Antrim Creek Natural Area
Robert McLeod, Chairman
Gale Murphy		Mary Kay McDuffie		Gary Strange	Carl Veenstra
July 12, 2004
Minutes
Banks Township Hall
ACNA Commission Members Present:			Robert McLeod, Gary Strange, and Mary Kay McDuffie
Members Absent:			Gale Murphy, and Carl Veenstra
Staff Present:			Peter Garwood
Others Present:			Dan Goatley, Chuck Cleland, Jack White, Betty Hoffmann, Janet Person, and David and Nancy Jones
1.         Call to Order
	The Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chairman Robert McLeod.
2.         Approval of Minutes
	Motion by Gary Strange, supported by Mary Kay McDuffie, to approve the minutes of the May 10, 2004, meeting.  Motion carried – unanimous.
3.         Repair of the Trail Bridge and Boardwalks
	Janet Person, Antrim Conservation District, informed the committee that her crew, along with prisoners, shored up the erosion problems with bridges and boardwalks as well as the access to the water. The cost came to $292.50. Motion by Mary Kay McDuffie, supported by Gary Strange, to recommend the Board of Commissioners approve an expenditure of $292.50 to fix the erosion at the bridge and boardwalks and the end of North Access Road at the Antrim Creek Natural Area.  Motion carried – unanimous.
	The Commission directed Mr. Garwood to contact Travor Wood to make sure he doesn’t go to the ACNA to fix the erosion.
4.         Next Meeting
	Next meeting will be held, September 13 at 6:00 p.m., starting at the Antrim Creek Natural Area.  The Banks Township Hall will be reserved in case of bad weather.
5.         Tree Clean-up
	Mr. McLeod directed Janet Person, from the Antrim Conservation District, to take care of fallen trees on the south side of the property and on the trail north of the north entrance.

6.         The Archeological Study
	Dr. Chuck Cleland, Archeologist, introduced Dan Goatley, who is supervising the students who are doing the archeological study at the ACNA.  They are studying the Nippising Terrace Area.  In particular, they are finding “churt flakes” which is a raw material for spear or arrow heads. They also found an old fire ring, the contents of which allow them to carbon date when the activity took place. Dr. Cleland inquired about getting an electronic copy of a topographical map that Traver Wood gave him.  Mr. Garwood will check into getting an electronic copy of the map. Wednesday, July 14, 2004 at 7:30, the Norwood Area Historical Society is sponsoring a program at the ACNA (south end) at which Dan Goatley will be speaking. Motion by Mary Kay McDuffie, to recommend that instead of spending dollars on an interpretive display, at this time, to spend any dollars available on doing more research to gather the information (in particular archeological research). No support – motion failed. Mr. Goatley informed the Commission that because they did not expect to get free camping at Barnes Park, they will be making a $1,200 donation to the campground.  He expressed their thanks to both the Barnes Park staff, as well as Gary Strange for the building space they used as a lab.
7.         Wild Life Habitat Update
	Carl Veenstra was not in attendance, so there was no update on the wildlife habitat project.
8 .       Threatened Plant Species Update
	Mr. Garwood informed the Commission of his conversation with Dave Mieham from the AuSable Institute regarding the threatened plant species study.  Dr. Mieham indicated the students had completed their 5 week session lat Saturday.  Each of the students has completed a report.  He and Dr. Hal Reed will consolidate the students work into one report on the plants.  Dr. Mieham indicated that according to the study, both the Pitcher’s Thistle and the Lake Huron Tansy, is doing well and has healthy populations.  He also shared, there is some ORV damage in the dunes. Mr. Garwood will write a thank you letter to the AuSable Institute.
9.        Other Grant Opportunities
	Janet Person informed the Commission, there will be a grant application going to the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) for interpretive display work. o Norcross Grant Janet Person informed the Commission that Norcross has changed its focus. Thus, an additional grant application to them does not make sense at this time.
10.      Communications
	Liz Evans will be the honored guest at the September 13, ACNA Meeting.  The idea is to thank and honor Ms. Evans for providing the Native American interpretive map.
	o Letter from Marion Beatty, Yasmin Richmond and Ruth Hoppe The three (3) residents communicated that they would like the county to move the Native American Interpretive Map to the right, on the scenic overlook.  Currently the map is situated in the middle of the overlook.  It is their contention, the map although interesting, blocks the view. Motion by Mary Kay McDuffie, supported by Gary Strange, to direct that the Native American Interpretive Map, at the scenic overlook, be moved to the far right of the overlook structure.  Motion carried – unanimous. Pete Garwood will make arrangements for the Native American Interpretive Map to be moved.
Meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.