The prospect of cleaning up of the Flat River took a big step forward when Lowell citizens officially took the matter into their own hands.
About 20 community members met Monday at the Lowell Showboat to discuss forming a non-profit organization whose mission is to clean up the Flat River.
For the past several months, Lowell City Council has listened to public concerns about invasive plant life that is choking much of the Flat River near downtown Lowell. The council has stated that this issue does not fall within the bounds of their responsibility but encouraged residents who want to take the matter on to do so instead.
Lowell resident Craig Fonger organized and led Monday’s meeting. After a short discussion, it was decided to name the group “Lowell Friends of the Flat.” Meeting participants then decided the group’s mission statement. Fonger credited Bruce Matthews with crafting the majority of the statement. It reads:
“Lowell Friends of the Flat exists to preserve and sustain the health of the Flat River ecosystem, and specifically the control and/or eradication of invasive aquatic species, and improve the quality of life within the City of Lowell.”
A new executive board was created next. Fonger volunteered and was voted to serve as the group’s president. The vice president, secretary, and treasurer were decided on from amongst those in attendance. They are Nancy Raymor (vice president), Mike DeVore (secretary), and Diane Smith (treasurer). Patty Elzinga, Maureen Pawloski, and Annette Ritzema volunteered to serve as general board members.
The executive board members will decide specific bylaws for the group in a future meeting.
The group decided that funds for the organization’s activities will be raised through donations rather than through membership dues. They plan to raise awareness of the group and its mission through local events. Cliff Yankovich is designated as the marketing/social media liaison.
Newly-named Treasurer and Lowell resident Diane Smith volunteered to pay the $230 for the government filing to officially become a 501(c)3. She will also open an account on behalf of the group at Lake Michigan Credit Union. Smith first brought the issue of the Flat River to the public by writing a letter to the editor of Lowell’s First Look.
It was decided that the group will use a mailbox in the mailroom of City Hall.
During a Lowell City Council meeting last month, Councilmember Eric Bartkus shared that Solitude Lake Management had agreed to special pricing to treat a section of the river at a cost of $5,000. That price included two treatments: one that could happen immediately and the other which would be slated for the spring.
However, the Friends of the Flat are targeting spring 2025 as when treatment will occur.
“They’re (the weeds) starting to die off here at the end of the season, so there’s not much we can do from here on out from what I understand,” Fonger says. “It would just be dumping money down the toilet. Apparently, April is going to be our peak time to be able to do a treatment for the river.”
Fonger says forming a group now will give them plenty of time to organize and raise money.
Meeting attendees said from the research they have done individually, it appears that chemical treatments will be necessary to kill off the unwanted growth. Removing the weeds mechanically makes the spread of growth worse.
One meeting attendee said the weeds are identified as Eurasian Millefoille, and Cascade Township went through a similar problem.
Fonger says his motivation for forming the Friends of the Flat is his love for this community and a desire to make an impact on its success. He referenced the Lowell Planning Commission’s work-in-progress Master Plan that includes improving access and navigability on the Flat River as a priority.
“I love this community, so, when I see an opportunity to jump in and make it better, I jump at it,” Fonger says. “Our riverfront has the opportunity to be even more of a showcase for the Lowell community.”
“With the update of the master plan, there is an effort to take advantage of our riverfront even more. With the invasive aquatic species and the overgrowth of the native species, it hampers our ability to do that. I look forward to when this great asset we have can be taken advantage of even more and add to the quality of life in our community.”
The Friends of the Flat plan on meeting again Nov. 11. The meeting place has yet to be determined.
Those who wish to be involved or kept informed of the latest activities are encouraged to follow the Lowell Friends of the Flat Facebook page.
Mayor Mike you are now involved in this grand cleanup scheme…raising money. Ok..but you wouldn’t use Lowell taxpayer money for the cleanup? So people really think you’re capable of being involved in any solution involving the river? You can’t even do your day job effectively let alone moonlight…people of Lowell aren’t stupid.