State of Michigan Department of Environmental Quality Clean Water Revolving Funds:
Strategic Water Quality Initiative Fund (SWQIF).
Project Plan - Benzonia and Lake Townships, Benzie County.
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PROJECT PLAN TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Click here to listen to a streamed MP3 file 16 mins: 18 mb of some basic 'Q and A' about the Project Plan process and what comes next.) Audio is best heard using headphones.
II. Project Background
A. Study Area Characteristics
1. Delineation of the Study Area. Attachments as PDF's : [i: 350k]
2. Land Use in the Study Area: Attachments as PDF : [vi:383k]
3. Surface and Ground Waters [ii: 222k] [viia: 370k] [viib:246k] [viic:316k]
For detailed Water Quality Reports and information for Crystal Lake See:
http://www.clwf.org/ecology.htm#Water_Quality_Monitoring
Appreciation and gratitude for participation of Crystal Lake Watershed Fund.
For detailed Water Quality Reports and information for Platte Lake See:
http://www.platte-lake.org/Latest_Info.html
Appreciation and gratitude for participation of Platte Lake Improvement Assoc.
For detailed Water Quality Reports and information for Little Platte Lake See:
http://www.littleplattelake.org/wastewaterpilot.htm
Appreciation and gratitude for participation of Little Platte Lake Association.
Also: United State Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service. Web Soils Survey See: http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov
II B. Economic Characteristics
C. Existing Facilities Location map of existing treatment facilities, effluent disposal locations, Sludge disposal sites. Attachments as PDF [iii:282k]
D. Need for the Project
E. Population Data. Location map of Population distribution. Attachments as PDF [iv: 348k]
[Source:]
Remote Sensing & Geographic Information Science, Research and Outreach Services. Department of Geography. Michigan State University. www.rsgis.msu.edu/
also by querying layer data for Benzonia and Lake Township at:
http://gwmap.rsgis.msu.edu/viewer.htm
F. Environmental Setting
1. Cultural Resources
2. The Natural Environment: Attachments as PDF's: [ii: 222k] [iv: 348k] [v: 71k] [vi:383k] [viia: 370k] [viib:246k] [viic:316k] [x:192k - Topographic mapping and imagery]
[Ground water and Topographical imagery. Source:]
Remote Sensing & Geographic Information Science, Research and Outreach Services. Department of Geography. Michigan State University. www.rsgis.msu.edu/
also by querying layer data for Benzonia and Lake Township at:
http://gwmap.rsgis.msu.edu/viewer.htm
also: GoogleEarth for satelite imagery. and Attached PDF of GIS imagery.
[xi236k - Geology] [xii: 174k - Soils United State Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service. Web Soils Survey See: http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov]
III. Analysis of Alternatives
A. Identification of Potential Alternatives
1. No Action
2. Optimum Performance of Existing Facilities
3. Regional Alternatives
B. Analysis of Principal Alternatives
IV. Selected Alternative
A. Description of the Selected Alternative
1. Relevant Design Parameters & Controlling Factors - United State Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service. Web Soils Survey See: http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov
2. Cost Summary
B. Authority to Implement the Selected Alternative
V. Environmental Impacts & Mitigation
A. Description of the Impacts & Analysis of the Impacts
VI. Public Participation
A. Public Meetings on Project Alternatives
B. The Formal Public Hearing
Attached: Benzie County and Lake Township Planning Documents; Benzie County Sanitary Code.
Letters of Review: As part of the Project Plan submission, preliminary review was sought from the following, State Historic Preservation Office (finding of no impact as this is not a federally funded project); MDEQ Land and Water Management Division (unable to review until specific sites are identified); US Fish and Wildlife Page 1, Page 2 ; MDNR Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4 .
An Initial Response was received and Appealed by Benzonia and Lake Townships. | Cover Letter
In the guidance document detailing the primary purpose of SWQIF projects, the following language stands out as being the central guiding mission of this innovative Benzonia/Lake Townships Project Plan:
"These programs remain environmental protection programs, focused on correcting water quality problems rather than accommodating anticipated development.Not only are certain issues required to be addressed by federal mandate but basic analyses must also be accomplished to ensure that proposed projects indeed protect and enhance the environment.
.... project plan should examine and prioritize all wastewater needs in the study area for the next 20 years, whether or not funding is being sought for every capital improvement. For needs that will be addressed using [SWQIF] loan assistance, a cost-effectiveness analysis based on a 20-year planning horizon must be performed and each component to be funded must be part of the 20-year facility that will cost-effectively address water quality and/or public health problems. "
"environmental protection, water quality, public health, prioritize all wastewater needs, cost-effectiveness analysis ": these are the words which define this Project Plan.
Bordering Sleeping Bear National Sand Dunes, straddling 3 integral watersheds, defined by 3 scenic lakes, the area to be served is committed to environmental stewardship while striving to preserve a unique rural character in the face of mounting development pressure. While population and development is increasing, the primary service areas comprise many families who have lived in or visited this region for generations.
Residents of Crystal Lake, one of the area's largest lakes, first investigated building a conventional sewer system in 1979, but this idea was rejected due to the cost of the project (estimated at $17 million). Homeowners also worried that sewers would lead to further development. Being committed environmental stewards, the community desired a solution that would protect both the rural environment and their quality of life and be cost efficient. Using 2007 Consumer Price Index, the 1979 estimate for Crystal Lake alone would double - the principle reason being the regional topography.
In response to availability to Northwest Michigan Onsite Wastewater Task Force [501(c)3] of Joyce Foundation project funds for investigating implementation of a voluntary, community based, Responsible Management Entity, and requests from citizenry for assistance, Benzonia Township began a series of community fact finding outreach initiatives. Discussions, and the availability of SWQIF S2 grant planning funds, lead to the formation of an Interlocal Government Agreement with Lake Township to pursue a SWQIF loan application on behalf of affected property owners in the most environmentally vulnerable areas, while at the same time creating a framework to implement the process in additional Township areas in the future.
The intent and outcome has been to create a project that is based on voluntary participation resulting from informed consent and in the process assemble an invaluable core of planning and resource materials for the entire study area. As a result, participants will have a clear picture of the options available to them and the tools to make informed, cost effective choices.
©2007 NWMOWTF
