Introductions/Attendance
In attendance were Julie Griess Pittsfield Township resident, Jim Spas Frenchtown Township representative, Cheryl Baltrip Exeter Township rep., Kathy Giszczak Augusta Township rep., Aretta Schils London Township resident, Bill Dean York Township rep., Roger Bezek Exeter Township rep., Dr. Joe Ohren ICARD/EMU, Dr. Kevin Gustavson EMU/WRC, and Megan Lindsey ICARD/EMU.

Activities Update
Dr. Ohren reported that the fourth quarter report was in draft form and Janna Sebald was generously reviewing the draft, due at the end of the month (a copy of the final narrative report is included for your information).  Dr. Gustavson updated the group on his completion of the report on the road streams crossings survey.  Water quality monitoring continued through December, but an extended period of extreme cold has delayed sampling until a thaw occurs.  He also presented the township representatives who were present with copies of a map of Stony Creek designed for PR in their communities and promised that a smaller, electronic version of a similar map would be emailed for use in spring newsletters or other communications on the watershed planning process.   He suggested that the maps be posted in the Township Hall in a place visible to visitors.  

Dr. Ohren and Dr. Gustavson reported on a meeting with Elizabeth Riggs from HRWC. She again noted that a public forum midway through the planning process would be extremely valuable to keep contact with the public throughout the process.  In the Mill Creek watershed planning process they conducted two such public sessions, one at the start of the process and a second near the end to get feedback on the draft.  A forum in the middle of that process would have helped to further raise the level of awareness of the planning process in her view.  The discussions with Ms. Riggs prompted the proposal concerning a public forum on the agenda for the day’s meeting, and the group turned to that subject next.

Public Forum
Dr. Ohren briefly reviewed the handout on the public forum that had been included in the meeting materials and asked the committee for input as to when, where, and what would take place at our forum.  It was generally agreed that late March or early April would be the best time, and participants agreed that two meetings should be held, one in each county in a suitable location.  Specific locations were not nailed down, but it was suggested that the Frenchtown Township Hall would be appropriate in Monroe County, as would a meeting room at Lincoln Consolidated Schools in Augusta Township in Washtenaw County.

The format of the forum was discussed at length and many helpful suggestions were made as to how to share information and to stimulate public feedback.  Participants agreed that we needed to clarify the purposes of the Steering Committee and the 319 planning process to ensure that there is no misunderstanding with earlier efforts related to the intercounty drainage district proposal.  It was also suggested that the meeting include a short presentation of who we are with an opportunity for participants to identify what they see as some of the critical issues in the watershed.  Further invitations to participate in sampling or watershed tours could be offered, as well as providing contact information for those who want to be kept informed of progress on the plan.  

Publicizing the meetings would be critical to the success of the forum.  It was suggested that ads could be purchased in the local papers and local journalists might be invited to report on the work done thus far.  EMU staff will contact those people who have been identified as stakeholders throughout our work as well as other community organizations who might be interested.  Township representatives and other participants were encouraged to identify possible groups and contact people in their respective communities for invitations.

Dr. Ohren indicated that he would present further detailed information at the February meeting regarding timing, location, content, and the invitation list.

Prioritized Pollutants
The most recent homework assignment for Steering Committee members involved prioritizing a list of pollutants and indicators of pollution. There was some confusion over what exactly was required and how this information would be used.  Committee members feared that their lack of scientific expertise would affect their prioritization.  Dr. Gustavson went through the list of known and suspected pollutants and identified for the committee which pollutants we were monitoring, those being monitored by government agencies and consulting firms, and those pollutants not currently being monitored.  

In addition, Dr. Gustavson identified the issues that are of greatest scientific concern based on current monitoring results and a comparison of the Stony Creek Watershed with the prioritization of a recently completed management plan for Mill Creek Watershed led by the Huron River Watershed Council.  He let the committee know that their input would help determine the direction and priorities of the management plan to ensure that legitimate public concerns are being addressed.

After Dr. Gustavson shared his knowledge with the group it was suggested that they use what they had learned and be given another chance to submit this homework assignment in the near future.  An email is to be sent out as a reminder to encourage everyone to discuss the assignment with friends, family, and constituents and give their feedback in the next 2 weeks (if you have not already responded to the exercise, send it along ASAP to mlindsey@emich.edu).   The results will be shared at the February meeting.