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Green Infrastructure is an interconnected network of green space that conserves natural ecosystem values and functions and provides associated benefits to human populations.

— from “Smart Conservation for the 21st Century” by Mark A. Benedict and Edward T. McMahon

…“It is our nation’s natural life support system — an interconnected network of waterways, wetlands, woodlands, wildlife habitats, and other natural areas; greenways, parks and other conservation lands; working farms, ranches and forests; and wilderness and other open spaces that support native species, maintain natural ecological processes, sustain air and water resources and contribute to the health and quality of life for America’s communities and people.”

— from www.greeninfrastructure.net

“Just as we must carefully plan for and invest in our capital infrastructure — our roads, bridges and waterlines, we must invest in our environmental or green infrastructure — our forests, wetlands, streams and rivers . . . . Just as we must carefully plan for and invest in our human infrastructure — education, health service, care for the elderly and disabled — we must also invest in our green infrastructure.”

— Maryland Governor Paris Glendening, January 1999 3

Table of Contents

4 18 Foreword A Vision of Green Former Governor William Milliken The Saginaw Bay Green Infrastructure Network Bay County Midland County 5 Saginaw County Preface A Critical Need 34 Making It Happen Introduction 6 Organizational Framework and Leadership Green Infrastructure Technical Assistance and Outreach Definition Intergovernmental Cooperation and Concept Regional Coordination Benefits Funding and Support

11 40 Process — Driven by a Natural Passion Appendix The Saginaw Bay Greenways Collaborative Resource Directory A Science and Community-Based Approach Acknowledgments Resource Inventory and Analysis Vision of Green CD: Public Involvement — A Cornerstone A Vision of Green Public Involvement — Charette Bibliography (top 10 list) Selected Terms and References Regional, County, Municipal and Township Green Infrastructure maps Tools for Local Government — Filling the Gaps: Environmental Protection Options 4

Former Gov. William G. Milliken

As Michigan enters the 21st century, it faces enormous challenges in ensuring that it meets the environmental, economic, and social “This is all the needs of the future. Chief among these challenges is determining a sustainable land use and growth strategy — one that allows us to Michigan we have” capitalize on the tremendous economic opportunities that lie ahead of us, while at the same time protecting and conserving those special places that make our great state a desirable place to live and work.

Creating a strategy to protect our state’s green infrastructure is a key component of sustainable development. Furthermore, coupling this strategy with a broad vision for the future of a multi-county, non-motorized transportation network allows our population to enjoy those areas that are protected and conserved. Green infrastructure planning is what I like to call “smart conservation.” It helps ensure that limited public funds are spent wisely and that rational decisions are made not only about areas that are suitable for development, but also those that need special conservation and protection measures.

The Saginaw Bay Greenways Collaborative has done a remarkable job of blending the interests of a variety of sectors to produce this report, which identifies both our existing and potential green infrastructure areas. It has reached across artificial political boundaries to build partnerships that can help create a region that is economically competitive, environmentally responsible, and socially equitable far Former Michigan Governor William G. Milliken into the future. Co-chair of Michigan’s Land Use Leadership Council If Michigan is to succeed, its various regions must succeed. I commend the work that the Collaborative has done in Bay, Midland and Saginaw counties to create a regional Green Infrastructure vision. This report will serve as a model of regional cooperation to help ensure a better Michigan for all.

Contact the Land Use Leadership Council on the web at www.michiganlanduse.org. 5

A Critical Need

The Mid-Michigan region — Bay, Midland, built or developed areas will increase by is filled, a farm is developed, or a potential and Saginaw counties — is at a crossroads. 178%. On average, the State of Michigan trail corridor is lost. The community loses its This area, known throughout the state for develops its land eight times faster than its sense of place — its link with nature, its its tremendous natural beauty — from its population grows. In our region, the rate of history and culture, and its identity. scenic lakeshore areas along Saginaw Bay, land conversion is even more striking. For to its many miles of sparkling rivers and example, the rate in Bay County alone The Saginaw Bay Greenways Collaborative lush forests, to its working landscapes and exceeds the state average by 27 times. was formed within this framework. This 1980 rich farmland — can be strategically group, made up of dedicated individuals protected and conserved, or a choice can be As haphazard development increases, so too representing more than two dozen agencies made to let uncoordinated development does the cost of providing services that are and organizations, has completed a green fragment our landscape. If you’ve traveled in needed to support it. New developments infrastructure plan that identifies and this area, you have seen that this is a often require huge public investments in connects significant wildlife habitats, special place, but you have also seen roads, sewers, schools, and other public threatened natural resources, and something else: the seemingly uncontrolled infrastructure. As new communities are opportunities for a non-motorized trail conversion of our natural areas into a built built, the public infrastructure must network in the Saginaw Bay region. In many environment. While this growth has brought expand to accommodate them, forcing ways the project has established a new cultural and economic benefits, it has often municipalities to provide services across relationship between smart growth and put at risk those features that make this a larger geographic area, stretching smart conservation. That relationship is 2020 area unique. utilities, and resulting in higher taxes known as Green Infrastructure. and service fees. In 2001, the Michigan Land Resource Project (www.publicconsultants.com/documents/ The social impacts may not be as apparent, lbilo/index.htm) study predicted that if but we've all experienced a sense of loss Michigan Land Use Projections current land use patterns continue, by 2040 and helplessness when a scenic view is — a generation from now — Michigan’s destroyed, a forest is bulldozed, a wetland Built Agriculture Other vegetation Forest Lake Wetland 2040 6

Definition

According to Webster’s New World Dictionary, infrastructure is defined Green space, greenways, and green working landscapes, and other natural areas Green infrastructure emphasizes as “the substructure or underlying infrastructure. What’s the difference? that support native species, maintain interconnected systems of natural areas and foundation, especially the basic natural ecological processes, sustain air and other open spaces that are protected and installations and facilities, on which Green space refers to undeveloped or water resources, and contribute to the managed for the ecological benefits they the continuance and growth of a developed lands where the surface is health and quality of life for communities. provide to people and the environment. community or state depends.” When permeable to rainfall and groundwater Green infrastructure includes large, Green infrastructure must be developed as a we think of infrastructure, we recharge. It is green with trees, grass, or ecologically important hubs as well as key system, not as isolated parts. usually think of built infrastructure, even weeds. This term is often used in landscape linkages that join hubs together. such as roads, electric power lines, traditional planning ordinances and Green infrastructure recognizes that given and water systems, as well as social conservation practices. The term green infrastructure was selected the pressure of development on the infrastructure, such as schools, to help emphasize that green space is a landscape, our natural systems must be hospitals, and libraries. However, Greenways are corridors of protected open basic necessity that should be planned and protected and managed for a secure future. the concept of green infrastructure space, often following natural land or water developed as an integrated system. People elevates air, land, and water to features, that are managed for conservation understand the need to plan and invest in an equal footing with built and recreation. They can connect infrastructure — roads, bridges, sewers, infrastructure and transforms open communities, urban sites, and natural areas and other forms of “gray infrastructure.” space from “nice to have” to “must and often include trails, river corridors, Just as we must plan for and invest in our have.” parks, and natural preserves. Greenways gray infrastructure, we too must invest in often emphasize recreation and focus on our environmental or green infrastructure. linear land parcels — those that are longer than they are wide. Key Points About Green Infrastructure Green infrastructure is all of the above, and more. Green infrastructure is our natural The term “green infrastructure” implies life support system — an interconnected that it is a necessity, not an amenity — network of private and public waterways, something that communities must have, wetlands, woodlands, wildlife habitats, not something that is nice to have. 7

Concept

Green infrastructure encompasses a wide Just as we need “smart growth” variety of natural and restored native to strategically direct and ecosystems and landscapes that make up influence the patterns of built a system of hubs and links. infrastructure, we need “smart conservation” to strategically Hubs anchor the network and provide an direct our patterns of green origin or destination for wildlife and a infrastructure. This concept center for undisturbed ecological processes. helps ensure environmental Cores are the most protected areas within protection and a higher quality the hub and represent lands and waters of life for communities as well most valued and necessary for the long term as regulatory predictability for integrity of the natural lanscape. Hubs landowners and investors. include large natural areas such as national and state parks and wildlife refuges; public Corridors link hubs and allow animal movement, seed, and lands such as national and state forests pollen transfer between hubs. managed for resource extraction and recreation; working lands such as farms, timberland, and ranches that are managed ecosystems and protected hubs; river and for production yet remain primarily open and stream corridors that serve as biological The hub and link elements of green undeveloped; and regional parks and conduits for wildlife and may provide infrastructure combine to create an preserves managed for conservation. recreational opportunities; greenways that interconnected and interdependent system are protected corridors of open space of natural areas and other open spaces that Links tie the system together and enable the managed for resource conservation and conserves natural ecosystem functions and green infrastructure network to work. Links recreation; and greenbelt corridors of both is managed for the ecological benefits it include linear land parcels that provide natural and working lands, including farms, provides people, wildlife, and communities. sufficient space for native plants and ranches, and forests. animals to flourish and move between 8

