CADILLAC, Mich. — In partnership with the Forest Service, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and Pine River Van-Etten Lake Coalition, Huron Pines in June removed the dam in order to restore the natural flow and function of the Pine River. This Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funded project restored the flood plain and will better connect users to their national forest. The remnants of Buhl Dam posed a barrier to fish passage and led to warming water and downstream scouring from the fast-moving water.

The old foot bridge was restored and relocated to another area along the Pine River. Over the past 20 years, the Huron-Manistee has worked with Michigan Department of Natural Resources, county road commissions and other partners such as Huron Pines, a conservation group, to remove obsolete dams and replace culverts that have become obstacles for aquatic organism passage.

GLRI was launched in 2010 to accelerate efforts to protect and restore the largest system of fresh surface water in the world — the Great Lakes. Federal agencies and their partners use Great Lakes Restoration Initiative resources to strategically target the biggest threats to the Great Lakes ecosystem and to accelerate progress toward long term goals for this important ecosystem.

There is a strong connection between the health of the national forests within the Basin and the health of the Great Lakes, from the tributaries that drain into lakes, to the invasive species threatening their health. Project work on National Forest System lands makes a difference.

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