Opponents’ Environmental Assumptions: All Wrong
Opponents of Timber Shores would have you believe that the amended zoning ordinance on the Nov. 8 ballot is not about Timber Shores but is an effort to make the township an environmental leader. Unfortunately it fails. In contrast, it’s become a tragic study in government gone off the deep end.
Opponents need to be responsible in their criticism. Those who insist that there needs to be ‘better environmental protection’, that the proposal is deep in ‘misinformation’, that the developer needs to ‘do it right’ are tragically and thoroughly uninformed – and seem entirely blissful in their ignorance, as well as smug in their conviction that though they are often wrong they’re never in doubt.
Timber Shores is an exemplary model. It’s a project that fulfills even the most aspirational goals for protecting the bay.
Please share these facts with family and friends who are on the fence, and who need accurate information to help them decide how to vote.
· Wetland impacts are minimal. This is reflected by the fact that the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) has already issued a permit for the project.
· There will be a net gain of wetlands on the property. That’s because we will restore wetlands previously filled in the 1960s for the original Timber Shores.
· As part of the wetland mitigation plan 15.9 acres of land will be placed in a permanent conservation easement to the State of Michigan.
It’s unlikely that detractors have bothered to read any of the environmental information we have published publicly on our website. The updated Environmental Review, a 29-page document authored in part by nationally recognized wetlands expert Charles Wolverton, details every element of the proposed development including the EGLE permit that was approved on September 1, 2022. The full report is available by clicking on this link.
Similarly, the Final Wetland Mitigation and Monitoring Plan contains exhaustive details about this requirement of the EGLE permit. This plan specifies everything from wetland restoration design all the way down to the species and numbers of wetland vegetation, shrubs and trees to be planted in the wetland restoration areas approved by EGLE. This plan is available for public viewing by clicking here.
What’s ‘better environmental protection’ than restoring wetlands and planting 500 new native wetland trees, 500 native wetland shrubs, and pounds of native wetland seed mix?
What’s ‘better’ than a net gain of wetlands area?
What’s ‘better’ than a permanent conservation easement?
If your definition of ‘better’ doesn’t recognize this commitment it’s a clear indication that you’re galvanized in your opposition to the project no matter what. In other words, don’t confuse me with the facts.
On the other side of the coin, the township’s amended ordinance makes drastic changes to wetlands and shoreline setbacks. There is no supporting evidence to justify going beyond the state regulations. Also, EGLE requires townships to map out wetlands before they can create their own local rules. Leelanau Township hasn’t done that. Basically the township is trying to take over EGLE’s authority without meeting this basic legal requirement.
This ordinance also has other problems. For example, it brings unintended consequences by creating non-conforming uses under the new ordinance. Click here for details of who’s affected.
Michigan is a national leader in protecting wetlands. EGLE does an excellent job of administering the state’s wetland regulations. Townships that try to step in with their own regulations are duplicating EGLE’s efforts. A part of that problem is that townships don’t have the ecological expertise of the EGLE staff. And adding another layer of government control is never the answer.
Unfortunately Leelanau Township’s amended ordinance fails to meet the bar in many areas that are vital to good public policy and good planning.
We encourage residents to support Timber Shores by voting NO on the amended zoning ordinance. It was wrong from the moment of its infamous inception and has only gotten worse. The potential for unintended consequences that affect several properties could be catastrophic for those property owners, whether they are private homes or businesses.