2012 - Fall - Friends of the Jordan River

JORDAN VALLEY VOICES
THE NEWSLETTER OF THE OF THE FRIENDS OF THE JORDAN RIVER WATERSHED, INC. • FALL 2012
DJ Shook,
of
the
Grand
Traverse
Band
of
Ottawa
and
Chippewa
Indians,
takes
readings
at
the
culverts
under
Old
State
Rd.
using
a
velocimeter.
FOJ
Eyes
Solutions
for
Bridge,
Erosion
Problems
on
the
Jordan
BY TIM GOODWIN
Efforts
by
the
Friends
of
the
Jor‐
dan
River
Watershed
and
others
are
moving
forward
in
solving
erosion
and
stabilization
issues
along
the
Jordan
River.
Numerous
sites
along
the
river
have
been
degraded
and
eroded
from
overuse
by
canoeists,
kayakers,
rafters,
tubers
and
partyers
in
recent
years,
as
the
number
of
people
discovering
our
“quiet
waters”
has
grown.
The
two
cul‐
verts
at
Old
State
Rd.
bridge,
known
locally
as
“the
tubes,”
through
which
the
Jordan
flows
north,
have
created
plunge
pools
at
their
outlets,
impeding
fish
and
other
aquatic
species,
creating
a
safety
issue
for
paddlers,
and
causing
serious
erosion
and
loss
of
private
land
just
downstream
from
the
bridge.
“It’s
a
fragile
resource
that’s
being
loved
to
death,”
says
FOJ
President
John
Richter.
“Somebody
told
me
we
should
let
nature
take
its
course.
And
I
said,
‘Wait
a
minute.
This
isn’t
nature.
It’s
people.’”
Things
are
moving
forward
on
two
fronts.
The
Conservation
Resource
Alliance
(CRA),
in
cooperation
with
government
agencies,
Grand
Traverse
Band
of
Ottawa
and
Chippewa,
and
other
nonprofits,
among
them
the
FOJ,
has
reapplied
for
a
U.S.
National
Fish
and
Wildlife
Service
(USFWS)
Fish
Pas‐
sage
Grant
to
see
what
it
would
take
to
replace
“the
tubes”
on
Old
State
Rd.
with
a
clear
span
bridge,
the
first
step
in
pursuing
funding
to
replace
the
bridge.
The
CRA
will
learn
in
June
2013
if
the
grant
proposal
was
successful.
Secondly,
the
FOJ’s
Erosion
and
Stabilization
Committee
has
been
working
to
establish
two
hardened
landings,
one
slightly
south
and
west
continued
on
page

8
FOJ,
Fracking
and
Legal
Intervention
For
several
years,
FOJ
has
been
study‐
ing
the
practice
known
as
“fracking.”
While
there
are
a
number
of
varia‐
tions,
this
method
of
oil
and
gas
extraction
involves
the
injection
of
large
volumes
of
fresh
water,
sand
and
toxic
chemicals
under
high
pressure
into
hard
rock
or
shale
formations.
Fracking
pulverizes
these
rock
and
shale
formations
and
releases
oil
and
natural
gas
for
extraction.
The
industry
has
perfected
these
tech‐
niques
leading
to
a
new
boom
in
oil
and
gas
production.
It
has
also
created
an
envi‐
ronmental
monster
capable
of
contaminat‐
ing
forever
our
surface
and
ground
water
aquifers.
Countless
other
problems
associ‐
ated
with
fracking
have
been
documented
all
across
the
state,
country
and
world.
Space
here
does
not
allow
me
to
list
the
many,
many
harmful
effects
associated
with
fracking
but
please
visit
our
website
or
dontfrackmichigan.org for
more
details.
The
evidence
is
overwhelming.
FOJ
is
gravely
concerned
because
our
State
and
Federal
regulatory
agencies
have
not
kept
up
with
this
advancing
industrial‐
ization
of
our
state
lands.
The
industry
is
also
exempt
from
many
provisions
of
envi‐
ronmental
protection
statutes
like
the
Clean
Water
Act
and
Clean
Air
Act.
Fur‐
thermore,
those
responsible
for
protecting
Michigan’s
natural
resources,
MDNR,
MDEQ
and
Natural
Resources
Commission
(NRC),
are
not
enforcing
existing
laws
such
as
the
Michigan
Environmental
Protection
Act
(MEPA)
and
the
Public
Trust.
In
addi‐
tion,
our
state
officials
continue
to
lease
public
lands
at
an
unprecedented
rate.
continued
on
page
5

PO Box 412 • East Jordan, MI 49727
PHONE/FAX: 231.536.9947
www.friendsofthejordan.org
EMAIL: foj@friendsofthejordan.org
2 JORDAN VALLEY VOICES • FALL 2012
Monitoring
the
Jordan
FOJ
members
collect
macroinvertebrate
(aquatic
insects
and
crustaceans)
samples
from
the
Jordan
River
twice
each
year
as
part
of
Tip
of
the
Mitt
Watershed
Council’s
Volunteer
Stream
Monitoring
Program.
The
macroinvertebrates
are
then
sorted,
identified
and
entered
into
a
database.
Since
certain
species
of
aquatic
insects
are
susceptible
to
even
small
changes
in
water
quality,
identifying
the
types
of
insects
can
help
determine
the
overall
health
of
the
river
and
identify
any
changes
or
potential
problem
areas.
The
Jordan
has
consistently
been
one
of
the
healthiest
rivers
in
Northern
Michigan.
Those
braving
a
chilly
September
Sunday
were
John
Teesdale,
above
with
Lynne
Goodwin,
John
Richter
at
left
in
waders,
and
Anne
Zukowski.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Dr. John Richter, President
Ray Bier, Vice President
John Teesdale, Treasurer
Anne Zukowski, Secretary
Jo Anne Beemon, Executive-at-Large
Dennis Choate
Keeping
Michigan
Pure
The
Friends
of
the
Jordan
did
their
part
last
month
picking
up
trash
along
its
two
miles
of
M­66
south
of
Graves
Crossing,
the
last
scheduled
sweep
of
the
year.
The
FOJ
does
the
cleanup
in
spring,
summer
and
fall.
FOJ
and
the
rest
of
some
3,200
volunteer
groups
across
the
state
saved
taxpayers
$1.5
million
in
cleanup
costs
in
2011,
covering
7,200
miles
of
state
highways
andcollecting
75,000
bags
of
trash,
according
to
the
Michigan
Department
of
Transportation.
Working
the
most
recent
cleanup
in
September
were
Joe
Nerone,
Jim
Peters,
Lynne
Goodwin
and
Tim
Goodwin.
The
good
news:
tourism
was
up
this
year,
but
the
trash
seemed
down,
at
least
in
our
corner
of
Pure
Michigan.
Tim Goodwin, Editor
Jinny Heick
Terry Ryan
Steve Umlor
Tressa Youmans
The Friends of the Jordan River Watershed, Inc. is a grassroots,
nonprofit, 501 [C] 3 non-governmental organization whose mission
is to “conserve the natural resources and protect the environmental
quality of the Jordan River and its watershed.”

