Michigan s Critical Dunes. The value of dunes, state law, and sustainable building practices

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1 Michigan s Critical Dunes The value of dunes, state law, and sustainable building practices

2 Presentation Overview Goals Dune Values Sand Dune Protection and Management Act Regulation Environmentally Sustainable Building Resources

3 Goals 1. Increased knowledge of the value of critical dunes 2. Improved understanding of state regulation 3. Increased use of environmentally sustainable building practices

4 Michigan s dunes are unique to the Midwest 275,000 acres of shoreline along the Great Lakes Largest accumulation of freshwater coastal dunes in the world Mix of ecological communities that support rare & endangered species, irreplaceable habitats & dynamic biological interactions

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6 Michigan s dunes date back to the last Ice Age. Dunes were formed over thousands of years. Dunes are never replaced (once lost, gone forever).

7 MICHIGAN SAND DUNE PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT ACT Enacted in Critical dune amendments passed in 1989 & ,000 acres designated as critical dune out of 275,000 acres of sand dunes in Michigan.

8 Michigan Sand Dune Protection and Management Act The critical dune areas of this state are a unique, irreplaceable, and ecologically sensitive resource that provide significant recreational, economic, scientific, geological, scenic, botanical, educational, agricultural, and ecological benefits to the people of this state and to people from other states and countries who visit this resource.... The benefits derived from alteration, industrial, residential, commercial, agricultural, silvicultural, and the recreational use of critical dune areas shall occur only when the protection of the environment and the ecology of the critical dune areas for the benefit of the present and future generations is assured.

9 Michigan Sand Dune Protection and Management Act Critical Dune Areas (CDAs) include: Barrier dunes, dunes exhibiting specific geomorphologic features, dune areas supporting exemplary dune association plant communities (as designated by Michigan Natural Features Inventory), All areas designated with Michigan s Critical Dune Atlas

10 Increased development pressure Inadequate local regulations Intent of state law was for local administration

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12 Counties with Critical Dune Areas Berrien Van Buren Allegan Ottawa Muskegon Oceana Mason Manistee Benzie Leelanau Antrim Charlevoix Emmet Mackinac Schoolcraft Keweenaw Alger Luce Chippewa Critical Dune Area Maps found at: or dunes

13 REGULATION Intended to guide development in critical dunes

14 Permitting agencies Primary authority Oversight of construction Vegetation Removal Assurance Department of NATURAL RESOURCES and ENVIRONMENT

15 Special exceptions are required for construction on slopes landward of first crest. Environmental impact assessments for larger projects, such as condominiums.

16 Needed Materials to Submit a Permit DNRE/USACE Joint Permit Application, instructions, permit process and filing fees are available at: Permits submitted to: Michigan DNRE LWMD Permit Consolidation Unit P.O. BOX Lansing, MI Minor projects that meet DNRE desktop review categories can be submitted with credit card payment directly to DNRE District office.

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18 ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE BUILDING

19 Site Planning Incorporate evaluating key for topographical and natural resource features Minimizing disturbed areas Minimizing impacts to ecological communities Maintain continuity of vegetation Utilizing an organized and well thought out plan will determine ecological impacts within the dunes

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21 Reducing Impacts to Slopes Slopes greater than 2:1 should incorporate management practices that minimize the amount and disturbance of soils Minimize soil movement Minimize impacts from utilities Minimize tree and vegetation removal

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23 Stabilization of Slopes Areas for slope stabilization should occur during all phases of the project Temporary slope stabilization Permanent slope stabilization Re vegetation and stabilization of disturbed areas

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25 Site Management and Maintenance Appropriate land management techniques not only protect the dune landscape but also reduce overall maintenance costs and allow landowners to minimize the need for permits.

26 Examples of maintenance activities Re grading existing driveways Removal of blow sand Vegetative maintenance Septic maintenance Fence/pole installation Tree removal Trimming branches and physical wounds Hazard tree identification and treatment

27 BEST MANAGEMENT DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION

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29 RESOURCES DUNES.HTML

30 Produced by: Muskegon Conservation District, Great Lakes Consulting Made possible through funding from the Michigan Coastal Management Program, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

31 Special thanks to: Lee Schwartz, Michigan Association of Homebuilders; Brad Garmon, Michigan Environmental Council; Elizabeth Tillman, Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment; Mike Hayes, JFNew, Inc.; John Allegretti, Allegretti Architects, Inc.; Charles Davis, Preserve the Dunes; Jan Deur, Alliance for the Great Lakes,; John Legge, The Nature Conservancy, Michigan Chapter; Alan Arbogast, Michigan State University; Deanna Van Dijk, Calvin College; Ed Hansen, Hope College, Suzanne Devries Zimmerman, Hope College, and Nancy Cuncannan, Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment. Photos contributed by: Rog Wilmer, Jerry Grady, Joe Hill, Mike Ingles, Debra Lambers

32 For more information, contact: Jeff Auch Muskegon Conservation District (231)