Initiative Set to Improve Health of the River Raisin

In 1999 the Lenawee Soil Conservation District (LSCD) received a $500,000 grant from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality to educate and involve the community in improving the health of the River Raisin. This program, entitled the River Raisin Watershed Initiative, will concentrate on reducing soil erosion and run-off of fertilizers and chemicals into the river. The entire watershed, including parts of Lenawee, Monroe, Jackson, Washtenaw and Hillsdale counties are included in the initiative. The LSCD is providing a $150,000 match to implement the program, which will continue until September 2002.

The administrative details, unlike the river, are dry and boring. Control of non-point source pollution, the focus of the initiative, sounds academic and beyond the concern of most residents in the watershed. It might seem uninteresting, but implementation of the initiative promises to improve the health of the River Raisin. All interested groups and agencies will be invited to participate and the RVLT hopes to play a role in helping make the program a success.

A watershed includes all the land that drains into a water body, in this case, the River Raisin. When it rains some water seeps into the ground where it is used by vegetation and to recharge the groundwater. A small amount evaporates. The remainder is run-off, much of it from urban areas, that carries soil, fertilizer and other chemicals as it finds its way into drainage ditches, wetlands, creeks, ponds, lakes, the river, and eventually to Lake Erie. As the amount of sediment and chemicals in the run-off increases, the quality of the river environment decreases.

There are four parts to the initiative: fostering community actions; information and education; stream monitoring; and implementation of best management practices. Committees are being formed for each of these programs, and individuals and groups are encouraged to participate. Volunteers are needed for stream monitoring. Local actions and partnerships are the key to success. Contact the LSCD at 517-263-7400.

Stream monitoring will be divided by creekshed, with volunteers performing biological and habitat surveys of their area at specified times. Over time this information will be used to assess the initiative’s progress. The RVLT’s potential involvement in the stream monitoring program will be discussed at upcoming board meetings.

Another highlight will be development of a geographic information system (GIS) that will be useful in promoting more effective watershed management. This will be a user friendly computer program with detailed information on important features of the watershed. It will enable planners to view the entire area and weigh the potential impacts of land use and zoning decisions on the river. The program is expected to be available in the fall.

Watershed management is a continual process. The River Raisin Watershed Initiative can be the beginning of a trend to make watershed management a part of everyone’s daily routine. If successful we should see the quality of the River Raisin improve significantly. We will keep you updated as the initiative continues.

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