Conservation District to sponsor Torch Lake Watershed Project meeting May 26

During the Houghton Keweenaw Conservation District (HKCD) Apr. 22 annual meeting, Gina Nicholas, HKCD chair, speaks about the District's work with watershed projects. Here she describes the Cliff Mine area stamp sand remediation and historic preservation, part of HKCD's Eagle River Watershed Project. She also announced the upcoming May 26 meeting of the new Torch Lake Watershed Project. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

HOUGHTON -- The Torch Lake Watershed Project will hold a meeting from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 26, at the Great Lakes Research Center at Michigan Tech.* The Houghton Keweenaw Conservation District (HKCD) is sponsoring the meeting, which is free and open to the public.

"We want everybody who's interested in Torch Lake to come," said Gina Nicholas, HKCD chair, who announced the May 26 meeting during HKCD's annual meeting on Earth Day, Apr. 22, 2015:

During the Houghton Keweenaw Conservation District (HKCD) annual meeting on Apr. 22, 2015, HKCD Chair Gina Nicholas announces the May 26, 2015, meeting of the Torch Lake Watershed Project group, which will be sponsored by HKCD. (Videos by Keweenaw Now)

This meeting will feature guest speakers Bill Rose and Carol MacLennan who will review the geology of Torch Lake and the history of the industries around Torch Lake. The goal is to establish a base platform of knowledge for all who are interested in being involved with the greater project of developing a Watershed Management Plan for Torch Lake. The group is also working toward developing a Watershed Council to help guide the process of writing a management plan. Light refreshments will be provided.

RSVP is appreciated but not required. To RSVP or to receive more information contact Marcy Erickson at maericks@mtu.edu or call (906) 482-0214.

HKCD has worked for several years on the Eagle River Watershed Project and Management Plan. As part of that project, they recently worked on stamp sand remediation along with historic preservation at the Cliff Mine site in Keweenaw County. Gina Nicholas spoke about the Cliff project during HKCD's Apr. 22 annual meeting:

Gina Nicholas, Houghton Keweenaw Conservation District chair, speaks about HKCD's work of stamp sand remediation and historic preservation at the Cliff Mine site in Keweenaw County.

* Click here to access a map with directions to Michigan Tech's Great Lakes Research Center.