trail creek watershed partnership

TRAIL CREEK
WATERSHED
PARTNERSHIP
1/22/2016
Section 319 Final Report
This project represents the first phase of
implementation of “The Tale of Two Creeks: The Trail
Creek Watershed Management Plan A Guide for
Cleaner Water” (2007).
Trail Creek Watershed Partnership
Trail Creek Watershed Partnership
SECTION 319 FINAL REPORT
Project Overview: This project represents the first phase of implementation of “The Tale of Two Creeks: Trail
Creek Watershed Management Plan: A Guide for Cleaner Water” (2007). The goals of the project were:
1. Implement the Trail Creek watershed management plan by developing and implementing a cost-share
program for BMPs in critical urban and agricultural areas identified in the plan
2. Contract with an individual to serve as an implementation coordinator to develop and administer the costshare program
3. Achieve improved water quality through urban and agricultural BMPs
Cost-share Program Development and Promotion: The Trail Creek Watershed Partnership served as the
steering committee to develop and promote the “Clean Creek Fund”. This Fund is envisioned as a permanent
fund that will exist to serve the community even after the Section 319 Project is complete. Other sources of
funding will be sought in the future. Throughout the duration of the three-year 319 Project, partners met
monthly to review project proposals, receive updates on projects and allocate funds. A cost-share coordinator
was contracted through the SWCD to develop, promote and manage the Clean Creek Fund.
Clean Creek Fund Implementation: The Clean Creek Fund assisted with the installation of 108 acres of cover
crops, an 1860 square foot flow-through planter box, a 2720 square foot rain garden, a large manure pit
and diversion system and two comprehensive nutrient management plans covering 852 acres. These efforts
resulted in approximately 80 tons/year of sediment, 1400 pounds per year of nitrogen and 350 lbs/year of
Phosphorus.
Education and Outreach: The Education and Outreach Committee of the Trail Creek Watershed Partnership
met frequently to identify needs and opportunities for the community to learn about Trail Creek and the
Watershed Partnership. Many educational opportunities were provided including monthly visits to a local
elementary school, a week-long immersive experience called Trail Creek Week, workshops, field days and
public meetings.
Water Quality Monitoring: The Michigan City Sanitary District was the lead agency on the Trail Creek
Watershed Water Quality Monitoring Program. Previous sampling sites were updated and many more were
added. This activity was guided by the Technical Committee of the Partnership. Updating the sampling sites
allowed us to update our Critical Areas and more carefully target the “hot spots” in the watershed. A full
Water Quality Monitoring Program Report is attached.
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Trail Creek Watershed Partnership
Trail Creek Watershed
Partnership
Implementation Project
Section 319 Final Report
1. Introduction
The Trail Creek
Watershed, located in
northwestern Indiana’s
LaPorte County, drains
a 59.1 square mile
area of mixed land
uses into Lake
Michigan at Michigan
City, IN. The
watershed is
comprised of three
sub-watersheds: The
Main Branch, the East
Branch and the West Branch. The Main Branch sub-watershed has the greatest amount of developed
land, including commercial, industrial and residential lands. The East Branch and West Branch subwatersheds are primarily rural in character, including a mix of row crop agriculture, livestock,
hayfield, low-density development and natural areas.
An immediate product of early efforts included the preparation and completion of the “Trail Creek
Watershed Management Plan of 1993”. This report offered a multi-faceted and substantive plan
focused on nonpoint sources of pollution, with recommendations to reduce sedimentation and nutrient
loading to the stream of Trail Creek. Several demonstration projects including 4 streambank
restoration projects and a constructed wetland for residential sewage disposal were implemented
with grant monies as a result of the 1993 Trail Creek Watershed Management Plan; however long
term monitoring was not implemented nor were additional grant monies sought for implementation.
The Watershed Management plan stated that a “Lead Agency” needed to be identified to
coordinate watershed improvement activities. In hindsight, a fatal shortcoming of the implementation
of the 1993 Watershed management plan was that no “Lead Agency” was ever identified.
FOUR goals and a variety of objectives were identified within the 1993 Trail Creek Watershed
Management Plan. Many of those goals and objectives remain valid with the current (2007) plan
update. The goals from the 1993 Watershed Management Plan are as follows:
1. Reduce potential health hazards due to poor water quality in the stream of Trail Creek.
2. Improve aquatic life support. Increase quality/quantity of recreational opportunities to stimulate
economic growth.
