Cascade board backs cooperative MOU to support Thornapple River Water Trail

Cascade Charter Township’s board voted to support a memorandum of understanding to form a cooperative partnership supporting the Thornapple River Water Trail, officials said.

The board considered the MOU after presentations by Walter Bujak, who identified himself as an executive member of the Thornapple River Watershed Council, and Renee Van Houten, the council’s president. Bujak described the proposal as the second step in pursuing Pure Michigan water-trail designation for the Thornapple and said the designation would add the river to a statewide network for monitoring and promotion. Van Houten said the designation would produce a public map of access points and spur additional data-collection and portage improvements.

Board members pressed presenters on potential effects on private property and on recreational tubing. Bujak and Van Houten said the designation is for non‑motorized paddlers, that privately owned access points remain private, and that the mapping effort is intended to steer users to public access locations. Van Houten and Bujak also said the process would increase regular water-quality monitoring (including E. coli checks) and could help identify upstream sources of pollution such as failed septic systems.

Trustees voiced support for the cooperative approach and noted potential environmental benefits beyond recreation, including tracking sediment and invasive species. Trustee Shipley moved to approve the MOU as presented; the motion carried by voice vote.

The MOU directs staff to coordinate with partner governments and Watershed Council members on the application process and follow-up reporting; the Watershed Council said it will provide informational materials and updates to the township as the designation effort proceeds.