Publication Library 

Over the years we have developed some great resources on a wide variety of topics. All of them are free to download and share. Simply click on the topic below to view online and print as needed. Hard copies of newer publications are available in our office.

Native Plants and Landscaping

• Lawn Care Tips for Shoreline Property Owners (Flyer)
• Use Phosphorus Free Fertilizer
• Landscape Alternatives for Invasive Plants
• Northern Michigan Native Plants
• Turf Tips
• Native Plants of Michigan
• Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians Native Plant Initiative
• Otsego Conservation District Native Plant Nursery (2014 Informational Guide and Catalog)​
• Plant a Rain Garden - A how-to guide for homeowners

Climate Change

• Climate Change Adaptation for Coastal Wetlands: A Toolkit of Best Management Practices for Coastal Wetlands in Michigan​​
• ​Resiliency Plan for Local Governments in the Little Traverse Bay Watershed: LOCAL CLIMATE SOLUTIONS

Pipelines

• Pipeline Permitting in Michigan: Citizen Involvement in the Decision Making Process
• Understanding Northern Michigan Pipelines - A citizen's guide about pipeline identification, spill prevention, emergency response, and safety
• Michigan Petroleum Pipeline Task Force Report
• Enbrige Energy - Operational Reliability Plan for Line 5 and Line 5 Straits of Mackinac Crossing
• Enbridge Integrated Contingency Plan - Superior Region Response Zone
• Northern Michigan Sub-area Contingency Plan (Feb 2001)
• Federal Region 5 Regional Contingency Plan (May 2011)
• Gas Transmission and Hazardous Liquid Pipelines (map)
• The Pipeline Safety Statute 49 USC 60101-60301
• Emergency Contact Directory (Sept. 2014)
• Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council Position Statement (July 2016)

Hydraulic Fracturing

• Hydraulic Fracturing and Michigan's Waters (2013)
• High Volume Hydraulic Fracturing In Michigan - Integrated Assessment Final Report (University of Michigan)
• High Volume Hydraulic Fracturing In Michigan - Executive Summary  (University of Michigan)
• Hydraulic Fracturing in the Great Lakes Basin: The State of Play in Michigan and Ohio
• Modern Shale Gas Development in the United States - A Primer
• Fracking Chemicals
• Michigan Oil and Gas Regulations
• High Volume Hydraulic Fracturing Well Permitting Instructions 2011
• Water Withdrawal Analysis for High Volume Hydraulic Fracturing

Shoreline Stewardship/Low Impact Development Practices

• Plant a Rain Garden - A how-to guide for homeowners
• Protecting Michigan's Inland Lakes: A Guide for Local Governments
• Great Lakes Green Streets Guidebook
• A Homeowner's Guide to Watershed Protection - Simple, practical, and water-friendly ways to protect Little Traverse Bay
• Lake Charlevoix Watershed Homeowner's Guide - Simple, practical, and water-friendly ways to protect the Lake Charlevoix Watershed
• The Water's Edge - Helping fish and wildlife on your lakeshore property
• Cladophora (info card)
• Living with the Lakes - Understanding the impacts of vegetation removal and beach maintenance
• Natural Shorelines for Inland Lakes
• Understanding, Living with, & Controlling Shoreline Erosion (3rd Edition)
• Sensible Shoreline Development (updated 2018)
• Waterfront Landscapes - Designing Shoreline Greenbelts for Beauty & Water Quality
• MAPS Greenbelt Workshop Course Packet
• The Truth about Beach Sanding or Lakeshore Restoration​
• Along The Shore - A Shoreline Management Guide for Michigan Coastal Landowners

Invasive Species

• A Guide to Identification and Control of Invasive Purple Loosestrife
• Stop the Invasion: Tips for Preventing the Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species (Pocket Card) 
• Roadside Invaders (Identification Card Pack)
• Aquatic Invaders - A field guide for Lake and Stream Monitors (Identification card pack)
• A Field Guide to Invasive Plants of Aquatic and Wetland Habitats for Michigan
• Battling with Beetles 
• Invasive Species Alert (flyer)
• A Landowner's Guide to Phragmites Control
• A Guide to the Control and Management of Invasive Phragmites
• Phragmites Field Guide (Powerpoint)
• How to Identify Phragmites in Northern Michigan
• Volunteer Purple Corps : Managing the Spread of Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) with People and Beetles in the Burt and Pickerel-Crooked Lakes Watersheds 
• Survey Results and Management Recommendations For Phragmites and Quagga Mussels In the Cheboygan River Watershed
• Control and Management of Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) & Phragmites (Phragmites australis) in the Bear River Watershed
• Juvenile Asian Carp Bait Watch Card
• Zequanox Study Overview

Permitting and PlanninG

​​HOME OWNER'S PERMIT GUIDES
LAKE ASSOCIATION SUMMIT MEETINGS

• Charlevoix County Local Ordinance Gaps Analysis
• Antrim County Local Ordinance Gaps Analysis
• Cheboygan County Local Ordinance Gaps Analysis
• Emmet County Local Ordinance Gaps Analysis
• Filling the Gaps: Environmental Options for Local Governments (2nd edition)
• A Citizen's Guide to Water Quality Permitting - Understanding the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
• Planning for Success: A step-by-step guide to conservation planning and design 
• ​Sustaining Michigan's Water Heritage - 2015 Water Strategy (Powerpoint)
• Emmet County Property Owner's Permit Guide (2016)
• Property Owner's Permit Guide - Lake Charlevoix Watershed (2015)
• Elk River Chain of Lakes Watershed Property Owner's Permit Guide (2016)
• Burt Lake Watershed Property Owner's Permit Guide (2009)​