FALL 2012 • JORDAN VALLEY VOICES 3
T he
Eighth
Annual
Friends
of
the
Jor‐
dan
Celebration
was
held
on
a
beautiful
afternoon
September
15,
with
an
exhibit
of
photography
entered
in
the
annual
contest,
refreshments
and
music.
The
event
showcased
the
beauty
of
the
Jordan
Valley
and
the
accomplish‐
ments
of
the
organi‐
zation
in
environmental
advocacy,
protecting
and
preserving
the
Jor‐
dan
River
and
its
watershed.
The
theme
for
2012
was
Portraits
of
Nature.
There
were
103
photographs
entered
from
25
photographers,
12

new
to
the
event,
and
seven
who
were
stu‐
dents.
Grand
prize
of
$250,
spon‐
sored
by
Bay
Winds
Federal
Credit
Union,
was
awarded
to
Jan
Good‐
win
[above]
of
East
Jordan
for
“Jor‐
dan
Valley
Fog.”
“Jan
has
entered
a
large
num‐
ber
of
stunning
photographs
in
the
contest
since
its
inception
in
2005,
but
this
is
this
is
the
first
time
she
has
won
the
Grand
Prize,”
noted
event
coordinator
Margaret
Moran.
“We
were
thrilled
that
her
photo
was
chosen.”
Alan
Leese
of
Charlevoix
won
the
Viewer’s
Choice
Award,
spon‐
sored
by
Charlevoix
State
Bank
for
his
photo
“Michigan
in
the
Trees,”
a
scene
he
happened
to
spot
in
his
rearview
mirror
while
driving
down
a
country
road.
Seven
students
compet‐
ed
for
the
$100
Youth
Award,
sponsored
by
EJ
(formerly
EJIW),
which
went
to
Julianne
Fuller
of
Boyne
City.
Other
winners
were
Heather
Outman
and
Kelly
Rhodes
of
East
Jordan,
Julie
and
Dave
Chris‐
tiansen
and
Anne
Zukowski
of
Charlevoix,
Sheri
McWhirter
of
Elmira
and
Preston
and
Theresa
Cole
of
Mancelona,
and
Gwen
Rus‐
nell.
Contest
judge
was
Barbara
“Babs”
Young
of
Eastport,
a
nature
photographer
and
past
president
of
the
Jordan
River
Arts
Council.
Exhibit
visitors
were
treated
to
refreshments
by
Allison
MacKay
of
East
Jordan
and
delighted
by
folk
music
from
Robin
Lee
Berry
of
Boyne
City.
The
2013
Photography
Calendar
is
available
for
sale
at
the
Jordan
Valley
Animal
Clinic
in
East
Jordan,
Bier
Art
Gallery
in
Charlevoix,
and
Fresh‐
water
Studio
in
Boyne
City,
and
also
from
any
Board
Member
or
at
www.friendsofthejordan.org.
–
Margaret
Moran
Visions
of
the
Valley:
Portraits
of
Nature
2013 Calendar
Winning
Entries
from
the
Friends
of
the
Jordan
River
Watershed’s
Eighth
Annual
Photography
Calendar
Contest
Celebrating
the
Natural
Wonders
of
the
Jordan
River
Watershed
Cover
Photo:
Summer
Romance
by
Heather
Outman
Sponsor:
Sodalicious
and
Marty’s
Cones
January:
Winter
Wonderland
by
Kelly
Rhodes
Sponsor:
Jordan
Valley
Outfitters
February:
White
Pond
Lily
by
Julianne
Fuller
Youth
Award
Sponsor:
EJ
March:
Paradise
by
Gwen
Rusnell
Sponsor:
Dr.
Richter
and
Jordan
Valley
Animal
Clinic
April:
After
the
Rain
by
Anne
Zukowski
Sponsor:
John
and
Phyllis
Dedoes
May:
Come
Along
Children
by
Julie
Christiansen
Sponsor:
Dr.
Kaysserian
and
Access
Dental
June:
Lilies
of
the
Valley
by
Theresa
Cole
President’s
Choice
Award
Sponsor:
East
Jordan
Plastics
July:
Fuzzy
Wuzzy
by
Anne
Zukowski
Sponsor:
Dr.
Thomas
and
Lakeside
Chiropractic
August:
The
Artist
by
Julie
Christiansen
Sponsor:
Ray
and
Tami
Bier,
Bier
Art
Gallery
September:
Going
Up
Stream
by
Dave
Christiansen
Sponsor:
Central
Lake
Pharmacy
October:
Jordan
Valley
Fog
by
Jan
Goodwin
Grand
Prize
Sponsor:
Bay
Winds
Federal
Credit
Union
November:
Glorious
Jordan
by
Preston
Cole
Sponsor:
Abdeen
Jabara
and
Holly
Maguigan
December:
Swan
and
Snow
by
Sheri
McWhirter
Sponsor:
Barb
V.
White
Back
Cover:
Michigan
in
the
Trees
by
Alan
Leese
Viewer’s
Choice
Award
Sponsor:
Charlevoix
State
Bank
FOJ
Photography
Contest
Winners
Announced

