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Conservation News and Projects
Updated on
February 10, 2007
Sep. 25, 2005 Putnam
Twp. preserves wetlands: approves funds for new ordinance to ensure
areas smaller than 5 acres are protected
Jun. 10, 2005 Parks millage? Regional
recreation system in early stages of development
Feb. 21, 2005 Volunteers
sought for waterway survey
Larger projects or stories that we are following:
Livingston County
Parks & Open Space Plan
Tree-preservation
ordinance in Brighton Township
Noise at shooting
range at Island Lake State Rec. Area
Proposed land sale
at Island Lake State Rec. Area
Cougars returning
to Livingston County after about 100 years
Helps to finding news
in the media
Livingston County Natural
Features Inventory
Local information via
New Jersey Sierra Club and others
Find your local
government.
Livingston County Parks & Open Space Plan
The Livingston
County Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee has completed a draft
of the Livingston
County Parks & Open Space Plan. You can view the plan
at these two links, or on paper bound copies at the following public libraries:
Brighton,
Cromaine (Hartland), Fowlerville, Hamburg, Howell, and Pinckney.
The committee is seeking public comments by:
- email
to the Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee
- US mail: Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee
c/o Livingston County Department of Planning
304 E. Grand River Ave, Suite 206
Howell, MI 48843
- phone Jill Thacher, Livingston County Department of Planning, 517-546-7555.
There will be two public hearings held to take public
comments on the Plan:
- Public Hearing #1
February 15, 2006 6-7pm
Board of Commissioners Chambers
304 E. Grand River Ave
Howell, MI 48843
- Public Hearing #2 (during the meeting at which the Livingston
County Board of Commissioners is scheduled to consider a resolution
to adopt the Plan)
February 21, 2006 7:30pm
Board of Commissioners Chambers
304 E. Grand River Ave
Howell, MI 48843
Please comment to the committee, and the Board of Commissioners!
Tree-preservation ordinance in Brighton Township
After two years of persistent action by citizen activists,
the Brighton Township board approved a land
clearing ordinance, which restricts developers and homeowners on lots
of over two and a half acres from removing trees without a permit.
Backlash from when Pulte Homes extended their Dominion development at
Spencer Road and US-23, removing a large swath of trees. Then not
enforced, referred to voters, who turned it down after a vicious campaign.
Lessons? Not sure we know yet. Are other townships proceeding,
where Brighton is not?
Nov. 9, 2005 Voters
splinter tree rule
Nov. 9, 2005 Brighton
Twp. voters say no to rules restricting tree cutting
Nov. 8, 2005 Residents of Brighton
Township vote on the ordinance
Oct. 28, 2005 Big
turnout likely: Brighton Twp's suspended ordinance on Nov8 ballot
Oct., 2005 Stop
Clearcuts Now formed, urging passage of the ordinance in referendum
being voted upon by the registered voters of Brighton Township November
8, 2005.
Oct. 21, 2005 We
must protect township's trees from our own from Lorne Beatty
Sep. 30, 2005 Voters
will decide fate of tree ordinance Brighton Twp and
Residents
fuming over tree removal Hamburg Twp
Sep. 25, 2005 Make
fresh start with municipal tree ordinance
Sep. 23, 2005 Comments
by Sue Kelly
Sep. 11, 2005 Tree
ordinance . . . put to test Nov. 8
Sep. 6, 2005
Brighton Township Tree Ordinance Put on Hold
Sep. 6, 2005 You
Might Not Want a Tree Ordinance If...
Aug. 2, 2005 Where
was the advice from attorney?
Aug. 1, 2005 Is
township's tree ordinance an unreasonable restriction?
