Long Lake Township is adding a new tool to its planning and land-use belt: a natural features inventory.
This catalogue of woodlands, view sheds, wetlands, threatened and endangered species, watercourses, flood plains and slopes will provide a comprehensive snapshot of the township. The township hired Dr. Steven Niswander of Niswander Environmental in Brighton to conduct the survey, which is scheduled for completion by next fall.
The township adopted a comprehensive master plan in November of 2005 and a natural features inventory was one of the action items. The Long Lake Foundation is a partner with the township in the project.
"It will help us identify priority lands based on a ranking system," said John Kelley, Long Lake Township Planner "It will help guide development should development occur on a property."
"It's going to be a great planning tool and also help us along the lines of land preservation," he added.
The township hosted a series of open houses about the project — two last Thursday and one last night — to introduce Niswander and the concepts of a natural features inventory to the public. Niswander explained his work and how it can help communities make planning and development decisions.
Reactions from some attendees at the Thursday afternoon session were muted but somewhat hopeful that this data could help preserve the character of the township.
Malo Hoenke vacationed in Long Lake Township for decades before moving here permanently 16 years ago. At the open house, she raised concerns about water quality, sewage disposal and other issues related to the intense development.
Passionate to stop or reverse her perception of deteriorating water quality in Long Lake, she was intrigued by a natural features inventory.
"I think it's interesting and we definitely need to plan ahead," Hoenke said. "Every time you go down a street you haven't been down in a while, there's a new development and every development is impacting our water table."
Hoenke's friend, Liz Pomeroy, had a specific concern about the inventory: "I'm just wondering the purpose, if it's going to be enforced," she said.
Niswander brought maps with preliminary information he synthesized from a number of sources including federal, state, county and township government maps and information. He wanted to give attendees a feel for the data he would be gathering and presenting.
"The natural features inventory is a powerful tool to evaluate projects," said Niswander. "It gives a bigger picture, not just project by project, but in the context of the overall landscape and how the project may impact adjoining resources."
Niswander will begin visiting, photographing and evaluating the natural features throughout the township this week. He and his team will conduct roadside assessments and work with private landowners to obtain permission to gather additional information.
They will compile their findings from the field investigation with government data and aerial photographs to evaluate trends and corridors of natural areas.
Niswander, who has worked with numerous other communities in Michigan, talked about his work in suburban and highly developed Rochester Hills. There, the natural features inventory identified very little land left and, of the remaining parcels identified as key to protect, most were already in developer's hands and slated for building.
In the case of Long Lake Township, creating a natural features inventory and integrating the information into future decisions is a pro-active approach to shaping growth in a way that meets township goals.
"Now is the time to implement this, we're very excited to be on the front end of this as opposed to the back end of land use preservation," said Niswander. "Long Lake Township has a unique opportunity: acting now is going to have significant impact down the road."