Benefits

Green infrastructure systems help protect S Increase property and restore naturally functioning values and stimulate ecosystems and provide a framework for private investment by future development. A well planned, enhancing quality of managed, and maintained green life amenities such as infrastructure system can provide many access to open ecological, social, and economic benefits: space, recreational opportunities, S Enhance biodiversity by supporting native transportation species and protecting wildlife habitat choices, and a clean, S Filter and store fresh water by green environment maintaining natural landscape processes Examples of benefits from green ecological features important to at least 29 S Carry storm water and reduce flooding by infrastructure can be found across the species of waterfowl and 65 kinds of fish. protecting floodplains country, and right here in Michigan too. The Saginaw Bay Watershed is located on S Clean polluted air and moderate air the Central Flyway for migratory birds and is Support Native Species and temperatures by maintaining forest cover home to more than 138 endangered or Protect Wildlife Habitat S Reduce public costs associated with threatened species. The Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge was established to water treatment, flood protection, and About 25,000 acres of wetlands nationwide manage a variety of habitats for nearly 300 air quality are lost each year due to sprawl. As natural species of resident and migratory birds. The areas are diminished, so is habitat and S Improve health and increase physical 9,700-acre refuge is considering a 7,500- biodiversity. activity by providing open space for acre expansion to preserve and restore a recreation and non-motorized In an effort to reverse this trend, the Detroit greater diversity of habitat and species. transportation River International Wildlife Refuge was S Provide a sense of place by connecting designated in 2002 to preserve and restore people to the nature, history, and culture coastal wetlands, unique habitats, and of their communities 9

(Benefits cont’d)

Filter and Store Fresh Water Instead, voters passed a $600,000 levy to Reduce Public Costs develop a countywide streamway park Natural systems can effectively serve as system. Development of greenways along Natural systems often can provide similar filters and buffers, raising water quality and streambeds has addressed many of the services as built infrastructure but at reducing our dependence on artificial water county’s flooding problems and has provided reduced public cost. filtration systems. a valuable recreation and wildlife resource. In the 1990s New York City was able to The estimated value of water filtration forego spending approximately $6 billion on attributed to wetlands along a three-mile Clean Polluted Air and Moderate new water filtration and treatment plants by stretch of Georgia’s Alchoy River is Ambient Air Temperature purchasing and protecting watershed land in $3 million per year. the Catskill Mountains at a cost of about Trees and vegetation take in carbon dioxide $1.5 billion. New Jersey, New York, and the federal and release oxygen, replenishing our air. government spent $55 million to purchase They also remove pollutants and Fosters Reservoir in Saginaw County 15,280 acres of the Sterling Forest particulates, which cause a number of reduces traditional built infrastructure flood Watershed to preserve open space for the health problems, from the air. control works by combining gray and green citizens of New York State and to provide a infrastructure. A reservoir was constructed Urban forests in the Washington, D.C., vital water supply for 25% of New Jersey’s to store 41 million cubic feet of flood water metropolitan area remove 20 million pounds residents. and has resulted in creation of a 160-acre of pollutants from the air each year, a Waterfowl Production Area managed by the benefit worth $49.8 million annually. Carry Storm Water and Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge. The Reduce Flooding The ambient air temperature in urban areas area also provides opportunities for wildlife tends to be five degrees warmer than the observation and recreation. Floodplain vegetation can slow flood waters surrounding vegetated rural or open space and allow time for the waters to percolate areas. That five-degree increase in into the soil, thereby reducing the intensity temperature translates into a 20% increase of flooding. in air conditioning energy costs.

Johnson County, Kansas, expected to spend $120 million on storm water control projects. 10

(Benefits cont’d)

Improve Health and Increase trailway was more highly regarded than The Kresge Foundation, General Motors Physical Activity churches and the Center for the Arts. Corporation, City of Detroit, and State of Michigan are investing $500 million to Green infrastructure systems can provide At the Saginaw Bay Visitors Center on develop the Detroit Riverwalk and Centennial open space for recreation and trails for non- Saginaw Bay, more than 100,000 visitors State Park as the centerpiece of downtown motorized transportation. each year participate in special events, Detroit. Centennial State Park is Michigan’s interpretive programs, and school outreach newest and first urban state park. An on-site survey of users on the Pere programs. Marquette Rail Trail in Midland found that The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service report, 60% cited exercise as the primary reason Stimulate Investment and “2001 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and for using the trail and 47% reported Economic Benefits Wildlife – related Recreation – Michigan” improvement in health due to use of the trail. finds that over $2.8 billion were spent by 3.5 Many communities have successfully million resident and non-resident hunters, Urban Magazine conducted a national attracted new businesses, retained existing anglers and wildlife watchers in 2001 alone. survey in 1997 in which 74% of those ones, and stimulated private investment by Of this total, $964 million were associated responding stated that walking and biking enhancing environmental, recreational, and with trip-related costs, $1.6 billion involved trails are a priority for outdoor recreation. cultural/historic amenities associated with equipment purchases and $186 million went local systems of greenways and other open toward purchase of licenses, contributions, Connect People To The Nature, space. land ownership and leasing, etc. History, and Culture of Their Communities Chattanooga, Tennessee and Providence, Rhode Island transformed People appreciate and benefit from industrial blight into beautiful and trails linking their community’s natural useful riverfront greenways and trails and cultural history. as part of plans to attract businesses and residents. Other communities In a 2000 Midland Area Community successful in these endeavors include Foundation survey, citizens rated the Pere Boulder, Colorado; Portland, Oregon; Marquette Rail Trail the number one Seattle, Washington; and Raleigh, community asset in Midland, Michigan. The North Carolina. 11 The Saginaw Bay Greenways Collaborative

In 1998 representatives of more than two motorized transportation, recreation, urban dozen agencies and organizations met to and land-use planning, tourism, and explore the potential of a non-motorized economic development. Formed in 1996, the Saginaw trail network in Bay, Midland, and Saginaw Bay Watershed Initiative counties. The result was the Tri-County Trail The Saginaw Bay Watershed Initiative Network (WIN) is a collaborative Guide (www.co.bay.mi.us), which identified Network supported this vision and granted effort of communities, 33 existing parks, nature preserves, state the Collaborative approximately $130,000 to conservationists, foundations, and national wildlife refuges, and trails in develop a regional greenways plan, and businesses to establish a the Saginaw Bay region. This effort proved demonstrating the philanthropic unique partnership to enhance to be the catalyst and inspiration to develop community’s support for sustainable the Saginaw Bay Watershed and a greenways vision that incorporates not development in the Saginaw Bay create a more sustainable future only an integrated trail network, but also a Watershed. (See sidebar) for all who live, work, or recreate systematic and strategic approach to the here. Through the WIN process, The project evolved from a regional conservation of existing land and important members identify issues, set greenways planning effort to planning a natural features. priorities, and tackle projects regional green infrastructure network. This designed to address concerns with The Saginaw Bay Greenways Collaborative natural evolution sprang from a number of tangible solutions that encourage the (the Collaborative) formed in 1999 to factors: previous Saginaw Bay Watershed stewardship of natural resources, develop the Saginaw Bay Greenways plan and sustainable development initiatives, strengthen local economies, and “to connect communities to the area’s public comment and stakeholder interests, nurture the communities that make natural and cultural amenities for the current emphasis on land use issues, and this region one of Michigan’s most benefits of recreation, transportation, significant wildlife and water-related special places. education, health and well being of its resources in the region. citizens.” The Collaborative is a voluntary association with representatives from national, state, and local governments, non- profit organizations, and concerned citizens with interests in wildlife, water quality, non- 12 A Science- and Community-Based Approach

The Collaborative used a scientific and sustainability of the region’s land, water, S Public input from diverse stakeholders in community-based approach to identify land and wildlife resources. the identification and development of a best suited for conservation and recreation green infrastructure vision. throughout Bay, Midland, and Saginaw The Collaborative based the planning process counties. These lands are the basis for a on three key elements of successful greenway S Public outreach to inform citizens about green infrastructure network and provide a and green infrastructure initiatives: the project and the benefits of strategic framework for resource protection greenways and green infrastructure and S A thorough resource inventory and and conservation activities. With successful to build support for implementation. analysis of the project area, based on the implementation and proper management, most accurate and current resource this approach will help to ensure the information available.

