News Release Feb 13, 2009

 From:  Ocqueoc River Watershed Commission, Ocqueoc River Habitat and Restoration Committee

 RE:  Ocqueoc River restoration and protection project's

 Silver Creek Super Project- designated by Huron Pines

 Brad Jensen, Director of Huron Pines Resource, Conservation, and Development Council, has announced  the Silver Creek as a major area of focus for restoration activities for the next two-three years.  The Silver Creek, located in Moltke and Ocqueoc Townships, is one of two primary cold water and nursery streams for trout and salmon in the Ocqueoc River Watershed.  In 2007, the Ocqueoc River Watershed Commission began a push to implement the strategies of the watershed management plan. The Ocqueoc River Habitat Restoration and Protection Committee was formed to develop a plan for that purpose.  Charlie Lyon, County Drain Commissioner, was asked to chair the committee.  This “Habitat Committee” is made up of resource specialists from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MDNR Fisheries, Fisheries Consultant for Wolverine Power Cooperative, and representatives from Headwaters Land Conservancy, Trout Unlimited, Hammond Bay Area Anglers, Huron Pines, River Commission, and the Presque Isle Conservation District. 

September of 2007 the committee met and began to discuss and evaluate the recommendations of the Watershed Management plan focusing on fish habitat.  Based upon the inventory in the management plan, they prioritized road stream crossings that were a significant source of erosion and sediment loading of the mainstream and its tributaries such as the Little Ocqueoc River and the Silver Creek.  In May of 2008, a site tour was conducted by the committee along with the County Road Commission.  The DNR conducted a stream and fish survey last fall.  The fisheries experts then suggested a slight change in the priority list based upon the sites that would have the most significant impact on the fishery.  The result is that there are four road stream crossing sites, two agricultural practices problem sites, and three fish passage problem sites along about a one and half mile reach of the stream.  The “Habitat Restoration Committee” has adopted a plan of action and is now seeking funding to begin the actual restoration work.  A small project on the Little Ocqueoc River was conducted last October.

Huron Pines RC&D has been the lead organization regarding conservation efforts for the Ocqueoc River Watershed from developing the management plan, formation of the River Commission, and conducting some restoration and education activities.  Now their “Resource Advisory Council has reviewed the plan of the Habitat Restoration Committee and has approved the “Super Project.

 The scope of the project was formally announced by Huron Pines at last weeks meeting of the Ocqueoc River Watershed Commission.  The details of the total cost of the project is not final.  However about $200,000 will be sought in grant funding from Federal and State agencies along with private organizations, and local donations.  The County Road Commission will provide some in-kind equipment and labor.  Wolverine Power made a $25000 commitment last year for Ocqueoc River Watershed restoration projects.  The Ocqueoc River Watershed Commission is seeking local $ donations.  Anyone or group that would like more information or to donate can contact Commission chair: Virginia Pierce 989-733-8217 days only, or Habitat committee chair: Charlie Lyon-989-766-3568 days, 734-3990 evenings.

    “Obviously this is very great news.  To have Huron Pines make the Ocqueoc and Silver Creek a major focus for their program is a great benefit for our River Commission and the Ocqueoc system.  Looks like the “Habitat Restoration Committee” is paying off for its efforts also.  I am very excited and pleased about all the great possibilities.  Now we have to wait and see how much funding comes in- that is the big question now.” Charlie Lyon

 …Contacts for any further comment

 Virginia Pierce, Ocqueoc River Watershed Commission chair: 989-733-8217,  ecologic@freeway.net

 Charlie Lyon, Ocqueoc River Habitat Restoration and Protection Committee chair, 989-766-3568, clyon44@core.com

 Brad Jenson, Executive Director Huron Pines RC&D:  989-344-0753

Patrick Ertel, Project Manager, Huron Pines:  989-344-0753, huronpines.org