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| Sustainable
Coastal Communities
Michigan’s 3,000-mile Great Lakes shoreline poses one of
the state’s greatest challenges. Coastal populations are
growing rapidly, and an estimated 300 shoreline communities must
make sound land-use decisions that protect valuable natural resources,
revitalize degraded urban areas and enhance economic opportunity.
Michigan Sea Grant plays a unique role in bringing together diverse
partners to develop new visions and work toward common solutions. |
Coastal Community Survey
More than 200 of Michigan's coastal communities responded to a survey
conducted by Michigan Sea Grant in 2002 to gauge the status of land-use
planning tools and resources in shoreline communities. Among the
findings, survey results show an increase in the number of coastal
communities that have adopted comprehensive master plans, an increase
in the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and an increase
in professional planning and zoning staff since 1994. The results
will allow Sea Grant to assist coastal communities as they face
land-use challenges. |
“The AHR Initiative
has helped leverage more than $13 million in projects ranging
from developing riverfront greenways to remediating contaminated
sites.”
Mark Breederland
Michigan Sea Grant Extension Agent
Steering Committee Chair, Greater Detroit AHR Initiative |
Detroit River Renaissance
The 32-mile Detroit River is undergoing a transformation. Long used
for industrial purposes, the river is being rediscovered as a valued
environmental resource, recreational asset and economic stimulus.
The Detroit River is one of only 14 rivers nationwide honored with
a presidential designation as an American Heritage River. That designation
led to development of the Greater Detroit American Heritage River
(AHR) Initiative; Michigan Sea Grant Extension chairs the steering
committee.
With its partners, the Greater Detroit AHR Initiative has helped
plan, secure funding and implement a range of projects. Among them:
• A system of riverfront greenways connecting 18 projects
including boardwalks, trails, marinas and other amenities;
•
Eleven soft engineering projects on the Detroit River that use ecological
principles and practices to stabilize shorelines;
• Six
projects to help restore Belle Isle, a 980-acre historic island
park in the heart of downtown Detroit;
• Three projects
to help restore historic Fort Wayne on the lower Detroit River.
These accomplishments were highlighted in October 2002 at the National
Conference on American Heritage Rivers, coordinated in part by Michigan
Sea Grant, and attended by more than 150 people representing the
14 American Heritage Rivers. |
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