This is the email I sent to the Township; Hello. I would like to take this opportunity to respond to the “complaint” regarding the habitat I have created on my property. Response to the complaint issued was a missed opportunity to educate the citizenry regarding the importance of Native Plants in Landscaping, and the need for urbanized areas to encourage such landscapes. While it is true that the majority of governments are lagging in this area, many are shifting their approach as they become informed regarding the concept of what is a “noxious weed” vs a native flowering plant. Independence Township has listed in their ordinance of Noxious Weeds many highly beneficial plants that should be encouraged, starting with Milkweed that is necessary for the Monarch Butterfly to thrive. Springfield Township, our neighbor adjacent, shares with Independence the unique setting of being home to headwaters of four watersheds. This increases the responsibility under the Federally Mandated Stormwater Program, to adopt ordinances that will help to protect water quality. Although not meeting the requirement to obtain a permit, Springfield has adopted a set of standards that should equally be embraced by Independence, and is so perfectly exacting to the intent of the Stormwater Program as to be utilized by the EPA as a national model. epa.gov/greatlakes/ecopage/springfieldtwp/index.html Rather than having me drone on regarding the benefits of a native plant garden, I will trust that you review this web site thoroughly so that you understand my intent. Although Springfield Township is not required to obtain a Stormwater Permit and meet the minimum requirements, Independence Township does. Unfortunately, the program that Michigan administers does not come close to meeting the minimum federal standards. Due to lack of funding and staffing issues, there has been a slow response to this recognition. However, changes are in the process at the Federal Level and will eventually trickle down to permittees. I realize that my say so isn’t enough to encourage the Township to take a more proactive position in their “management”, and I Do use the term loosely. I’m not blaming anyone, I fully understand that you are reliant on your consultant as to meeting requirements. However, this does not change the fact that there are multiple issues relative to the manner in which stormwater is managed here, all of which I’ve documented over time. However, I would like to simply focus on one of the worst issues, nutrients. (Please be aware that as of this writing, Western Lake Erie is experiencing an explosion of toxic Algal blooms that takes us back to the 60s, relative to water quality, prior to the creation of the Clean Water Act and the implementation of any water quality protections. Nutrients in our runoff, significantly from Lawns in the urban setting, are the second contributing source, following only that of agriculture. In the Eastern United States, this is further complicated by the combined sewer overflows that happen downstream in SE MI) In two reports that were published in 2013, One by the EPA Office of Water, and the other by the USGS Small Rivers and Streams division, both revealed that despite the implementation of the Stormwater program in 2003, our watersheds and nations water quality have continued to decline. In 2003, 40% of our rivers and streams failed to meet the minimum water quality standards. In 2013, this had risen to an alarming 55%!. The number one pollutant across the board is Nutrients, the second is Sediment. Independence Township does absolutely NOTHING to decrease or minimize these pollutants from entering our waterways. ( I would be more than happy to provide a training to the trustees, planning commission and building department on how to improve our management while remaining cost effective) One of the major contributors of these pollutants from urban settings is yards. Turf. Traditional landscaping. For a thorough understanding of the issues and history regarding Lawns, I recommend a book written by a local author, Lois Robbins, “Lawn Wars”. I can almost guarantee that whoever has lodged a complaint against me is someone that is contributing to poisoning our environment and watersheds, not to mention exposing myself and my dogs to carcinogens that linger in the air, long after application has occurred. Pesticide and Herbicidal drift has long been known to be a serious issue, and an application on someone’s lawn a block over can reach my residence with ease. Yet despite this scientific fact, the township encourages this practice rather than that of planting of natives. Some information regarding the dangers of Trugreen and CHemlawn can be found in the following document; toxicsaction.org/sites/default/files/tac/information/refuse-to-use-chemlawn.pdf By reviewing this, you will find relative to the chemicals used by TruGreen/CHemlaw that 17 contain ingredients that are defined by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research and Cancer as possible carcinogens; 13 contain ingredients that are banned or restricted in other countries; 11 contain known or suspected reproductive toxins; 9 contain known or suspected endocrine disruptors; and all 32 threaten non-targeted species and ecosystems. For me personally, a friend of mine lost her Dog when he was exposed to improper application of these products, something that is a common occurrence relative to both “professional” applications and typical home owners who apply their own. As a result, due to the extreme prevalence of such applications in my residential neighborhood, and the fact that cut through traffic is dangerous at the times of