Battle Creek River Watershed Project

COOPERATIVE CONSERVATION CASE STUDY

Michigan's Model Watershed Partnership

Location: Northeastern/Mid-Atlantic

Project Summary: The Battle Creek River Watershed Project is an effort by landowners, residents, conservation groups, and local, state, and federal agencies to protect the quality of water.

Battle Creek Enquirer

Resource Challenge

The Battle Creek River was identified as one of the leading contributors of phosphorus and sediment to the Kalamazoo River.

Examples of Key Partners

Calhoun Cons. Dist., Michigan Groundwater Stewardship Prgm., Pheasants Forever, USDA NRCS, Calhoun Co. Drain Comm., Braden Harrington Eaton Co. Drain Comm., Calhoun Co. Env. Health Dept., City of Battle Creek, Calhoun Comm. Dev., Potawatomi Resource Cons. & Dev., Kellogg Biological Station, MSU Extension, Kalamazoo River/Lake Allegan Phosphorus TMDL, Kalamazoo Valley Trout Ultd., Convis Twp., Michigan Audubon Society, Battle Creek Kiwanis Club, Pennfield Twp., Real Estate Agent Adv.Committee, Narrow Lake Assoc., Consumers Energy, Thornapple/Grand Cons. Dist., Michigan DNR, Michigan Dept. of Env. Qual., Olivet College, US Fish and Wildlife, MSU-Institute of Water Research, Battle Creek River Rescue, City of Charlotte DPW

Results and Accomplishments

Partners identified the natural resource and water quality needs, problems, and solutions that will help restore the Battle Creek River. A watershed management plan was developed that integrates the concerns of watershed stakeholders and, through implementation, improves the water quality within the watershed area.

Innovation/Highlight

Twenty-five agencies signed a cooperative agreement to protect and enhance 2 watersheds. The arrangement is more than just a collection of signatures, said Gregg Strand. It's an opportunity to bring resources and expertise to this area. "This is a big deal. This isn't just handshakes and pictures," he said. "This is a chance for (land owners) to get access not only to technical assistance, but to financial support." Together, groups address water quality, species at risk, habitat, wetland restoration and grazing issues. "We can use this to get conservation programs off the ground without dealing with constraints of having to work separately," said Al Herceg, asst. state conservationist, MI NRCS. "This...will serve as our model, our foundation, for other areas of Michigan." It took 18 mos. for partners to agree, Strand said. This type of partnership, authorized in 2002, provides flexibility for projects involving conservation efforts and long-term natural resource productivity.

Project Contact

Kristine Boley-Morse
Project Coordinator
Calhoun Conservation District
13464 Preston Drive
Marshall, MI 49068
(269) 781-4867
kristine.boley-morse@macd.org

Website: http://calhouncd.org/bcriver.pdf

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Current Conservation Programs