The Most Critical Resource Issue: Water
“Water is the most critical resource issue of our lifetime and our children’s lifetime. The health of our waters is the principal measure of how we live on the land.”
-Luna Leopold
This quote comes from the Black River Watershed Project brochure which briefly outlines the implementation phase of the project, from April 2006 through March 2009. When I talked to Erin Fuller, project coordinator, early this summer, it was an introduction to the watershed management plan that is active in both Allegan and Van Buren Counties, wherein the Black River Watershed encompases approximately 287 miles of land. As the blog has often mentioned, South Haven is where the Black River flows into Lake Michigan.
Critical to the water quality in the watershed are issues such as nutrient loading, development, sedimentation, and erosion. Watersheds traditionally cover the land area where all streams drain into a river or lake. In the case of Black River, they flow to and through the river, eventually to the big lake at the gap between the beaches, between the two piers.
Everything that we do to the land and water joins this flow as with all precipitation, everything flows downhill, either joining the tributaries, lake or watertable. Because we rely on water for drinking, along with our recreational needs, and tourism and industry, what each one of us does makes a difference in keeping it clean. Walking your dog on the beach seems OK but it is not permitted (ie. it is not supposed to be permitted). If your dog decides to use a spot for his elimination, and it’s not picked up, this contributes ecoli contamination.
The management plan, like yesterday’s post mentioned, came up with a plan after examining the entire watershed area. The project will include different phases of activity. Holding this first education watershed workshop series mentioned yesterday is one step. Other steps include reducing runoff while restoring and stabilizing eroding streambanks.
As septic systems deliver nutrients, failing septic systems will be identified and improved. Polluted stormwater which comes from fertilizers and weed killers, etc, are something the project will try to reduce by working with communities to make people more aware of the hazards these have on water quality.
Agricultural residue will be addressed with better management plan. The project also will promote land protection with outreach campaigns, along with trying to protect prime farmland from development. As mentioned in an earlier entry, Erin told me that she will be conducting master plan/zoning ordinance reviews in various locations, one of which we hope will include South Haven.
With the new project of a proposed twin towers of 18 stories and a water park, water quality is indeed a most critical resource issue. (Tomorrow evening’s planning commission will be looking at this development proposal again.)
Then too, trying to take a wetland, is an issue of compromising water quality. Since the watershed project is seeking to restore and protect the watershed, it is certain that such a wetland as Celery Pond would be something to be protected.
The Celery Pond Advocates came together with this intention, and they will move forward to protect it, learning more and more about the wetlands and the watershed through all the valuable information that is becoming available. We are most grateful for the Black River Watershed Project, Erin Fuller and the many other professionals who are lecturing in their workshops, along with other government sponsored programs and booklets. By becoming aware, informed and expressive, we can work together to generate the best possible solution for the resource of our water for our lifetime and for those who will follow after us.
Posted by in 04:03:07
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