3. Develop a public awareness of the unique and diverse opportunities the stream of Trail Creek
Provides.
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Trail Creek Watershed Partnership
IN DECEMBER of 2003, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) issued a
detailed technical report regarding excessive E. coli levels in Trail Creek entitled “Trail Creek
Escherichia Coli TMDL (Total Maximum Daily Load) Report.” This report indicates that for point sources
of E. coli pollution, such as wastewater treatment plants, the “NPDES permitting and monitoring
requirements will provide the necessary reasonable assurance that these sources are not contributing
to violations of state E. coli standards.” For non-point sources of E. coli pollution, the report concludes
that: “non-point sources will need to be monitored locally for implementation of BMPs (best
management practices) or in providing access to watershed grants to assist in reducing non-point
sources to meet the load allocations (LA) developed under this TMDL.” The preparation of this
watershed management plan update is the next logical step in achieving cleaner water in
northwestern LaPorte County as envisioned by IDEM in 2003.(Trail Creek Watershed Management
Plan, 2007)
The Michigan City Sanitary District took on the challenge of leading the development of the Trail
Creek Watershed Management Plan, approved by IDEM in April of 2007, and has remained a
leader in the management of the Trail Creek Watershed ever since. Michigan City Sanitary District
has been monitoring the Creek since 2005. This data was used to develop the water quality goals of
the 2007 Trail Creek Watershed Management Plan:
1. Meet the State Water Quality Standard for E. coli of a monthly geometric mean of 125 cfu/100
ml and a maximum daily standard of 235 cfu/100 ml;
2. Decrease sedimentation and dredging of the navigable channel. Total Suspended Solid goal of 15
mg/l;
3. Decrease nutrient loading in Trail Creek to the target concentrations (0.05 mg/l ortho-phosphorus,
0.05 mg/l total phosphorus, 0.25 to 0.1 mg/l nitrogen ammonia, 1.0 mg/l TKN, and 10 mg/l nitratenitrite);
4. Maintain a natural stream channel and flow
Vision: Through collaborative efforts, we can provide the stewardship and leadership required now
in order for future generations to enjoy the natural beauty and prosperity of a clean Trail Creek.
Mission: Citizens of the Trail Creek Watershed will assess water quality issues and develop
meaningful implementation strategies targeted to improve the quality of life within the watershed
through water quality enhancement and realization of the long term goals with regard to the
environmental, recreational, and aesthetic use of our Lake Michigan lakefront and Trail Creek.
In 2011, the Trail Creek Watershed Steering Committee decided to begin the implementation of the
WMP. A Section 319 grant was secured and the project began in 2012. The goals of the project
were to:
1. Implement the Trail Creek watershed management plan by developing and implementing a costshare program for BMPs in critical urban and agricultural areas identified in the plan
2. Contract with an individual to serve as an implementation coordinator to develop and administer
the cost-share program
3. Achieve improved water quality through urban and agricultural BMPs
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Trail Creek Watershed Partnership
2. Evaluation of Goal Achievement
Goal 1: Implement the Trail Creek Watershed Management Plan by developing and implementing a costshare program for BMPs in critical urban and agricultural areas identified in the plan.
This goal resulted in the development of two products. The first product is a cost-share program called
“The Clean Creek Fund”. The second product was an update to the Critical Areas identified in the WMP
based on updated water quality monitoring. (See “Addendum to Trail Creek Watershed Critical Areas
Priorities 1-29-2013”). This addendum allowed the cost-share program to target dollars more
effectively. This addendum resulted in three new Critical Areas: the Main Branch Sub-Watershed
Critical Area, the West Branch Headwaters Critical Area and the East Branch Headwaters Critical
Area.
Goal 2: Contract with an individual to serve as an implementation coordinator to develop and administer
the cost-share program.
This goal was met by contract with Scott Kuchta. Scott served as the Cost-Share Coordinator for three
years.
Goal 3: Achieve improved water quality through urban and agricultural BMPs.
Water quality monitoring was undertaken throughout the life of this project. This resulted in an excellent
base-line for water quality which will allow us to determine the effectiveness of our BMP installation
over time.
