01/27/2026 Meeting Minutes

1. Welcome and Introductions

   1. Board members present: Renee VanHouten, Rachel Frantz, Jim Williamson, Wally Bujak, Sally Smeelink

   2. Public present: Darren VanderBoon, Sherrill Gardiner, Matt Bain, Don Harper

2. Financial Report 

3. Grant Report(s)

   1. EGLE Watershed Support Grant - 

      1. Coldwater River Watershed Council website complete, coldwaterriverwatershedcouncil.org

      2. TRWC brochure drafted, will review and collect comments at next meeting

   2. EGLE 319 Grant

      1. Septic System Inspection and Replacement. Area targeted are Upper Thornapple River, Mud Creek, High Bank, Thornapple Lake

      2. Waiting for Agreement to begin work

4. Water Quality

   1. Cascade Ada Weed Study and Treatment - Renee and Sherrill will review information and report back.

   2. Annual Cleanup

      1. Need a working group.

      2. River is pretty clean now so we might not need to have a cleanup every year but instead move to biannual or every five years

      3. If we move forward with 2026 event date needs to be determined asap.

   3. MiCorps Sampling

      1. Sampling in the Thornapple River watershed from Barry Conservation District, Coldwater River Watershed Council, LGROW and Eaton Conservation District. Data available at www.barrycd.org/waterquality

      2. Matt, LGROW did an additional sampling event at the two rivers park where Coldwater River runs into the Thornapple River. 

   4. Thornapple River Water Trail

      1. Led by Caledonia Township. Renee and Wally have attended meetings. 

      2. Effort to apply to DNR Pure Michigan Trail Program 

      3. River Access, Log jams, Parks and other amenities will be assessed as part of the process

      4. Lower Grand River Organization of Watersheds Grand River Water Trail

Go to link to see the Lower Grand Water Trail info 

5. Other

   1. Fishing Contest

      1. Middleville - Renee will follow up with Tim to see if he is interested

   2. Tabling - Community outreach

      1. County Fair(s) - Barry, Eaton, Kent. Volunteers needed to expand our outreach into the watershed community

      2. Please send your suggestions for Facebook and Website posts to Renee, Rachel or Sally

   3. Riverwatch

      1. First camera expected to be deployed in April - Action Item Wally 

   4. Fish Stocking/Anglers - Jim W Lead on this effort

6. Upcoming Events

   1. March 12, 2026, 6PM, Rain Garden Workshop, Dowling Public Library

   2. March 16, 2026, 5PM, Rain Garden Workshop, Hastings Public Library

   3. March 30, 2026, TBD, Rain Garden Workshop, Delton Public Library

   4. April 25, 2026, TBD, Earth Day Expo, Hastings High School

   5. September 19, 2026, 10 AM - 2 PM,  Barry County Outdoor Youth Day, Historic Charlton Park

   6. Meeting schedule:

      1. Tentative February 25, 2026, Caledonia Library

   7. New Business:

1. Matt suggested: Connect with Municipality committees or departments that plan environmental projects and events. Ideas: Trash Cleanups, Native Plant Plantings, Invasive Species Eradication. Renee Following up with Ada Parks.

2. Renee to reach out to Cascade and Ada Libraries to schedule Rain Garden Workshop