Background

The purpose of this chapter is to set forth the Township's goals and objectives to guide a comprehensive community-wide forestry program.  Long Lake Township has had an active community planning program for over two decades,  with the most current accomplishment being the adoption of a Township Land Use Master Plan in 1997.  It is the intention of this community-wide forestry plan to support and build upon these existing plans and planning efforts.

The process of developing goals and policies for the Community-wide Forestry Plan involved several steps.  First of all, information gathered in earlier chapters covering existing conditions and prioritization of woodland areas were considered.  Next, goals, objectives and policies from the 1997 Land Use Master Plan were reviewed.  Pertinent goals have been incorporated into this plan and were used as a springboard for developing more specific goals and policies related to forestry and natural resources. 

Next, in May of 1995, the planning commission undertook a community-wide opinion survey that focused on land use issues.  The results of this survey, summarized in the 1997 Land Use Master Plan, were considered as a part of developing goals.  Furthermore, input from concerned public, planning commission and township board at several workshops further guided the goal setting process. 
 

Land Use Master Plan

The following are excepts from the Long Lake Township Land Use Master Plan adopted in 1997.  Goals, objectives and policies pertaining to natural resources are listed below.

Community Goals

Guide new development in a manner  that conserves natural features and environmentally sensitive areas and meets the long term needs of the community.

Protect environmentally sensitive areas such as agricultural lands, wetlands, inland lakes, steep slopes, and groundwater recharge areas from impacts of incompatible development.

Foster scenic and recreational opportunities that meet the needs of area residents. 
 

Objectives and Policies related to Environmental Features

Objectives

Maintain the Township's scenic and rural character by minimizing the impacts of development on environmental features such as wetlands, woodlands, steep slopes, and scenic views.

Encourage the retention of important farmlands, forestlands, and open space areas.

Protect the quality of surface and ground water resources in the Township from development related impacts.

Protect Township residents and property from hazards associated with development that infringes on natural systems.

Policies

Encourage the maintenance of undisturbed natural buffers around inland lakes, wetlands, and other sensitive environmental systems.

Discourage development on slopes greater than 18 percent and ensure adequate development controls for construction on slopes with an incline of 12 to 18 percent.  Further, encourage hillside development to be designed in consideration of topography.

Encourage the use of cluster designs to conserve scenic views, agricultural lands, wetland areas, inland lakes, groundwater recharge areas, steep slopes and other environmentally sensitive areas.

Encourage the use of native plant species and naturalized landscape designs, where appropriate, to enhance the community's existing character.

Encourage the retention of productive agricultural and forest lands through available mechanisms such as open space and farmland agreements, forest stewardship programs, and conservation easements, as well as zoning incentives.

Encourage the stewardship of privately-owned forest lands, wetlands, inland lakes, and other environmental systems.

Encourage the establishment of a continuous open space system that interconnects public and private natural areas and recreational facilities, as well as, providing for wildlife habitat. 

Encourage the inclusion of parks, bicycle and pedestrian linkages and open space areas in conjunction with new  and established developments. 

Ensure that all county, state and federal environmental regulations are adhered to in the development of land.

Evaluate the impact of increasing impervious surface area on the quality of surface water bodies in the Township .
 

Objectives and Policies Related to Residential Land Use

Objectives

Provide for a range of residential styles and densities to meet the needs of the Township's diverse population.

Encourage the development of residential neighborhoods which are well-integrated into the existing landscape and complement the character of existing neighborhoods. 

Policies

Encourage the incorporation of existing vegetation, topography, and other natural features into the design of new residential developments.

Encourage new residential developments to be sited in a manner that protects the Township's rural character and scenic views by maintaining proper setbacks and providing landscaping screening as appropriate.

Discourage a pattern of scattered rural housing development on overly large lots, particularly in areas of productive agricultural and forest lands. 
 