The outcomes as identified in the 2011 application to the 319 program were:
1. Reduced e.coli, Nitrogen, Phosphates and Total Suspended Solids leading to improved water
quality
2. Increased urban and
agricultural BMP
adoption
3. Improved coordination
between stakeholders
on water quality and
habitat issues
4. Improved public
involvement
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Trail Creek Watershed Partnership
3. Documentation of Completed Tasks
Task A: Develop and promote a cost-share program to implement best management practices
that address the water quality concerns outlined in the Trail Creek Watershed Management Plan.
The Trail Creek Watershed Partnership contracted with an individual to develop the Clean Creek
Fund. This fund provides funds to land owners wishing to participate and install best management
practices to improve water quality in the Trail Creek Watershed. The project partners formed a
steering committee which guided the development and promotion of this fund.
Fliers and brochures were placed throughout the community and the Cost-Share Coordinator and the
SWCD Education Coordinator spoke at various group meetings to promote the fund. A public meeting
was held at Krueger Memorial Hall in Michigan City to kick off the Clean Creek Fund. Press releases
were issued throughout the project and information was shared on the SWCD website, the Trail Creek
Watershed Facebook and the SWCD quarterly newsletter.
Task B: Implement the approved cost-share program described in Task A.
The Clean Creek Fund assisted with the installation of 108 acres of cover crops, an 1860 square foot
flow-through planter box, a 2720 square foot rain garden, a 60x70 foot (42,000 square foot) manure
holding facility and diversion system and two comprehensive nutrient management plans covering 852
acres. These efforts resulted in the reduction of approximately 80 tons/year of sediment, 1400 pounds
per year of nitrogen and 350 lbs/year of Phosphorus from entering the Creek.
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Trail Creek Watershed Partnership
Task C: Conduct an education and outreach program designed to bring about behavioral changes
and encourage BMP implementation that will lead to a reduced nonpoint source pollution in the
watershed.
(See attached Outreach Table)
1.Conduct no less than 12 steering committee or technical subcommittee meetings:
2. Publish information about watershed implementation activities in the LaPorte County SWCD
Newsletter no less than twelve times to promote the cost-share program and upcoming events to
watershed stakeholders:
(See attached Newsletters)
-Community and Classroom Conservation Newsletter-August 2013 “Federal Funds Now Available
for Trail Creek Watershed Property Owners”
-Community and Classroom Conservation Newsletter-Augsut 2013 “Michigan City Celebrates
Coastal Awareness Month”
-Community and Classroom Conservation Newsletter-February 2014 “Trail Creek WatershedRenaissance Academy”
-Community and Classroom Conservation Newsletter-February 2014 “Trail Creek Watershed
Clean Creek Fund”
-Community and Classroom Conservation Newsletter-August 2014 “Canoemobile Returns to Trail
Creek”
-Community and Classroom Conservation Newsletter-August 2014 “Planting the Seeds of
Environmental Awareness, Trail Creek Outreach”
-Community and Classroom Conservation Newsletter-August 2014 full page insert on Clean Creek
Fund
-Community and Classroom Conservation Newsletter-December 2014 “Wilderness Inquiry
Canoemobile Visits Trail Creek”
-Community and Classroom Conservation Newsletter-December 2014 “Conservation in the Trail
Creek Watershed”
-Community and Classroom Conservation Newsletter-February 2015 “Cover Crops Workshop”
-Community and Classroom Conservation Newsletter-May 2015 “Lake Michigan Coastal
Awareness Month”
-Community and Classroom Conservation Newsletter-May 2015 Full page insert on Clean Creek
Fund
-Community and Classroom Conservation Newsletter-August 2015 “Canoemobile 2015: Back at
Trail Creek”
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Trail Creek Watershed Partnership
3. Submit no less than six press releases to the local media to update the public on the progress of
the project
4. Update the LaPorte County SWCD website on at least a quarterly basis to include materials
associated with the Trail Creek Cost-share program and other events
5. Attend at least six meetings of partner organizations and/or water resource groups to discuss the