FROM THE PRESIDENTS DESK
The
Age
of
Man
BY DR. JOHN RICHTER
Arecent
Time mag‐
azine
article
was
entitled,
“Nature
is
Over.”
The
author
points
out
that
“human
activity
now
shapes
the
Earth
more
than
any
geologic
or
climate
factor.
Right
now
we
are
officially
living
in
the
Holocene
epoch
but
some
scientists
argue
that
we’ve
created
a
new
epoch
called
the
Anthropocene:

the
age
of
man.”
“Human
dominance
of
biological,
chemical
and
geological
processes
on
Earth
is
already
an
undeniable
reality”
according
to
Nobel
Prize
winning
atmospheric
chemist
Paul
Crutzen.
“It’s
no
longer
us
against
nature.
Instead
it
is
us
who
decide
what
nature
is
and
what
it
will
be.”
Who
makes
those
decisions
and
why
will
likely
dictate
the
future
of
environmental
quality.
Environmental
degradation
is
often
incremental
and
cumulative.
Little
by
little,
bit
by
bit.
Many
times
good
inten‐
tions
have
unintended
consequences.
No
one
imagined
that
dredging
the
Pine
River
channel
for
navigation
125
years
ago
would
set
in
motion
the
erosive
forces
in
the
Jordan
River
that
fill
the
stream
bed
and
East
Jordan’s
harbor
full
of
sand
today.
Champions
of
the
environment
have
been
hugely
successful
in
setting
aside
special
areas
for
protection.
Our
State
and
National
Parks
and
Forests,
conser‐
vancy
lands
and
private
stewardship
are
testament
to
those
efforts.
Laws
like
the
Clean
Water
Act,
Clean
Air
Act
and
Endangered
Species
Act
have
helped
balance
the
harmful
impacts
of
modern
humans.
But
these
efforts
are
being
challenged
on
every
front
worldwide.
Laws
alone
are
not
enough.
There
has
to
be
a
paradigm
shift
on
how
we
view
nature.
Exploitation
of
our
natural
resources
simply
for
profit
is
unwise
and
unsustainable.
We
all
depend
on
clean
air,
clean
water
and
the
balance
of
nature.
So
will
our
children,
grand
children
and
their
children.
This
4 JORDAN VALLEY VOICES • FALL 2012
Perhaps
Gwen
Rusnell’s
photo
above,
titled
simply
“Paradise,”
sums
it
up
best,
this
part
of
the
world
we
call
home.
Gwen’s
photo,
in
glorious
color,
is
the
month
of
March
in
the
FOJ’s
2013
calendar.
For
calendar
details,
see
page
3
this
issue.
majestic
blue
planet
and
nature
have
the
capacity
to
nourish
us
pro‐
vided
we
don’t
“poison
the
well.”
Our
activities
must
be
measured
by
their
impacts
on
ecosystem
health
both
locally
and
globally.
FOJ
takes
on
this
challenge
by
embracing
the
concept
of
Watershed
Based
Ecosystem
Management.
The
entire
planet
is
comprised
of
a
mosaic
of
watersheds
and
ecosystems.
They
con‐
stitute
nature’s
most
fundamental
build‐
ing
blocks.
If
we
manage
our
watershed
ecosystems
for
balance
and
sustainabili‐
ty,
we
not
only
preserve
the
healing
properties
of
nature,
we
also
provide
for
our
own
quality
of
life.
We
must
place
a
high
value
on
the
health
of
our
watershed
ecosystems
and
then
figure
out
our
proper
place
and
impacts
within
them.
FOJ’s
activities
are
guided
by
this
concept.
We
have
challenged
oil
and
gas
drilling
on
fragile
lands,
(especially
fracking),
timber
harvest
from
our
pub‐
lic
lands
and
excessive
recreational
use.
These
activities
threaten
the
health
of
this
pristine
watershed.
We
have
sought
ways
to
minimize
adverse
environmen‐
tal
impacts
while
at
the
same
time
find‐
If
we
manage
our
watershed
ecosystems
for
balance
and
sustainability,
we
not
only
preserve
the
healing
properties
of
nature,
we
also
provide
for
our
own
quality
of
life.
We
must
place
a
high
value
on
the
health
of
our
watershed
ecosystems
and
then
figure
out
our
proper
place
and
impacts
within
them.
ing
ways
to
use
and
enjoy
this
mar‐
velous
place.
We
seek
to
study
and
understand
the
processes
that
maintain
nature’s
balance
through
research
and
outreach.
We
also
strive
to
share
this
knowledge
with
others,
especially
our
youth,
through
educational
programs.
We
take
great
joy
in
the
celebration
of
these
efforts
through
our
photography
contest
and
calendar
projects.
Every
farmer
knows
the
importance
of
stewardship
in
order
to
sustain
year
to
year
quality
and
productivity.
Water‐
sheds
and
the
balance
of
biodiversity
are
no
different;
only
they
exist
on
a
larger
scale
and
are
entrusted
to
many
diverse
and
sometimes
conflicting
inter‐
ests.
The
one
common
vital
link
that
provides
the
basic
necessities
for
all
is
protecting
the
watershed
ecosystem.
All
other
activities
and
impacts
must
be
weighed
and
measured
according
to
this
priority.
Nature
and
the
“age
of
man”
would
be
well
served
if
we
did
so.

