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4/20/05 Report from the Granite Hills Committee

Rapid development in our Boyden Creek watershed is unavoidable!

As development consumes the natural areas around us, we will see increased water volume channeled at higher velocities and containing greater levels of pollutants and sediments flowing into Loch Alpine. See photographs below.

Development generates impermeable surfaces that reduce the natural infiltration and purification that would normally occur as water moves through the soils. In addition, the increased volume of water collects pollutants and sediments from disturbed surfaces, roofs, paving, storm drains, streams and creeks. As further upstream development occurs, the problem will increase in proportion to natural acreage lost.

This “water” will reach Loch Alpine due to our location at the base of the Boyden Creek watershed. Our two lakes actually serve as large, biologically active retention ponds protecting the Middle Huron River. We are susceptible to irresponsible upstream development as the lakes restoration project demonstrates. Upstream development can compromise the viability of our lakes, streams, potable water, dams, environment and property values. Once pollution is here, we will own it, literally!

The type of development and the methods used to control storm water runoff, soil erosion and ground water contamination vary and so do the results. Water degradation can happen now as with The Preserves, Phase IV, soon with Granite Hills and cumulatively over the next decade.

Since development is going to happen, we need to institutionalize the “Best Management Practices” (BMP) available to minimize the impact upstream development will have. To protect our assets we must look outside of Loch Alpine for expertise and assistance. This turns out to be both an immediate and long-term effort and a significant investment for the membership. It is vital the membership understand the time to act is now. A year from now will be too late! We are behind the curve on this issue.

This is why proposal B is on the ballot and why the GHC and the LAIA Board request its passage. We must “quickly” achieve an effective credible presence to deal with upstream development. We should enlist existing advocacy groups, work with local government and utilize engineering, testing and legal support, to improve our circumstances. Whether or not proposal B passes or fails, this situation will not go away! Proposal B does give Loch Alpine the ability to affect a change for the better.

The Granite Hills Committee’s recommendations on how to proceed:

  1. Advocacy: Loch Alpine does not have years to evolve into an organization with the knowledge, credibility, and influence of the Huron River Watershed Council. We should ally with the HRWC to develop a Boyden Creek Watershed plan. Residents of many Middle Huron watersheds have already taken this step. This allows us to utilize their extensive knowledge, experience and contacts to move ahead quickly. The Boyden Creek watershed spans parts of four townships but everything put into the creek will end up in Loch Alpine. The HRWC has a far more insight into watershed hydrology and what must to be done to preserve it. In short: They have been there and done that!
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  2. Work with Township and County governments and agencies to affect changes: Township ordinances control areas critically important to us. Ordinances can vary significantly from township to township. It is important we understand the ordinances and prevent serious omissions in the application of existing ordinances. County agencies like the Washtenaw County Drain Commission and Board of Health need and appreciate good information. Like the townships, they are very dependent on the information provided by developers. Consequently, a documented and informed second opinion is helpful and usually well received. This process requires a heavy commitment of time and effort as each development is unique, and multiple contacts are involved. Engineering data and professional analysis are valuable during the preliminary and final site plan submissions and approval process.
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  3. Engineering support: Engineering can turn anecdotal information into demonstrable fact. Engineering support will allow analysis of submissions, determine their impact on Loch Alpine and suggest better alternatives. Professional engineering data will lend credibility to our position. At times, it will be mandatory!
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  4. Testing: As the developer for The Preserve, Phase IV said at a recent Planning Commission meeting:”I haven’t seen any proof that there is any sediment or pollution in the water going to Loch Alpine!” The proof is our responsibility!
  5. Legal support: When all else fails, it is necessary.

The Board and the GHC would like to be able to quantify the cost for each item and each occurrence in advance but all we can provide is a proposed direction for the community. All of these resources will cost money. We know that time is short and we cannot wait for another year to get on top of the problem. The situation will not go away whether or not Proposal B passes. Developers will gain at our expense, if we fail to lookout for our own best interests.

The Loch Alpine Board of Directors has directed the GHC to keep them apprised of developments and to make recommendations. The Board makes the decisions and approves all expenditures.

For your consideration,

LAIA BOD / the Granite Hills Committee

Photographs

Figure 1. This photograph shows water sheet flow from the storm water detention basin in The Preserves phase IV, 800 feet west onto LAIA property between the Doolittle and Holland property. The developer of Granite Hills plans to empty two additional detention basins at this location, which is only 5 feet from our community boundary.

Figure 2. Joy Rd. The lost of the floodplain and wetland, due to development, channels storm water into a confined area and increases the waters velocity. The result is the scouring of the stream bed and greater soil erosion.

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