LANSING, MI (WTVB) – The Michigan D.N.R. has delayed a decision for at least 30 days on the proposed reclassification of the Prairie River west of Bronson from a warm stream to a cold transitional stream.
The Natural Resources Commission was scheduled to make a decision on Thursday.
In his report for Thursday’s meeting, D.N.R. Director Daniel Eichinger told the Commission he was not going to sign the order at this time as not all water users in the Prairie River Water Use Area were aware of the proposed re-classification.
He went on to say the re-classification may mean that this section of the Prairie River watershed could reach an Adverse Resource Impact limit and that EGLE staff will need to review the current registered withdrawals and establish the actual quantity of water that is being used.
Eichinger added landowners seeking new water withdrawals in an Adverse Resource Impact area can work with EGLE, local agencies, and other water users to establish a Water Users Committee to seek solutions.
In cooperation with EGLE, Eichinger said Michigan State University has conducted social surveys and is currently holding focus groups to inform a Water Users Committee Guide to assist in the formation of committees.
The Branch County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution on a 5-0 vote this past Tuesday that was strongly against the river’s reclassification.
The resolution took the Michigan D.N.R. to task as it stated the stream temperature data is limited and was collected without following EPA protocols. It added the precedent for future potential reclassifications must be set to a much higher standard of data collection, data analysis, and public presentation in reports and public meetings.
The resolution also said, “the benefits to the trout and the river of decreasing the allowable streamflow depletion by nearly five times the current limits are unclear and unstated. At the same time, the devastating impacts that would be directly caused by severely restricting the water use on the communities, residents, businesses, and municipalities are not being considered.”
A group opposed to the change feels it could impact irrigation and land levels in much of Branch County.
Jay Westley from the Fisheries Division of the D.N.R. said during the Commissioners meeting on December 20 they wanted to change the stream from warm to cold due to the brown trout population.
Commissioner Jon Houtz said during a recent meeting that the brown trout in the river have not been affected by irrigation usage.
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