The Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ Fisheries Division has released for public comment a draft assessment report of Northern Michigan’s Boardman River. The report details the physical and biological characteristics and proposed management options that affect aquatic resources associated with the Boardman River watershed, which is spread across swathes of Grand Traverse and Kalkaska counties.

To ensure everyone with an interest has an opportunity to review the report and provide comments, the draft Boardman River assessment is posted online at www.Michigan.gov/FishPublicInput. Hard copies are also available at the Traverse City DNR office located at 970 Emerson Road. Comments can be sent to Todd Kalish via e-mail at kalisht@michigan.gov or mailed to the Traverse City DNR office. The public comment period will end on Friday, May 16th.

“Public review and comment are critical components of the river assessment process,” said Lake Michigan basin coordinator Todd Kalish. “We encourage anyone interested in the social, economic or environmental health of the Boardman River watershed to be involved in determining management options by reviewing and commenting on the assessment.”

The DNR also will host a public meeting to provide an overview of the assessment and to receive comments. This meeting will be held at the Grand Traverse County Nature Center, 1450 Cass Road, Traverse City, on Monday, April 14th at 6 pm.

All comments received will be addressed and incorporated into the final document, which will ultimately guide future management activities in this watershed.

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