West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission

Overview

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration selected WMSRDC’s proposal for the Lake Michigan Coastal Rivers and Wetlands Regional Partnership in 2020. The NOAA/WMSRDC Regional Partnership was created to carry out habitat restoration projects focused on the eastern Lake Michigan watershed's riverine habitats, drowned river mouth estuaries, and coastal wetlands. The partnership focused on restoration and connectivity of coastal wetlands and river corridors to restore fish passage and wetland habitats in support of native populations of fish and wildlife.

Under the Regional Partnership three priority projects were funded, including feasibility, engineering/design and implementation:

1) Little Cedar Creek Fish Passage and Stream Habitat Restoration in the Muskegon River Watershed in Muskegon County. Little Cedar Creek is the longest tributary of Cedar Creek and is a high-quality cold-water tributary to the Muskegon River. By replacing two road stream crossings and restoring 500 feet of in-stream fish habitat, this project restored 3.5 miles of fish passage and reconnected 12 acres of wetland habitat and essential spawning and nursery habitat for lake-run and resident fish species such as Brook Trout, Brown Trout and Sculpin. Project partners include Muskegon County Road Commission (MCRC), GVSU AWRI, GEI Consultants, and private landowners.

Project locations:

A. Michilinda Ave / Little Cedar Cr Crossing Location: 43:3508, -86:0774;

B. Sweeter Road / Little Cedar Cr Road Crossing Location: 43:3226, - 86:049;

2) White River Fish Passage and Stream Habitat Restoration in Oceana County. The White River is a County Scenic River under Michigan’s Natural Rivers Act. This project included three road stream crossing in Swinton Creek and one in Cushman Creek. By removing the impassable structures, replacing them with open span structures, and restoring 1,000 feet of instream habitat; 7.2 miles of stream has been reconnected, and 7.6 acres of wetland floodplain habitat is now open for the native fish and wildlife. Project partners include Oceana County Road Commission (OCRC), GVSU AWRI, GEI Consultants, Catskill Remedial, Knouse Outdoor Restoration, and private landowners.

Project locations:

A. 144th Ave / Swinton Cr Crossing Location: 43.6373, -86.1979;

B. Buchanan Road / Swinton Cr Road Crossing Location: 43.6279, -86.1973;

C. Pierce Rd / Swinton Cr Road Crossing Location: 43.6209, -86.1915;

D. Roosevelt Rd / Cushman Cr Road Crossing Location: 43.4820, -86.0583;

3) Stony Creek Fish Passage and Habitat Restoration in Oceana County. Stony Creek is a Lake Michigan direct drainage watershed with a direct connection to Lake Michigan. The stream is confined to a heavily canopied valley upstream of the former impoundment and is supplied by a consistent source of spring water which results in the cold water temperatures exhibited by the stream through the heat of summer. These conditions result in a locally famous brook trout fishery. The project included the removal of dam remnants from the former Marshville Dam, two one-lane bridge removals, installation of an open span bridge to replace three perched culverts beneath Marshville Dam Road, and 500 lineal feet of in-stream habitat restoration improvements. Opening 6.5 miles of stream and 18 acres of adjacent wetlands. Project partners include Conservation Resource Alliance (CRA), OCRC, GVSU AWRI, Oceana County Parks, GEI Consultants, Catskill Remedial, Knouse Outdoor Restoration, JE Kloote Contracting, and private landowners.

The WMSRDC and the selected project consultant, GEI, drafted a Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) for Project Team input and NOAA approval, coordinated with Oceana County Road Commission to produce designs to remove and replace fish passage barriers, produced in-stream habitat restoration designs, participated in pre-permit application meeting, and produced long-term operation / management plans. Oceana County Road Commission (OCRC) provided design for removal and replacement of two road crossing structures and provide project management as match.

Under CRA complimentary grant funding sources, GEI completed elevation / topographic surveys and coordinated with field data collection efforts. CRA grant partners (Michigan Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS), Great Lakes Fisheries Trust) supported additional in-stream habitat design work for a 2,000 LF reach upstream of the 500 foot reach associated under NOAA funding, assisted with evaluation of feasibility alternatives for location and restoration of the historic stream channel, and inclusion of a fishing access/public recreational pier. CRA carried out distinct feasibility/design tasks for the 2,000 LF reach in coordination with the WMSRDC Project Consultant and Project Team. The CRA funds did not duplicate tasks supported by the NOAA/WMSRDC Regional Partnership.”