Introductions/Attendance
The meeting attendees introduced themselves and identified their affiliations with the project. Those in attendance included: Bob Osterhout, Ypsilanti Twp representative, Heather Shymanski, OHM for Ypsilanti Twp, Marion Dupuis, London Twp resident, Aretta Schils London Twp resident, Julie Griess, Pittsfield Twp representative, Kris Neivurth, London Twp representative, Jim Spas, Frenchtown Twp representative, Roger Bezek, Exeter Twp. Representative, Harry Sheehan, Washtenaw County Drain Commissioner, Janna Sebald, DEQ liaison, Kathy Giszczak, Augusta Twp representative, Cheryl Baltrip, Exeter Twp representative, Kevin Gustavson, EMU/WRC, and Megan Lindsey, EMU/ICARD.

Activities Update
Dr. Gustavson presented the group with a new map showing nitrate concentrations throughout the watershed.  The group made some suggestions as to how to clarify the data and Kevin promised to work with it and post it on the website.  He also addressed the fact that he has updated the website to clarify that the 319 grant is a planning grant designed as a first step in applying for state/federal money.  This should help improve public understanding.

Dr. Gustavson also spoke of a meeting that he, Janna Sebald, and Harry Sheehan had attended.  He indicated that he was encouraged by this conference because he encountered similar groups who have been using educated guessing to determine the problem pollutants in their watersheds.  He felt the Stony Creek group is a step ahead because it possesses a fair amount of scientifically obtained data.

Two of Dr. Gustavson’s students are interested in performing water quality research for a class project.  He asked the group if there were any specific points that they would like studied within the watershed where sediment load can be compared upstream and downstream of a point of concern.  He was unsure of whether their data could be formally used within the project, but said he would check into it.  Kathy Giszczak said she would like these tests to be done upstream of station four in Augusta Township. Kevin indicated that if other Steering Committee members had specific areas in mind they should contact him.

Megan Lindsey alerted the group that in order to allow preparation time for the public forum, the March Steering Committee would be moved to the third Tuesday of the month, March 16th, 2004.  Cheryl Baltrip once again will be hosting at Exeter Township Hall.

Desired/Designated Uses
Dr. Gustavson indicated that within the public forum proposal there was a Desired Uses for the Stony Creek Watershed section. He invited the group to discuss this list and determine whether there was consensus about these elements {and whether or not they were in fact desired or designated goals for use}.  After considerable discussion it was decided that the best way to present these elements to the public was to present the designated and desired uses in brief statements.  The decided uses included 8 designated uses: Agriculture, Warmwater Fishery, Aquatic Life and Other Wildlife, Partial Body Contact, Total Body Contact, Industrial Water Supply, Public Water Supply, and Navigation. The desired use to be presented is Coldwater Fishery.  It was indicated by the group that these were the best elements to present to the public and while the goals could be expanded upon in future reports and action it was best to keep them simple for introduction at the forum.  

Some of the elements that could be used in the future to expand this list might include topics such as: the use of the stream as an overall indicator of environmental health and providing a natural vehicle for water flow.  Kevin thought it would be useful to prioritize these designated and desired uses and Megan Lindsey noted that she would send them out as the next homework.
 
Prioritized Pollutants
The most recent homework assignment was to prioritize a list of pollutants.  Dr. Gustavson emphasized that the Steering Committee’s input and community input on this was important.  He noted that he had received very few of the exercises and would like to see more in the immediate future.  A reminder will be emailed to encourage quick response to this assignment.  Dr. Gustavson indicated that he would use this input plus scientific data at a meeting with the Technical Committee to come up with a recommended list of prioritized pollutants before the next Steering Committee meeting.

Public Forum
Per the discussion at the January meeting, forum dates and locations have been set for April 6th and 8th at Frenchtown Township Hall and Ypsilanti Public Library respectively.  The Steering Committee, after some discussion, reached consensus that the lecture format described in the meeting handout would be best suited to the upcoming public forum. Specifically, committee members felt that a basic presentation, kept as brief as possible, followed by group discussion sessions would work well.  The question and answer groups would depend upon the number of meeting guests and whether or not there are appropriate, willing volunteers to lead these smaller groups.  The group makeup could be based on specific topic of interest or on the township of residents (although few favored the idea of splitting up by township).

In discussing the content of the event it was generally felt that it was most important to explain the planning process, outline our designated and desired uses, and display in basic format the DEQ requirements we are working under.  Members also felt that it was equally important to explain what the Steering Committee is and is not.  

For example, we are a planning group and not an action group, we are not related to the intercounty drain proposal, and we are not regulated by phase 2 stormwater regulations (which are requirements placed on municipalities based on population density factors that are separate from the Stony Creek Watershed Planning process).

Public awareness of the sessions was discussed and it was decided that preparing and issuing a press release and contacting the stakeholders list we have developed would be a good start.  A draft of a forum flyer was also reviewed and it was suggested that the website be included as well as some other helpful comments to better promote the forum in this format.

Vision Statement
Dr. Gustavson suggested it would be useful to develop a vision statement to present to interested citizens.  It is also an excellent way to focus the Steering Committee’s actions. The statement was discussed at length and the group felt that a simple statement would best encompass all of our goals.  The September Steering Committee minutes were drawn on and the statement that was chosen was “Creating and preserving a healthy watershed.”