FALL 2012 • JORDAN VALLEY VOICES 5
Twenty­eight
students
from
grades
four
to
eight
attended
 this
 summer’s
 FOJ
 Young
 Friends
Program,
taking
them
from
the
classroom
and
microscopes
to
rafting
the
Jordan
and
hiking
the
Jordan
River
Valley.
Twenty‐eight
students
partic‐
ipated
in
another
successful
Friends
of
the
Jordan
River
Young
Friends
Program
this
sum‐
mer,
under
the
direction
of
instructors
John
Thompson,
a
vet‐
eran
science
teacher
and
outdoor
educator,
and
Fischer
Jex,
resident
naturalist
at
the
Martha
Wagbo
Farm
and
Education
Center.
The
program
included
two
sessions
of
six
classes
beginning
in
late
June
and
running
through
July.
Among
the
highlights
were
water
quality
testing,
where
stu‐
dents
had
the
chance
to
see
things
in
the
water
up
close
and
person‐
al
thanks
to
a
dozen
microscopes
provided
by
East
Jordan
High
School
Principal
Tammy
Jackson.
Though
heavy
rains
had
clouded
clarity
in
their
Jordan
River
water
samples,
it
was
enlightening
for
students
to
actually
see
what’s
in
the
water.
Their
efforts
showed
a
healthy
river.
Another
session
featured
a
challenging
three‐mile
hike
in
the
Jordan
Valley
from
Deadman’s
Hill
to
M‐32.
Students
saw
a
beaver
dam
and
lodge;
found
wild
rasp‐
berries
in
the
first
session
and
blackberries
in
the
second;
encountered
various
forest
types
from
deciduous
second‐growth
with
little
ground
cover
trans‐
forming
to
lush
ferns
and
under‐
growth;
saw
an
eagle
in
the
first
session;
and
collected
an
excellent
example
of
beaver
logging
activity
in
the
second.
The
trail
passes
through
recent
growth
pine
and
small
areas
of
very
large
pines
that
escaped
the
loggers’
axes.
Transportation
was
contracted
with
East
Jordan
Public
Schools.
Rafting
the
Jordan
River
con‐
tinues
to
be
the
highlight
of
the
program.
No
one
accidentally
ended
up
in
the
river
except
instructor
John
Thompson,
who
managed
well‐executed
back
flips
off
the
raft
in
both
sessions,
much
to
the
delight
of
students,
who
rated
the
performances
“10.”
Weather
cooperated
as
well,
except
one
day
in
the
second
ses‐
sion
on
a
visit
to
Wagbo
Farm.
Specials
thanks
to
student
volun‐
teer
Emily
Pentecost,
who
assist‐
ed
preparing
snacks
each
class
and
keeping
students
together
on
the
hikes.
She
sets
an
excellent
example.
Plans
are
already
being
dis‐
cussed
for
the
FOJ’s
2013
Young
Friends
Summer
Program.
–
John
Thompson
There
are
currently
numerous
horizontally
fracked
wells
extending
into
the
“protected”
Jordan
Valley
Management
Area
generating
millions
of
gallons
of
toxic
waste
and
potentially
contaminating
the
ground
water
aquifer.
For
these
reasons
and
more
FOJ
has
retained
the
services
of
the
law
firm
Olson,
Bzdok
and
Howard
of
Traverse
City.
Our
reasons
are
twofold.
First,
develop
a
legal
strategy
to
enforce
existing
environmental
protection
laws
to
keep
fracking
out
of
our
protected
public
lands.
Second,
assist
coun‐
ties,
townships
and
villages
with
model
ordinances
to
govern
fracking
activities
within
their
communi‐
ties.
In
September,
FOJ
and
others
traveled
to
Lans‐
ing
and
appealed
to
the
NRC
to
halt
October’s
lease
sale
and
rescind
the
one
held
in
May.
We
also
authorized
our
attorney
Jim
Olson
to
petition
the
NRC
on
our
behalf.
(See
NRC
letters
on
our
website).
Moreover,
we
also
authorized
Jim
Olson
to
meet
personally
with
Deputy
DNR
Director
Moritz
on
October
18,
2012
to
present
our
concerns.
While
we
appreciate
the
opportunity
to
meet
one
on
one
with
the
Deputy
Director,
we
were
basically
rebuffed
and
the
lease
sales
were
approved.
We
are
now
left
with
limited
options.
Do
we
continue
to
petition
and
appeal
and
get
nowhere
or
file
a
lawsuit
in
Antrim
County
Circuit
Court?
Accordingly,
FOJ
has
estab‐
lished
a
Legal
Action
Fund
to
prepare
for
a
protract‐
ed
legal
struggle.
Meanwhile,
Michigan
Land
Air
Water
Defense
(MLAWD)
filed
suit
in
Barry
County
Circuit
Court
on
October
23,
2012
and
called
for
a
halt
to
leasing
protected
public
lands
in
Barry
and
Allegan
coun‐
ties.
Their
lawsuit
is
based
on
many
of
the
same
principles
we
have
put
forth.
There
are
many
other
groups
and
individuals
all
across
the
state
who
are
equally
opposed
to
the
dev‐
astating
impacts
of
fracking.
FOJ
hopes
our
efforts
will
help
unite
and
organize
these
voices.
We
have
and
are
communicating
constantly
with
these
groups,
sharing
ideas,
data
and
concerns.
Litigation
is
expensive
and
controversial.
No
one
group
or
individual
can
do
it
alone,
but
together
as
a
unified
coalition,
we
can.
Too
much
is
at
stake
to
ignore
this
pending
disaster
and
just
let
it
happen.
We
welcome
your
comments,
concerns
and
of
course,
your
support.
There
is
no
compelling
reason
to
risk
spoiling
irreplaceable
places
like
the
Jordan
Valley
for
oil
and
gas
extraction.
–
John
Richter,
President,
Friends
of
the
Jordan
FOJ,
Fracking
and
Legal
Intervention...
continued
from
page
1
2012
Young
Friends
Program
Concludes
Successful
Summer

