Results
Technical Assessments
The methods and results of the Northeast Michigan Integrated Assessment are documented in the seven chapters of the final report to the right. Chapters 2, 3, 5, and 7 were each reviewed by at least two experts familiar with the subject and the reports were revised based on the reviewer comments. Here we provide a brief chapter overview and an example of the type of data in the report.
Chapter 1: Introduction
How was the Integrated Assessment developed and managed?
Overview: This chapter provides some background on Integrated Assessment methods, the northeast Michigan region, the stakeholder meetings, and the policy context surrounding the topic of this assessment. This chapter is summarized in other parts of this website.
Chapter 2: Socioeconomic Assessment
How do tourism and natural resources affect the local economy?
Overview: This assessment uses demographic, economic, recreation, and travel data to create Geographic Information System (GIS) layers, a traffic flow model, and a tourism economic input model that estimates total visitor spending in the area and associated economic effects.
Selected Results:
- Traffic flow patterns are represented in Figure 2.15. The thickness of the lines is proportional to the number of vehicles counted on that road in 2005.
- Compared to other roads, travel on US-23 increases only slightly in the summer, indicating that tourism traffic is relatively light.
Chapter 3: Ecological Resources
What natural resources need greater protection and which could be better utilized?
Overview: This study used GIS layers to highlight the ecologically valuable lands throughout the region. The goal was to illustrate how policy options can take advantage of natural features while also preserving and protecting their ecological function and value.
Selected Results:
- Figure 3.2 displays the type and extent of natural features in the region.
- Figure 3.8 shows the areas that have the potential to be successful ecotourism sites due to their uniqueness, natural beauty, accessibility, and location proximate to protected land.
Chapter 4: Cultural Assets
What are the key coastal cultural assets of the region?
Overview: This assessment team used data from existing documents, databases, and initiatives to compile and classify a list of coastal cultural assets of the region, both on coastal lands and in Lake Huron waters.
Selected Results:
- This assessment grouped cultural assets into five themes, facilitating the development of thematic tours.
- Harbors, Towns and Ports (218 Assets)
- Seeing the Light (lighthouses and shipwrecks) (35 Assets)
- Lake Huron Bluewater Highway (coastal commerce) (79 Assets)
- People Power of the Great lakes (118 Assets)
- Fins, Fur and Feathers (60 Assets)
- This team found 30 known shipwrecks in the waters immediately offshore the study area (Figure 4.1).
Chapter 5: Planning and Zoning
Are plans and codes designed to manage growth and advance community goals?
Overview: This team conducted content analyses of local comprehensive plans and zoning ordinances, followed by interviews of local elected officials and decision-makers. The objective was to evaluate the extent to which plans and codes are designed to effectively manage growth and advance community goals.
Selected Results:
- Figure 5.15a shows potential future development in Alpena and Alpena Township, if the area experiences similar growth similar to Northwest Michigan, under current zoning regulations.
- A high quality planning effort and a rigorous land suitability analysis could help communities prepare better master plans that promote sustainable development.
Chapter 6: Sustainability Design Assessment
How can planning and design be used to promote sustainable communities?
Overview: Northeast Michigan was chosen by the American Institute of Architects to receive a Sustainability Design Assessment Team grant. The program included an intensive three-day site visit by a team of multidisciplinary professionals with experience in sustainability principles.
Selected Results:
- The resulting report emphasized the need to think regionally about Northeast Michigan’s future.
- The team provided input on five issues relevant to the future of Northeast Michigan: sustainable vision, economic prosperity, sense of place, environmental resources and land use.
Chapter 7: Implementation Guidance
How can Northeast Michigan implement the ideas generated by the assessment? See: Policy Context
Top
|