Science- and Community-Based Planning Process

PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT Web site, technical advisory committee, speaker series

Inventory Analysis Compile resource information, maps, GIS inventory; initial assessment

PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT One-on-one meetings with local officials and stakeholders; children’s poster contest and classroom and interpretive center outreach

Computer Generated Suitability modeling and ecological analysis; computer-generated green infrastructure network; Resource Analysis non-motorized trail model

PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT Green infrastructure design charette

Green Infrastructure Vision and Recommendations Green infrastructure vision: Generated from a scientific (computer modeling and analysis) and community-based (from public input and design charette) process

PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT Implementation strategy 13

Resource Inventory and Analysis

Guiding Principles how local measures should reflect the relationship of landscape features necessities of a larger region. Instead, much over space and time. The Collaborative conducted a landscape- of today’s land use and conservation scale analysis for conservation and planning is still ad hoc action, guided by Tools recreation suitability of the resource base what is possible under the present political Geographic information systems throughout the Saginaw Bay region to or social condition rather than by what has (GIS), remotely sensed data, and identify a preliminary green infrastructure been found necessary by analysis. network. This network could provide a other planning information strategic framework for future resource Our analysis and accompanying models, systems were the predominant protection and land conservation activities. however, were based on the notion that tools used in the inventory and This vision recognizes both the importance prioritizing single locations — while analysis portion of our green A Geographic Information System (GIS) is a computer appropriate for many planning applications — infrastructure planning. The of establishing the network over the short- system for collecting, checking, integrating and analyzing inventory and analysis attempted term, as well provides the template is often not the best technique for identifying information related to the surface of the earth. necessary for long-term planning initiatives. linked natural systems. In general, the to explore conservation suitability analysis assumes that any location that for green space networks within the The results are intended to provide information contains multiple linkages to additional Saginaw Bay region through the and guidance to citizens and decision makers resources has more value than isolated development of a computer-aided model alike, and are ultimately designed as a locations. Our preliminary network design was based on principles of landscape ecology framework for managing the Saginaw Bay based on the conceptual goals of connectivity, and conservation biology. region’s natural resource base over time. The conservation value, complementarity, threats, A GIS is a computer system for collecting, development of geographic information feasibility, and leverage. systems (GIS)-based models guided us in verifying, integrating, and analyzing information identifying the most important lands in our Key factors considered in the Collaborative’s related to the earth. Remote sensing derives region for conservation and recreation. design efforts included the linkage of “on the information from radiation reflected or emitted ground” components emphasizing core areas; from land and water surfaces using images All too often, conservation and recreation the linkage of species, habitats, and acquired in flight or orbit. planning are not integrated in a processes (e.g., fire, flood); the identification Because GIS is particularly useful for map comprehensive framework, and they lack of valuable areas to protect as well as creation and production, it played an quantifiable and generally accepted goals. “wounded areas” to heal and restore; and important role in the Collaborative’s meetings Little attention is paid to the question of the consideration of the distribution and 14

(Resource Inventory and Analysis cont’d)

with municipalities and in providing The model collected and categorized land Approach maps and other community aides use data and information on significant throughout the planning process. We ecological and recreational components, Ecological Network. We used basic GIS produced working drafts of maps for including trails, social and cultural points of suitability models to identify the most use at meetings and for distribution to interest, utility and rail corridors, critical valuable lands in our region’s landscape as various stakeholders for review. habitats areas, ecological communities, well as potential connecting corridors wetlands, forests, roadless areas, and between these lands. Suitability analysis or The Saginaw Bay Greenways important aquatic systems. We obtained or suitability modeling involves finding conservation and recreation analysis developed this information from government optimum locations across a landscape and its accompanying models are: agencies such as the Michigan Department based on sets of decisions made by Our model collected and categorized land use data of Natural Resources, non-profit agencies examining best available knowledge and and information on significant ecological and S A tool for prioritizing lands for such as Ducks Unlimited, Inc., University consulting with experts in their respective recreational components. conservation and recreation Outreach Centers, Michigan GAP fields. A suitability analysis enables S A coarse-scale GIS (Geographic Area Planning) Analysis, subject decision makers and stakeholders to obtain analysis for experts, and workshops. a relative measure of suitability for a given identifying and characteristic across an entire landscape. prioritizing key Once information had been gathered on the Thus, all locations in a region can be landscape features in characteristics of our region, we conducted compared to each other on an equal basis. the Saginaw Bay a landscape prioritization process and a The key analysis steps in the conservation region preliminary reserve network of conservation and recreation lands, linkages, and and recreation suitability analysis were 1) to S Modeled after restoration areas was designated. This identify the region’s landscape features that Florida’s Statewide process took into consideration the basic could adequately serve as cores and hubs, Greenways Planning principles of conservation biology and 2) to identify landscape linkages between Project, Maryland’s landscape ecology. It was also soundly adjacent cores and hubs, and 3) to create a Green Infrastructure based on the environmental, social, and green infrastructure network from these A “suitability surface” for hub identification is created. Then “optimal Assessment, and the political reality of the Saginaw Bay region’s identified features. paths” are identified for landscape connectivity. Southeastern landscape. Ecological We examined natural areas across the Framework. region for their suitability to be cores for the 15

(Resource Inventory and Analysis cont’d)

reserve network. Core areas contain at least zone. We then optimized these links by our region’s recreation facilities with the 250 acres of interior natural cover and are adding other appropriate adjoining lands communities and people who use them. often bounded by different land cover, that had resource significance. roads, railroads, power line corridors, and Limitations. There are, admittedly, pipeline corridors. Existing conservation and Recreation Network. We conducted the limitations to the use of GIS in these types recreation lands that cover at least 100 recreation suitability analysis using a similar of projects. The greatest is that our analysis contiguous acres were also included as concept, although the assumptions and was based on the best available knowledge cores. We then examined the natural areas characteristics for which the landscape was at a given time. The scale of the currently surrounding these identified cores for their examined differed considerably. The emphasis available data of our analysis makes it suitability as hubs. was on developing a non-motorized largely limited to regional decision making. transportation network that would connect the We conducted analyses for this project at a Hubs are natural areas containing one or region’s existing parks and recreation land and scale of 1:63,360. On a map of this scale more core areas and bounded by major populated place locations (a U.S. Census (1.5 inches equals one mile) the analysis is roads and unsuitable land cover greater designation). These populated locations are generally not suitable for site-specific than 300 feet across. We then identified most often the center point of a city or village, planning. “optimal paths” or links between adjoining but also represent rural areas that have a cores and hubs for landscape connectivity. relatively high density of people. Particularly in the case of cities and villages, the populated We used a GIS technique called least-cost locations represented the cores and the path analysis to determine the most boundaries of the municipalities became the appropriate corridors between core areas hubs. and hubs. These corridors are linear habitats or landscape features that connect larger We used least-cost path analysis again to blocks and are continuous and sufficiently determine the most appropriate corridors or wide to minimize edge effects and provide future trailways between the recreation cores interior habitat conditions. To minimize the and hubs. Landscape features such as strain on wildlife from edge habitat, these abandoned and active railroad corridors, utility landscape linkages are at least 1,100 feet and gas corridor rights-of-way, existing wide and are designed to provide interior pathways or trails, road rights-of-way, and Rich database attribution provides a wealth of information which, when linked with habitat with a minimum 300-foot transition public lands provided the basis for connecting spatial data, provides a tool for decision support, and a means of building and analyzing spatial information. 16 Public Involvement — A Cornerstone

The success of a green infrastructure plan public, private, and academic institutions Other Community Outreach lies not only in the science, but also in the and was assembled to assist with technical and Input Techniques quality of community input and the public matters and review project data and results. outreach process. Public input and outreach Youth involvement S Key Elements of The Project Web site — www.saginawbaygreenways.org Collaborative Public Collaborative members introduced teachers S Planning Process and students to the greenways concept Tri-County Trail Guide through the Saginaw Bay Visitor Center’s S Project PowerPoint presentations Engaging leaders programs and through classroom visits. S General public presentations, such as More than 150 students submitted artwork speaker series, television and radio The Collaborative met one-on-one for a youth poster contest based on the spots, presence at related events with more than 50 municipal leaders theme, “Greenways in our Community.” S Public schools and nature center Carly Thomas and land managers in Saginaw, Bay, Twenty-two students won prizes. The poster presentations and poster contest. and Midland counties to provide an overview “It’s Great to Be Green,” which celebrates S Educational forum on green infrastructure of the project, identify important social, the benefits of greenways, was developed S cultural, historic, and environmental Poster — “A Vision of Green – A Guide using art from the poster contest. The for the Conservation of Green resources, and verify inventory and mapping greenways poster contest winners were Infrastructure in the Saginaw Bay data. We felt more was gained from these announced at the Tittabawassee River Region” distributed across the one-on-one meetings with stakeholders than Greenway Discovery Day in May, 2002. tri-counties from hosting a series of large group meetings. S Conducted open planning team meetings Saginaw Bay Green S Utilized Watershed Initiative Network’s Technical Infrastructure Charette advisory Land Use Committee for guidance and Amanda Lazarowicz assistance committee More than 100 people participated in the S visioning charette held in November, 2002, Final report — “A Vision of Green” The committee to develop a community — generated green consisted of 30 infrastructure vision — a Vision of Green. specialists The charette is discussed fully on page 17. representing

