2006 Resource Assessment Summary
In order to accomplish the Washtenaw County Conservation District's mission of educating and assisting the people of the County with the conservation and management of their natural resources, the issues and concerns related to those natural resources need to be identified. Every five years, the District conducts an assessment for this purpose.
The procedure used includes:
- Develop a list of stakeholders.
- Contact stakeholders to gather input on resource issues and concerns.
- Summarize the information obtained and identify the District's priority issues for the next five year period.
- Up date the District's long-range strategic plan, and prepare annual implementation plans which identify actions the District will take to address the priority issues outlined in the resource assessment.
Results of Resource Assessment
Using on on-line and paper survey, residents, local conservation organizations, County & State agencies were asked to rank their top three natural resource/environmental issues.
The prioritized major resource issues were: Land Use, Surface & Ground Water Quality, Wildlife & Habitat, Wetlands, Forests. Each issue is briefly described below.
Land Use
Land is a basic resource. Wise land use planning, whether for agriculture, urban/residential, commercial/industrial, recreation or other uses, is critical. Unplanned development creates urban sprawl and fragmentation that is not conducive to the best use of the land resource. The loss of agricultural land to urban use is a concern of many County residents, groups, townships, County agencies and the Conservation District. While development is not bad in and of itself, planning of that development for the optimum use of the land resource is most important.
Surface & Ground Water Quality
The quality of our surface and ground water is affected by many factors, including point and non-point sources of contamination. Soil erosion and sedimentation, fertilizer and pesticide use, road runoff, septic systems and other sources all impact water quality. Surface and groundwater in Washtenaw County is used for drinking, recreational and aesthetic uses. Maintaining good water quality is vital to the health and quality of life in the County.
Wildlife & Habitat
The presence of wildlife in Washtenaw County is an asset that is enjoyed by many residents, but also poses negative impacts when that wildlife damages agricultural crops and livestock, causes traffic accidents, or is displaced from natural habitat by man's activities and developments. Very little active wildlife management is taking place on private lands in the County, and limited knowledge of management techniques and options are evident. Destruction of habitat for wildlife by land fragmentation and development increases the conflicts between man and wildlife that are becoming more commonplace.
Wetlands
Wetlands are important for wildlife habitat, storage of storm water, cleansing of water, and groundwater recharge. The destruction and filling of wetlands for development, sedimentation of wetlands from agricultural and urban land uses, and invasion of invasive plant species seriously impact the ability of wetlands to provide the benefits noted.
Forests
The forest and woodlands of Washtenaw County contain quality hardwood species. However, early logging involved much high grading, where most, if not all the best quality trees were removed indiscriminately for use in the timber industry. This type of harvesting has left many of the remaining timber stands in poor condition, with lower-quality and lower-valued trees. Very little active forest management stems from a general lack of public knowledge in this area. Like Wetlands, invasive plant species impact Forests and their management.
While each of these resource concerns can be viewed independent of the others, they are all interconnected when looking at natural systems. So in many cases, concerns related to one issue will also impact others.
Priority Concerns
Survey respondents were also asked to rank their top three concerns for each of their top three broad issues. The priority concerns identified for each major natural resource/environmental issue include:
Major Resource Issue #1: Land Use
- Loss of farmland/urban sprawl.
- Natural areas and open space preservation.
- Adequate planning/zoning for development and growth management by local governments.
Major Resource Issue #2: Surface & Ground Water Quality
- Groundwater supply protection and management.
- Residential fertilizer/pesticide use and management.
- Surface water supply protection and management.
Major Resource Issue #3: Wildlife & Habitat
- Destruction of wildlife habitat.
- Need restoration/improvement of habitats.
- Native landscape restoration, establishment and management.
Major Resource Issue #4: Wetlands
- Loss of wetlands.
- Preservation of connected natural systems. (tie)
- Invasive plant species control. (tie)
- Restoration and management of existing wetlands.
Major Resource Issue #5: Forests
- Tree diseases, insects, species decline.
- Invasive plant species control. (tie)
- Protecting/saving trees during construction. (tie)
- Woodlots needing management.
Other Survey Responses
Survey respondents also were asked to rate:
- How their natural resource/environmental issues were being addressed by local, County and State conservation/environmental groups, organizations and/or agencies.
- How long they have lived in Washtenaw County?
- How much property they own in Washtenaw County?
- How would they describe the setting in which they live?
- What sources do you use to keep informed about news and information concerning resource issues in Washtenaw County?
Summary
The complete 2006 Resource Assessment is available in PDF format (180 kb). Copies of the assessment can also be obtained at the District office, 7203 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor. Or by calling the District office at: 734-761-6721 extension 5, and requesting a copy of the 2006 resource assessment.