Chippewa luce mackinac conservation district will implement conservation practices on high priority agricultural sites that will reduce nutrient loading into the waishkey river…

The Chippewa Luce Mackinac Conservation District received a $326,894 Project Grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Geographic Programs - Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (CFDA 66.469). The grant supports the implementation of agricultural best management practices on 2-4 high priority livestock farms over approximately 350 acres within the Waishkey River watershed in Michigan. Key activities include installing exclusion fencing, developing manure management plans, establishing riparian buffers, and implementing rotational grazing systems. This is expected to reduce phosphorus loading by 400 lbs/year and improve water quality and ecosystem health for the benefit of the Bay Mills Indian Community. The grant also funds water quality monitoring activities by Lake Superior State University's Center for Freshwater Research and Education to measure E. coli and total coliform levels before and after implementation. This project aims to reduce nutrient pollution and promote climate resiliency in the Waishkey River watershed.

Chippewa luce mackinac conservation district will implement conservation practices on high priority agricultural sites that will reduce nutrient loading into the waishkey river watershed.activities:activities include working with landowners to implement agricultural best management practices including exclusion fencing, manure management plans, riparian buffers, and rotational grazing systems.subrecipient:lake superior state university's center for freshwater research and education will conduct lab analysis of e. Coli and total coliform levels.outcomes:deliverables reduction of 400 LBS/year of phosphorous in the waishkey river watershed, best management practices implementation on 2-4 high priority livestock sites on at least 350 acres, protection of 1,320 FT of stream bank, and pre and post project sampling to measure total e. Coli concentrations. This project aims to reduce phosphorous and other nutrient loading into the river and improve the ecosystem health of the waishkey river watershed. Beneficiaries include the BAY mills indian community who will benefit from the improved water and ecosystem quality as well as increased climate resiliency.