Dominic Sakon 17

Public Involvement — Charette

The preliminary green infrastructure design understanding and support for the green analysis and green infrastructure design. In generated by the GIS resource inventory and infrastructure design. comparing the computer-generated analysis analysis provided only one piece of the and design with the analysis and design puzzle. Participants in the Saginaw Bay The data maps for each team included: from the work groups, the results were Green Infrastructure Charette added another S 1:100,000 topographic (from U.S. strikingly similar. piece by providing their experience and Geological Survey) The planning team evaluated the nine expertise on a county scale to the design of S IFMAP land cover (from Michigan alternative stakeholder designs along with a green infrastructure network. We decided Department of Natural Resources) to focus at the county level for the planning the computer-generated models and S 1998 color infrared orthophotos charette because of the geographic scale consolidated them into a green S and participant knowledge of the area. For Conservation and recreation lands, points infrastructure design for each county. The of interest the first half of the day-long event, county designs were then assembled and S participants had a unique opportunity to Forest and water resources assessed to create the Vision of Green, learn about the concept and values of green S National Wetlands Inventory shown on p. 19. infrastructure and the basic components of S Computer-generated green infrastructure The following section describes the results the green infrastructure network. model of this scientific and community-based S Non-motorized recreational trail model During the second half of the day, planning process and provides a detailed participants performed a hands-on resource description of the green infrastructure vision Teams of professionals and laypersons analysis similar to the GIS inventory and for each county and for the Saginaw Bay drafted nine alternative green infrastructure analysis. By overlaying various combinations region. designs for Bay, Midland, and Saginaw of maps, they generated their own county counties. Even though charette teams had green infrastructure map. Their involvement the computer-generated green infrastructure strengthened the computerized resource and non-motorized recreation models as two inventory and database, reintroduced human of their data layers, they preferred to use perspective and priorities, and helped build them only after they completed their own 18 The Saginaw Bay Green Infrastructure Network

Regional Findings Although many of the network’s identified green infrastructure network will continue hubs are existing state or federally owned to provide quality-of-life benefits to the The maps on the following pages illustrate lands (Au Sable State Forest, Shiawassee region’s residents. the Green Infrastructure Vision by National Wildlife Refugee, Bay City State identifying key landscape features that Recreation Area and Tobico Marsh, etc.), serve as cores and hubs; significant there is a tremendous opportunity to “The Saginaw Bay Watershed is a ecological corridors and landscape linkages contribute to their long-term vitality by region of tremendous natural between adjacent cores and hubs; and working to further enhance beauty, an ecosystem that principal regional connections. The maps and protect these lands that supports some of the most also show how existing and potential trail directly support our region’s productive natural and social AU SABLE STATE FOREST corridors can be used to develop a non- long-term sustainability. landscapes in Michigan, and an motorized transportation network that would Significant ecological area that continues to be an STANDISH connect the region’s existing parks and corridors are found along WIG WAM BAY STATE important part of our state’s WILDLIFE AREA recreation facilities with the communities our region’s major rivers economic matrix. However, one and people who use them. (the Cass, Flint, Saginaw, might also think of a region that Shiawassee, and PINCONNING PINCONNING STATE has seen the adverse affects of PUBLIC ACCESS By simplifying or reducing the regional Tittabawassee rivers) and pollution and the damaging green infrastructure network to its most their tributaries that drain LINWOOD ramifications of fragmented significant elements, a conceptual Michigan’s largest TOBICO MARSH landscapes and habitats, and an AND BCSRA framework begins to emerge, represented watershed. Interspersed To the THUMB area that lacks the coordination by the hub and spoke pattern shown here. among the hubs and located BAY CITY of governments, corporations, Key among the ecological hubs in our region MIDLAND along these river corridors QUANICASSEE and agencies in their attempts to are the vast tracts of forested land in are the communities we call CROW ISLAND search for answers to some of the WILDLIFE REFUGE Midland County, which are in turn supported home. Conserving and SHIAWASSEE NATIONAL challenges that we must face by the coastal wetlands in Bay County and AND STATE WILDLIFE SAGINAW enhancing the region's REFUGES together.” the riparian wetlands in Saginaw County. GRATIOT / SAGINAW — Mike Kelly, STATE GAME AREA ST. CHARLES The Conservation Fund TO CHESANING TO FLINT BAY MIDLAND

SAGINAW 20

(The Saginaw Bay Green Infrastructure Vision cont’d)

It is also possible to quantify the existing land managed for conservation and communities in our region, an additional 331 and proposed conditions in our region as recreation. miles of non-motorized trail corridor is outlined in the Green Infrastructure Vision. proposed. This is done using the data collected or Currently there are approximately 93,080 created during the acres of conservation and recreation land in Use of this green infrastructure vision at a inventory and analysis Bay, Midland, and Saginaw counties. This local level will not only help guide our future portion of our green existing land mass accounts for conservation efforts but will also help direct infrastructure planning approximately 8% of the total land in the our future development and land use and in conjunction with three counties but is insufficient to properly patterns. It can support our communities’ GIS. For example, the sustain our region’s natural resource base. decision making by discouraging haphazard GIS allows a user to An increase of just slightly over 200% in our conservation and development. It helps us calculate the total land conservation efforts is needed to raise the avoid conflicts by providing predictability for area within a county’s amount of protected land to 285,134 acres all community members and preventing political boundaries or and to ensure proper and continued expensive future mitigation and restoration. to calculate only the ecosystem functioning. It complements existing environmental and existing conservation natural hazard prevention programs and Equally important to our region’s and recreation land helps justify local open space and other sustainability are the social and cultural within those same planning decisions. It facilitates ecological, connections that can be provided by boundaries. By dividing social, and political connections across planning for our green infrastructure. those two numbers jurisdictional boundaries. And perhaps most Combined, trail systems and non-motorized (existing conservation importantly, it leaves a positive legacy for transportation routes in the three counties lands/total acres in the future generations. total 217 miles. To ensure access to county), we can recreational facilities and non-motorized determine the transportation equity for all of the percentage of existing 21

Conservation and Recreation Lands

Proposed New Existing Cons/Rec GI Network as Percent Change in Existing Cons/Rec Total GI Network County Total Acres Cons/Rec Land Land as Percent Percent of Total Total Cons/Rec Land (Acres) (Acres) (Acres) of Total Acreage 1 Acreage1 Land Acreage Bay 287,179 10,554 50,788 61,342 3.68% 21.36% 481.22% 3 Midland 337,710 49,643 125,540 175,183 2 14.70% 51.87% 252.88% Saginaw 521,847 32,833 15,727 48,609 6.30% 9.31% 47.83% Total: 1,146,736 93,080 192,055 285,134 8.12% 24.86% 206.33%

Non-motorized Trails

Total Proposed Per Percent Change Total Poplulation Existing Trails Proposed Trails Existing Per Capita County Non-motorized Capita Trail in Total Trail (Census 2000) (Miles) (Miles) Trail Mileage 4 Network (Miles) Mileage4 Mileage Bay 110,157 77 94 171 0.000699002 0.001552 122.08% Midland 82,874 76 46 122 0.000917055 0.001472 60.53% Saginaw 210,039 64 191 255 0.000304705 0.001214 298.44% Total: 403,070 217 331 548 0.000538368 0.00136 152.53%

1 “Percent of total” metrics are included to equalize the relative differences between geographic area, total population, and existing resources among the three counties.

2 Of the three counties in the Saginaw Bay Region, Midland has the largest blocks of existing conservation land, which functions as the principal terrestrial hub for our green infrastructure vision. The in-fill of existing lands and a smoothing of transitional edges in land use accounts for the amount of land proposed to fall under the green infrastructure network.

3 Although Bay County has considerable coastal resources currently under some form of protection, the majority of the county’s interior is not protected through any identified form of stewardship. Land in the interior of the county makes up the large proposed percent change in total conservation and recreation acreage.

4 Per capita metrics are included in order to equalize the relative differences between geographic area, total population, and existing resources among the three counties. 22

Bay County

General Description of the contribution of the Bay County’s Green off-shore spawning Infrastructure Resources areas to fish reproduction is As our region’s gateway to the Saginaw Bay recognized both locally and Lake Huron, Bay County offers and nationally. tremendous opportunities for the continued preservation and future enhancement of the Perhaps the greatest area’s green infrastructure resources. From example of such a its substantial network of currently coastal wetland protected wetland resources to conservation complex is Tobico opportunities along its river systems, careful Marsh. As part of the planning will ensure that Bay County Bay City State Recreation Area, Tobico is events, interpretive programs, and school maintains the resources that have one of the largest, intact coastal wetland outreach programs. historically been important to this area. complexes in the Great Lakes region, Although largely dominated by lowland consisting of more than 2,000 acres of wetlands, Bay County’s natural resource Hubs wooded, emergent, and open water base also contains fragments of wetland wetland. A private landowner donated it to and upland forest. The county’s last Of special note in Bay County are the the State of Michigan, and it’s listed as a remaining patch of interior forest habitat is coastal wetland complexes and adjacent National Natural Landmark for its in Gibson and Mt. Forest townships. In fish-spawning reefs found along its nearly contributions to waterfowl production. 30 miles of shoreline. The wetlands include addition to supporting interior-breeding such areas as Tobico Marsh in Bangor and Serving as the interpretive center for Tobico species of plants and animals, protecting Kawkawlin townships, Nayanquing Point in Marsh and for watershed education within and enhancing this unique feature would tie Fraser Township, and protected areas east the Saginaw Bay Watershed, the Saginaw northern Bay County into the Au Sable State of the Saginaw River along the Hampton Bay Visitors Center services both urban and Forest and would allow for the long-term Township shoreline. The contribution of rural schools within a 100-mile radius of the enhancement of ecosystem services to this these considerable wetland resources to recreation area. Each year, more than area. waterfowl maintenance and production and 100,000 visitors participate in special BAY 24

(Bay County cont’d)

