Policy & Advocacy Services

Policy Development

Local, state and federal policies and how they are administered, influence the level of protection afforded to inland lakes, river, streams, wetlands, groundwater, and the Great Lakes. The Watershed Council assists in analyzing and interpreting policies. We provide information and recommendations to local governments on ways to improve zoning and other local ordinances to better protect water resources. In addition, we design and implement campaigns to improve resource laws or address efforts to weaken them. Examples include the writing and promoting of Emmet County's steep slope ordinance and Michigan's water use law.

Resource Inventories for Townships

A Resource Inventory is a helpful exercise to identify and locate resources that are important to protect. The information can be used as a basis for many further planning studies, such as recreation and master planning, growth management, wildlife and resource planning, conservation planning, etc. The process is especially helpful in understanding how resources are interconnected throughout an entire township. Staff works with township representatives to select data layers to be developed into a series of maps using a Geographic Information System (GIS). The data layers can include elements such as property lines, water features, lands in public ownership, recreation areas, steep slopes, wetlands, wildlife corridors, farms, forest and scenic views, and areas with historic or cultural significance. The information is prioritized according to its resource protection value. The product of the study will be a Potential Conservation Area Map, indicating resources that are worthy of protection as well as areas suitable for development.

Site Plan/Development Proposal Review

The Watershed Council reviews hundreds of development proposals each year. Many are proposals to dredge and fill wetlands and lakes and streams. Others are for proposed commercial developments, golf courses, and housing. We provide comments to appropriate agencies to limit or avoid environmental degradation from the proposal. These assessments are also used by land trusts for conservation purposes and property owners and developers to improve site plan design. We assess variables such as soil and groundwater conditions, the presence of wetlands, inland lakes and streams, and steep slopes to determine the potential for violations of state or local regulations. These assessments can also be used by land trusts for conservation purposes.

Issue Campaigns

Citizen involvement is a hallmark of environmental protection. Each year, water resources in the Tip of the Mitt's service area are threatened by projects that jeopardize the long-term sustainability of our waters. Watershed Council staff are experienced in bringing sound science and policy analysis to bear on issues. We plan, develop, and execute campaigns to engage lake association or community group members to weigh in on an issue. Activities include:

• crafting sign on letters,
• sending out action alerts,
• building coalitions,
• and preparing citizens to provide testimony at public hearings.

Expert Witness Testimony

We have provided litigation support and expert witness testimony in circuit court cases and administrative hearings in disputes concerning:

• wetlands,
• groundwater use and groundwater contamination/remediation,
• Michigan environmental policy,
• surficial geomorphology,
• inland lakes and streams,
• and air pollution.