Aug. 1, 2005 Officials
mull natural features ordinance Hartland Twp
July 22, 2005 Tree
ordinance may face ax--BrTwp.'s referendum attracts plenty of signees
July 22, 2005 Loss
of trees could make anyone shed a tear
July 22, 2005 Tree
ordinance may face ax--BrTwp.'s referendum attracts plenty of signees
July 22, 2005 Loss
of trees could make anyone shed a tear
July 17, 2005 Scare
tactics on the tree ordinance letter by our own Paul Thielking
July 17, 2005 Tree
ordinance concerns surprise board
July 15, 2005 Tree
ordinance battle becomes personal for clerk
July 13, 2005 Tree
rules put on hold
July 11, 2005 Don't
take away property rights
July 8, 2005 Sometimes
ordinances have unintended results
July 7, 2905 Tree
preservation law stalled
June 30 2005 Tree
ordinance needs to be passed
June 29, 2005 Tyler
scrambles to clear land (page 1, with photo of Ken Tyler cutting a
tree with a chainsaw, and bio.
Photo captions read, "Man fears tree rules will cost him his property
rights" and "Ken Tyler cuts logs on this Brighton Township property.
If it wasn't for a tree preservation ordinance--a measure he says
would cost him an additional $10,000 per lot for clearing and development--Tyler
said he wouldn't have chopped down the trees.")
June 29, 2005 Save
the trees by killing ordinance letter or editorial
June 24, 2005 Petition
targets tree rules
June 22, 2005 Brighton Township
puts ordinance on hold "The idea was proposed during the
master plan process in 2002."
June 20, 2005 Hartland Opinions
mixed over woodlands ordinance plans
June 17, 2005 Brighton
Twp. approves tree preservation law
June 7, 2005 Brighton Township
OKs tree ordinance
June 5, 2005 Land
clearing ordinance goes before Brighton Township board
May 17, 2005 Tree
regulations clear latest hurdle
May 17, 2005 Brighton
Township Tree Ordinance Advances
May 13, 2005 Tree
cutting limit unresolved in Brighton Twp
May 10, 2005 Land
clearing permit debated
Jan. 3, 2005 Flap
over tree clearing
Oct. 1, 2004 Woodlands
ordinance needs to be a priority
Jun. 7, 2004 Local
group helps save birds
Apr. 11, 2004 Woodland
rules are necessary
Mar. 23, 2004 Developer
clears woods
Noise at shooting range at Island Lake State Rec.
Area
DNR stonewalling. The first trial under Circuit Court
Judge Burress shut down the gun range. Appeals Court sent it back
for rehearing, meanwhile the gun range is back open, and being expanded.
Second trial to decide the issue will be in September.
Jan. 29, 2006 Judge
decides not to dismiss noise-ordinance case btw Green Oak, DNR
A
sound engineer.
Sept. 26, 2005 Sound
testing will help township win lawsuit
Sept. 16, 2005 Green
Oak residents frustrated by lack of action on shooting range permit
Sept. 15, 2005 Protect
residents; shut down range
Sept. 14, 2005 Tensions
rise over Green Oak gun range - Planning Commission meeting ends in shouting;
officials delay decision on pulling permit
Sept. 13, 2005 Gun
range's permit on the line today
Sept. 11, 2005 Tuesday
Sept. 8, 2005 Judge
hits township with sanctions again
Aug. 12, 2005 Judge
chides officials in gun range dispute
Aug. 10, 2005 WHMI website
Top Livingston County News:
"Green Oak Told To 'Quit Playing Games' By Local Judge"
"The battle continues between the Island Lake Shooting Range and
Green Oak Township as a motion for sanctions against Green Oak was heard
and granted Tuesday. Green Oak filed suit last year against Michigan
Shooting Centers for continually violating the township's 65 decibel noise
ordinance. Scott Hamilton represents Michigan Shooting Centers who
operate the shooting range at the Island Lake State Recreation Area.
