Greenbelt and Wetland Restoration Initiative
The Gun River Watershed Greenbelt Initiative and Wetland Restoration Project goals are to continue improvements in water quality in the Gun River and its tributaries and lakes by reducing nonpoint source pollution and restoring designated uses. This will be accomplished by coordinating stakeholder water quality efforts in partnership with lake associations, Tribal groups and federal and state agencies to improve water quality knowledge/education in the watershed. These partnerships will leverage alternative funding resources to enhance water quality benefits in the Gun River Watershed, Kalamazoo River Watershed and Lake Michigan.
Video of the Gun River Watershed
Target areas include; Fenner Lake, Gun Lake and Lake Sixteen. Partnering with existing Lake Associations including the Gun Lake Improvement Board and the Gun Lake Protective Association the Project will manage and promote a Greenbelt Initiative which will cost-share the installation of native plant buffer strips on riparian lands. This project will also include the promotion of proper septic system maintenance (Fenner Lake and Lake Sixteen), roof runoff management and proper lawn fertilizing techniques. Bio-engineering erosion control methods will also be demonstrated on two riparian properties to promote natural shoreline erosion control. Cost-share for these projects will be provided through the 319 grant and the Gun Lake Improvement Board. All Green Belt participants will complete a Home*A*Syst manual from the Michigan Groundwater Stewardship Program in order receive the Greenbelt property designation. This designation will be determined by the implementation of water quality criteria including the presence of native buffer strip, absence of shoreline erosion, proper septic maintenance and phosphorous free fertilizer use. A Green Belt Initiative sign will be provided to all participants to further the promotion of the project. The ACD will promote this program on a door to door and boat to boat educational process during summer months. A “water quality on the water†program will bring water quality education directly to riparian landowners on Fenner and Gun Lake via watercraft during summer months.
Interested in creating a native riparian buffer strip on your property? See the download section for local native plant suppliers and riparian buffer strip design examples.
Wetland Restoration Program: The Allegan Conservation District in partnership with the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) will promote and implement wetland restorations designated by the Gun River Watershed Management Plan. Four (4) wetland restoration sites have been selected by the ACD.
Agricultural BMP Implementation: Utilizing Farm Bill Programs the Gun River Greenbelt and Wetland Restoration Initiative will expand the longevity of the BMP practices and formalize the operation and maintenance of the contracts. Once the watershed project funding cycle ends BMPs will be monitored by NRCS as part of the Farm Bill Contract. Results of the BMP’s implemented will be measured by pollution reduction calculations, number of participants, acres, feet or units of implemented practices. Extended outreach to Gun River Watershed producers to advertise Farm Bill programs will be administered by the watershed coordinator. Outreach for Farm Bill Programs will be prioritized by sub-basins dependant upon phosphorous testing results in local water bodies. Fenner Lake and Fenner Creek will have high priority due to the current TMDL status.
Please see the downloads below for information regarding funding areas, riparian buffers and septic system maintenance.
Greenbelt and Wetland Restoration Initiative Downloads
| Name | Description | Size | Downloads |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gun River Video.wmv | Gun River photo slideshow | 2MB | 60 |
| GREEN_BELT_BROCHURE.pub | Gun River Greenbelt and Wetland Restoration Initiative Information | 987KB | 302 |
| WETLAND_FUNDING.pdf | News release for wetland restoration funding. | 12KB | 416 |
| FUNDING_AREA.pdf | Gun River Watershed boundary map. | 875KB | 209 |
| SEPTIC_SAFTEY.pdf | Septic system maintenance and practical tips for septic saftey. | 1MB | 218 |
| RAIN_GARDEN_MANUAL.pdf | Homeowner guide for building a rain garden. | 897KB | 138 |
| Native_plant_suppliers.pdf | Local native plant suppliers in SW Michigan | 26KB | 141 |
| WELLS_BEFORE_AFTER.pdf | Fiber coir log seawall demonstration site. | 782KB | 156 |
| MICHIGAN_NATIVE_PLANTS_ALL.xls | Michigan Native Plant List | 63KB | 39 |