Resource Assessments

• 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.
• Update 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

Using an on-line and paper survey, residents, local conservation organizations, township, municipalities, County & State agencies were asked to rank their top three natural resource/environmental issues.

Issues such as: Surface and Ground Water Quality, Land Use, Wildlife and Habitat, Forests and Trees, Energy Use, Solid Waste/Recycling,  Wetlands, and Air Quality.  Each is discussed briefly below.

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 purposes.  Maintaining good water quality is vital to the health and quality of life in the County.

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, as is the need for wiser planning of development for the optimum use of the land resource.

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.  Destruction of habitat for wildlife by land fragmentation and development increases the conflicts between man and wildlife that are becoming more commonplace.  There are limited wildlife management efforts on private lands and public properties in the County making only minimal impact in these conflicts.

The rural forests and woodlands of Washtenaw County contain a range of high to low quality hardwood species, with many woodlands having had limited forest management.  Also, because of a high percentage of urbanized land, the County has a large urban forest resource that also has not had consistent management.  Both of these forest resources have been severely impacted by a number of invasive insect and plant species, and diseases that kill or stress trees severely.

Energy, in various forms, is used to heat, cool and light our homes and businesses, and fuel our vehicles.  The impacts on the environment from the exploration, processing and distribution of current energy sources such as coal and oil, as well as alternative sources such as wind or solar, must be balanced with the costs of those sources, and the cost to the consumer.

Waste created by human activity in large part ends up in landfills.  That solid waste and how it is managed can have serious impacts on ground and surface waters in addition to finding the space to store this waste.  Recycling is a primary method to reduce the waste stream and has been embraced by Washtenaw County and its residents for many years.  However, concerns about recycling services and opportunities has increased in recent years.

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 these benefits.

The quality of our air can impact our health, participation in outdoor activities, and the growth and development of trees, plants, and crops.  Factors such as emissions from vehicles and industry, smoke and particulate matter from fires, weather conditions, and others can affect air quality.

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.