WMP, the cost-share program, and upcoming events:
a. Michigan City Conference on the Environment-Presentation on the Trail Creek Watershed
Management Plan June 5, 2014. 120 attendees
b. LaPorte County Farm Bureau Meeting-November 4, 2013
c. Michigan City Sanitary District Board Meeting-Presentation on the Trail Creek Watershed
Management Plan January 23, 2013. 30 attendees
d. Michigan City Rotary Club-Presentation on Trail Creek WMP and implementation and
outreach activities September 10, 2015. Approximately 20 attendees
e. Northwest Indiana Steelheaders Meeting-Presentation on Trail Creek outreach activities
April 2, 2015. Approximately 30 attendees
f. Chicago Wilderness Congress-Presentation on Partnerships in the Trail Creek Watershed
April 3, 2014 approximately 75 attendees
6. Conduct biannual public meetings to provide updates on the plan’s implementation progress:
a. Krueger Memorial Hall Clean Creek Fund Kick-off and Public Meeting September 12,
2013. Approximately 15 attendees
b. Public Meeting/Project Updates-Green Drinks at Shoreline Brewery January 21, 2016
approximately 50 attendees
7. Conduct no less than six school programs that incorporate watershed based curriculum in the
classroom and through outdoor hands-on learning:
a. Project LAKKE (Local Activities Keeping Kids Engaged)-monthly watershed based program
for fourth graders at Lake Hills Elementary (CURRICULUM ATTACHED)
i. 12/9/2013, 2/21/2014, 9/5/2014, 10/24/2014, 11/21/2014, 12/14/2014,
2/20/2014, 3/27/2014, 5/22/2015 (WATER QUALITY FIELD TRIP)
b. W.G. Jackson Research Vessel Visits-public and school groups attend
i. June 8-9, 2013-265 participants
ii. June 20-22, 2014-213 participants
iii. June 12-15, 2015-162 participants
iv. TOTAL=658 participants
c. Trail Creek Week-interactive hands-on watershed based programming (FULL REPORT
ATTACHED)
i. September 23-27, 2013-550 participants
ii. September 15-19, 2014-600 participants
iii. September 14-19, 2015-900 participants
d. Water Quality Summer Camp-partnership with Ivy Tech
i. July 20, 2014-20 students (middle school)
ii. June 24, 2015-20 students (middle school)
e. Fifth Grade Conservation Field Days-non-point source pollution activity
i. May 12-16, 2014-800 participants
ii. May 11-15, 2015-800 participants
8. Hold no less than three stream cleanups throughout the watershed.
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Trail Creek Watershed Partnership
a. Friendship Gardens Beaches and Blueways Clean-up-September 21, 2013
b. Beaches and Blueways Clean-up-September 19, 2015
c. Beaches and Blueways Clean-up-September 20, 2014
9. Conduct no less than three field days to promote urban and agricultural BMPs.
a. Winter Tree Walk-Urban Trees and Stormwater Co-hosted with Tryon Farm Institute-Tryon
Farm, Michigan City, IN January 30, 2016 approximately 40 participants
b. Streambank Erosion Field Paddle-Michigan City, IN December 7, 2015
c. Cover Crops Workshop and Field Day Co-hosted with Porter County SWCD-Westville, IN
March 26, 2016
10. Present informational displays and distribute outreach materials no less than six times at
community events including but not limited to the LaPorte County Fair and the Northwest Indiana
Earth Day Celebration.
a. Lake Hills Family STEM Nights:
10/28/2013, 10/20/2014, 11/9/2015
b. LaPorte County Fair: 2013, 2014, 2015
11. Conduct no less than two Hoosier Riverwatch stream
monitoring trainings for local community members
and stakeholders.
a. Hoosier Riverwatch Basic Training Krueger
Memorial Hall, May 2, 2015 20
participants
b. Trail Creek Stream Blitz, Krueger Memorial
Hall, November 14, 2015 CANCELLED DUE
TO LACK OF REGISTRATION
12. Install no less than six signs along the Trail Creek Riparian Corridor to educate stakeholders on
how buffered area protects and restores natural connectivity and reduces the input of warm
water, sediment and other pollutants into Trail Creek.
a. Winding Creek Cove
b. Hansen Park
c. Creek Ridge County Park
d. Peo Public Fishing Access
e. Liberty Trail Fishing Access
f. Springland Avenue Lamprey Barrier
13. Install interpretive signage at no less than two publicly visible cost-share project sites, if
applicable.
a. Cover Crop signs installed at two fields:
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Trail Creek Watershed Partnership
14. Track implementation of the cost-share program through number of BMPs installed, location and
estimated load reduction.
