Antrim Creek Natural Area
Robert McLeod, Chairman
vacant		Mary Kay McDuffie		Gary Strange	Carl Veenstra
March 07, 2004
Minutes
ACNA Commission Members Present:			Robert McLeod, Carl Veenstra, Mary Kay McDuffie
Members Absent:			Gary Strange
Staff Present:			Pete Garwood, Elizabeth St. Pierre
Others Present:			Janet Person
1. Call to Order
	The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chairman Robert McLeod.
2.       Approval of Minutes
	Robert McLeod informed the group that the October 11, 2004 minutes have already been accepted/reviewed by the Board. He made the point that in all cases, by the time the ACNA Commission meets, the Board of Commissioners will have already accepted the ACNA Commission minutes.  However, if there were mistakes identified by the committee, the BOC would likely not have a problem making the corrections.
3.         Interpretive Display
	The Committee discussed the $623.75 left from the Norcross Grant and how it could be used for some kind of interpretive display Antrim Creek Master Plan recommendations for education/information on biology/ecology/management of threatened species were discussed as a possible subject. Because of the small amount of funding available, it was suggested that the $623.75 could be used as match for other grants. It was also suggested that if we get the schools to help with the design, it would be much less expensive.  Mary Kay McDuffie will contact Deb Hughes from the local school system to help make the interpretive displays. A grant application for the information arbor project will be submitted to the MNRTF Program this week by Antrim Conservation District.  Funding ($3500-4000) may also be available from the Tip of the Mitt’s Great Lakes Aquatic Habitat and Network Fund for 2 signs (totaling $4700).
4.         Grant Updates
	Janet Person will resubmit the MNRTF proposal (for $54K) next week. $8700 from the Antrim Creek budget will be used as match for this grant. The design for improving the road/stream crossing for Guyer Creek was distributed. Funding for this project is from a Clean Michigan Initiative grant awarded to the Antrim Conservation District. Janet Person needs a letter of support for a federal Clean Water 319 grant for a watershed scale management plan that would include the Antrim Creek Natural Area that could be refunded every year.  Robert McLeod stated that this proposal needs to be reviewed before the ACNA Commission could give a letter of support.  Ms. Person will get a copy of the grant application to members of the commission for their review 1-2 weeks prior to the deadline.  It was the consensus that if they felt it was a good project, a letter of support could be sent.   The grant has an application deadline of 4-8-05.
5.         Wildlife Habitat Update
	Carl Veenstra reported that the property on the Antrim Creek watershed has been sold to new owners who may be willing to work with the ACD on a watershed plan. Mr. Veenstra also reported on an incident that resulted in destruction of white pine on ACNA. Pete Garwood noted that page 17 of the Antrim County Master Plan states that visitors may not destroy, damage, or remove vegetation of any kind.  Mr. Garwood will check whether any related ordinances would apply. He also noted that the text should be corrected to read “county” rather than “state” property. Robert McLeod stated that it would be helpful if others could walk through the ACNA to check for any other damage. In the future, “Wildlife Habitat Update” will be removed from the agenda.  Mr. Veenstra will make wildlife habitat updates only when information is available.
6.         Communications
	The presentation on November 5, 2004 for the second Parks and Recreation forum by Mary Kay McDuffie was reported to be a success.
7.        Other
	Porta-jons need to be set up before Memorial Day.  Eileen Wallick, park manager, will be handling the arrangements.
Next meeting: May 9 at 7:00 p.m.  Meetings will also be held at the ACNA during the summer.
Meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.