Lessons Learned from Fish Spawning Reef Restoration in the St. Clair Detroit River System. Photo Credit: Adam Lintz

Transcription

1 Lessons Learned from Fish Spawning Reef Restoration in the St. Clair Detroit River System Photo Credit: Adam Lintz

2 Outline and Presenters Jennifer Read, University of Michigan Water Center Introduction and team process Mary Bohling, Michigan Sea Grant Stakeholder engagement Rachel Echtinaw, SmithGroup JJR Reef siting and design Jim Boase, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Monitoring and evaluation Questions for presenters and two funders: Todd Hogrefe (NFWF) and Terry Heatlie (NOAA)

3 The Reef Restoration Team Scientists USGS, FWS, MDNR, U-M Team Facilitators UM Water Center and Michigan Sea Grant Design Engineers SmithGroup JJR Fishery Managers MDNR, FWS Outreach Specialists Michigan Sea Grant Local Champions & Partners Sturgeon for Tomorrow, DTE Energy, AOC Council Grant Managers UM Water Center and Michigan Sea Grant Advisors Fluvial Geomorphologists, Lake Carriers Association

4 The St. Clair Detroit River System

5 St. Clair Detroit River System Historically Huge runs of fish spawned here. Largest commercial GL fishery in late 1800s. Today Origin of much of Lake Erie s fishery, $2 billion/yr. More than 65 species of fish. 16 are threatened or endangered Largest remaining population of lake sturgeon in the Great Lakes. One of the few remaining free flowing, large rivers in region.

6 Native Fish Restoration Lake sturgeon Walleye Lake whitefish Northern madtom Others: suckers, perch, bass

7 Navigation Channels Detroit River, : Created 60 miles of shipping channels Removed more than 60 million cubic yards of material Covered 15.5 square miles of river bottom Bennion and Manny 2011

8 Loss of Spawning Habitat

9 One Approach Constructed Spawning Reefs Photo Credit: Adam Lintz

10 Six Completed Reef Projects

11 Many Lessons Learned 1. Adaptive management 2. Stakeholder engagement 3. Reef siting and design 4. Monitoring and evaluation

12 Middle Channel Reef, St. Clair River (2012)

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14 Hardness Index (Todd Wills, MDNR) 2012 Red most hard Green least hard 1 meter 2 resolution 2013

15 I. Lessons Learned Team Process Jennifer Read, UM Water Center Diverse input Team coordination Adaptive management

16 New Advisors, New Techniques Reef hydrodynamics workshop Feedback on siting and physical assessment Reef design modeling

17 A Well Rounded Restoration Team Scientists USGS, FWS, MDNR, U-M Team Facilitators UM Water Center and Michigan Sea Grant Design Engineers SmithGroup JJR Fishery Managers MDNR, FWS Outreach Specialists Michigan Sea Grant Local Champions & Partners Sturgeon for Tomorrow, DTE Energy, AOC Council Grant Managers UM Water Center and Michigan Sea Grant Advisors Fluvial Geomorphologists, Lake Carriers Association

18 Collaboration and Coordination Develop appropriate and rewarding roles Dedicate resources for coordination and facilitation Consistently acknowledge everyone s contributions Accommodate different styles of participation Talk openly about concerns. Seek multiple perspectives

19 An Adaptive Management Process

20 II. Lessons Learned Engagement Mary Bohling, Michigan Sea Grant Team engagement Integration with larger plans Communication with funders and stakeholders Consultation with users

21 Team Engagement Regional, cross-agency initiatives Proximity and relationships Early successes and challenges Recent funding - Great Lakes Restoration Initiative St. Clair Detroit River System Initiative

22 Integration with Larger Plans St. Clair and Detroit River AOC plans Sturgeon for Tomorrow

23 Communicating with Funders and Stakeholders

24 Communicating with funders and stakeholders What have we learned? What can we expect? How will the reefs benefit me?

25 Consultation with Users

26 Stakeholder Engagement Lessons Learned: Maintain team communications Consider a wide range of projects Understand potential conflicts Establish relationships with a broad range of stakeholders Foster relationships with local champions Be proactive in communications at all levels Admit shortcomings and celebrate successes