Conservation floodplain and agricultural lands. Land uses Non-Motorized Trail Links Links and and ownership patterns along this corridor and Connections Connections offer a number of opportunities for private landowners to help protect this resource Bay County hosts a growing recreational A series of publicly and maintain high water quality. trail network supported by citizens and area protected open spaces Additionally, the remnant of interior forest non-profits. This network, proposed to extends along the identified in Gibson and Mt. Forest connect with nearby counties, is an Saginaw Bay shoreline in townships could be restored to create a important part of our region’s non-motorized Bay County, connecting natural connection back into the Au Sable transportation network. Using the existing the area with Arenac and State Forest. Bay Area Riverwalk and trailway system, Iosco counties to the north, and with there are a number of prospects for Tuscola and Huron counties in the Thumb. In southern Bay County, the Saginaw River connecting the resources centered around The Saginaw River corridor also connects empties Saginaw’s Shiawassee Flats into Bay City to other areas in the county and the shore through the urban center of Bay Saginaw Bay. While historically functioning beyond. City and on into the wetland complexes of as a focal point and highway for lumber, the Crow Island State Game Area, and trading, and industry, the latter half of the By completing trail extensions through eventually to Saginaw. 20th century saw a rebirth of this corridor Hampton Township to provide a link to the for recreation and tourism. Years of coastal wetlands of Saginaw Bay, and by Bay County is home to two significant river manufacturing use and discharge of toxic developing a riverfront greenway and non- systems, the Kawkawlin and the Saginaw, chemicals and contaminants into the motorized pathway linking the Bay City which differ greatly in surrounding land use. Saginaw River, however, have had a Riverwalk to the Crow Island State Game significant negative impact on the growth Area along the Saginaw River, Bay County’s In northern Bay County, the North Branch of and survival of a number of fish and other trail network can become truly regional in the Kawkawlin River runs from the Saginaw aquatic species. Efforts continue to reverse its reach. Bay northwesterly toward the Kawkawlin these changes, and with appropriate Flooding in Mills Township, Midland County, attention and concerted restoration Further development of the Frank Andersen at the southern tip of Au Sable State Forest. activities focusing on water pollution and Nature Trail in the Bay City State Recreation The riparian corridor of the North Branch is the invasion of exotic species, a cleaner and Area north through Tobico Marsh will join bordered almost entirely by forested more vibrant Saginaw River is not far away. the nature trail with an abandoned rail 25

(Bay County cont’d)

corridor adjacent to Nayanquing Point toward the enhancement and restoration of The Bay Area Community Foundation is Wildlife Area. The trail could continue the county’s riparian corridors. By providing another Bay County group that depends on north to join the City of Pinconning’s existing a framework for future restoration of our the contributions of individuals, trail, from which users could travel along an water-based resources, continued work by corporations, and philanthropic foundations old railroad grade to the Midland-to- these organizations will assist these natural to help create a sustainable future. The Mackinaw Trail in the Au Sable State systems in the process of cleansing and Community Foundation’s Riverwalk-Rail Trail Forest. rebuilding. This work can be complemented Committee has taken the lead on the by area non-governmental organizations development of non-motorized trailways Benefits and Action working with private landowners to help throughout the county, and the region’s Recommendations stop the further removal and degradation of citizens can support this work by either the natural elements around which the volunteer or financial contributions. Massive land use changes in Bay County county’s communities were built. since the mid-1800s have significantly By supporting local trail altered the quantity, diversity, and quality of As one of the major land holders and groups, municipal planning habitat available to support wildlife. Habitat managers in Bay County, the Michigan and recreation authorities, has been destroyed through human Department of Natural Resources depends and land conservancies, development of riparian lands along on the assistance of its partners, we can realize a Vision of Saginaw Bay and Saginaw River and the particularly that of non-profit agencies such Green for Bay County! drainage of wetlands throughout the county. as Ducks Unlimited, Inc., and the Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy. As member-driven Other habitat degradation includes the organizations, the work of these non-profits sedimentation of fish-spawning reefs in in land acquisition and conservation Saginaw Bay and numerous impacts from activities is guided directly by the exotic species. Although this habitat loss involvement and contributions of their and degradation has impaired the membership. By becoming more involved reproductive success and growth of with those organizations that protect the numerous aquatic and wildlife species, a place they call home, the residents of Bay number of non-profit and state and local County can have a direct and personal government organizations are working impact on the resources around them. 26

Midland County

General Description of forestland from Roscommon Midland County’s Green County all the way to the Infrastructure Resources southern edge of Midland County. This “droplet” of Of the three counties in our region, Midland almost 45,000 acres of has the largest blocks of existing forest in Midland County conservation land, mostly in the form of alone is surrounded by wetland forests. The county’s river system agricultural lands on three flows from extensive tracts of the Au Sable sides. State Forest in Arenac, Gladwin, Isabella, and Midland counties before reaching the At the urban level, the City City of Midland. This massive forest, our of Midland benefits from an regional connection to the north, consists of abundance of parks, open systems are remnants of glacial movements a patchwork of state and national forest spaces, and recreational opportunities that gave birth to our region’s landscape. land that covers northern lower Michigan supported by the backbone that is the Pere- The river system in Midland County — from Midland up to the Straits of Mackinac. Marquette Rail Trail. The result of an particularly the Chippewa and historic zoning ordinance, the city’s park Tittabawassee rivers — plays an important Cores and Hubs system is often heralded as one of the key role in the conservation of the area’s green contributors to the city’s quality of life and infrastructure. The Au Sable State Forest functions as the is made possible by the city’s commitment principal terrestrial hub of the Saginaw Bay to green space and parks. The Chippewa River has unique potential to region’s green infrastructure network. The contribute to the green infrastructure of our extensive forest system in Midland County Conservation Links region because of existing public access and is not just the backbone to the larger and Connections a variety of available recreation network, it is also the majority of the body opportunities. Nestled in an oxbow near the of green infrastructure for the greater Slicing through Midland County’s landscape City of Midland, one of the country’s Midland community. Shaped like a water is an intertwined network of rivers and premiere private nature centers works to droplet, the “great north woods” of streams that provide passageways for promote environmental awareness and Michigan extends in a peninsula of plants, animals, and people. These river foster responsible stewardship of the MIDLAND 28

(Midland County cont’d)

region’s resources. The Chippewa Nature Midland Center’s more than 1,000 acres, with Community habitats ranging from deciduous and Foundation and the coniferous woods to rivers, ponds, County Parks and wetlands, and upland fields, are used for Recreation the sole purpose of providing an educational Department and gateway to the natural world. links the City of Midland and other The Tittabawassee River flows from communities with extensive tracts of the Au Sable State the area’s cultural, Forest in Gladwin and Midland counties recreational, and through the City of Midland, where it historic resources. then joins the Chippewa River. The Using both Tittabawassee and the North Branch of the abandoned railroad Kawkawlin River are two potential corridors grades and active for wildlife movement between state forest utility and railroad Beginning near the Kawkawlin Flooding in lands, the Shiawassee Flats, and the coastal corridors, opportunities exist for linking the the northeastern corner of the county and wetlands of Bay County. Pere-Marquette trail to Bay City and Mt. stretching 210 miles to Mackinaw City, the Pleasant. These extensions would create a Non-Motorized Trail Links original Mackinac Pathway (a migratory truly regional non-motorized network. and Connections route used by the Chippewa tribe) has been recently reopened by area Boy Scouts and At Reed City, the Pere Marquette Rail Trail The Pere Marquette Rail Trail runs other volunteers. The Midland-Mackinac connects to the 93-mile north/south White northwesterly from the City of Midland to Trail is not well known, but just as the Pine Rail Trail. These two trails provide the Reed City and Baldwin, for a total of 152 AuSable State Forest is, this trail is one of framework for Michigan's statewide system miles of publicly owned trail. In Midland our key regional connections to the north. of rail trails, which will one day allow for County, the trail is nationally recognized for non-motorized travel across the state from enhancing the county’s quality of life. The east to west and from north to south. trail was purchased and developed by the 29

(Midland County cont’d)

Benefits and Action Working at the community level to protect powered activities and aid in the Recommendations and in some cases acquire land adjacent to development of a comprehensive plan for Midland County’s riparian systems, the Little non-motorized transportation in the City of Of the three counties, the landscape of Forks Conservancy, the Chippewa Nature Midland and adjacent townships. Midland County is the richest, with intact Center, and the Midland Conservation ecosystems represented by wetland forests District depend on the contributions of By supporting local trail and recreation and riparian corridors. The county’s individuals, corporations, and foundations to groups and land conservancies and recreational and ecological resources are continue their work. With citizen, corporate, encouraging coordinated municipal planning being managed independently by a variety and governmental support, these agencies and recreation opportunities, we can realize of organizations, including state and local can continue to play a significant role in a Vision of Green for Midland County! governments and non-profit organizations. river restoration and corridor acquisition. Greater cooperation and coordination is Also vitally important to recreation and needed among all of the county's land resource protection in Midland County is managers and land use stakeholders to open and vocal public support for the ensure the sustainable use and conservation Midland County Parks and Recreation of these intact ecosystems. Department. To implement a Vision of Green, it is crucial that they continue to be Continued work by these organizations to in- well prepared to properly maintain existing fill existing land holdings and manage facilities and to acquire additional park existing resources is also needed to ensure lands in strategic locations throughout the the highest level of ecosystem functioning county. and its resultant benefits. Opportunities exist for the protection of interior forest A spin-off of mid-Michigan’s Tri-City Cyclists habitat in the northwestern and — Safe Trails and Roads for Pedestrians southwestern quarters of the county, and and Cyclists (STARPAC) — is urging the can be complemented by the work of area creation of safer opportunities for non- non-governmental organizations with private motorized travel in the greater Midland landowners. area. The continued growth of STARPAC will help to establish safe routes for human- 30

