Introductions/Attendance
Steering committee members introduced themselves and indicated their affiliations with the project: Dr. Joe Ohren from EMU/ICARD, Megan Lindsey EMU/ICARD, Kathy Gisczcak Augusta Township, Kevin Gustavson Water Resource Consortium EMU, Cheryl Baltrip Exeter Township, Roger Bezek Exeter Township, Stephen Kunselman Ypsilanti Township, Jim Spas Frenchtown Township, and Elizabeth Riggs from the Huron River Watershed Council.  

Joe indicated that he had heard from several people that they were attending a Huron River Watershed Council Training session during the same time and thus would not be able to attend.  Four of the six townships with significant watershed land were represented at the Steering Committee meeting.  The group thanked the supervisor and staff at Exeter Township for use of her facilities and generously supplying refreshments.

Pre-Meeting Questions
The group engaged in a question and answer session prior to the start of the meeting since there appeared to be some confusion surrounding the start time.  The questions and ensuing discussion were very useful in clarifying some procedural issues and thus are incorporated here as part of the minutes.  One question concerned the agreement with the Huron River Water Council (HRWC) about the public education and information effort (EMU has entered into a subcontract with the HRWC to provide advice to the Steering Committee and project staff on public participation and information efforts).  He explained that their role was to draw on their expertise and provide guidance to our Steering Committee and staff as to how best to communicate with and involve the public.  

He noted that the original proposal to DEQ included a significantly greater PIE effort, but that was removed in a cost reduction effort, with the expectation that such efforts might emerge as the watershed plan is approved and implemented.  The HRWC, and specifically Elizabeth Riggs, who is on the agenda for the meeting, will share ideas on a similar process she recently completed in the Mill Creek watershed.  He also made it very clear that, while he felt the HRWC advice would be invaluable, decisions about what to do will be the responsibility of our Steering Committee, not the HRWC.

Kathy Gisczcak expressed an interest in a map for community-relations purposes and Kevin Gustavson displayed a map he had on hand that was similar to her request.  It displayed both counties and all 8 townships and the location of the watershed within the units.  A discussion ensued concerning how the map could best be reproduced, either by GIS services with some minor modifications or by simply photocopying the current copy.  Dr. Gustavson offered to look into the matter.  The idea was to make a copy available to each of the Townships to post on their internal bulletin boards so that citizens visiting the township halls become aware of the watershed planning process that is unfolding.
 Community opinion on recreation as a possible future desired use was discussed as well.  Cheryl Baltrip noted that, in her recent conversations with Exeter Township residents, it may be a less offensive idea to some than was previously felt.  However, participants agreed that creating a healthy watershed was the first priority and that other uses would be more appropriately addressed at a later point in the restoration process.

A concern was expressed that the offices of the Drain Commissioners from Monroe and Washtenaw counties are not represented at the meetings.  Dr. Ohren indicated that they were receiving all of the Steering Committee information and that he would follow-up to be sure they are aware of our interest in their participation.

Kathy Gisczcak expressed an interest in better understanding how the original grant process began for the Stony Creek Watershed project.  Dr. Joe Ohren explained that Jan BenDor from Pittsfield Township and Anita Zot, then from the EMU Water Resources Consortium, attended a DEQ 319 planning grant workshop that prompted them to call initial meetings and prepare a proposal.  A number of the people now on the Steering Committee attended those planning sessions, culminating in submission of a grant proposal in August 2001.  We were notified of approval in the spring 2002 with a contract signed in late December of that year.  Initial work was delayed by staff changes and the impact of the Intercounty Drainage District proposal.  Subsequent efforts were devoted to assembling the Steering Committee.

The group is obviously on track now, and one thing that would be helpful is a clear understanding on the part of Steering Committee members about the entire watershed planning process.  Each member should have a copy of the DEQ watershed-planning manual (if you don’t have one let us know and we can bring copies to the next meeting) and on the agenda for the meeting will be a brief presentation concerning the process and the timelines.  A flow chart depicting the process is included in the material for today’s meeting but more can be added to help members understand the process.

Water Quality Testing Results
As the formal meeting began Dr. Gustavson gave a presentation describing characteristics of the watershed and explaining the water sampling and testing that has been done and how it might be used in the planning process.  Three land use maps were shared, from 1978, 1992, and 2001, to indicate an increase in urban development.  Some concern was expressed about the variations in the information; more consistent and recent data may be available from census reports and building permits in the 8 watershed townships. In addition both Washtenaw and Monroe Counties take aerial photographs yearly that may be available in a slide format. Another convenient method of adjustment for this map may be combining some categories to simplify the data for our purposes.  Dr. Ohren noted that additional information such as population data could nicely supplement the maps, noting population changes over the twenty-year period as a way of helping to understand what is occurring in the watershed.

Dr. Gustavson next presented slope maps, displaying the slope of the land and the water table. These two appeared quite similar, and the two characteristics present constraints to the development process in the watershed, and also represent potential problem areas in terms of watershed planning.  Where you have steep slopes, for example, water run off is magnified.
A Watershed map showing the ten water sampling locations was presented, followed by a number of line graphs providing information on water quality at each site, summarized briefly here (the maps and data will be uploaded to the website for access).  It was noted that several of the sites had high phosphate readings and that nitrates were also particularly high in early June.  In addition, the Total Suspended Solids study showed particularly high readings at testing site 4.  The turbidity results showed significant sediments, and dissolved oxygen levels were at 6 mg. per liter at one point, which is low compared to the 8 mg. level viewed as generally acceptable.  Temperature may influence these readings but that would not account for the entire problem.

In thinking about the information presented, Dr. Ohren reminded the group that the Steering Committee had two tasks at this stage in the planning process: to paint a picture of the watershed, indicating what is happening over time in the creek and adjacent land, and to identify the critical areas for more careful study.  The water quality information is one means to identify critical areas, since we should be able to show where in the watershed quality problems are appearing.  Committee members also should be thinking about what they view as critical areas within their jurisdictions; e.g., where logjams might be creating flooding problems.  Dr. Gustavson noted that the GIS maps are a very simple and eye appealing way to present the data to residents when sufficient information is available, and that will be done in coming weeks.

Public Information and Education (PIE)
Elizabeth Riggs from the HRWC was present to share her experience with information sharing and to offer suggestions on how we could best present information to the community and involve them in the planning process.  She noted that in the Mill Creek planning process they held two separate community forums, one early on in the process to let people know what was happening and to invite people to identify problems areas and desired uses, and one toward the end of the process to share a draft of the management plan with the community.  If she were to do it again, she noted, she might also include a third session in the middle of the process.  It takes a good bit of time to get through the process and efforts are needed to keep people posted about progress.

The group discussed a variety of means of communication including mailings, public meetings, press releases, conducting a survey, or information sharing through township newsletters. Ms. Riggs indicated that it is important to keep meetings or progress notices regular; it becomes a key vehicle in enlisting volunteers who may be willing to fill essential roles in the process.  Steering Committee members discussed the possibility of a public meeting and generally felt that if one were held it would be an information session (instead of a forum) to explain to the public the goals of the Steering Committee and actions thus far.  It would also be useful to eliminate any confusion and misgivings about the role of the Stony Creek Steering Committee 319 planning effort and earlier efforts in the watershed.

Initial efforts will be primarily informational, but residents should also be provided opportunities to express concerns over how this project will affect them.  We need to communicate that we are interested in water quality improvement and restoring the watershed first and foremost, but want people to offer their views and ideas as to how best to accomplish that goal.  Dr. Ohren indicated that as a first step he would draft some material to be sent to Township representatives that might be included in local newsletters.