PLANNING AND ZONING TO PROTECT WATER QUALITY IN THE SAGINAW BAY WATERSHED

A Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI)

Cass River Sub-Watershed First Local Government Workshop May 12, 2011

Funding • Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) by U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Project Team

• Planning & Zoning Center (PZC) at Michigan State University (MSU)

• East Michigan Council of Governments (EMCOG) • Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy (SBLC) Advisory Assistance • Michigan Department of Environmental Quality

(DEQ)

Introduction

• Background • Other GLRI Projects • Saginaw River/Bay AOC • Soils Map of Michigan • Land Cover Map of Michigan • Cass River Watershed Maps • Local Watershed Plans • Why are We Doing This? • Roles of Major Players • Roles of Local Governments • Project Purpose • Planning & Zoning Assessment Tool • Best Management Practices Guidebook • Outcomes • Expectations • How you can participate? • Conference Survey • Contact Information

Agenda of Meeting

Farmers

Water Quality Orgs

Local Governments

Businesses

Citizens

Saginaw Basin

• Michigan’s largest watershed (8,709 square miles)

• Including a part of 22 counties • Contains America’s largest

freshwater coastal wetland system • Drains approximately 15% of

Michigan’s total land area • One of Michigan’s most diverse

areas • Agriculture • Manufacturing • Tourism • Outdoor recreation • Vast variety of fish and wildlife

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) • The program identifies goals, objectives, measurable

ecological targets, and specific actions for each of the following five focus areas: 1. Cleaning up toxics and areas of concern; 2. Combating invasive species; 3. Promoting nearshore health by protecting watersheds

from polluted run-off; 4. Restoring wetlands and other habitats; and 5. Tracking progress and working with strategic partners.

• Largest federal investment in the Great Lakes in two decades.

• GLRI projects target Areas of Concern (AOCs).

Background

• Goal is delisting • Objective is removing

impairments and preventing future pollution

• Saginaw Bay AOC

Background

Michigan’s Great Lakes Areas of Concern (AOCs)

Pigeon River Corridor Sediment Reduction Project • Pigeon River Inter-county Drain Drainage Board • $1,723,235

Shiawassee Flats Wildlife and Fish Habitat Restoration • Dept. of Interior – US Fish and Wildlife • $785,492

Van Hove Coastal Wetland Restoration • Ducks Unlimited Inc. • $129,249

Upper Great Lakes Stream Connectivity and Habitat Initiative

• Dept. of Interior – US Fish and Wildlife • $876,786

Fish Passage at the Frankenmuth Dam • City of Frankenmuth • $400,000

Rifle River Watershed Nonpoint Implementation Project • Huron Pines • $495,000

Western Lake Huron, MI • The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) • $600,000

Source: http://greatlakesrestoration.us/

Other GLRI Projects

• Includes all 22 miles of the Saginaw River/Bay • Designated an AOC since 1988 • Of the 14 Impairments criteria, Saginaw River/Bay includes10:

1. Restriction on fish and wildlife consumption 2. Eutrophication or undesirable algae 3. Degradation of fish and wildlife populations 4. Beach closings 5. Degradation of aesthetics 6. Bird or animal deformities or reproduction problems 7. Degradation of benthos 8. Degradation of phytoplankton and zooplankton

populations 9. Restriction of dredging activities 10. Loss of fish and wildlife habitat

Saginaw River/Bay AOC

Soils

• Wet loamy soils (green) predominant; purple soils have more sand in them; all are well suited for agriculture if drained.

• Crops commonly grown: corn, sugar beets, field beans.

Land Cover

• Agriculture • Wooded wetlands • Forested

Cass River Watershed: 2006 Land Use/Land Cover

Land Use/Land Cover Change 1800-2000

Cass River Watershed: Water Features

Cass River Watershed: Water Control Structures

Cass River Watershed: Open Space and Recreation Facilities

• Developed in 2008 by the Cass River Rapid Watershed Assessment Technical Committee (members consisting of various federal, state, and local agencies and organizations)

• “The RWA provides a brief assessment of the Cass River watershed’s natural resources, resource concerns and conservation needs.”

Local Watershed Plan The Cass River Rapid Watershed Assessment (RWA)

“Nonpoint source pollution is the primary pollution threat facing the water resources of the Cass River Watershed. Nonpoint source pollution is any pollutant carried off the land by water or wind and deposited into surface water.” Can include sediment, fertilizer, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, vehicle lubricants, etc.

