Unplanned development along Great Lakes shorelines can fragment special coastal habitats that support a diversity of
native plants and wildlife. Photo by Elizabeth LaPorte, MSG

Sustainable Coastal Communities
With more than 3,000 miles of shoreline, the state of Michigan plays a key role in protecting and enhancing Great Lakes resources. A growing number of communities around the state recognize the strong link between healthy natural resources and economic prosperity. In 2003, Sea Grant extension staff collaborated with citizen organizations, state agencies, coastal businesses and shoreline communities to develop and fund programs that protect valuable coastal resources and stimulate economic opportunity.

Planning for Water Quality
Planning commissioners and members of zoning boards make important decisions that guide community growth and development. As part of MSU Extension’s popular Citizen Planner program, a course series in land use planning, Michigan Sea Grant extension staff taught educational components on water quality and related land-use topics to 245 public officials at several sessions around the state. The officials represented the coastal counties of Grand Traverse, Macomb, St. Clair, Ottawa, Sanilac and Tuscola and made up approximately 26 percent of the citizens trained statewide.

In follow-up evaluations of the citizen planner program, graduates noted positive changes in the process for reviewing development proposals and improved communication and interaction with neighboring communities. In the coming year, Sea Grant expertise will be applied to long-term evaluation of the Citizen Planner program. Researchers hope to shed light on the connections between sound land use practices and the sustainability of coastal community economies, ecosystems and social structures. For more information see: www.msue.msu.edu/cplanner or contact Mike Klepinger at klep@msu.edu or (517) 353-5508.

Study Shows Coastal Growth Pressure and Planning Gaps
Although significant improvements in land use planning along Michigan’s shorelines have occurred during the past several years, serious gaps remain, according to a Michigan Sea Grant report released in August 2003. The Status of Planning and Zoning in Michigan’s Great Lakes Shoreline Communities, authored by extension specialist Mike Klepinger is based on a 2002 survey of the state’s coastal jurisdictions and sheds light on land use planning tools and strategies currently in use and the obstacles faced.

The report shows that shoreline properties receive a disproportionate amount of development compared with inland real estate, and sprawling development is fragmenting coastal habitat, especially wetlands and sand dune ecosystems. Michigan’s Land Use Leadership Council used the Sea Grant report to assist in the development of more than 150 recommendations to the governor on actions to make the best use of Michigan’s land use resources.