Results of Ocqueoc Watershed study discussed

The steering committee of the Ocqueoc Watershed Project conducted a meeting June 30 at the Millersburg Village Hall. According to committee chairman Dave Nadolsky, the hall was filled to capacity with interested watershed landowners.

Also in attendance was chairman of the Presque Isle County Board of Commissioners, Allan Bruder, whose district includes the riverway. Other representatives included township supervisors Larry Foster, John Kleiber, Neil Sorgenfrei, and Dean Storms, as well as Fran Brink and Jerry Counterman of the Presque Isle County Planning and Zoning Commission.

PROJECT COORDINATOR, Brad Jensen of Hurons Pines RC & D, briefed the group on future riverway points of concern, including pollutants, stable flow rates, and exotic species. Presque Isle Soil Conservation director Pat Henry spoke to the group regarding recently completed road-stream crossing inventories and a shoreline study to identify erosion areas and surge areas. Also discussed were the results of a survey sent to riparian property owners along the Ocqueoc River. A unique aspect of this project is that the watershed restoration strategies will be determined by the residents of the watershed.

Landowners? primary concerns were: streambank stabilization, fishery habitat improvement, zoning standards, monitoring water quality, greenbelt and cleanup efforts, and conservation easements, among others.

NEXT, NADOLSKY discussed the aspects of forming a permanent Watershed Advisory Council to carry out fu

ture restoration protection and conservation projects, as well as guideline policies for the Ocqueoc River, once the study is completed. The council would be constituted by the watershed?s elected representatives, and delegates of special interest groups from various agricultural, recreational sporting, and lake/river landowner associations. Watershed issues would be brought to the council by local citizens, interested groups, and resource professionals for discussion and plans of action. The council would act as a combined intergovernmental/citizen agency with the purpose of protecting and preserving the riverway.

The next meeting of the committee will be September 29 at the Huron Beach Community Center. All interested people are encouraged to attend.