Issues • Eroding stream banks • Poor road / stream crossings • Storm runoff • Cropland erosion • Loss of riparian & wildlife

corridors • Loss of wetlands • Channelization • Septic effluent • Crop fertilizers • Livestock waste • Thermal pollution • Lack of proper zoning • Invasive species

Local Watershed Plan The Cass River Rapid Watershed Assessment (RWA)

Goals for Improvement • Institute responsible land use protection and

public policy to protect parcels within the watershed that provide groundwater recharge, key wildlife habitats, headwater stream protection, important wetland functions, coastal areas, etc.

• Identify sites contributing to water quality problems and work with producers to implement Best Management Practices (BMPs).

• Identify sites that are unnaturally adding sediment to the river system and implement a system of Best Management Practices where possible.

• Increase and develop citizen involvement/public awareness and responsible use of the watershed through stewardship and education.

Local Watershed Plan

• Cass River Greenway is an effort organized group of local volunteers, assisted by professional resources and municipal leaders, working to enhance recreational opportunities and the environmental well-being of the Cass River Corridor.

• Goals Developed by the Cass River Greenway Committee: • Develop recreation opportunities on the Cass River

an along its corridors • Encourage preservation of wildlife habitat and

critical natural lands • Improve water quality of the Cass River • Promote good environmental stewardship practices • Develop eco-tourism opportunities for our area.

Cass River Greenway

• The Saginaw Bay Resource Conservation & Development Council (RC&D) received funding from the Michigan DEQ.

• Primary Objectives:

1. Organize committees comprised of key stakeholders to identify and prioritize water quality issues;

2. Evaluate and summarize watershed information to identify and prioritize specific areas for water quality improvements.

3. Submit a Watershed Management Plan for the Cass River Watershed that meets Federal and State criteria to receive future project funding to improve water quality.

Cass River Watershed Project

Outcomes • Clean water that is fishable and

swimmable, with less sediment, fertilizers and pesticides.

• Happy users. • Happy taxpayers.

Roles All major players have a role to play, including: • Conservation and

watershed organizations • Local governments • Landowners • County agencies • State agencies • Federal agencies

GLRI The federal government has a major initiative to restore and delist the Bay as an AOC through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI).

Action Plan The watershed plans detail restoration and protection efforts for each sub-watershed, which when implemented, helps reduce pollution and restore damaged parts of the watershed and Bay.

AOC Major Watershed Pollution led to the USEPA designating the Saginaw Bay as a Area of Concern (AOC). This means that water quality is severely degraded and a large number of beneficial uses are impaired.

Watershed Plans Watershed management plans for each of the rivers flowing into the Bay were prepared by local watershed groups such as the Cass River Rapid Watershed Assessment Technical Committee, Huron Pines, Ducks Unlimited, Inc., and MDEQ.

RAP Saginaw Bay watershed Remedial Action Plan (RAP) describes methods for correcting impairments to beneficial uses, in the degraded areas.

Why are we doing this?

Roles of Major Players

Federal Agencies EPA o Funded GLRI and

other enhancement activities

o Role in wetland permits

o Education

Army Corps o Dredging permits o Wetland permits

USDA o Fund

conservation organizations and landowners

o Education of farmers and other landowners

State Agencies DEQ o Support cleanup

and delisting o Provide technical

assistance o Apply regulations o Education o Link stakeholder

groups

DNR o Manage State

land o Education o Support cleanup

partnerships

County Agencies Drain Commissioners o Reviews Site Plans

for new developments

o Proposals for BMP implementation

o Stormwater management

Health Department o Septic tank and

other environmental codes

Road Commission o Manages negative

impacts from road crossings and use of de-icers

Landowners o BMP

implementation o Consider long

term preservation of sensitive habitats

Local Governments o Education on

BMPs and Low Impact Development practices

o Local Master Plans

o Local Zoning Ordinances

o Enforce adopted regulations

o Facilitate coordination and cooperation with public, private and non-profit groups

Conservation and Watershed Organizations o Education on Best

Management Practices (BMPs)

o Planning o Permanent land

protection o Wetland and their

sensitive land preservation and restoration

o Technical assistance

Improving Water Quality of Saginaw Bay Watershed

Role of Local Governments

Project Team will help your community accomplish these actions through this project!

Actions • Educate: o Best Management Practices

(BMPs) o Low Impact Development

Practices • Update:

o Local Master Plans o Local Zoning Ordinances

• Enforce: o Adopted regulations

• Facilitate: o Coordination and cooperation

with public, private and non-profit groups

Project Purpose

Prevention of future pollution through:

1. Education 2. Collaboration 3. Coordination 4. Technical assistance 5. Action by local

governments 6. Action by landowners 7. Action by water quality

advocacy organizations and other local organizations

Conduct Planning and Zoning

Assessments

Feb – July 2011

April 2011

December 2011

June 2012

Public Meetings (one in each sub-

watershed)

Workshops for Local

Governments (one in each sub-

watershed)

