Grant Recipient:  Huron Pines RC&D

 

Grant Award:  $133,510

 

Lake Basin:  Huron

 

Project Location:  Silver Creek, a tributary of the Ocqueoc River in Presque Isle County, MI

 

Project Description:  Huron Pines RC&D and partners will restore habitats and connectivity in Silver Creek, the highest quality stream feeding the Ocqueoc River in the Lake Huron basin. Nine barriers/road-stream crossings will be removed or remediated, 2,000 feet of buffer strips will be installed, and invasive species on 20 acres will be controlled.  These actions will re-connect 7 miles of coldwater fish habitat while addressing the pollution problems from sediment that lead to warmer water temperatures, widening of the stream channel, and loss of natural habitat.  In addition, project partners will work one-on-one with private landowners to implement stewardship practices and provide water resource protection options to local leaders.  Another key outcome of the project is to improve the capacity and sustainability of the local watershed organization, which Huron Pines RC&D helped to form in 2002.  Taken together, this suite of watershed best practices will help to sustain the quality of the watershed and its fishery.