Saginaw County

General Description of Each spring and fall, thousands of migrating Saginaw County’s Green waterfowl visit the Flats. This gives both Infrastructure Resources birders and hunters some remarkable opportunities. Continued expansion of the At the heart of the Saginaw Bay Shiawassee River State Game Area in Swan Watershed’s network of rivers and streams Creek and St. Charles townships is adding (riparian system) lies Saginaw County. Here, new land for managed habitat. an area known as the Shiawassee Flats is created by the confluence of the The Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge is Tittabawassee, Shiawassee, Flint, and Cass implementing a long-range plan to expand rivers. This web of tributary rivers joins to the refuge by acquiring several thousand form the Saginaw River, the largest tributary acres along the Cass, Tittabawassee, and to the Saginaw Bay. This riparian system is Shiawassee rivers, extending the protected the aquatic foundation for the county’s green habitat area along the south and west sides infrastructure network and the Saginaw Bay of the Saginaw urban area. Saginaw Watershed. County’s other green infrastructure hubs are The green infrastructure of the Saginaw Bay shared with adjoining counties. Hubs region, and particularly of Saginaw County, The Crow Island State Game Area includes forms a key piece in a web of potential The Shiawassee Flats is Saginaw County’s 6,000 acres of wetlands on both sides of the conservation areas and trail systems extending central green infrastructure hub — nearly Saginaw River in Bay and Saginaw counties. throughout Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. 20,000 acres of marsh, swamp, and low-lying The Gratiot-Saginaw State Game Area Conservation Links farmland are owned by the Michigan includes a patchwork of woodland in Marion and Connections Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. and Brant townships in Saginaw County and Fish and Wildlife Service. These agencies an extensive tract of woods and wetlands in The “X” formed by the junction of the coordinate the management of this area and Gratiot County. This includes the headwaters Saginaw, Cass, Shiawassee, and receive regular input from the Shiawassee of small drains and streams that are Tittabawassee rivers just south of Saginaw Flats Advisory Council, a coalition of local tributaries of the Bad and Maple rivers. and adjacent to the open space hub of the hunting, fishing, and conservation groups. Shiawassee Flats is a major intersection of SAGINAW 32

(Saginaw County cont’d)

regional linkages. These corridors extend linkages radiate out from the Shiawassee An exciting opportunity also exists to across the state, as the north and south Flats, including corridors along the Flint and connect two of the region’s population branches of the Bad River connect the Shiawassee rivers. centers by use of a rail corridor stretching Shiawassee River State Game Area to the from Bay City’s south end to the northern Gratiot-Saginaw State Game Area. Wildlife Non-Motorized Trail Links limits of the City of Zilwaukee. A once- biologists at the Michigan Department of and Connections active rail line used to transport cargo to Natural Resources have noted that only a northern Michigan, this corridor could now Just as the Shiawassee Flats serve as the few miles separate the Gratiot-Saginaw and provide the area’s residents with a means of central hub for the county’s ecological Maple River State Game Areas. From there, non-motorized travel between the two network, the City of Saginaw provides the wooded corridors along the Grand River and cities. The Bay-Zilwaukee trail would also core of the county’s system of trails and its tributaries and other rivers in southwest give access to one of the region’s rich riverwalks. Radiating outward from the city Michigan connect a string of game areas wetland and wildlife resources, as nearly are a number of existing and proposed trails and other state land all the way to Lake two-thirds of its five-mile length pass such as the Saginaw Valley Rail Trail, the Michigan. With appropriate protection and through the Crow Island State Game Area. Saginaw Riverwalk, the M-84 Trail, the Cass concerted efforts to restore forest and River Trail, the Trolley Line Trail, and the wetland habitat, this corridor could Efforts are also underway to finalize the Bay-Zilwaukee Rail Trail. accommodate wildlife movement clear alignment for the Trolley Line Trail. When completed, the Trolley Line Trail will run across this urbanized part of the state from As of 2004, another phase of the Saginaw from Bridgeport to Birch Run and Lake Michigan to Saginaw Bay. Valley Rail Trail, the newest Saginaw Frankenmuth, and then on to the County park, is under construction. The other leg of this riparian “X” is formed communities of Clio and Mt. Morris in Completed portions come in contact with by the Cass and Tittabawassee rivers. Both Genesee County to the south. It is hoped state-owned land at several points, and this the Cass and Tittabawassee give birth to the that this trail will provide a conduit between adds wildlife-viewing opportunities to the Saginaw River, and they ultimately flow into the county’s major tourist destinations, outdoor recreation and fitness benefits Saginaw Bay. Near the City of Saginaw, the allowing visitors to experience a variety of offered by the trail. Continued expansion proposed Tittabawassee conservation opportunities from wildlife viewing to will allow the trail to reach out to the corridor meets with another proposed shopping and dining, while reaping communities of Chesaning and Oakley while corridor along the Cass River, creating a economic benefits for the communities that reaching northward to proposed trails ribbon of green across the county. Other construct it. The eventual construction of the running adjacent to the Tittabawassee River. 33

(Saginaw County cont’d)

Trolley Line Trail and several other small Complementing these incentive programs, access to recreational resources such as connecting trails would allow residents to technical assistance by the Michigan trails and neighborhood parks. travel all the way from northern Bay County to department of Natural Resources and the southeast Michigan, all without using a car! U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has been By supporting local trail groups, municipal critical to the county’s preservation of planning and recreation authorities, and Benefits and Action riparian and wetland resources. As they land conservancies, we can realize a Vision Recommendations work through their management and of Green for Saginaw County! expansion planning, continued support for Of the three counties, the landscape of these agencies by municipal governments Saginaw County has been the most severely and citizen action groups is vital to the influenced by human-centered development. success of conservation and resource This has left little outside of currently protection in Saginaw County. owned state and federal land in a naturally functioning state. Enhancement of the Although some non- county’s riparian corridors will serve to motorized trail maintain what is left and provide benefits resources presently including improved water quality and exist in the county, it wildlife habitat. has the lowest per capita access to these Voluntary landowner stewardship programs resources in the region. such as the Wetland Reserve Program, Working with county Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, and city parks and and Partners for Wildlife have been central recreation departments to restoring non-productive agricultural lands and their associated for wildlife habitat in Saginaw County. Long- planning commissions, term funding and public support for these citizens and and other related landowner incentive neighborhood groups programs is essential to continue building can encourage greater on the remarkable work that has already been done. 34

Introduction

“If our children are to find a pleasant this aspect of the infrastructure. The Vision S Organizational Framework and peninsula when they look around them . . . of Green can become part of a “community Leadership we need to seek answers to our land use map” that guides both conservation S Technical Assistance — Information and issues today,”challenges Governor Jennifer activities and development. The Education Grandholm. recommendations in this section are S Intergovernmental Cooperation and directed toward the development and Regional Coordination The Collaborative has taken important steps management of a regional public/private S Funding and Support to meet this challenge by identifying partnership that facilitates regional significant conservation, recreation, and coordination and assists local planning, For each principle area, we have identified resource-based lands that form a viable conservation, and development actions. below a number of actions and green infrastructure vision for Bay, Midland, Ultimately, conservation and development recommendations to be considered. These and Saginaw counties. But the hard work of activities are carried out at the local level. are starting points for further discussion and implementing the vision has just begun. decision making as implementation of the The Collaborative recommends focusing on regional green infrastructure vision becomes Green infrastructure is essential to the four principle areas where issues must be a conservation priority for public, private sustainability of every community, and both addressed and actions taken to implement a and non-governmental organizations. public and private sectors have a green infrastructure vision: responsibility to plan, build, and maintain

Leadership Organizational Framework Vision Technical Assistance of Facilitate Local Green Implementation Promote Regional Coordination Provide