FOJ
President
Calls
on
NRC
to
be
Responsible
Mr.
Tim
Nichols,
Chair,
Michigan
Natural
Resources
Commission
September
13,
2012
Dear
Chairperson
Nichols
and
Honor‐
able
Members
of
the
Commission,
My
name
is
Dr.
John
Richter.
I
am
the
President
of,
and
here
to
represent
the
grass‐roots,
conservation/environ‐
mental
nonprofit
organization,
Friends
of
the
Jordan
River
Watershed
Inc.
(FOJ).
I
live
in
the
Jordan
Valley.
The
spring
fed
Jordan
River
is
the
largest
tributary
to
the
second
most
beautiful
lake
in
the
nation,
Lake
Charlevoix.
The
legendary
Jordan
River
possesses
the
highest
water
quality
of
any
river
meas‐
ured
in
Northern
Michigan.
These
price‐
less
natural
resources
and
the
quality
of
life
of
those
of
us
who
live
there
are
threatened
by
the
potential
adverse
impacts
of
pending
deep
shale,
slick
water
hydrofracking
(Fracking).
FOJ
has
been
seriously
involved
in
oil
and
gas
issues
for
nearly
twenty
years.
We
helped
lead
a
state
wide
coali‐
tion
which
led
to
the
reform
of
Michi‐
gan’s
Oil
and
Gas
Law
of
1939.
As
a
result,
six
new
laws
were
enacted
into
law
and
prompted
then
Governor
Engler,
in
his
State
of
the
State
Address
to
say,
“Measures
must
be
taken
to
pro‐
tect
special
places
like
the
Jordan
Valley
from
oil
and
gas
drilling.”
At
that
time,
Governor
Engler
was
referring
to
the
Antrim
Gas
Play,
not
the
far
more
destructive
current
practice
known
as
Fracking.
While
preparing
for
this
meeting
I
was
challenged
by
how
to
condense
into
a
three
to
five
minute
presentation
the
vast
volumes
of
data,
scientific
analyses
and
personal
testimonies
documenting
the
incredibly
destructive
impacts
of
Fracking.
What
could
I
say
that,
by
virtue
of
your
seat
on
this
Commission,
you
shouldn’t
already
know?
The
evi‐
dence
is
overwhelming
and
the
facts
are
irrefutable.
One
needs
to
spend
only
a
short
amount
of
time
studying
these
issues
to
realize
the
devastating
and
long
lasting
adverse
environmental
impacts
resulting
from
Fracking.
Upon
review,
it
quickly
becomes
apparent
6 JORDAN VALLEY VOICES • FALL 2012
Almost
100
citizens
turned
out
for
the
Michigan
Natural
Resources
Commission
September
 13
 in
 Lansing.
 Invariably,
 those
 attending
 voiced
 concerns
 about
hydraulic
fracturing
in
Michigan,
representing
individuals
and
organizations
from
across
the
state.
that
our
regulatory
agencies
and
statutes,
even
if
they
were
not
exempt‐
ed
from
oversight,
are
ill‐equipped
and
unprepared
to
manage
this
behemoth.
Fracking,
as
we
know
it
today,
is
simply
unmanageable
and
should
be
banned.
Several
years
ago,
when
T.
Boone
Pickens
proclaimed
that
there
were
vast
reserves
of
natural
gas
right
here
in
America
which
could
be
recovered
pro‐
viding
good
jobs
for
American
workers,
I
was
ecstatic.
At
last,
I
thought,
a
clean
burning
fossil
fuel
that
could
serve
as
a
bridge
to
renewable
energy
and
help
pull
us
out
of
this
recession.
Then
I
began
to
learn
the
real
facts
about
Fracking.
My
enthusiasm
quickly
faded
and
I
became
alarmed.
FOJ
and
many
other
groups
started
compiling
report
after
report,
worldwide,
of
the
devastat‐
ing
impacts
of
Fracking.
Its
carbon
foot‐
print
is
larger
than
coal!
It
became
abundantly
clear
that
the
steep
price
of
this
extraction
far
outweighed
any
ben‐
efits.
About
the
same
time
the
industry
unveiled
its
highly
successful
advertis‐
ing
and
public
relations
campaign.
We
then
learned
that
the
industry
was
care‐
fully
exempted
from
hard
won
environ‐
mental
protective
measures
like
the
Clean
Air
Act,
Clean
Water
Act,
Safe
Drinking
Water
Act
and
others.
Clearly,
those
in
power
knew
beforehand
how
destructive
Fracking
is
and
would
not
be
tolerated
under
current
law.
Further‐
more,
the
industry
along
with
our
State’s
collaboration,
vigorously
leased
public
lands
at
unprecedented
bargain
rates
before
the
public
was
aware
of
the
consequences.
These
actions
were
and
are
dishonest,
misleading,
probably
ille‐
gal
and
certainly
unethical.
After
careful
and
detailed
analysis,
we
cannot
think
of
any
other
extractive
process
with
greater,
more
far
reaching,
long
lasting,
adverse
environmental,
economic,
social
and
moral
impacts
for
present
and
future
generations.
Frack‐
ing
damages
everything
it
touches,
our
air,
waters,
lands,
people
and
the
public
trust
for
now
and
in
the
future.
It
delib‐
erately
pollutes
and
destroys
uncon‐
scionable
volumes
of
fresh
water
and
has
the
potential
to
destroy
the
high
quality
tourist
and
agricultural
economy
of
Northern
Michigan.
It
does
not
make
us
energy
independent
and
actually
sets
back
the
strides
we
have
made
toward
true
clean
and
renewable
energy
like
wind
and
solar.
As
one
Pennsylvania
farmer
said
after
leasing
and
developing
his
now
polluted
farm,
“I
can
afford
to
move
wherever
I
want.”
Sadly,
most
of
his
neighbors
can’t
or
don’t
want
to,
but
they
are
stuck
with
the
mess.
Commissioners,
this
issue
requires
your
careful
consideration
and
when
continued
next
page

FALL 2012 • JORDAN VALLEY VOICES 7
To:

Natural
Resource
Commission
September
13,
2012
My
name
is
Anne
Zukowski,
from
Charlevoix,
Michigan.
I
represent
Don’t
Frack
Michigan,
a
grassroots
communi‐
ty
group.
We
are
here
today
to
ask
the
Natural
Resource
Commission
to
ban
fracking
on
state
land.
I
have
here
a
stack
of
4,000
signatures
of
northern
Michigan
residents
who
signed
a
peti‐
tion
calling
for
a
ban
on
fracking.