Community Opinion Survey

As a part of the process for developing the Land Use Master Plan, the Long Lake Township  Planning Commission conducted a community opinion survey in 1995.  A total of 2,700 questionnaires were hand delivered, one to each household in the Township.  The Township received 1,024 completed questionnaires, resulting in a 37.9 percent response rate.

Results of the survey clearly shows Township residents' support for maintaining and managing the area's natural resources.   Ninety percent think that existing farms and orchards should be preserved and 90 percent felt that forestry and forest management should be encouraged.

For agricultural and open space preservation programs, 51 percent of the respondents thought  the Township should consider a local purchase of development rights program.  Whereas, 78 percent felt that land conservancy programs should be encouraged in the Township.   Ninety percent of the respondents believe that it is important to preserve open space in the Township.

When asked about protection of natural resources, 89 percent felt it is important to preserve scenic views from roadways.  In addition, respondents showed high support for maintaining woodlands (94 percent), preserving wetlands (86 percent), and keeping farmlands in active production (87 percent).  Ninety-three percent want to protect water bodies from soil erosion and 69 percent felt it is important to prevent stormwater from flowing directly into water bodies. 
 

Community-Wide Forestry Goals 

General Goals

Develop and implement a proactive community-wide forestry program based on principles of ecosystem management, where by all of the community’s natural systems are protected and managed. “Ecosystem refers to the relationship between a community of plants and animals and its living and non-living environment.  This relationship includes the rain, sun, wind and elements of the atmosphere; the plants and animals, including people, on the land and in the waters; and the soil, geology and water that  occurs on or in the land.  Interacting together, these diverse environmental factors from an ecosystem.”  Ecosystem management considers all components and the interrelationships of those components; and that altering one component will affect the entire ecosystem.  For example, the destruction of wetlands will in turn negatively impact water quality. 

Based on information gathered in the community-wide forestry plan, land use master plan and other planning efforts, devise ways to protect the community’s valuable resources from impacts of development so that people and natural systems can coexist.

Use a collaborative approach to protecting and managing natural systems by forming partnerships with local and state agencies, adjacent units of governments, and resource organizations.

Increase public awareness and encourage Township residents and businesses to participate in the implementation of the community-wide forestry program through educational programs, technical assistance programs and community events such as National Arbor Day. 

Encourage the use of native plants for reforestation, wildlife habitat, street and neighborhood trees, landscaping and roadside corridors. 

Discourage the use of invasive, harmful and problem prone plants, such as autumn olive, multiflora rose, reed canary grass, purple loosestrife, boxelder, and siberian elm.

Support the community-wide forestry program with a combination of funding sources including grants, foundations and the township’s general fund. 

Continue to develop Long Lake Township’s Geographic Information System (GIS) program for use in community planning, community development, and natural resource management.
 

Forest Management

Goal:  Encourage and support the retention of larger tracts of forestlands in public and private ownership.

Actions:
 

• Develop and implement zoning regulations to encourage conservation cluster development that will minimize further fragmentation of forestlands. 

• Work with Grand Traverse Conservation District Forester and other resource professionals to develop a forest landowner technical assistance program, that targets forested tracts 20 aces and larger. 

• Work with Cooperative Extension Service, Grand Traverse Conservation District, Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, other agencies and  organizations to develop a forest landowner education program.  Program should include workshops, newsletter, direct mailings and township web page to disseminate information. 

Goal:
In recognizing the importance of trees in the suburban environment,    encourage the retention of existing native trees and the establishment of street and shade trees in residential neighborhoods and commercial developments within the Township.
 

Actions:
 

• Use the site plan review process to minimize the loss of existing native trees, encourage the planting of shrubs and trees where needed, provide suitable areas for planting trees, minimize conflicts with utility and transportation systems, and incorporate aesthetics considerations to protect views along roads and streets. 

• Promote a healthy and diverse suburban forest by developing technical assistance and education programs with the assistance of agencies, organizations, associations and resource professionals. 

