USA: Pier 33 to Host Public Forum on Dredging

Pier 33 will be hosting a public forum Saturday March 16 regarding important environmental issues pertaining to Lake Michigan and the St. Joseph River, including lake levels, dredging and invasive species.

This forum is in conjunction with Pier 33’s Spring Open House and will be held at Pier 33’s showroom, 250 Anchors Way in St. Joseph, MI. The event is open to the public and admission is free. Refreshments are provided by Pier 33.

The keynote speaker is 79th District State Representative Al Pscholka. Rep. Pscholka will provide the local boating community with a key update from Lansing. As Co-chair of the bipartisan Waterways Caucus, Rep. Pscholka is at the forefront of legislative efforts to find near and long-term solutions to issues impacting recreational boating and commercial shipping in Michigan. Attendees will get the latest updates on all initiatives during this important meeting.

John Gruchot of Berrien County Community Development will also be on hand to provide area boaters with information regarding the status of the County’s efforts to bring together a comprehensive plan for dredging relief in Morrison Channel and the St. Joseph River.

The next featured presentation will be provided at 1 PM by Kim Fish, Assistant Division Chief, Water Resources Division, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. “Lake Levels and You”. This presentation will be chock-full of important information regarding current lake level conditions on the Great Lakes and what to expect this season and in years to come. What factors are causing or contributing to our record-low current level on Lake Michigan? What do these changes mean for Michigan boaters and boating facilities? With a wealth of local knowledge regarding the St. Joseph River and conditions affecting the entire region, Kim Fish’ expertise & insights will be of true value to boaters from throughout Michigan.

At 2 PM, Cameron Turner of the Notre Dame Environmental Change Initiative will discuss the science and the important role that boaters play in managing our incredible Great Lakes ecosystem. This highly informative presentation will take attendees thru the history of how the Asian Carp has arrived at Lake Michigan’s doorstep – and what impacts we may see in the years to come. Asian carp research at ND-ECI is exploring how eDNA monitoring can provide an early detection system to protect the Great Lakes from Asian carp and other species that threaten the recreational and commercial fishing industries.

In addition to these presentations, scheduled speakers from the South Bend Sail & Power Squadron, United States Coast Guard Auxiliary and Berrien Country Sherriff’s Department Marine Patrol will be providing a full range of boater safety and education information. These educational presentations begin Saturday at 10 AM.

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Press Release, March 8, 2013