Funding and Support 35 Organizational Framework and Leadership

As the project progresses from the planning Recommendations: stage to the implementation stage or from S Maintain and update the green vision to reality, the leadership, S Convene representatives of local, infrastructure maps and database. organizational framework, and support for regional, and state governments, non- S Cultivate new partnerships and the project must evolve as well. The project profit organizations, and the private constituencies that support green is at a critical juncture, and effective sector and facilitate the development of infrastructure, including the health care leadership and coordination from a regional green infrastructure implementation sector, educational institutions, chambers public/private partnership is necessary to strategies and plans. of commerce, and home builders ensure that the vision becomes a blue print S Ensure multi-jurisdictional coordination associations. for conservation and a framework for of green infrastructure implementation growth for Bay, Midland, and Saginaw S and management plans. Support and promote several counties. collaborative pilot green infrastructure S Secure funding from existing programs projects in the Saginaw Bay area and The Collaborative recommends the and sources and help develop new introduce innovative implementation formation of a Green Infrastructure sources of funds for green infrastructure models from around the state/country. Implementation Partnership to facilitate protection, development, and S regional coordination and provide leadership management. Expand the green infrastructure planning and technical and funding assistance. This process to include the entire Saginaw S is an essential first step toward Provide technical assistance, education Bay Watershed. implementing the green infrastructure programs, and materials for communities, vision. WIN should help foster the agencies, and organizations to build leadership, cultivate committed partners, support and capacity for implementing and leverage financial support to establish the green infrastructure vision plan. such a partnership. Once the organization is S Dedicate staff to work with local established, the “Partnership” should communities and conservation The Collaborative recommends the formation of a Green Infrastructure consider the following operational organizations on plan implementation by Implementation Partnership to facilitate regional coordination and provide recommendations. translating regional conservation goals to leadership and technical and funding assistance. local planning and implementation actions. 36 Technical Assistance and Outreach

WIN has been instrumental in facilitating the This section identifies a number of education S Provide technical assistance for local exchange of land use information and and technical assistance programs and community planning, zoning, and public sustainable development practices in the outreach activities that a Green Infrastructure works development on where to locate region. The Collaborative compiled and Implementation Partnership could provide in development based on existing gray assessed resource and land use information support of sustainable land use and green infrastructure and where to target that is available to state and local infrastructure implementation and conservation efforts based on the Vision governments, regional planning organizations, management. of Green plan. and non-profit organizations for well-informed S Offer educational programs on sustainable decision making. Information is a valuable tool Recommendations: land use planning and zoning tools and for local planning as well as for understanding S Distribute computerized green techniques and provide incentives for local changes in land use over time and the effects infrastructure maps, data, models, and elected officials to participate. of those changes on the Saginaw Bay region. other land use decision-making information S Provide information and encourage greater Education and outreach is critical to building generated from the project to all landowner participation in land support for green infrastructure preservation municipalities, agencies, and organizations management programs such as the and management. It's key in changing the working on land use planning activities and Wetland Reserve Program, Conservation public's perception that the natural issues in the Saginaw Bay region. The GIS Reserve Program, Conservation Reserve environment is an amenity rather than a maps and data should be "user friendly" Enhancement Program, Forest Stewardship necessity upon which all life depends. WIN and available at both county and township Program, Forest Land Enhancement and The Collaborative have initiated this scales so the information can be applied to Program, and Partners for Wildlife. educational campaign, but there is much more regional land use decisions and township to be done. plans. S Develop a “One Stop Shop” program or clearinghouse that offers information on S Continue to educate the public and private land use planning tools and techniques, sectors about the concept and benefits of resource inventories and data, sources of green infrastructure, especially the Continue to educate the public and private sectors about the concept and technical assistance and funding for economic benefits. Support initiatives to benefits of green infrastructure, especially the economic benefits. Support conservation and sustainable land use document local examples and benefits of initiatives to document local examples and benefits of sustainable land use activities, and best management sustainable land use and conserving green and conserving green infrastructure. practices. infrastructure. 37 Intergovernmental Cooperation and Regional Coordination

More than 1,800 units of local government S Create incentives for communities to S Encourage philanthropic foundations that have legal authority to engage in land use collaborate on development of integrated support green infrastructure principles planning and/or zoning in Michigan. Green regional plans and policies for and projects to provide incentives to infrastructure planning and implementation transportation, infrastructure, and land communities through the grants process requires collaboration among government, protection activities. for projects that demonstrate multi- private, and nonprofit sectors. Governmental jurisdictional planning, prioritization, and S Facilitate intergovernmental agreements units lack the authority, scope, and resource coordination. with municipalities, public land capabilities to address many of the major managers, and non-governmental S Investigate and develop incentives for challenges and opportunities related to organizations to protect and manage local jurisdictions to build and maintain multi-jurisdictional land use planning. A multi-jurisdictional green infrastructure green infrastructure, such as storm water Green Infrastructure Implementation resources (e.g., rail-trails or river management systems that provide cost- Partnership could help these three sectors corridors). effective, environmentally beneficial have a joint vision with mutually beneficial alternatives for the treatment, storage, goals. The Vision of Green could guide both S Pursue partnerships with commercial and and flow of storm water. conservation activities and development. residential developers and local businesses to include green S Work with the regional planning Recommendations: infrastructure in new construction organization to prepare a regional land projects or retrofit existing projects. If use plan that represents all jurisdictions. S Encourage municipalities to review and developers understand the benefits and revise their land use, recreation, open S Prepare a composite of current local land economic value of green infrastructure, space, storm water management, and use and zoning maps so that all they are more likely to include the transportation plans and policies within jurisdictions in the region can share concepts in their site and development the context of the green infrastructure information. plans. vision plan.

S Encourage local conservation Encourage municipalities to review and revise their land use, recreation, organizations to adopt the Vision of open space, storm water management, and transportation plans and Green report as their strategic plan for policies within the context of the green infrastructure vision plan. prioritizing land protection. 38

Funding and Support

Green infrastructure protection and Establish a “Green Infrastructure Fund” to be used for greenway and open implementation requires knitting together space acquisition, natural resource restoration, and recreational improvements existing funding and technical assistance in accordance with completed greenways and/or green infrastructure plans. programs with innovative financing techniques. It also requires public and private investment and partnerships. A Green Infrastructure Recommendations: jurisdictional green infrastructure plans. It Implementation Partnership could help partners is anticipated that this private sector fund S develop the framework or “implementation Develop a “implementation quilt” that will leverage both state and federal quilt” necessary to pull together the pieces of a identifies: different land uses, conservation funding sources for acquisition and project green infrastructure network. activities, and stakeholders within the implementation. The GreenWays Initiative green infrastructure network; potential of Southeastern Michigan provides a funding sources and programs (federal and similar model and on an average, state programs, land protection tools and leverages $6 public dollars for every $1 techniques, regulatory tools, rates/fees, from the private GreenWays Fund. public financing options); different stages S of green infrastructure projects (planning, Encourage state and local governments, capital projects, land acquisition, private sector, and conservation education and outreach, management and organizations to use the Vision of Green maintenance); which agency, organization, plan to set priorities and strategically or partnership should take action on guide their conservation funding and specific green infrastructure projects. investment in the region. S S Establish a “Green Infrastructure Fund” to Explore, in cooperation with municipalities, be used for greenway and open space the use of development impact fees, tax acquisition, natural resource restoration, incentives, and other strategies for and recreational improvements in application to green infrastructure accordance with completed greenways implementation. and/or green infrastructure plans. Funds could also be used to develop multi- 39

(Funding and Support cont’d)

S Assess and investigate the suitability and S Work with the state to expand the feasibility of public financing options for Conservation Reserve Enhancement green infrastructure projects, including Program, which targets the Saginaw Bay ballot initiatives. Watershed. The program, which pays farmers to establish and maintain buffer S Assist the region in determining the strips along water courses, has been feasibility of developing a farmland beneficial to farmers, wildlife and wildlife preservation and purchase of development corridors, and water quality. rights program.

S Pursue with the private sector the development of a low-interest loan program that allows nonprofit conservation organizations and local governments to acquire an interest in private land to protect critical natural environments and preserve farmland and open space through the purchase of development rights, conservation easements, and similar mechanisms.

Develop an “implementation quilt” which identifies land uses and activities, stakeholders, potential funding sources and programs, different stages of green infrastructure projects, and which agencies or partnerships should take action on specific green infrastructure projects. 40

Resource Directory

County Planning and Parks Regional Contacts Saginaw Valley Rail Trail Departments 111 S. Michigan East Central Michigan Planning and Saginaw, MI 48602 Bay County Development Regional Commission (989) 790-5280 3144 Davenport Avenue - Suite 200 Department of Environmental Affairs and Saginaw, MI 48602 Trolley Line Trail Community Development (989) 797-0800 130 Griffes St. 515 Center Avenue Clio, MI 48420 Bay City, MI 48708 Regional Non-Profit Phone (810) 687-7590 (989) 895-4135 Organizations State and Federal Midland County Saginaw Bay Watershed Initiative Network Governmental Contacts Midland County Planning c/o The Conservation Fund 220 W. Ellsworth, 3rd Floor P.O. Box 111 Michigan Department of Natural Midland, MI 48640 Auburn, MI 48611 Resources (989) 832-6879 (989) 662-6024 Michigan Trailways Program Forest Management Division Midland County Parks Little Forks Conservancy MDNR 220 W. Ellsworth, 3rd floor 414 Townsend St P.O. Box 30452 Midland, MI 48640 Midland, MI 48640-5266 Lansing, MI 48909 (989) 832-6876 (989) 835-4886 (517) 373-1275

Saginaw County Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy Fisheries and Wildlife Division 4044 S. Three Mile Rd Saginaw County Metropolitan 503 N. Euclid Ave. Bay City, MI 48706-9206 Bay City, MI 48706 Planning Commission (989) 686-0220 111 S. Michigan Ave. (989) 684-9141 Saginaw, MI 48602 Bay Area Community Foundation (989) 797-6800 River Walk and Rail-Trail Committee Saginaw County Parks and Recreation 703 Washington Avenue 111 S. Michigan Bay City, MI 48708 Saginaw, MI 48602 (989) 893-4438 (989) 790-5280 41

