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Healthy Pine River group requests funding; commissioners approve $2,500 contribution
Summary
Healthy Pine River presented 20 years of water testing showing elevated nutrients and E. coli; commissioners voted to contribute $2,500 to the group's Friends campaign, potentially matched by a United Way challenge.
Healthy Pine River briefed the Gratiot County Board of Commissioners on two decades of water-testing and restoration work and requested continued county support. Commissioners approved a $2,500 contribution to the group's Friends campaign.
The presenter (identified in meeting materials and by commissioners as Chuck Sandro) summarized 20 years of testing showing persistent nutrient pollution—primarily phosphorus and nitrogen—and elevated E. coli counts at several monitoring sites. He said the group funds testing, septic-liaison work, internships and outreach and is pursuing grants to study the State Street Dam and options to address the impoundment’s degradation.
Sandro said Healthy Pine River has funded testing work and septic assistance and has engaged with cities and townships to locate pollution sources. He described grant applications to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), including a $298,000 dam-risk reduction feasibility-study request and smaller watershed-plan and capacity-building grants pending in Lansing.
Sandro asked the county for support for the Friends campaign to sustain part-time staff, testing supplies and a septic liaison position. He said the group previously received a $3,000 county contribution in 2023 and asked commissioners to consider $2,500 this year; the presenter noted a United Way matching challenge of $10,000 for contributions made in March, which would effectively double the county’s contribution if timed within that window.
Commissioner Tim moved and Commissioner Jan seconded the request; the board approved the $2,500 contribution by roll-call vote. Commissioners and the presenter discussed outreach locations, septic work in Riverdale and Elm Hall, and the group’s education projects for local schools funded by a recent United Way award.
Commissioners asked for contact information and meeting dates; Sandro said Healthy Pine River meets the second Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Alma Public Library. The group also described community partnerships with Alma College, the City of St. Louis, conservation districts and MSU Extension. No additional county obligations or multi-year commitments were approved at the meeting.
