Muskegon Lake Area of Concern Fish and Wildlife Habitat Restoration

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1 Muskegon Lake Area of Concern Fish and Wildlife Habitat Restoration The 1st Annual Shoreline and Shallows Conference: Modern Lakeshore Revitalization - ANR Week 2011 Kathy Evans Program Manager West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission

2 Great Lakes Areas of Concern (AOCs) Muskegon Lake is a 4,232-acre drowned river-mouth lake, connected to Lake Michigan by a navigational channel. It was designated an AOC in 1985, and is one of 14 AOCs in Michigan.

3 Muskegon Lake - a History of Impacts Muskegon Lake Shoreline during the Lumber Era

4 Muskegon Lake a History of Impacts Post World War II Industrial Era

5 The Loss of Fish and Wildlife Habitat Beneficial Use Impairment Muskegon Lake lost approximately 27% of its open water natural resources due to filling for the purposes of sawmill and foundry waste disposal and land development. Broken concrete was used to stabilize the shoreline

6 Marine Debris Historic Sawmill Slab Wood, Foundry Waste, Broken Concrete, Metal Debris

7 Muskegon Lake AOC RAP Process Provided a Holistic Planning Framework and Laid Groundwork for Ecosystem-Based Restoration Muskegon Lake AOC Remedial Action Plan (RAP) identified Loss of Fish and Wildlife Habitat and Degraded Populations BUIs due to filling, stormwater discharges, and the isolation and fragmentation of remaining habitats Muskegon Lake Watershed Partnership (MLWP) updated 1987 RAP in 1994 and developed strategic plans and projects to meet recommendations. In 2002 the Community Action Plan (RAP Update) was completed In 2008, the Fish and Wildlife Restoration Plan, (including Targets for Removal of the BUIs) was completed MLWP volunteers and grant partners were implementing demonstration-scale restoration projects from , while developing large-scale restoration plans

8 Fish and Wildlife Habitat Restoration Targets and Criteria are Developed for: Hardened Shoreline; Emergent Wetland; Open Water Wetland; and Unnatural Lake Fill

9 US EPA GLNPO and BioHabitats Ecological Restoration Master Plan Public Planning Meetings are Held: Tuesday September 11, 2007 Public Workshop 9:30 a.m. 3:30 pm at MAREC, 200 Viridian Drive, Muskegon, Michigan

10 US FWS Coastal Program Partnership Muskegon River Watershed Assembly, Muskegon Conservation District, City of Muskegon and Muskegon Lake Watershed Partnership volunteers planted wild rice and removed non-native, invasive plants in Zone 2

11 Fish and Wildlife Restoration Plan Guides Planning for On-the-Ground Restoration Projects

12 NOAA Coastal & Marine Habitat Restoration & ARRA Program and Great Lakes Habitat Restoration Program Project Goals: Ecological benefits for fish and wildlife Progress on the restoration of beneficial uses and removal of BUIs through restoration and scientific monitoring Job creation and retention Improvement of short- and long-term economic conditions Public involvement and community outreach Grant Project Team: Grant Administrator Input Economic Public Project Management Oversight & Scientific Outreach Contracts, Reporting Guidance Monitoring Involvement

13 Plan Ready, Community Ready, Partner- Ready, Landowner Ready = Shovel Ready WMSRDC partners with Great Lakes Commission and MLWP to apply for the NOAA Great Lakes Habitat Restoration Program (GLHRP). Through this, NOAA also establishes a greater presence in the Great Lakes Region. In 2009, MLWP partners develop a NOAA Coastal and Marine Habitat Restoration and ARRA Program proposal for $10 ml to implement approximately 50% of restoration needed to remove the fish and wildife BUIs. GLC received the grant and WMSRDC manages the on-the-ground restoration project. To achieve 50% of the restoration needed in the Muskegon Lake AOC, restoration is required at multiple sites, involving 3 public and 7 private landowners who commit to the project and the grant requirements.

14 Environmental Impact NOAA Project Restoration Goals: Percent of BUI Target Met: Soften 10,007 feet of Hardened Shoreline - 42% Restore 11.6 acres of Emergent Wetland - 16% Restore 15.6 acres of Open Water Wetland - 82% Remove/Improve 23.6 acres of Unnatural Lake Fill - 19%

15 Muskegon Lake Today Toward Recovery Muskegon Lake lost over 27% of its open water and 74% of the shoreline has been hardened.

16 Economic Impact City of Muskegon 2009 Unemployment Rate % / 2009 Significantly greater than Michigan 12.8% average More than twice the national unemployment rate of 8.9%, even though Muskegon has the geographical and cultural assets to attract a talented workforce Creating 80 Jobs and Retaining 45 jobs = 35,933 labor hours Projected and Reported by NAICS / Business Activity Codes Engineering and Construction, Scientific & Technical, Environmental Consulting, Farm Supplies, Conservation Administration) Anticipated Short-Term Economic Impact Between $53,672,013 and $89,453,355 (GVSU Annis Water Resources Institute) Preliminary Results of the 2010/2011Socio-Economic Study The restoration of Muskegon Lake is showing a better than expected increase in property values and a willingness for local people to invest in additional Muskegon Lake restoration (GVSU Economics Department)

17 Landowners meet with Project Team Permanent Conservation Easements Protect the Investment in Restoration

18 Foundry Fill Removal and Wetland Restoration Large Woody Structure and emergent wetland vegetation Trees planted in the wetland transition area

19 Restoration mimics the former Sand Dune Shoreline - without loss of stabilization

20 Heritage Landing Shoreline Removal of Hardened Edge Native emergent wetland, large woody structure and transitional mesic plantings provide a more natural shoreline

21 Muskegon River South Branch Invasive Honeysuckle and Broken Concrete are Removed - Trees are Planted

22 Time Management Considerations Large-Scale, Multiple Site Restoration Projects Environmental Assessment / NEPA Discuss project with state permit staff before applying for permits (apply early, based on preliminary drawings, modify later) RFP for Consultant (provide related studies) Pre-Proposal Meeting & Site Tour for Consultants Public Bid Opening and Proposal Review Develop Contract for Consultant

23 Time Management Considerations Review and Approve Final Engineered Designs Involve Project Team Members and Landowners Review Bid Package Specifications and Contract Documents Advertise Bid Package, Hold Public Bid Opening Review Bids Received and Select Contractor According to competitive procurement policies Review Invoices and Status Reports Policy for payment approval process for grant sub-recipients, consultants, construction contractors, and vendors

24 Past, Present and Future Environmental, Social and Economic Benefits Putting it All Together to Save a Great Lake Web Sites with Project Related Information: and Muskegon Lake Watershed Partnership Questions? Contact Kathy Evans at kevans@wmsrdc.org