Skegemog Wilderness Area Newsletter – 2011

SPRING MEETING OF SKEGEMOG WILDERNESS STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE – WEDNESDAY, MAY 11, 2011
It is indeed a good feeling to look out on Lake Skegemog and once again see open water, after a very long winter season. We do hope that some of you were able to get over to the wildlife area to do a little snowshoeing or cross country skiing, before the snow finally melted. It is always very beautiful when everything is snow covered during the winter. We were able to enjoy some ideal snow conditions in the wildlife area, this year. Lower than normal snowfall made it easy to cut a ski trail along the rail bed. Now, with the last of the snow piles disappearing before our eyes, it is time to start thinking ahead to this year’s projects and adventures in the Skegemog Wildlife area. In this issue of the newsletter, we would like to review some of last year’s activities and look ahead to some of the projects that we are planning for 2011. We would also like to make you aware of some of the issues we are watching, which could have a serious impact on the wildlife area and potentially the entire chain of lakes.

What happened in 2010?
The year started with an annual meeting at the Hausers’ house on Skegemog Point Rd. We had a good turnout and good discussion regarding the upcoming activity for the season.

On May 21st we got off to a good start reopening the pathways that had been blocked by fallen branches and trees. In some areas, vegetation was starting to grow into the pathway. That will be a continuing problem in the coming years and may take a couple of pruning days through the season just to keep the pathways open.

On May 29th Bob Carstens conducted a wildlife tour to view spring flowers and some of the many varieties of birds that live in the wildlife area.

It was good to see that the “beaver deceiver” which we built in 2009, was continuing to function and the boardwalk was mostly dry and useable. The “beaver deceiver” you may remember, is a sixty foot long piece of black plastic pipe which allows water to go through the beaver dam without the beaver realizing that water is flowing under the dam. It allows us to set the water level for the boardwalk without damaging the beavers’ habitat.

The main viewing platform overlooking the swamp is about 35 years old and it is starting to show its age. Last summer we had planned to reinforce the platform structure using a series of diagonal cross braces. On the first attempt, we encountered some equipment problems which kept us from completing the job. Then a few other attempts got rained out. Therefore, that project remains high on the priority list.

An exciting addition to the Skegemog Wildlife area is a greatly improved parking area and pathway access on the west end of the wildlife area, immediately east of the Barker Creek Nursery. We have partnered with the crew at Barker Creek to clear a path across what was the former Helen Ray property and then remove some of the old earthen barriers. When I say “we,” it has been mostly Barker Creek people and equipment that have done the hard work. Thanks for your help

Watching for the Loons
Common loons are often seen on the lakes in our area, especially at the south end of Lake Skegemog along the Wildlife Area shore line. For the past few years these beautiful black and white birds, however, have been unsuccessful at nesting and raising chicks on Lake Skegemog and Elk Lake. Based on successful nesting programs on other area lakes, there will be a concerted effort this summer to gather information on where our loons are congregating and where they are most likely to be productive. Loon “scouts” will be trained to look for loons, document the sighting date and time and report the data throughout the summer. With this information and collaboration with the Elk-Skegemog Lakes Association (ESLA) we will evaluate the possibility of location a nesting platform on one or both lakes.

If you are interested in helping, let us know if you see loons, remember the location, date and time and forward that information to Dale Claudepierre at 322-2892 or via email at ginidale70@gmail.com.

Invasive Species continue to attack
It seems that every year we are hearing about another invasive species invading our region or we are seeing a greater impact of invasive species that have been around a few years. Even though we have been hearing about the Emerald Ash Borer for a number of years now, the damaging effects of these pests are hitting our area harder than ever despite DNR efforts to curb the transport of infected ash trees. It is hard to tell if a tree is affected until it is too late. The borers eat the living part of the tree just under the bark, thereby killing the tree. Woodpeckers then feast on the borers by tearing away the outer part of the bark. That leaves the tree with large splotchy tan spots on the bark. At that point you know that the tree is done for. We are seeing dead ash trees in the wildlife area and all across the area. When we see this destruction, it reinforces the need for the state to control the movement of firewood

Phragmites continues to be a problem across the area. There is the native variety and a much more aggressive invasive variety which is very dense and grows to a height of 12 to 15 feet tall. Fortunately, so far we are only seeing the native variety in and around the wildlife area. If you do spot what you think may be the invasive variety in the shallows or near the water’s edge, please report it to us or to local authorities.

Garlic mustard is another invasive plant that is getting more and more attention. It was brought to this country by early settlers, and it is now working its way across the country. This very prolific plant spreads and grows quickly, shading ground and keeping other species from growing. The seeds are tiny and they adhere to fur and feet of animals. The seeds can survive up to five years before taking root is a suitable location.

You can learn more about Phragmites and Garlic mustard seed by going to www.michigan.gov/deq/. If you see these invasive plants when you are visiting the wildlife area, please let us know. Our contact information is at the end of this letter.

We’re online.
We are online with help from our friends at the Elk Skegemog Lakes Association (ESLA). They have recently updated their website at www.elk-skegemog.org. When you go to the site, just click on the Environmental Issues “drop-down” and there we are. In addition to a brief program overview, you can also read our latest newsletter. While you’re on the site you can read about some of the many issues being addressed by the lake association.

Hydro-electric dam re-licensure. As we have reported in the past, our committee continues to monitor the Elk Rapids dam re-licensure progress. Currently, the company operating the hydroelectric facility is maintaining the dam and the water level throughout the Elk Skegemog basin. Without the re-licensure, maintenance of the dam is in question. Without the dam the entire character of the Elk Skegemog basin is in jeopardy. So, we urge your support of this important project.

What’s ahead for 2011?
It seems that there is never a shortage of projects for our small but ever growing taskforce of volunteers. Here are a few of the projects being considered which will be discussed in greater detail at our annual spring meeting on May 11, 2011.

1. Maintaining existing pathways, to include spring cleanup of fallen trees and branches and trimming new growth which obstructs the pathways. That usually starts on our spring cleanup day which is on Saturday, May 21st, starting at 9 a.m., at the Rapid City Rd. turnoff. We expect to be done by noon. After working, we usually go to Rapid City to have lunch at the Cone Corral.

2. Reinforce the swamp platform structure.

3. Continue to pursue a solution for the crumbling buildings in the Three Ponds area.

4. We also plan to clear brush along the portion of the pathway between Barker Creek and the three ponds area.

5. Extending the pathways beyond their present boundaries. Specific ideas are improving some of the pathways north of the North Shore pathway, and perhaps adding a new pathway to the southern Torch River area.

6. We intend to prepare accurate GPS maps of the pathways and we will continue to improve markings for trails

7. Spraying for poison ivy near the sides of the pathway.

8. And last we will plan to end the season with another annual picnic. The date and details are to be announced.

The Wednesday, May 11, 2011, spring meeting of the Skegemog Wildlife Stewardship committee will be held again at the Hausers’ house at 9240 Skegemog Point Rd. at 7:00 p.m. I promise not to go past 9:00 p.m. We hope that you can join us for our meeting and one or more of our activities. We’re not even asking for any dues or donations. If you have any questions or issues we can discuss, please contact me at (231) 620-5750 or dave@davehauser.net. You can also contact Dale Claudepierre at (248) 644-7614 or ginidale70@gmail.com . Thank you.

Sincerely,

Dave Hauser