• Develop standards for tree planting and maintenance.  Provide a list of preferred shrubs and trees for planting on a variety of sites. 

Goal:
Preserve, protect and restore primary tree lined corridors in the Township.

Actions:
 

• Conduct a street tree inventory along primary transportation corridors to determine location, species, age, size, health and condition of trees. 

• Establish a cooperative roadside tree program with the Grand Traverse County Road Commission, utility companies and private landowners.

• Develop policies for maintenance, removal, and planting of roadside trees in conjunction with cooperating agencies. 

• Adopt standards for tree planting and lists of preferred shrubs and trees for planting on a variety of sites. 

• Establish a roadside tree planting program, where by the township and landowners share in the cost of purchasing trees.  Local agencies such as the Grand Traverse Conservation District can provide technical assistance for the program. 

Goal:
Support the preservation of critical natural areas either identified in this plan or at some future time. 

Actions:
 

• Work with the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy and local citizen groups to raise funds to purchase and preserve important natural areas.

• Establish a dialog with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to monitor and provide input on the sale or exchange of state land in the Township. 

Goal:
Encourage the retention, enhancement and restoration of natural forestlands adjacent to lakes, streams and wetlands.

Actions:
 

• Amend zoning ordinance to encourage conservation cluster residential development and greenbelt regulations that will maximize the benefits of riparian forestlands.  Through greenbelt regulations designate a 50’ water quality buffer of trees, shrubs and herbaceous vegetation.  Regulations should include standards for development of multi-layered vegetation (trees, shrubs and herbaceous), including spacing, density, and preferred species. 

• Work with Grand Traverse Conservation District, Long Lake Association, Grand Traverse County Drain Commissioner to develop a riparian landowner technical assistance program. 

• Work with Long Lake Association, local and state agencies, and organizations to develop a riparian landowner education program.  The program should target landowners, local schools, landscape companies, real estate companies and developers.  Program should include workshops, newsletter, direct mailings and township web page to disseminate information.

Goal:
Encourage the preservation, enhancement and restoration of critical wildlife habitat and important ecological corridors.

Actions:
 

• Amend zoning ordinance  to encourage conservation cluster residential development in critical areas.  During the site plan review process encourage the protection of primary and secondary conservation areas, including critical wildlife habitat, steep slopes, ridgelines, wetlands, lowland forests, old growth forestlands, and natural meadows. 

• Work with the Conservation Resource Alliance, Grand Traverse Conservation District and other resource professionals to develop a landowner technical assistance program, that targets tracts 20 aces and larger, and parcels within key ecological corridors.  Particular attention should be given to areas under pressure for development and areas where the integrity of the corridor has been compromised by development. 

• Work with Cooperative Extension Service, Conservation Resource Alliance, Grand Traverse Conservation District, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, other agencies and  organizations to develop a wildlife management education program.  Program should include workshops, newsletter, direct mailings and township web page to disseminate information. 

Farmland Woodlots / Open Space

Goal:
Support continued farming operations and encourage reforestation of lands no longer being farmed. 

Actions:
 

• Amend zoning ordinance  to encourage conservation cluster residential development and the preservation of open space.  During the site plan review process encourage the protection of farmland woodlots, steep slopes, wetlands and important views.
• Use preserved open space areas associated with conservation cluster development to link natural areas and expand the green infrastructure or ecological corridors.  Support the planting of native shrubs and trees within the preserved open space areas and on lands no longer being used for agricultural purposes. 

• Consider participating in existing cost sharing  programs to promote reforestation activities.

• Work with the Grand Traverse Conservation District and other resource professionals to provide technical assistance to landowners and developers interested in reforestation activities and establishing greenways networks that will link natural areas.

• Work with Cooperative Extension Service, Conservation Resource Alliance, Grand Traverse Conservation District, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, other agencies and  organizations to develop an education program that will focus on creating greenways networks or ecological corridors.