1. The Boardman: A River Reborn
Removing Dams for a
Free Flowing River

2. The Project
Remove Brown Bridge, Boardman and Sabin dams, and modify Union Street dam
Return the Boardman to a more natural, cold water, free flowing river
Largest dam removal project in Michigan’s history
Largest wetlands restoration in the Great Lakes Basin

3. Project Implementation TeamIT
Ex-Officio IT
Grand Traverse Band
City of Traverse City
Grand Traverse County
Michigan DNR
Mich Hydro Relicensing Coalition
Traverse City Light & Power
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Conservation Resource Alliance
Grand Traverse Conservation District
GT County Road Commission
Rotary Camps & Services
Watershed Center GT Bay
Garfield Township

4. Boardman River Dams
Brown Bridge
Sabin
Boardman
Union Street

6. Hydroelectric Generation
Estimated cost of restoring hydroelectric generating capacity = $8-$15 million
Estimated revenue from selling electricity generated = $8.5 million over 30 years
Not economically feasible

7. Environmental Benefits
Restore over 3.4 miles
Reconnect 160 miles of high quality river habitat to the Great Lakes
Restore more than 250 acres of wetlands and 60 acres of upland habitat
Enhance and restore habitat for fish and organisms preferring cold water

8. Community Benefits Significant economic impact
Promote tourism and business growth
Support long-term goals of the Grand Vision

9. Regional/Collaboration
Engage all interests, create ownership, sensitive to community concerns
Unparalleled collaboration
Document and archive the process
Ongoing citizen involvement

10. Educational Benefits Active laboratory for local schools
Support a variety of scientific research initiatives

11. Project Timeline 2005-2009 Preliminary decisions
Fall Begin drawdown of Brown Bridge and Sabin Dams
Begin deconstruction of Brown Bridge and Sabin
Continued deconstruction Modification of Union Street Dam
Restoration

12. Cost/Funding Initial cost estimate $5-$8 million
Not including transportation system costs (road crossings, etc.)
Approx. $4 million in commitments to date for dam removal
Funding pursued through federal, state, tribal, local government & private sources

13. Major Funders
Frey Foundation Great Lakes Fishery Trust National Fish & Wildlife Foundation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. EPA Great Lakes Restoration Initiative U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs

14. Local Support Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa Indians
Grand Traverse County
City of Traverse City
Rotary Charities
Rotary Camps & Services
Oleson Foundation
Traverse City Light & Power

15. Brown Bridge & Sabin Dams
First of three dams to be removed
Restore 1.5 mi. of cold water stream & 156 acres of wetlands
Initial drawdown Fall 2011
Deconstruction completed 2012

16. Bottomlands Restoration

17. Stream Bank Restoration

18. Rapids

19. How Can You Help? Donate Volunteer expertise
Volunteer for restoration/stewardship activities

20. Information & Updates