He told WHMI that in their opinion, the township did not comply with the
court order to provide expert documentation related to sound testing at
the shooting range and therefore a motion to pay court sanctions for attorneys
fees were brought against the township. Ultimately, Circuit Court
Judge Stanley Latrielle sanctioned the township a total of $3,000 for
withholding materials related to sound testing. Latrielle also stated
in the court transcript of yesterdays ruling that he 'is highly suspicious
of the way Green Oak Township has been acting in the matter and that it’s
obvious that this has become a political football.' Green Oak Supervisor
Mark St. Charles told WHMI that he has no comment on yesterday’s
ruling but does anticipate an executive session by the board to review
the court’s decision and further discuss the litigation. (JM)"
Aug. 3, 2005 Township
to discuss yanking gun range's special-use permit
July 22, 2005 We're
anti-noise, not anti-gun
July 15, 2005 Island
Lake State Park: Residents do right thing by sticking to their guns
July 7, 2005 Expanded
shooting range angers nearby residents
June 28, 2005 Residents
fire off at gun range and box,
photo of two protesters with caption "Stifling heat didn't stop
a group of residents from protesting Monday about the gunfire noise coming
from the Island Lake State Recreation Area shooting range. Members
of Citizens for a Quiet
Community picked Monday because State Sen. Bruce Patterson, R-Canton,
was hosting his fourth annual Shoot & Silent Action fund-raiser at
the facility in Green Oak Township. Jenness Wiegand of Brighton
Township, left, and Ray Walsh of Lyon Township hold signs outside the
park's entrance to raise awareness about the noise issue."
June 20, 2005 Why
is DNR building more shooting stations?
June 12, 2005 Shooters,
residents remain at odds, and Editorial
(third bullet item)
June 7, 2005 Park
expands shooting facilities (ten new sporting clay shooting stations)
May 10, 2005 It's
like living in a war zone
Apr. 28, 2005 Help
Stop Gun Noise at Island Lake range
Apr. 22, 2005 Sheriff
withdraws gun range proposal [in Handy Township]
Mar. 3, 2005 If
approved, shooting facilities will be excused from local noise ordinances
Mar. 2, 2005 Group
wants to shoot down noise proposal
Jan. 12, 2005 The
facts support the residents
Jan. 4, 2005 Know
the facts on park's gun range
Dec. 29, 2004 Is
issue noise, or antigun feelings
The Crossroads Group of the Sierra Club supports Citizens
for a Quiet Community, a group which seeks to enforce the noise
ordinance of Green Oak Township on the Island
Lake Shooting Range.
Our support should not be interpreted as a sign that we
oppose guns or hunting. The position of the Sierra Club is that
hunters, fishermen, hikers, paddlers, campers, birdwatchers, and others
who seek and enjoy a natural environment are natural allies, and to divide
these groups threatens a healthy, stable environment.
Unfortunately, the actions of the DNR threaten to undermine
these natural alliances—first, in the decision to place a shooting
range adjacent to Kensington Park and right beside the beginning of the
only "Natural River District" in southeastern Michigan;
second, in ignoring its violations of the Green Oak Noise Ordinance;
third, in using taxpayer dollars to appeal the verdict of Judge Burress.
We applaud the steady, reasonable determination of the
Citizens for a Quiet Community
to compel the DNR to listen.
Dec. 26, 2004 Sound
of gunfire dims holiday mood
Dec. 24, 2004 Is
the gun range a big problem?
Dec. 15, 2004 Fire
away: Court reopens gun range
Dec. 7, 2004 It's
nice and quiet at Island Lake
Nov. 21, 2004 Judge
shuts down gun range at Island Lake
Nov. 15, 2004 Burress
right on gun range ruling
Nov. 12, 2004 Range's
days are numbered?