27 III. Lessons Learned Site Selection and Design Rachel Echtinaw, SmithGroupJJR Team effort of: Biologists Geologists Engineers Contractors Industry Experts Data Utilized: Physical Data Ecological Data Published Research Constructability Cost

28 Determining the Right Location Many Considerations to Determine the Reef Location Two Phases: 1. Prioritizing Restoration Locations Computer Modelling 2. Narrowing Down the Restoration Location Field Investigation

29 Phase 1: Prioritizing Restoration Locations GIS Model Additional Considerations: Proximity to Historic or Existing Spawning Locations Known Contamination Sediment Transport Bennion and Manny 2014, Journal of Great Lakes Research 40: 43-51

30 Phase 2: Narrowing Down the Restoration Location Field Investigations: Water Velocity ADCP Data Bathymetry and Sediment Characteristics Side Scan Sonar Underwater Video Scuba Diving Biological Activity Egg Collection Adult Fish Surveys Hydrodynamic Modeling: USGS Geomorphology and Sediment Transport Laboratory

31 Reef Design Reef Location within the Channel 2. Reef Shape 3. Reef Material Initial Projects - Experimental Spanned the channel Recent Projects Refined One large reef Optimally located within the channel 2015

32 Reef Shape Current Design Flat Surface Computer Model of Alternative Shapes Laura Alford, U-M

33 Reef Material Materials Tested: Coal Cinders Rounded Field Stone Rock Mixture Invasive Species Considerations Sea Lamprey Round Goby 4-8 Diameter Angular Limestone Locally Quarried, Inspected and Transported to Site

34 Project Permitting State Permit (MDEQ) Adjacent Landowner Permission Federal Permit (USACE) Public Comment International Review (DoS and DFAIT) Water Levels and Flow National Environmental Protection Act Environmental Assessment State Historic Preservation Office Review Rare Species Review (MNFI)

35 Construction Methods Crane and Clamshell Bucket Dump Barge

36 Construction Oversight Competitive Bidding (U-M) On-Going Communication with Contractor Final Construction Verification Bathymetric Survey Underwater Video Daily report: 410 tons 4,090 square feet Continued Monitoring

37 IV. Lessons Learned Monitoring Jim Boase, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Comprehensive monitoring Robust evaluation of changes Techniques that match the system

38 FWS, MDNR, OMNR Extensive Biological Monitoring USGS USGS U-M, FWS

39 Enhanced Physical Assessment Side scan sonar Underwater video ADCP (flow) Hydrodynamic modeling Scuba diving Upstream sediment sources Dredging records

40 Robust Evaluation of Changes Before After Control Impact Upstream/downstream comparisons for fish larvae Bouckaert et al. 2014

41 General Recommendations for Monitoring 1. Match the spatial and temporal extent of the biological responses and physical stressors 2. Monitor the physical and biological changes 3. Use consistent methods over time 4. Measure quantitative response variables From McLean et al. 2015

42 For More Information Table of Contents I. The Case for Fish Habitat Restoration II. An Adaptive Management Framework III. An Adaptive Management Team IV. Planning a Spawning Reef Project V. Avoiding Issues with Navigation and Sedimentation VI. Project Permitting, Construction and Monitoring VII. Selected Results and Outcomes VIII. Spawning Reef Project Case Studies

43 Many Partners to Thank Michigan Coastal Management Program

44 Questions and Comments? Jennifer Read, U-M Water Center Introduction and team process Mary Bohling, Michigan Sea Grant Stakeholder engagement Rachel Echtinaw, SmithGroup JJR Reef siting and design Jim Boase, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Monitoring and evaluation Todd Hogrefe, Sustain Our Great Lakes Terry Heatlie, NOAA Restoration Center