Other
groups
around
the
state
are
also
circu‐
lating
petitions.
Over
100
municipalities
around
the
country
have
passed
resolu‐
tions
against
fracking,
including
Detroit,
Wayne
County
and
Cross
Village.
Frack‐
ing
has
been
banned
in
the
state
of
Ver‐
mont,
in
France,
South
Africa
and
Que‐
bec.
We
add
our
voices
with
theirs
to
show
the
widespread
opposition
to
this
destructive
practice.
Now,
we’ve
all
seen
the
gas
compa‐
ny
ads
on
TV
extolling
drilling
as
safe
and
clean.
But
think
about
it
–
if
frack‐
ing
is
so
safe,
why
did
the
gas
industry
lobby
for
and
receive
exemptions
from
environmental
laws
such
as
the
Clean
Water
Act,
the
Clean
Air
Act,
and
the
Superfund
Act.
If
Michigan
has
such
great
regulations
to
protect
our
envi‐
ronment,
why
are
gas
and
oil
companies
exempt
from
following
the
Water
With‐
drawal
Rules?
We
are
surrounded
by
water,
it’s
what
defines
our
state.
Yet
gas
compa‐
nies
using
horizontal
fracking
are
allowed
to
confiscate,
squander
and
pol‐
lute
enormous
quantities
of
water
at
the
expense
of
farmers,
other
businesses
the
public
and
the
environment.
Gas
companies
claim
that
fracking
has
never
caused
groundwater
contamination.
THIS
IS
A
LIE!
Contamination
occurs
EVERY
TIME
a
well
is
fracked.
Five
to
eight
million
gallons
of
fresh
water
are
mixed
with
sand
and
toxic
chemicals
to
blow
apart
the
shale
and
release
the
gas.
This
water
is
now
so
toxic
it
can
never
be
returned
to
the
hydrologic
cycle.
Just
because
the
contamination
is
intentional
and
part
of
the
fracking
process
does
not
make
the
water
any
less
polluted.
Now
picture
Michigan
with
hundreds
or
thousands
of
horizon‐
tal
fracking
wells,
each
using
millions
of
gallons
of
water.
How
will
this
affect
our
rivers,
streams,
water
wells,
farmers
and
tourism
industry?
Look
around
–
every
state
allowing
horizontal
fracking
has
experienced
serious
damage
to
drinking
water,
freshwater
aquifers,
rivers,
streams,
wildlife,
human
health
and
air
quality.
Horizontal
fracking
not
only
poisons
water,
but
also
creates
heavy
industrial
sites
in
our
state
forests.
How
will
the
“Pure
Michigan”
campaign
to
bring
tourist
dollars
to
our
state
fare
when
our
woods
are
turned
into
industrial
sites
with
well
pads,
roads,
24‐hour
truck
and
heavy
equipment
traffic,
com‐
pression
stations,
constant
noise
and
air
pollution?
Fracking
on
state
land
is
incompatible
with
use
by
hunters,
fish‐
ermen,
snowmobiles,
mushroom
hunters,
campers
and
hikers.
Still
think
fracking
can
be
done
safe‐
ly?
Even
the
gas
industry
does
not
believe
their
own
propaganda.
Here’s
how
Cabot
Energy
described
fracking
in
their
report
to
the
Securities
Exchange
Commission:
“Our
business
involves
a
variety
of
operating
risks,
including
well
site
blowouts;
cratering
and
explosions;
equipment
failures;
uncontrolled
flows
of
natural
gas,
oil
or
well
fluids;
fires;
formations
with
abnormal
pressures;
pollution
and
other
environmental
risks;
and

natural
disasters.
Any
of
these
events
could
result
in
injury
or
loss
of
human
life,
loss
of
hydrocarbons,
significant
damage
to
or
destruction
of
property,
environmental
pollution…”
State
forest
lands,
rivers,
lakes
and
streams
belong
to
THE
PEOPLE
in
Michigan.
Our
land
should
not
be
auc‐
tioned
off
just
for
the
benefit
of
a
few
multinational
corporations.
We
call
on
the
Natural
Resource
Commission
and
the
DNR
to
lead
the
charge
to
protect
our
public
land
and
ban
leasing
to
gas
and
oil
interests.
I
present
these
petitions
to
you
today
and
ask
that
you
take
this
oppor‐
tunity
to
protect
the
health
and
welfare
of
the
people
and
environment
in
Michi‐
gan
and
ban
fracking
on
state
land.
Sincerely,
Anne
Zukowski
Charlevoix,
Michigan
49720
More
available
online
at
Don’t
Frack
Michigan
www.dontfrackmichigan.org
Calls
on
NRC
to
be
responsible...
Don’t
Frack
Michigan
Petitions
NRC
to
Act
you
do,
there
is
no
other
conclusion
you
can
make.
Stop
this
pending
lease
sale
and
rescind
previous
leases.
Ban
Frack‐
ing
in
Michigan.
Empower
rather
than
hinder
local
communities
to
safeguard
the
quality
of
their
lives.
Be
the
respon‐
sible
stewards
of
Michigan’s
Living
Legacies
and
uphold
the
Public
Trust
Doctrine.
Governor
Milliken
once
said,
“Two
thousand
years
ago
a
great
philosopher
said
that
a
man
who
gains
all
the
wealth
of
the
world
will
not
profit
if
in
the
process
he
loses
his
soul.
In
Michigan,
our
soul
is
not
to
be
found
in
steel
and
concrete,
or
the
sprawling
new
housing
developments
or
strip
malls.
Rather
it
is
found
in
the
soft
pedals
of
a
trillium,
the
gentle
whisper
of
a
headwater
stream,
the
vista
of
a
Great
Lake
shoreline,
and
the
wonder
in
children’s
eyes
upon
see‐
ing
their
first
bald
eagle.
It
is
that
soul
we
must
preserve.”
Commissioners,
you
have
the
power
and
the
responsibility
for
now
and
future
generations
to
ensure
this
legacy
does
not
die.
Stop
this
lease
sale
and
ban
Fracking
in
Michigan.
Sincerely,
Dr.
John
W.
Richter
President,
Friends
of
the
Jordan
River
Watershed
Inc.