May 2011

September 2011

March 2012

Technical Assistance Plans &

Work with Local Governments

January 2012

Conference

Work with Land Owners and

Farmers

Project Timeline

September June 2011 2012

May Sept 2011 2012

• Directory of groups active in the Saginaw Basin • Project website • 3 sets of 3 public meetings • 3 sets of 3 workshops for local governments • 1 conference • Watershed Protection Planning & Zoning • Assessment • BMP guidebook on Low Impact Development for local

governments • Technical assistance plans for local governments

Specific Products & Services

• Directory of Groups Serving the Saginaw Bay Watershed

• Project Website http://www.landpolicy.msu.edu • Great Place Network http://www.greatplacenetwork.org/

Collaborative Efforts

Watershed Protection Planning & Zoning Assessment Tool

I. Introduction Purpose, Methodology, Organization and Content, How to Use Assessment, Defined Terms, and Notes

II. Background Title of Plans, Dates Updated, Community Statistics

III. General Questions/Provisions/Supplementary Info County Drain Commissioner, Health Departments, and other agencies

IV. Master Plan Goals and Objectives and Growth and Development

V. Zoning Ordinance General, Site Plan Review, and Subdivision/Plot Regulations

Planning & Zoning Assessment Tool

Planning & Zoning Assessment Tool

Edwards Township Population: 1,390 (2000) Master Plan Example

Planning & Zoning Assessment Tool

Planning & Zoning Assessment Tool

Edwards Township Population: 1,390 (2000) Zoning Ordinance Example

1. Introduction • Purpose, How to use the guidebook

2. Understanding the watershed • How a watershed functions, how it is unique and valuable, what needs

fixing 3. The umbrella of protection for the watershed

• The role of township, city and village planning & zoning • The role of community organizations, foundations and education

institutions • The role of individual property owners, businesses and corporations • The roles of county, state, and federal government

4. Best Management Practices (see next slide) 5. How to implement the ideas in this guidebook

• Planning process, education, incentives, volunteerism, evaluating progress

6. Where to go for more information 7. References

Best Management Practices (BMPs) Draft Outline of Low Impact Development

Guidebook

Water Pollution Filtering • Vegetated Filter Strips/Buffer Strips Sediment & Erosion Control • Protect Riparian Buffer Areas • Riparian Corridor Ordinance • Streamside Management Pollution Prevention • Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan • Non-point Source Pollution Control Ordinance Policy BMPs • Conservation Easement • Public Involvement and Education • Riparian Waterfront Lot Use Regulations/Keyhole

Regulations Reduce Impervious Surfaces • Subdivision ordinance Improving Groundwater Recharge • Protecting areas of high recharge

Best Management Practices (BMPs)

• Evaluation of existing master plan and zoning ordinance language

• Sample language options for master plan and zoning • Assistance with adoption of regulations • Follow-up

Technical Assistance by PZC at MSU

THIS PROJECT • 109 local governments adopt master plan and

zoning ordinance amendments to protect water quality

• Better understanding by local governments of the use of site plan review in development review and approval

• Incorporation of BMPs in local decisions • Better cooperation and coordination between

local governments and various public and private agencies

BIG PICTURE • Clean water that is fishable

and swimmable, with less sediment, fertilizers and pesticides.

• Happy users. • Happy taxpayers

Outcomes

Schedule for PZC Assistance to Local Governments

May – Sept 2011 Complete Planning & Zoning Assessment

and BMPs Low Impact Development Guidebook

Oct – Dec 2011 Provide Technical Assistance to each

jurisdiction with specific amendments to Master Plan & Zoning Ordinance

Jan – June 2012 Provide Technical Assistance with any

questions as community’s adopt amendments in the Master Plan & Zoning Ordinance

Expectations

Local Governments • Engagement (especially

during summer months) • Contact person • Participation • Cooperation • Collaboration

Project Team • Advocacy • Cooperation • Collaboration • Outreach • Education

Smelly Debris is Spoiling Huron County Beaches

Bay City Times, 2006

2007

Experts say avoid Saginaw Bay muck

• Contact us with your questions • Get the word out! • Networking • Providing support to project team • Support for implementation of local sub-watershed plan • Working with landowners and farmers • Individual action to protect water quality

How you can participate in the MSU project?

Conference Survey

Mark A. Wyckoff, FAICP Professor and Director Planning & Zoning Center at MSU Senior Associate Director, Land Policy Institute

Jacqueline Spry Visiting Academic Specialist-Outreach at MSU

Michigan State University Land Policy Institute

Planning & Zoning Center 310 Manly Miles Building

1405 South Harrison Road East Lansing, MI 48823 517.432.2222 ext. 123

jacqueline.spry@landpolicy.msu.edu

Contact Information