day when I typically walk my dogs, I cannot safely walk my dogs in my own neighborhood. My complaining neighbors are affecting my health and how I must conduct my life to stay safe. My “sin” is to attempt to be environmentally friendly and create a native habitat. Now, before you label me a nutcase or having an overactive paranoid imagination, I would like to point out to you that this has become another national issue. beyondpesticides.org/infoservices/pesticidesandyou/Winter%2005-06/pesticide%20poisoning.pdf I have had symptoms that appear suspiciously, when applications that I can smell occur. I have also noticed a correlation of symptoms in at least one of my Dogs on a regular basis, and another on a couple. I have not reported these incidents formally as I have absolutely no faith that anything will be done that is meaningful. Would the township provide a letter of complaint to every neighbor or citizen that applies pesticides on their lawn? I highly doubt it. On top of this, I used to work in the Kentucky Geological Survey State Water Quality Lab and helped to investigate Atrazine in ground water. Results were conclusive that this highly controversial carcinogen can travel miles from the source in our aquifers. I have always had concerns with the quality of our drinking water here and I use my own filters as a result. I have to wonder what the concentration is of Atrazine, since it is not a requirement for testing to determine this and is not reported in our annual report. I am not the only citizen who feels this way regarding these issues and there are a group of us who are dedicated to working with the Township in changing the ordinances to reflect the dangers of pesticide use, and the benefits of using Native Plants and creating Habitat. Under the Federal Storm Water rules, the township is REQUIRED to include public participation in the development of the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan. As of yet, this has not happened. It is long overdue that the township SWMP include MEANINGFUL changes and we feel that this is an excellent place to start, by adopting a Native Plant ordinance that is current and parallels that of Springfield Townships. By improving the manner in which the Township manages Stormwater, it can also improve the job market for those of us who are educated and have a lifetime of experience in this field. Currently, there are entire job industries that do not exist in Michigan that are growth oriented in other states, simply because of the manner in which the state administers its Stormwater Program. BY developing ordinances such as those encouraged by the EPA, MIDEQ, SEMCOG, CRWC, etc, the Township will also be expanding the available job market, and creating local jobs that will additionally improve the quality of life for residents. I am going to be sending some photos of some of my flowering native plants. (I use a company called “we transfer” to send photos as it allows large amounts of data to be transferred without incurring typical problems. ) IT is true that blossoming has been off this year due to our strange spring and summer weather. However, they are now starting to blossom. Maintaining my property relative to my garden and habitat is an ongoing practice. I spend a few minutes weeding every day, and am in the process of developing an invasive plant management plan. I had an explosion of Glossy Buckthorn this year, and I am waiting for the right time of year to start treating to be maximally effective for the long term. I aggressively addressed Garlic Mustard this spring, and I just discovered some poison ivy growing among my natives and am going to be eradicating that this week. Although Burdock is not native, it is a medicinal plant and I use the root, so will be harvesting in the next couple of weeks when it is ready. Same thing relative to plantain and wild carrot. Finally, I have included a copy of the certification numbers for my property. I am currently waiting for the signs that will state that my property is a Certified Natural Habitat via the National Wildlife Federation, and that my property is a Certified Bird Habitat. I will be eventually also receiving a certification as a butterfly habitat, and as a Monarch Waystation. I appreciate the opportunity to respond and to hopefully, educate your department and the Township regarding these important issues. As someone who is a practicing Buddhist with a Pagan twist, my property is a reflection of my beliefs to do no harm. I realize that my Buddhist statues, or that of KwanYin are possibly misperceived by some of the Christian faith, possibly even offensive. However, they are on my property and I enjoy them and intend to keep them, along with my other efforts at yard art and my native plantings. I am not seeking to win a popularity contest nor any neighbors approval. Despite how offensive I find their practices, I do not file complaints against them, and I would hope that I can expect the same respect in the future. Hopefully, your department will in the future be able to explain to them that although my practices are non-traditional, that they are for the betterment of the environment and are encouraged by multiple agencies and organizations, as well as being in alignment with the Townships Federally Mandated Stormwater Permit and Pollution Prevention Plan. Please keep an eye out for the email you will receive from “wetransfer”. You will need to download the photos within a week. I will keep you informed as my native plants continue to blossom, as the beauty has yet to be fully expressed.
Posted on: Mon, 14 Jul 2014 14:04:33 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015