FOJ President
John
Richter,
Leonard
Coombs
of
the
Bentley
Library,
and
Jo
Anne
Beemon
of
the
FOJ Board
look
through
some
of
the
historical
materials
donated
by
the
FOJ
to
the
University
of
Michigan
for
archiving
and
preservation.
U
of
M’s
Bentley
Library
Acquires
FOJ
Archives
The
Friends
of
the
Jordan
has
donated
its
20‐year‐plus
historical
archive
to
the
University
of
Michigan’s
Bentley
Historical
Library,
ensuring
its
care
and
preservation
for
generations
to
come.
The
library
has
over
7,500
collections
of
“all
aspects
of
state
history,
with
an
emphasis,
at
least
since
the
‘60s,
on
conservation
and
environmentalism,”
according
to
the
Bentley’s
Leonard
Coombs,
who
visited
East
Jordan
in
Octo‐
ber.
“My
job
is
to
bring
in
collections
that
people
are
going
to
use.”
Donated
materials
will
be
cataloged
and
digitized
in
a
searchable
online
format.
Established
in
1935,
the
Bentley
Historical
Library
has
over
30,000
lineary
feet
of
archives,
57,000
printed
volumes,
1.5
million
photos
and
visual
materi‐
al,
and
over
10,000
maps.
There
is
no
charge
to
use
the
Ann
Arbor
library.
Find
it
online
at
www.bentley.umich.edu
It
was
1910,
before
most
folks
had
a
car
or
even
a
telephone.
This
postcard,
postmarked
March
31,
1910
and
titled
“Trout
Fishing,
Jordan
River,”
was
sent
from
a
Margaret
in
East
Jordan
all
the
way
to
a
Ruth
Walbrecht
in
Central
Lake
for
a
penny.
From
the
collection
of
Tim
and
Lynne
Goodwin.
8 JORDAN VALLEY VOICES • FALL 2012
FOJ
Eyes
Solutions...
continued
from
page
1
upstream
from
the
bridge
on
state‐owned
land;
the
other
where
the
natural
gas
pipeline
crosses
under
the
river
about
a
mile
down‐
stream
from
the
bridge,
a
site
already
much
abused
as
a
recreational
stop‐off.
The
upstream
landing
would
address
safety
issues
along
Old
State
Rd.,
eliminate
encroachment
on
private
property
downstream
of
the
bridge,
and
limit
erosion
of
the
riverbanks.
The
committee
met
with
Matt
Kleitch
of
the
Michigan
DEQ
Water
Resources
Division
on
a
site
visit
in
early
August
to
determine
next
steps
in
preparing
a
formal
application
to
the
state
DNR.
Heidi
Shaffer,
Antrim
County
Soil
Erosion
Officer
and
a
member
of
the
FOJ
committee,
is
preparing
the
application
and
drawings
for
the
landings
project,
which
will
be
presented
before
the
end
of
the
year.
If
the
CRA
grant
proposal
is
accepted,
it
would
provide
$30,000,
coupled
with
another
$30,000
in
cash
and
in‐kind
dollars,
for
engi‐
neering
studies.
“During
an
engineering
phase,
CRA
will
work
with
Antrim
County
Road
Com‐
mission
and
partners
to
bid
out
engineering
to
interested
firms,
award
an
engineering
contract,
do
soil
borings,
explore
cross‐
ing
structure
alternatives,
address
both
transporta‐
Kim
Balke,
CRA
tion
and
recreational
issues,
complete
design
for
a
new
crossing,
and
develop
an
engineer’s
estimate
for
con‐
struction,”
said
Kim
Balke,
project
manager
and
biologist
with
the
CRA.
The
Natural
Resources
Conservation
Ser‐
vice
(NRCS)
and
the
Grand
Traverse
Band
of
Ottawa
and
Chippewa
Indians
are
exploring
funding
options
for
future
bridge
construction
at
the
site.
During
a
visit
in
September,
the
NRCS
Traverse
City
office
completed
an
“Inventory
and
Evaluation”
of
the
site.
“The
most
significant
finding
was
that
the
culverts
constrict
the
stream
so
much
that
velocities
at
the
outlet
in
the
plunge
pool
measured
up
to
five
times
the
velocity
of
the
Jordan
River
upstream!”
said
Balke.
“That
is
definitely
a
velocity
barrier
to
aquatic
species
–
some
fish
and
bugs
simply
cannot
swim
upriver
through
such
fast
flows.”
The
Friends
of
the
Jordan
has
worked
for
remedial
action
for
several
years.

