Current Projects

Current Projects

Watershed Management Plan

The Watershed Management Plan is the largest current project.

Abandoned Well Program

In 2007 the conservation district received 2% funding from the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe to develop a program to close abandoned water wells in Isabella County. These wells range in size from smaller than 1” in diameter to very large crock wells that can be as large as 5’ in diameter and many feet deep. Over time the casings of these wells rust and provide contaminates a direct link to our groundwater. Crock wells not only allow contaminates to enter our groundwater they are large enough for humans and animals to fall into them. This program provides cost-share funding to the residents of Isabella County to close these wells.

Licensed well drillers must be used.
Well drillers provide documentation to the Central Michigan Dist. Health Department and the district once the well is closed.
The program will cost-share $225.00 up to a 2” well and $375.00 up to a 5” well.
Cost-share funding is provided to the well drill once the well is closed.

To date this program has provided the funding to close more than 3,000 abandoned wells in Isabella County. Please contract the district office if you have a crock well or a well more than 5” in diameter.

Household Hazardous Waste/Clean Sweep Program

In the Spring of 2013 the conservation district held the first Household Hazardous Waste/Clean Sweep Collection for the landowners of Isabella County. The funding for the Household Hazardous Waste portion of the collection is awarded to the district from the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe’s 2% grant funds. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development provides the grant funds for the Clean Sweep portion of the collection. These funds cover the cost to recycle all pesticides, herbicides, and rodenticides. To date the landowners of Isabella County have recycled over 387,000 pounds of household cleaners, oil based paints/stains, batteries of all types, fluorescence bulbs, pharmaceuticals, automotive cleaner, oil/gas, corrosive liquids, solids, solvents, and mercury. This material is recycled by a licensed recycling facility keeping out of landfills, and from contaminating our rivers, lakes, streams, and groundwater.

This is a free collection to all landowners in Isabella County. Our next collection date can be found on our Calendar.

Tire Recycling Program

In the fall of 2013, the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe awarded the Isabella Conservation District the funding to organize and hold the first tire recycling collection. To date the Tribal Community and the governmental service area has recycled approximately 64,000 tires.

Tires can be very costly to recycle. Each person that owns a vehicle can generate 1 to 4 tires per year. Before we had an established Tire Recycling Program, tires were stock piled, discarded in our water bodies, forests, and empty lots. Landowners throughout the county were finding tires dumped on their property. Once this happens it becomes the landowner’s responsibility to dispose of the illegally dumped tires. The cost can amount to hundreds or thousands of dollars to clean up.

This program has helped in eliminating future health and safety risks to our environment. Tires that are stock piled are a fire hazard. They can literally burn for months. The water that is used on burning tires becomes contaminated with an oily residue that contaminates the soil, surface water and groundwater. Stockpiled tires also fill with rainwater and warm up in the sun becoming a habitat for mosquitoes to lay their eggs in. Some mosquito species are vectors for communicable diseases such as West Nile Virus, Zika Virus, Canine Heartworm, and Equine Encephalitis. Rodents, like rats and mice will also make homes in abandoned tires, spreading disease.

This program allows each resident of Isabella County to recycle up to 20 tires each spring and fall at no charge. We will accept tires up to 42” in diameter that includes rims. We cannot accept agricultural tires, or tires that are 12” or wider.

Our next collection date can be found on our Calendar.

Michigan Agricultural Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP)

Started in 1998, MAEAP is a voluntary program that recognizes farmers who are top stewards of their land. MAEAP helps farmers adopt cost-effective practices that reduce erosion and runoff into ponds, streams, and rivers. This, in turn, helps farmers comply with state and federal laws. The program includes four steps:

Attend an education workshop
Invite a local MAEAP technician to tour your farm
Implement practices recommended by the technician
Earn recognition for your work

MAEAP recognition can be earned in one or more of four areas: Farmstead; Cropping; Livestock; and Forest, Wetlands, & Habitat. Farmers who earn MAEAP recognition will receive a sign to place on their farm. Thousands of farmers have already received their MAEAP designations. These MAEAP verified farms are assuring the public that the farm is doing everything it can to protect the environment.

MAEAP is open to all Michigan farmers. You can start MAEAP at any time. Farmers who start or receive recognition by certain dates will be at an advantage for cost share, grants, and other assistance programs.

This program is free. Everything we learn about your farm is 100% confidential. This is guaranteed by state law. Contact the Isabella Conservation District’s MAEAP Technician, Ken Wawersik at 989-772-5927 ext. 3 to start the process.

Chippewa River Kayak Inventory

The district partnered with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy to evaluate the Chippewa River. We conducted this survey by kayak and started Northern Isabella County. The pandemic set us back for a season. When we were able resume this project we were joined by our partners from the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Midland Conservation District, Central Michigan District Health Department, and the Bay County Conservation District. The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe’s Water Quality Specialist joined us on a section within Tribal boundaries. We discovered the river is in pretty good shape, other than a few areas that need cleared and some high raw banks contributing sediment into the river. We completed this project ending up in Midland County at the Tridge where the Tittabawassee River meets the Chippewa. It was great working with everyone and developing great partnerships. We hope to partner on more water quality projects in the future.

Land Preservation

For the Little Forks Conservancy, one of the priority areas for land protection are the lands along the Chippewa River in Midland County. The Conservancy has an active conservation program that protects land and waterways through conservation easements and land acquisition. Little Forks Conservancy has two nature preserves within the watershed, the Ursula B. Anderson Natural Area and the Steiner Preserve. Both properties protect important habitats along or near the Chippewa River. In addition to protecting land, the Little Forks Conservancy has and continues to do outreach with landowners in the Chippewa River Watershed regarding their conservation options, land protection, and watershed health.

Clean, Drain, Dry

The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe’s Environmental team was able to partner with Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, MSU Extension, the Great Lakes Commission, and the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to secure funding for the Clean Boats, Clean Waters program to purchase equipment to provide boat washes while reminding and educating boaters on state boating laws and how to clean, drain, and dry their equipment to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. As part of the Great Lakes Aquatic Invasive Species Landing Blitz we were able to participate in a statewide movement to raise awareness about preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species locally at Coldwater Lake, which in the past has had issues with zebra mussels. Zebra mussels are harmful to native species and recreational water users. They live on hard surfaces such as docks, stones, shells of other mussels, and can encrust boat hulls and clog water intakes. These tiny creatures filter up to one quart of water a day and in large quantities strip the water of tiny zooplankton, which native fish and other animals depend on for food sources.