The study recommends that further investigation, monitoring and remedial measures should be considered and undertaken where necessary – and funding is available – to protect and improve water quality in the Boardman Lake watershed. Continuing work to protect and restore this overlooked jewel of Traverse City will build upon improvements and redevelopment along the lake that have occurred in recent years including the improvements made in Hull Park, upgrading the wastewater treatment plant and the ongoing redevelopment of former industrial sites along the lake.

Specific recommendations include:

• Encourage the use of “low impact development” stormwater treatment techniques to minimize the impacts of impervious surfaces, runoff and other potential impairments to water quality. Upgrade or update applicable ordinances for Garfield Township and City of Traverse City to accommodate and encourage more innovative forms of stormwater management.



• Remove tires, drums, various scrap metal, wooden pallets, bricks, ceramics and other debris from Boardman River and the southern end of Boardman Lake. Note: A cleanup event is being scheduled for summer 2005 with a variety of partner groups.



• Initiate education efforts that promote the essential link between land use and water quality protection and improvement (ie, promote the retention or establishment of shoreline vegetative buffer, minimize vegetation removal and mowing to the water’s edge, eliminate the dumping of grass clippings and other yard/solid wastes into the water). Note: Local governments should consider ordinance changes to ensure best management practices are utilized on private property along the water’s edge and adopt these practices for the maintenance of public lands.



• Avoid future wetlands loss within the watershed.



• Undertake further evaluation and monitoring of nutrient, bacterial and toxic pollution sites found during the study.