FALL 2012 • JORDAN VALLEY VOICES 9
D r.
Chris
Grobbel,
President
of
Grobbel
Environ‐
mental
and
Planning
Associates,
gave
a
presenta‐
tion
titled
“Frack‐
ing:
Oil
and
Gas
Development
in
Michigan;
History,
Regulation
and
Environmental
Risk,”
on
Septem‐
ber
22
in
Petoskey.
The
meeting
was
sponsored
by
Don’t
Frack
Michigan
and
Friends
of
the
Jor‐
dan,
and
was
attended
by
about
75
people.
The
event
took
place
on
Global
Frackdown
Day.
Similar
anti‐fracking
events
occurred
across
the
country
and
in
several
European
countries,
Canada,
Australia,
Russia,
and
South
Africa.
Grobbel,
a
former
DEQ
employee,
debunked
the
claim
by
the
gas
industry
and
the
DNR
and
DEQ
that
fracking
has
been
done
safely
in
Michigan
for
years.
He
pointed
out
that
the
regulatory
agencies
stopped
keeping
public
records
of
contamination
drill
sites
in
1995.
However,
Anglers
of
the
AuSable,
through
extensive
research
and
FOIA
requests,
uncovered
more
than
1,500
violations
of
environmental
laws
from
gas
and
oil
wells
in
the
AuSable
watershed
alone
over
the
past
two
decades.
Grobbel
described
how
the
new
horizontal
frack‐
ing
technology
is
causing
contamination
problems
in
many
areas
of
the
state.
Grobbel
warned
“Don’t
trust
regulators
—
watch
them,
be
vigilant.
The
federal
government,
the
state
and
certainly
the
industry
will
not
protect
you.”
–
Anne
Zukowski
Though
he’s
no
longer
a
resi‐
dent
of
DISH,
Tillman
still
serves
on
workgroups
with
members
of
the
state
legislature
regarding
regulation
of
the
natural
gas
industry,
and
is
active
with
the
Texas
Oil
and
Gas
Accountability
Project.
He
has
traveled
the
Unit‐
ed
States
speaking
on
responsible
drilling.
There
were
examples
of
oth‐
ers
affected,
as
well
as
Tillman’s
intimate
story
of
moving
from
DISH
to
protect
the
health
of
his
two
sons.

He
also
showed
photos
and
stories
of
what
to
expect
if
you
are
living
in
“Gasland.”
“People
in
our
community,
including
my
two
young
boys,
have
been
overcome
at
times
with
strong
chemical
odors,”
he
says.
“We’ve
watched
our
roads
be
in
a
constant
state
of
congestion
and
in
need
of
repair
due
to
the
stress
of
relentless
heavy
traffic.”
Tillman
was
featured
in
the
award
winning,
Oscar‐nominated
documentary
Gasland,
and
also
Detroit
PBS
documentary
Beyond
the
Light
Switch.
C alvin
Tillman,
former
mayor
of
DISH,
Texas,
spoke
to
audi‐
ences
in
Harbor
Springs,
Gaylord,
Charlevoix,
and
Traverse
City
this
past
August
on
the
impacts
natu‐
ral
gas
exploration
and
horizontal
hydraulic
fracturing
had
on
his
small
town
in
Texas,
one
turned
into
an
industrial
zone
with
foul
chemical
odors.
It
finally
forced
him
to
leave
DISH
for
the
health
of
his
family.
His
visit
was
made
possible
by
Don’t
Frack
Michigan
and
spon‐
sored
by
10
other
groups
includ‐
ing
the
Friends
of
the
Jordan
River
Watershed.
Tillman’s
presentation
cov‐
ered
the
battle
he
faced
as
mayor
of
DISH
in
trying
to
protect
fellow
citizens
from
the
negative
effects
the
natural
gas
industry
was
hav‐
ing
on
his
community.
With
little
budget,
DISH
commissioned
an
independent
air
quality
study
near
a
large
natural
gas
compres‐
sion
station.
The
testing
was
among
the
first
of
its
kind.
Till‐
man
was
active
in
pursuing
state
legislation
regarding
the
routing
of
natural
gas
pipelines
as
well
as
the
powers
pipeline
companies
had
been
given.
A
resolution
was
passed
by
the
town
of
DISH
regarding
the
issues
and
was
passed
by
40
other
towns
in
Texas,
representing
more
than
a
million
people.
Video
of
Cal
Tillman’s
address
is
available
at
www.friendsofthejordan.org.
For
more
information
on
the
effects
of
hydraulic
fracturing,
visit
www.dontfrackmichigan.org.
We
note
with
sadness
the
death
of
Irene
Marjorie
Sayer,
78,
in
September.
Irene’s
husband,
Bob
Sayer,
who
died
earlier
this
year,
was
a
longtime
member
on
the
FOJ
Board.
He
was
remembered
in
the
last
issue
of
the
Jordan
Valley
Voices.
Both
were
ardent
supporters
of
the
Jordan
River.
*



*



*
We
also
note
the
death
in
September
of
William
Drenth,
92,
who
was
part
of
the
“Save
the
Jordan”
movement
of
the
1960s,
which
led
to
the
Jordan
River
being
designated
Michigan’s
first
Wild
and
Scenic
River
in
1971.
IN PASSING
Former
DISH,
TX
Mayor
Shares
His
Story
of
What
Happens
When
Fracking
Comes
to
Town
‘Don’t
trust
regulators
–
watch
them,
be
vigilant.’
Grobbel
tells
audience
Calvin
Tillman
Chris
Grobbel
at
Petoskey’s
Carnegie
Library
in
September.

PO Box
412
East
Jordan,
MI
49727
‘T ake
a
look
at
your
natural
river.
What
are
you?
Stop
playing
games
with
yourself.
Where's
your
river
going?
Are
you
rid‐
ing
with
it?
Or
are
you
rowing
against
it?
Don't
you
see
that
there
is
no
effort
if
you're
riding
with
your
river?”
–Frederick
(Carl)
Frieseke
(American
born
French
Painter,
1874­1939)
VISIONS OF THE VALLEY
Portraits
of
Nature
2013
T he
votes
are
in
and
the
judge’s
decision
made,
and
the
result
is
another
stunning
Friends
of
the
Jordan
Calendar.
The
2013
full­color
edition
with
photographs
of
the
JordanRiver
Valley
by
area
photographers,
from
youth
to
seniors,
is
available
online,
or
at
the
Jordan
Valley
Animal
Clinic
in
East
Jordan,
Bier
Art
Gallery
in
Charlevoix,
and
Freshwater
Studio
in
Boyne
City.
Perfect
for
wherever
you
hang
your
hat.
Or
your
family
and
friends
too.
See
page
3
for
details
or
online
at
www.friendsofthejordan.org