15. Provide two copies of all products produced as a result of this grant to IDEM.
Other Outreach Activities:
1. Trail Creek Fun Float, Washington Park, IN sponsored by the Northwest Indiana Paddling Association
a. 2013 Fun Float: 138 participants
b. 2014 Fun Float: 146 participants
c. 2015 Fun Float: 114 participants
2. Introduction to Cover Crops Breakfast, Red Mill County Park, LaPorte, IN, March 18, 2014
3. Installation of bridge-crossing signs: LaPorte County Highway Department produced signs to be
placed on all county bridges informing people that they are crossing Trail Creek. The City of
Michigan City installed the signs.
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Trail Creek Watershed Partnership
Best Management Practices:
Through the Clean Creek Fund, several Best Management Practices (BMPs) were installed. 108 acres of
cover crops were planted at the headwaters of the West Branch of Trail Creek resulting in an estimated
load reduction of 80 tons/year of sediment and 86 pounds/year of phosphorus. On the Main Stem of
Trail Creek, an 1860 square foot flow-through planter box was installed at the Marina South
Condominium Community. This resulted in estimated reduction of 86 pounds per year of Total Suspended
Solids. Marina South also installed a 2720 foot rain garden, estimated to reduce Total Suspended Solids
by 105 pounds per year.
A very important project was the installation of a large manure holding facility and horizontal boring to
allow the capture of manure into a transfer pit. This project occurred at a dairy farm in the headwaters
of the West Branch of Trail Creek and resulted in an estimated reduction of 1400 pounds per year of
nitrogen and 250 pounds per year of phosphorus. This project involved very careful partnership building
with the farmer. This spot had been identified as a “hot spot” in the WMP and was a long-time concern
of the Trail Creek Watershed Partnership.
Additionally, the Clean Creek Fund provided cost-share funds for two Comprehensive Nutrient
Management Plans. The first CNMP covers 777 acres and the second covers 75 acres.
While not funded by the Clean Creek Fund, the Trail Creek Watershed Partnership also provided
technical input and oversight to the City of Michigan City on several other BMPs installed in the
Watershed. The Wabash Street Improvement and Green Infrastructure Project included 27 rain gardens
and 40 square yards of Flexi-pave permeable pavement.
The Michigan City Parks Department installed several BMPs in two parks in 2015. The first, at Hansen
Park in Michigan City, included the first ADA-compliant canoe and kayak launch in Indiana. Parking lots
serving the launch were constructed of pervious pavers. The truck/trailer lot is 88’w x 10’d or 880 square
feet and the ADA parking lot is 36’w x 20’d or 720 square feet. Permeable construction will result in an
estimated 14 lbs/year reduction in TSS.
The second BMP was a bioswale installed at Winding Creek Cove. This City Park was experiencing runoff from the surrounding neighborhood, causing erosion in the parking lot. The Bioswale is primarily
designed to reduce volumes of water running off of the parking lot toward the Creek, but will result in an
estimated reduction of 9lbs of TSS per year.
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Trail Creek Watershed Partnership
MAP OF TRAIL CREEK WATERSHED BMP INSTALLATION
ID #
BMP
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Pervious Pavement
Bioswale
Green Infrastructure
Cover Crops
Cover Crops
Manure Storage
Planter Box & Rain Garden
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Trail Creek Watershed Partnership
Manure storage facility at
headwaters dairy farm
Bioswale at Winding Creek Cove
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Trail Creek Watershed Partnership
Monitoring Results:
(A full report of the Water Quality Monitoring Program in the Trail Creek Watershed is attached.)
The sampling and analysis of the Trail Creek Watershed expanded on earlier watershed sampling
projects. The goal of this project was to determine and compare with previous data what water quality
levels currently exist and to those conditions of past studies for locations in the Trail Creek Watershed
throughout the year as well as to identify sources of pollution that may be reduced through
implementation of BMPs.
Monitoring Parameters & Targets
•
Precipitation
•
Flow Conditions
•
Water Temperature
•
Dissolved Oxygen
•
Nutrients (Phosphorus & Nitrogen)
•
Sediment (Total Suspended Solids & Turbidity)
•
E. coli
The expanded sample
points along the Main,
East and West Branch
Tributaries and their
sub-tributaries
generated data for
comparison with
previous data and
allowed the
measurement of
progress of current
and potential projects.