Nov. 8, 2004 Judge
made the right decision
Nov. 3, 2004 Shooting
range must fall silent
Sep. 22, 2004 Gun
noise irks those near range
Jul. 1, 2004 Court
returns fire at gun range
Jun. 25, 2004 Range
must follow noise rules
Jun. 4, 2004 Township
aims to muffle gun noise
May 4, 2004 State
targets range noise
Mar. 8, 2004 Range
opponents don't understand
Mar. 8, 2004 Group
fed up with lead, also Lead
poisoning and Non-Toxic
Shot Rules
Mar. 7, 2004 Weigand
leads a righteous journey
Feb. 19, 2004 Wiegand
gung-ho to stop gun noise
Jan. 15, 2004 State
sends sound expert to gun range
Jan. 7, 2004 Sewer,
water, guns keep Green Oak busy
Jan. 1, 2004 Some
resolutions around the county
Nov. 6, 2003 Townships
taking DNR to court
Nov. 5, 2003 Green
Oak Township Board Minutes
Oct. 13, 2003 Shooting
range is still too noisy
Oct. 12, 2003 State
must deliver on its promises to limit gun noise
Oct. 6, 2003 DNR
trying to muffle range noise
Sep. 14, 2003 Help
us battle all the noise
Sep. 5, 2003 Residents
making noise about park's shooting range
Sep. 5, 2003 Cherish
the sounds of silence
Sep. 4, 2003 Persistence
pays off with shooting range
Sep. 4, 2003 People
unhappy with DNR noise-reduction plan
Sep. 1, 2003 State
stepping in to address noise at shooting range
Proposed land sale at Island Lake State Rec. Area
Feb. 1, 2005 Rep.
Ward isn't representing us
Nov. 2, 2004 Stripped
soil gets new life
Oct. 18, 2004 Send
a message about land swap
Oct. 13, 2004 Residents
hope to swamp land swap
Oct. 4, 2004 Keep
Island Lake space for future
Sep.27, 2004 Residents
want proposed land swap stopped
Cougars returning to Livingston County after 100
years
Cougars (also known as mountain lions, panthers and pumas)
are a part of the ecosystem, and will help thin out the deer, preserving
landscaping and reduce the need for sharpshooters at Kensington.
But it will take some planning, and education. When the MDNR takes
jurisdiction over the cougars, the legislature must make funds available
for a wildlife management plan.
Feb. 18, 2005 When asked that when MDNR takes jurisdiction over
the cougars, would he make funds available for a wildlife management plan,
State Sen. Garcia said he "will be glad to do so if the funds are
available."
Jan. 30, 2005 Michigan
is also cougar country
Nov. 25, 2004 Did
cougar stash deer? Commerce Township
Nov. 13, 2004 Workers,
mayor report seeing large cat in area Rochester Hills
Sep. 29, 2004 Resident
reports cougar sighting Green Oak Township
Helps to finding news in the media
To find above links, this author often uses:
For writing Letters to the Editor, follow this
link.
For some great helps on Environmental Journalism, including FOIA requests,
follow this
link.
Livingston County Natural Features Inventory
Since we first had a program on the Michigan
Natural Features Inventory back in November 2001, our vision of actually
having a survey conducted for Livingston County seems a little closer
to reality. We met with the Livingston
County Planning Department, who then scheduled John Paskus from the
MNFI to present a Natural Features program at the next Planning Luncheon
for township Planning Commissions.
Our hope is that a thorough survey will be conducted for
the entire county, identifying and characterizing what natural features
currently exist. Those unique natural areas that are found will
be ranked by quality and compiled into a complete mapping system.
Natural areas will be rated by ecological importance conducive to preserving
the natural integrity of the land for wildlife and the health of the surrounding
environment. Natural plant and animal species identified will determine
the quality of natural areas. The natural areas ranked will include
wetlands, forested areas (rated by existing tree species), upland meadows,
natural riverbanks, and fens.
A blueprint of compiled information will be very valuable
in planning efforts for the county as a whole, but more importantly for
township planners. The mapping system of rated, natural features will
help guide local planning commissions as they are faced with tough decisions
about rezoning properties, where and how to plan developments, and how
to include open spaces. Tools and techniques could be implemented
by municipalities and private organizations to assist in allowing development
while designating sensitive natural resources that need protection.
This will help to establish a stewardship strategy that benefits public
and private lands.
The Crossroads Group and the Livingston
Land Conservancy held a steering committee meeting at the Howell Carnegie
Library to address the feasibility of conducting an MNFI for Livingston
County. We invited representatives from many local organizations
who may have an interest in becoming involved or show support in this
effort.
If you are interested in this project or have questions,
please contact Emily
Gobright.
Local information via New Jersey Sierra Club and
others
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