> Community News > Local News

Email: "Huron Creek Clean-up"
*To:		<--TO Email REQUIRED!
*From:		<--FROM Email REQUIRED!

HOUGHTON — It usually doesn’t snow on April 26, even in the Copper Country, so the organizers of a clean up of Huron Creek in Houghton expected to have a good crowd show up to lend a hand. Early on, only six hardy people braved the cold wind to pick up the trash in and on the banks of the creek, however.

John Hribljan from event organizers Society of Wetland Scientists, a student organization at Michigan Technological University, said although picking up trash at the creek is important in itself, there’s a larger reason for the effort.

“We (SWS) try to foster awareness of wetlands in the area and watersheds,” Hribljan said.

The group is involved with research, Hribljan said, but community events, such as the clean-up of Huron Creek, are important for developing awareness of the issues wetlands face.

“A lot of these systems are integral to the health of the area,” he said.

Also taking part in the clean up was SWS member and master’s candidate Linda Kersten, who is also a member of the Huron Creek Advisory Commission in Houghton.

Huron Creek begins near Green Acres Road and runs behind Wal-Mart and empties into the Portage Lake Shipping Canal.

Kersten said although Huron Creek is relatively small, it’s an important stream for the Houghton area and it faces threats from development around it, particularly runoff caused by the development.

The runoff causes erosion and transports chemicals, particularly petroleum products, into the creek. Invasive plant species, such as spotted knapweed, can push native species out of the creek.

Kersten said the Huron Creek watershed Advisory Commission, has been working with Houghton City Manager Scott MacInnes to develop a watershed management plan.

“The biggest thing is storm water management,” she said.

It’s storm water runoff from hard surfaces, such as parking lots and streets, that causes many of the problems streams face, Kersten said.

MacInnes is also creating a storm water ordinance for the city and working to control erosion at the Ray Kestner Waterfront Park where Huron Creek enters the canal, Kersten said. Portage Township Supervisor Bill Bingham is developing a storm water management ordinance.

Hribljan said the SWS intends to do projects at other streams in the area later in the year.



Kurt Hauglie can be reached at khauglie@mininggazette.com

 

Subscribe to The Daily Mining Gazette

Share: