Meeting to learn about the organizations working to protect the Rogue River Watershed near Grand Rapids.
The Rogue River and its tributaries is a rare environmental and economic asset. The Rogue River Watershed is just a short drive north of Michigan’s second largest metropolitan area, Grand Rapids. As a major coldwater tributary to the Grand River and its close proximity to a large population center, the Rogue River is an extremely important trout fishery resource in southern Michigan. The Michigan DNR conducted spring and fall angler surveys above and below the Rockford Dam during 2002 and 2004. The survey estimated a total combined effort of 60,559 angling trips during this period. The combined value of these angling trips to the Rogue River was 1.45 million dollars or approximately $485,000 per year.
A variety of organizations and citizen groups are working to protect and restore this unique natural resource. To highlight these efforts, the Rogue River Watershed Council is sponsoring a public meeting on Monday, February 20 at the North Rockford Middle School cafeteria. Presentations include: The Home Rivers Initiative, trout-stream habitat improvement, wet lands protection, invasive species removal, and natural shoreline protection practices. In addition, a number of environmental organizations and ongoing initiatives that impact this watershed will be represented.
If you live, work, go to school, “play” in, or care about, The Rogue River Watershed, please feel free to attend on February 20. Doors open at 6:15; presentations from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. For more information, e-mail Gretchen at: prairieplanter@gmail.com
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