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 Who are we?
The Pine River Van Etten Lake (PRVEL)Coalition was formed in 2005 for the restoration and protection of the Pine River Van Etten Lake Watershed. The voluntary group consists of private landowners, conservation organizations, and government agencies.
We meet on a quarterly basis in Oscoda to assess resource needs, prioritize projects and compile data. We also serve as a forum for public input, administer resource meetings and track implementation efforts of the watershed management plan. To find out when the Coalition is meeting next, contact Jennifer Muladore.
About our watershed
The Pine River/Van Etten Lake Watershed encompasses 187,000 acres of land in Alcona and Iosco counties. This large region of forests, farms, recreation lakes and streams includes the towns of Oscoda, Lincoln, Mikado and Glennie. There are 372 river miles, 10 inland lakes, and 6,404 acres of wetland in the watershed. It is home to the endangered Kirtland’s Warbler and threatened Bald Eagle and Common Loon.
Watershed Management
Our goal is to improve, restore and protect the water quality of the Pine River, its tributaries, and Van Etten Lake. With funding from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and private donations, we have developed a comprehensive watershed management plan.
A “watershed management plan” is a tool which analyzes all of the issues impacting water quality in the entire land area draining to a lake and includes the solutions to help protect it. The watershed management plan identified nonpoint source pollutants, such as nutrients from fertilizers and sediment from erosion, as major threats to our aquatic resources. In addition to having an adverse effect on fish habitat, these pollutants contribute to such problems as excessive weed growth, turbid water, and a loss of recreational opportunities.
By conducting a series of field inventories and water quality studies pertaining to streambank erosion, road/stream crossings, agricultural practices and shoreline development, we have identified the nutrient and sediment sources that are threatening water quality.
MiCorps Water Quality Sampling
The Pine River-Van Etten Lake Watershed Coalition has joined the Michigan Clean Water Corps (MiCorps) to collect and share water quality data. The program was created through an executive order by Governor Granholm to assist the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) in utilizing water quality data for use in water resources management and protection programs.
Volunteers from the PRVEL Coalition, in conjunction with Huron Pines, applied for and received a grant through the MiCorps program. The program provides grants for water quality monitoring in wadable streams and rivers. The monitoring primarily includes an evaluation of benthic invertebrate communities and stream habitat. The grants may be used to fund a local monitoring coordinator and/or purchase water quality monitoring supplies. Local units of government and nonprofit entities are eligible to receive grant funding.
The essence of this project is to have volunteers that live or recreate in a particular watershed get out and collect aquatic insects at various sites. These insects, upon identification, will tell the story of the water quality in each stream reach because of their sensitivity to environmental conditions. Five sites, including 2 on Van Etten Creek, are monitored by the group.
For more information on MiCorps Water Sampling, contact Patrick Ertel.
How to get involved
As a local resident, you can become involved in a number of ways:
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Volunteer to help with Water Quality Monitoring
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Plant a Greenbelt with Native Plants
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Help inventory and remove Invasive Species
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Get involved in the Steering Committee by contacting the Coalition
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Have your septic system inspected regularly
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Limit your use of fertilizer near water bodies
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Support your watershed financially
For more information on the project, please contact Jennifer Muladore at Huron Pines. Or, attend a quarterly meeting, held the fourth Thursday of each quarter, January, April, July, and October at 10 AM at Greenbush Township Hall in Greenbush.
Tax-deductible donations may be sent to Huron Pines for the PRVEL Watershed.
The Pine River-Van Etten Lake Watershed Coalition Partners include:
Alcona Conservation District
Iosco Conservation District
Van Etten Lake Association
Huron Pines
USDA Forest Service
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
Michigan State University Extension
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
USDA Farm Service Agency
Northeast Michigan Council of Governments
District Health Department #2
Alcona County Commissioners
Iosco County Commissioners
Alcona County Road Commission
Iosco County Drain Commission
Oscoda, Curtis, Greenbush, Gustin, Harrisville, Hawes, Mikado & Millen Twnshps
Michigan Groundwater Stewardship Program
Sprinkler Lake Outdoor Education Center |
