Visioning a Sustainable Future for Northeast Michigan:
Connecting Great Lakes Coastal Access, Tourism, and Economic Development
Project Dates: 2006-2009
Michigan Sea Grant organized the Northeast Michigan Integrated Assessment to foster a regional planning process related to economic development and coastal resources. The project included a series of stakeholder workshops that brought together community leaders, such as town planners, county park staff and tourism professionals from Alcona, Alpena and Presque Isle counties. Participants crafted the following question to be the focus of the project:
How can coastal access be designed, in a regional context, for sustainable tourism that stimulates economic development while maintaining the integrity of natural and cultural resources, and quality of life?
Based on needs identified by local stakeholders, Michigan Sea Grant assembled five technical assessment teams to gather and analyze data that could guide decision-making. The teams were led by specialists from the University of Michigan, NOAA National Marine Sanctuary Program, Michigan State University Extension, the Nature Conservancy and the American Institute for Architects. Each assessment team focused on a different topic:
- Socioeconomics – How do tourism and natural resource affect the local economy?
- Ecological resources – What natural features need greater protection and which could be better utilized?
- Cultural Assets – What are the key coastal cultural assets of the region?
- Planning and Zoning – Are plans and codes designed to manage growth and advance community goals?
- Sustainable Design – How can planning and design be used to promote sustainable communities?
The assessment teams discussed their plans and results at stakeholder workshops and then, if needed, modified the focus of their work. Stakeholders used the information to develop policy options related to sustainable tourism and economic development that could be put into place in the region.
Expected Outcomes
The goal of the project was to help communities in Northeast Michigan:
- Develop a shared vision for their environment and economy
- Identify a suite of potential actions for reaching the region’s goals
- Build new partnerships among town planners, natural resource managers and business leaders
- Connect with technical experts who could provide a science-based, peer-reviewed assessment of the region.
- Access relevant information that could help guide future decision-making.
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