(Resource Directory cont’d)

State and Federal Non-Motorized Transportation, Nonprofit Organizations Governmental Contacts (cont’d) Intermodal Services Section 425 W. Ottawa St. Ducks Unlimited P.O. Box 30050 Great Lakes/Atlantic Regional Office Bay City State Recreation Area and 331 Metty Drive, Suite 4 Saginaw Bay Visitor Center Lansing, MI 48909 (517) 335-2823 Ann Arbor, MI 48203 3582 State Park Drive (734) 623-2000 Bay City, MI 48706 U.S. Department of Interior (989) 667-0717 Rails to Trails Conservancy U.S. National Park Service Michigan Field Office Michigan Department of Rivers, Trails, and Conservation 416 S Cedar St. Suite C Environmental Quality Assistance Program Lansing, MI 48912 Land and Water Management Division 9922 Front Street (517) 485-6022 503 North Euclid Avenue Empire, MI 49630 Bay City, MI 48706 (231) 334-3130 The Conservation Fund (989) 684-9141 1800 North Kent Street, Suite 1120 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Arlington, VA 22209 Coastal Management Program Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge (703) 525-6300 Land and Water Management Division 6975 Mower MDEQ Saginaw, MI 48601 The Nature Conservancy-Michigan Chapter P.O. Box 30458 (989) 777-5930 101 East Grand River Lansing, MI 48909-7958 Lansing, MI 48906 (517) 335-3168 U.S. Department of Agriculture (517) 316-0300 Saginaw Bay Resource Conservation and Michigan Department of Transportation Development Area Bay Region Office 4044 S. Three Mile Rd 55 East Morley Road Bay City, MI 48706-9206 Saginaw, MI 48601 (989) 684-5650 (989) 754-7443 42

Acknowledgments Our sincere thanks to all who helped with the development of the Saginaw Bay Greenways Collaborative’s “Vision of Green.”

The Saginaw Bay Greenways Collaborative is: Technical Advisory Committee members: Charles B. Curtiss–Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy Mr. Will Allen, The Conservation Fund Diane Demers–Bay Area Community Foundation Mr. Jim Baker, MDNR-Fisheries Dave Engelhardt–Bay County Environmental Affairs Mr. Charlie Bauer, MDEQ-Surface Water Quality and Community Development Ms. Valerie Blaschka, Saginaw Bay Visitors Center Bill Gibson (ret.)–Midland County Parks Mr. Mike Eberlein, Transportation Enhancement Manager Jonathan Jarosz–East Central Michigan Planning Dr. Glenn Goff, Paul Lapham and Associates Mike Kelly–The Conservation Fund Ms. Joyce Halstead, League of Michigan Bicyclists Doug Koop–Little Forks Conservancy Mr. Jim Hazelman, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Elan Lipschitz–Little Forks Conservancy Mr. Chuck Hoover, Saginaw County Historical Society Rob Macleod–Ducks Unlimited, Inc. Mr. Todd Kaufman, MDOT–Non-motorized Transportation Barbara Nelson-Jameson–National Park Service, Mr. Dave Kenaga, MDEQ-Coastal Management Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assisstance Program Dr. John Kerr, Michigan State University Department Jennifer Romstad–Saginaw County Planning of Resource Development Mark Weaver–National Park Service, Ms. Nancy Krupiarz, Rails-to-Trails , Michigan Chapter Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assisstance Program Mr. Glenn LeFeber, Flint River Watershed Coalition Bill Wright (ret.)–Saginaw County Planning Mr. Tom Lennon, Chippewa Nature Center Ms. Barb Lercel, MDNR–Wildlife Grant funding from: Mr. Mark Mandenberg, MDNR Parks & Recreation/Trailways Bay Area Community Foundation Mr. Terry Moultane, Bay City Planning Department of Environmental Quality– Ms. Jessica Moy, Michigan State University, Coastal Zone Management Center for Remote Sensing and GIS Kodak American Greenways Mr. Stephan G. Muyskens, The Trust for Public Lands Midland Area Community Foundation Dr. Charles Nelson, MSU Department of Parks, Recreation, Michigan Rails-to-Trails Conservancy and Tourism Resources Saginaw Bay Watershed Initiative Network Ms. Georgia Peterson, Michigan State University Extension Mr. Anthony Piazza, Piazza Appraisal Service In-kind services from: Mr. Dennis Pilaske, Chippewa Nature Center Bay Area Community Foundation Ms. Shirley Roberts, Bay Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Bay County Mr. John Schmude, Saginaw County Parks and Recreation Commission Ducks Unlimited, Inc.–Great Lakes/Atlantic Region Ms. Wendy Skory, Delta College, Biology Department East Central Michigan Planning Mr. Dave Smyth, MDNR–State Parks Bureau Little Forks Conservancy Mr. Roger Storm, MDNR–Trailway Acquisition Specialist Midland County Ms. Anne Sylvester, Bay City Recreation Area National Park Service–Rivers, Trails, Dr. Christine Vogt, Michigan State University, Department of and Conservation Assistance Program Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Resources Saginaw County Dr. Paul Zwick, University of Florida, Department of The Conservation Fund Urban and Regional Planning The Dow Gardens 43

(Acknowledgments cont’d)

Speaker series guests: Photo credits: Mark Benedict, The Conservation Fund Thanks to all who contributed images and photos, including the National Chuck Nelson, Michigan State University Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ducks Unlimited Inc., Cynthia Whiteford, Trust for Public Land the Conservation Fund, the University of Florida Geoplan Center (page Paul Zwick, University of Florida 14, bottom), and Parks Departments of the tri-counties.

Charette team members: Ken Bayne Mark Gottleber Stephan Muyskens Diane Banta Kristen Bennett Robert E. Grefe Mark Ostgarden Diane Demers Gordon Berthume Paula Gromak Tom Paige Dave Engelhardt Gary Black Kim Haller Dinah Pomaville Bill Gibson Valerie Blaschka Joyce Halstead Paul Pounders Jonathan Jarosz Harry Blecker Stephanie Harden Paul Robert Mike Kelly Courtney Borgondy Chuck Hoover Cary Rouse Doug Koop John Boyd Brian Jackson William C. Schmidt Elan Lipschitz David Bradt John Johnson John Schmude Trish Machemer Kathy Bremer Vern Jump Mark Seamon Barbara Nelson-Jameson Rick Brown Gene Kenaga David Shively Jennifer Romstad Dr. Terry Campbell Roland Koch Ray Sovery Dave Thompson Douglas J. Chapman Sue Ann Kopmeyer Douglas Spencer Angie Tornes Warren G. Collisi Jo Ella Krantz Jim Sperling Cathy Washabaugh Sita Compton Nancy Krupiarz Frank Starkweather Mark Weaver Charles B. Curtiss Glenn LeFeber Anna Sylvester Bill Wright Edward C. Elliott James Lillo, PE Russ Taylor Jane Fitzpatrick Robb Macleod Pat Trahan Charette participants: Sue Fortune Scott Marsh Dick Von Berg Harold Alesworth James B. Garrett Gay McInerney Brandon Wescott Henry Anderson Becky Goche Donald Dale Milne Sally Wallace Debbie Anderson-Lipschitz Elizabeth Godwin Elsie Misner Sally Ward Annamarie Bauer Glenn Goff Terry Moultane Martha Wyatt

Special thanks goes to Jonathan Jarosz, Mike Kelly, Barbara Nelson-Jameson, Mark Weaver, Joy Drohan, and Aldis Strazdins, Element Creative who have contributed to this document.

Production and printing courtesy of The National Park Service–Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program and The Conservation Fund.

This project was generously supported by the Saginaw Bay Watershed Initiative Network. CD-Rom Resource Material

The accompanying cd-rom contains resource material designed to assist those who are interested in implementing the green infrastructure vision. Included on this cd are individual green infrastructure maps for all of the local jurisdictions in the tri-county area, a full copy of the report, a bibliography of information sources, and a variety of resource material that can assist local governments and resource conservation organizations begin to think about planning opportunities for green infrastructure protection.

You will need a copy of Adobe Acrobat software installed on your computer to view the maps and most of the documents. This software is included on the cd.

For more information or for additional copies of the cd, please contact The Conservation Fund at 989-662-6024. STANDISH WIG WAM BAY STATE WILDLIFE AREA

PINCONNING PINCONNING STATE PUBLIC ACCESS

LINWOOD

TOBICO MARSH AND BCSRA To the THUMB

BAY CITY MIDLAND QUANICASSEE

CROW ISLAND WILDLIFE REFUGE SHIAWASSEE NATIONAL AND STATE WILDLIFE REFUGES

GRATIOT / SAGINAW STATE GAME AREA ST. CHARLES

TO CHESANING TO FLINT P.O Box 111 Auburn, MI 48611 989.662.6024 www.saginawbaygreenways.org

C Printed on 10% total recovered fiber/all post-consumer fiber and with soy-based inks.