The expanded East
and West Branch
Tributaries sampling
points enabled an
extensive monitoring of
the critical agricultural
and preservation
areas located in this
portion of the Trail Creek Watershed. Sampling in preservation areas would determine how to maintain
or reduce the existing loading to the streams from these sub-watershed areas.
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Trail Creek Watershed Partnership
The expanded Main Branch
Tributaries will be useful in
identifying specific urban areas and
assess viability and effectiveness of
urban area septic systems.
Chemical, biological, and physical
conditions on the selected sampling
stations allow for the identification of
problem areas, characterization of
the watershed, implementation of the
BMPs, and assessment of water
quality improvement for the Trail
Creek Watershed.
Ultimately, this monitoring program,
by sampling tributaries deep into the
watershed was designed to identify
non-point and point sources and to
develop a baseline that will show
changes in water quality from the
watershed management planning
phase through BMP implementation
phase. Collected data will be
compared with data collected during
development of the watershed
management plan and used to
gauge successes.
WE NEED TO GET A SUMMARY IN
HERE OF JOE’S REPORT
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Trail Creek Watershed Partnership
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Trail Creek Watershed Partnership
Public Participation:
“Like music and art, love of nature is a common
language that can transcend political or social
boundaries.”
― Jimmy Carter
The City of Michigan City is a diverse one,
politically, socially environmentally and
economically. Trail Creek, and the opportunities
Michigan City residents participate in 2015
it offers, serves as a great equalizer. Much of
Beaches and Blueways Cleanup
Trail Creek flows through areas of the
community where the residents have been disenfranchised from the process of environmental protection.
The people have been exposed to a higher than average threat from landfills, run-off and other
environmental pollution. Before we can expect our population to install a rain garden to protect a
resource, we must expose them to that resource. Therefore, the members of the Trail Creek Watershed
Partnership are fully committed to introducing the residents of the community to the gem that is Trail
Creek. This happens through several large-scale events.
In its 9th year, the Trail Creek Fun Float continues to grow each year and draw a high number of Fun
Floaters. This event, sponsored by the Northwest Indiana Paddling Association, draws many individuals
and families and gives them an opportunity to see Trail Creek in a whole new way. The event is free for
participants and offers a leisurely paddle up and a fun float back down Trail Creek.
Stream clean-ups are another way to engage the public in the process of watershed protection. Each
year, the Michigan City Parks Department and other members of the Trail Creek Watershed Partnership
organize a Beaches and Blueways Clean-up. Each year, we have a solid turn-out on the River and
hundreds of participants at the Beach Clean-up. Hundreds of pounds of trash and debris are removed
each year.
Trail Creek Week, the largest outreach event of
the Partnership, has become a sought-after
event by teachers in the Michigan City Area
School system. They begin asking about it as
soon as they arrive back to school in the fall.
This event offers engaging hands-on activities
for students Monday through Friday and an
opportunity for students to bring their families
back on the following Saturday. In 2015, the
Family Event served 135 people! Our largest
yet.
Michigan City residents board the W.G.
For the past three years, the Michigan City
Jackson
Sanitary District has brought the W.G. Jackson
research vessel to Michigan City. This boat is equipped to take participants out on the river and into Lake
Michigan. While aboard, passengers participate in real time citizen science. They collect water samples
from the River and the Lake and compare them. Parameters include dissolved oxygen, nutrients,
sediments and plankton counts. Tours on the W.G. Jackson give area residents an opportunity to learn
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Trail Creek Watershed Partnership
about our local water quality and feel as if they have made a legitimate contribution to the study of our
waterways.
Each month, the Michigan City Mainstreet Association (MCMA) hosts a “First Friday Art Walk” in the
Uptown Arts District of Michigan City. This event allows people to visit shops, experience public art, and
learn a little bit more about the City of Michigan City. For the past three years, the Trail Creek
Watershed Partnership has partnered with the MCMA to host the Banana Slug String Band at the First
Friday Art Walk During the month of June. June is Coastal Awareness Month. Bringing in a children’s
band that sings about environmental music is a perfect way to celebrate Michigan City’s coast, and raise
awareness of the integral connection between Trail Creek and Lake Michigan. This event always draws a
lot of families and children and allows us to celebrate our water resources.