Wetlands

• Michigan Wetlands - Yours to Protect
• Living with Michigan Wetlands: A Landowner's Guide
• Protecting Michigan's Wetlands - A guide for local governments
• Elk River Chain of Lakes Watershed Property Owner's Permit Guide
• Instructions for Minor Project and General Permit Applications (EZ Guide)
• Environmental Permitting in the Elk River Chain of Lakes (Powerpoint slides, 2013)
• Antrim County Wetland Inventory Map
• Charlevoix County Wetland Inventory Map
• Cheboygan County Wetland Inventory Map
• Emmet County Wetland Inventory Map
• Status and Trends of Wetlands in the Conterminous United States 2004 to 2009
• The National Wetland Plant List (2012)
• Fish and the Great Lakes, The wetland connection

Stormwater

• ​After the Storm - A citizen's guide to understanding stormwater
• Why Stormwater Matters
• Clean Water is Everybody's Business
• Little Traverse Bay Stormwater Management Initiative (poster)
• City of Charlevoix Park Avenue Drainage Area: Stormwater Management Recommendations and Streetscape Guidelines
• Bay View Rain Garden Initiative (Brochure)
• Storm Water Work Book - Charlevoix (2014)

Boating Resources

(Also see Invasive Species)

• A Boater's Guide to Good Environmental Stewardship
• Keep It Clean - Alternative cleaning products and practices for boaters
• Clean Boating (Aquatic Invasive Species) Pocket Card

Vital Water Resource - Brochure Series​

• Please Don't Feed the Waterfowl
• Lakeshore and Streambank Erosion Control
• Lakescaping for Wildlife
• Lawn Care Tips for Shoreline Property Owners
• Septic Systems and Water Quality
• Technical & Consulting Services
• Water Conservation - Common Sense for Every Home
• Water Resource References
• Wetland Identification on Private Property

Dam Information

• The Ecology of Dam Removal - A summary of benefits and impacts
• The Dam Facts: Water Levels in the Antrim Chain of Lakes (powerpoint slides)
• Walloon Lake Dam and Fish Grate Historical Review and Recommendations (1994)

Mercury in our waters

• Great Lakes Mercury Connection - Report
• Great Lakes Mercury Connection - Summary

Water and the Economy

• Clean Water and Our Local Economy - Making the Connection Charlevoix
• Clean Water and Our Local Economy - Making the Connection

Septic Systems and Reports

• The Septic Report - Charlevoix County
• The Septic Report - Antrim County
• ​The Septic Report - Cheboygan County
• The Septic Report - Emmet County

Pharmaceuticals in our waters

• POD Program Brochure (Generic)
• POD Program Brochure (Funeral Homes)
• POD Program Brochure (Child/Family)

Fisheries Information and Reports

• Large Woody Debris Demonstration Project (FAQ brochure)
• Fish Shelter Handbook -
  Three Lakes Association (2012) ​​​​
• Fish and the Great Lakes, The wetland connection

• The Fish Community and Fishery of Crooked and Pickerel Lakes, Emmet County, Michigan with Emphasis on Walleyes and Northern Pike (MDRN 2005)
• MDNR Status of Fisheries Resource Report - Cornwall Impoundment (2012)
• MDNR Status of Fisheries Resource Report - Deer Creek (2009)
• MDNR Status of Fisheries Resource Report - Douglas Lake, Cheboygan Co. (2004)
• MDNR Status of Fisheries Resource Report - Milligan Creek (2014)
• MDNR Status of Fisheries Resource Report - Osmun Lake (2008)
• MDNR Status of Fisheries Resource Report - Silver Lake, Cheboygan Co. (2012)
• MDNR Status of Fisheries Resource Report - Spring Brook (2009)
• MDNR Status of Fisheries Resource Report - Thumb (Louise) Lake (2009)
• MDNR Status of Fisheries Resource Report - Tower Pond, Cheboygan Co. (2012) 
• MDNR Status of Fisheries Resource Report - Twin Lakes, Cheboygan Co. (2013)
• MDNR Status of Fisheries Resource Report - Weber Lake (2012)

Additional Publications/resources

• Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council Technical Services Program
• Beware of Meth Lab Waste ​
• 2013 Lake Association Summit Survey Analysis (Powerpoint Presentation)
• ​​Environmental Features of Walloon Lake and Its Watershed (Technical Report by Project CLEAR - 1978)​
• Life Cycle of Swimmer's Itch
• What You Should Know About Swimmer's Itch ​​
• Coal-Tar Based Pavement Sealcoat, PAH, and Environmental Health​
• Great Lakes HABs Collaborative - Toxins in the air
• Great Lakes HABs Collaborative - Harmful algal blooms and human health effects
  

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