Antrim Creek Natural Area

Robert McLeod, Chairman

Gale Murphy

Mary Kay McDuffie

Gary Strange

Carl Veenstra

 

February 10, 2003

Minutes

Banks Township Hall

 

Members Present:

  

 

Robert McLeod, Carl Veenstra, Gary Strange, Mary Kay McDuffie

Members Absent:

  

Gale Murphy

Staff Present:

  

Howard Yamaguchi

Others Present:

  
Chuck Cleland, Traver Wood, Marion Williams, and Jacob Veenstra

1.         Call to Order

 

The Meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. by Chairman Robert McLeod.

2.         Approval of Minutes

 

Chairman Robert McLeod discussed the minutes of the previous meeting (September 2002).  He noted that the matter of the second sign at the parking lot has been deferred till this year, and that Carl Veenstra reported progress on the establishment of the wildlife enhancement plan (will report in Spring to ACNA Commission).

 

Motion by Gary Strange, supported by Mary Kay McDuffie, to approve the minutes of the September 30, 2002, meeting.  Motion carried – unanimous.

3.         2003 Meeting Dates

 

Chairman McLeod then discussed possible meeting dates for 2003.  Out of a list of possible dates for 2003, the ACNA Commission agreed to meet next on May 5, followed by a June 30 meeting.   Other possible meeting dates from July on (last Monday of each month) remain unchanged for now, until the need for those dates become clearer later in the year.

4.         Archeological Study

 

Prof. Chuck Cleland delivered copies of the ACNA Archeological Survey final report to the Commission and reported on its contents.  He would like the report made available to the volunteers and to those on the mailing list provided to Chairman McLeod.

 

Mr. Cleland described the sites found in the survey, and noted that many sites were discovered for such a little patch of ground.  Eastern side of ACNA is not really surveyed yet except for areas around south access alignment and around Nipissing trail.  Not much excavation was performed, but we can expect large yields of artifacts if more excavations are performed in the future.  Collections from site will go to MSU, with County as owner, and MSU as curator.

 

To preserve the archeological and historical heritage of the site, the report recommends:

·         No earthwork in ACNA without prior archeological testing and mitigation;

·         Amendment and posting of county ACNA Ordinance prohibiting metal detector use;

·         Public educational program about importance of and protecting archeological resources;

·         Long-term plan for archeological testing of unsurveyed portions of ACNA; and

·         All archeological research in ACNA be conducted by certified professional archeologists.

 

Discussion ensued on the desirability of restricting metal detectors

 

Motion by Mary Kay McDuffie, supported by Gary Strange, to recommend to the Board of Commissioners to amend the Antrim Creek Natural Area Ordinance to prohibit use of metal detectors in ACNA.  Motion carried – unanimous.

 

Responding to Bob McLeod’s question, Chuck Cleland responded that he is currently searching for a student who will be able to further archeological studies at ACNA during summers with a crew.  The rest of the archeology fund will be used to fund this study.

 

Bob McLeod presented the ACNA commission with the final invoice from Dr. Cleland for his services, and indicated that the balance due is $889.09

 

Motion by Gary Strange, supported by Mary Kay McDuffie, to recommend to the Board of Commissioners to appropriate $889.09 from the ACNA fund to pay the balance due to Prof. Cleland for Archeological Survey work performed.  Motion carried – unanimous.

5.         ACNA Website

 

Howard briefed the ACNA commission on the ACNA website.  Ellsworth High School digital art and computer graphics students, under Deb Hughes, will create the ACNA website as their semester project.  A product is expected in June.

6.         Beach Traffic

 

Bob McLeod visited ACNA in December and noted over 30 people on the beach, but no signs of vehicular traffic.  However, Carl Veenstra reports that boulders have been moved and vehicles ridden on the beach recently.  He is offering to replace boulders to their original locations.  More boulders are also recommended by Carl, but the consensus was that more would probably not be acceptable to DNR.  Perhaps larger ones could replace the existing ones.

7.         Old Business

 

The “Please Park in Designated Areas Only” sign was slated for installation in 2003 at the approach to the northern parking loop.  The cost estimate for the sign is $544.00.  Discussion ensued on possible additional signs around portajohns and other facilities.

 

Motion by Gary Strange, supported by Mary Kay McDuffie, to recommend to the Board of Commissioners to appropriate $544.00 from the ACNA fund to purchase and install the “Please Park in Designated Areas Only” sign on the approach to the north access parking loop.  Motion carried – unanimous.

 

Traver Wood suggested that a more durable seasonal hunting sign be used instead of the laminated sheets of paper currently deployed.  Discussion ensued on desirability of seasonal versus permanent signs.  Chuck Cleland suggested a permanent signboard into which seasonal or other temporary signs could be placed and removed as needed.  Traver will bring designs and quotations of such signs to the next meeting.

8.         New Business

 

Bob McLeod informed the ACNA commission that we were awarded a $2,700 Norcross Wildlife Foundation grant (out of $7,000 requested), the check is in hand.  There are rumors of a tribal grant, but no official communications have been received.  We were not awarded a Ford Foundation grant.


Phase III development work consists of implementing the work items that were postponed to date due to a shortage of grant funds.  Traver Wood noted that the work yet to be done (total cost approx. $50,000) includes a welcome and display structure at the south entrance, and an interpretive display (as yet not designed) for the area.  Mary Kay McDuffie noted that the committee involved with the design of the display can be re-activated at any time upon receipt of the grants to do the work.

9.         Communication

 

Mary Kay McDuffie presented the commission with a letter from Peg Comfort of White Pine Associates.  Ms. Comfort notes that ACNA does not show as a location on the US Fish & Wildlife recovery plan document for the endangered species “Pitcher’s Thistle.” She inquires whether the ecological inventory of ACNA was ever submitted to the US Fish & Wildlife Service and to the Michigan Natural Features Inventory database, both in Lansing.  She also reminds ACNA that the County is responsible for implementation of the Pitcher Thistle Recovery Plan.

 

Discussion ensued on Ms. Comfort’s letter.  Traver Wood recalled guiding a DEQ agent through the site, pointing out the locations where species on the Endangered list could be found in ACNA.  However, whether or not the inventory document was formally submitted was not known to Traver or to the commission members.  Howard was instructed to look into the matter.

 

Bob McLeod presented thank-you letters that were issued to two donors who made contributions to the ACNA Endowment Fund.  These folks should be placed on the ACNA Xmas card list.

Meeting adjourned at 7:56 p.m.

Next meeting of the ACNA Commission will be on

May 5 at 7:00 p.m.,

Banks Township Hall, Ellsworth