Participants enjoying the Coastal Awareness Month performance of the Banana
Slug String Band
We feel very strongly that we cannot expect our residents to care about a resource that they have no
connection to. Our public participation strategy is all about introducing our neighbors to the treasure in
their backyard-Trail Creek.
Participants at the 2015 Trail Creek Fun Float
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Trail Creek Watershed Partnership
Partnerships:
Our partnerships are strong! While the LaPorte County Soil and Water Conservation District is the
sponsoring agency on the Section 319 grant, the Trail Creek Watershed Partnership is just that-a
partnership in every sense of the word.
Each month, representatives from the following groups and agencies come together as the Trail Creek
Watershed Partnership Steering Committee to discuss progress, challenges, projects and outreach.
− LaPorte County Soil and Water Conservation
District
− Porter County Soil and Water Conservation
District
− Northwest Indiana Regional Planning Commission
− Michigan City Sanitary District
− The City of Michigan City
− Urban Waters Federal Partnership
− U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
− Michigan City Parks Department
− LaPorte County Parks Department
− The Unity Foundation of LaPorte County
− Northwest Indiana Steelheaders
− Indiana Department of Natural Resources
− Northwest Indiana Paddling Association
− Save the Dunes
− National Park Service
− LaPorte County Convention and Visitors Bureau
− Indiana Illinois Sea Grant
− Lake Michigan Coastal Program
− Tryon Farm Institute
− NiSource
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Farmers in a soil pit at the Cover Crops
Field Day co-sponsored with the Porter
County SWCD
Trail Creek Watershed Partnership
These groups and agencies work together to
ensure that projects are well developed,
outreach occurs and everyone is aware of
issues. Three sub-committees and various ad hoc
committees meet as needed to do the work
required to complete projects. These committees
report back to the full Steering Committee with
recommendations. Members of the committees
work collaboratively on grant writing and
reporting,
water quality
Joe Exl, NIRPC, teaches about water
monitoring,
quality at Trail Creek Week
education and
outreach, marketing and cost-share promotion and administration. Costshare projects are all brought to the full Steering Committee for
approval.
One of the most collaborative outreach projects of the TCWP is Trail
Creek Week. This outdoor field experience lasts five days and
immerses participants in various aspects of Trail Creek. This event
requires partners to meet well ahead of the event to coordinate. At the
event, partners provide the stations, and assist with the site and site
prep and all other aspects of the event. (SEE ATTACHED REPORT)
Drew Hart, U.S. Forest Service, at the Winter
Tree Walk, co-hosted by the Tryon Farm
Institute
Indiana Department of Natural Resources teaching
about stream morphology and invasive species at
Trail Creek Week
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Trail Creek Watershed Partnership
Successes, Challenges and Lessons Learned:
Lesson #1-Keep your eye on the prize. The goal is improved water quality. When we identify a problem,
its easy to want to do anything to solve it. However, problems are only solved by people working
together. If you lose the support of any individual or group, your project can be tanked and the water
quality never improved.
Lesson #2-Marketing is very important. This was a continual challenge for our group. We had great
ideas and ways for the public to become engaged, but marketing is always a problem. Water quality
professionals are great at what they do, but that typically doesn’t include marketing.
Lesson #3- Watershed management plan implementation is all about communication. Know your
audience and be able to explain what you’re doing in a way that is meaningful to the potential partner.
Lesson #4- You can’t reach everyone every time. It is sometimes difficult to find the right person or
people to partner with on a BMP. It takes times to build a meaningful relationship and trust. Provide
technical support and “sell”
Lesson #5- Keep an organized list of potential projects. This database will help a group quickly seize
additional funding opportunities and keep working on the plan’s implementation.
Lesson #6- Find unlikely partners in unlikely places. There’s many businesses that are very supportive of
watershed management planning efforts. Just because “environmental” isn’t in their mission, don’t be
afraid to reach out to diverse audiences.
Some of the Partnership’s greatest successes were due to the partners themselves. Representatives from a
diverse selection of stakeholders worked collaboratively to accomplish the goals of the project.
Future Activity:
The Trail Creek Watershed Partnership will continue to meet monthly to discuss projects and programs.
Trail Creek Week will continue indefinitely. A Spring invasive species management workshop, co-hosted
with International Friendship Gardens is planned for early 2016. We will continue to apply for funding
to implement BMPs in the watershed and we’re maintaining a list of willing land owners.
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