source of education programming, although it was noted that their budget is very small.  She also provided members an update on Monroe Conservation District clearance efforts pursuant to the court agreement.  Access problems had limited their ability to get to some of the logjams, though where they had been able to get access the work had not had significant negative impacts on the creekside.  She noted that they are getting ready for the planned fish drop as soon as they get the okay from the DNR.

Next Steps in Decision Process
Joe Ohren described briefly the next steps in the process; continuing work on the table of goals, objectives and strategies, and Kevin indicated that he would have a more complete version of the table in advance of the October meeting.

Next Meeting
The next Steering Committee Meeting date was scheduled for Wednesday, October 20 at 1:30pm.