Natural Resource Plans

NEMCOG is involved in natural resource planning across the Northeast Michigan Region. Read about some of the recent and current natural resource planning projects...

Presque Isle County Green Infrastructure Plan

Green infrastructure provides a diversity of public and private functions and values that address both natural and human needs and benefit the environment and communities. Green infrastructure systems help protect and restore naturally functioning ecosystems and provide a framework for future development. In doing so, they provide a diversity of ecological, social, and economic functions and benefits:

• enriched habitat and biodiversity;
• maintenance of natural landscape processes;
• cleaner air and water;
• increased recreational and transportation opportunities; improved health; and
• better connection to nature and sense of place.

Well planned green space has also been shown to increase property values and decrease the costs of public infrastructure and public services, including the costs for stormwater management and water treatment systems.

The intention of this planning effort is to provide ecological information and tools to local units of government, organizations and landowners in Presque Isle County through an innovative partnership between NEMCOG and Michigan's natural heritage program (MNFI), with guidance provided by a locally based steering committee. The planning effort is being funded by a grant from the Great Lakes National Program Office of the USEPA.

The overall goal is to expand communities' abilities toincorporate natural resource information and conservation strategies into their land use planning, zoning and land development practices. The project will address biodiversity and ecosystem change and support the conservation of fish and wildlife habitat.

Alpena Township Nature Preserve Management Plan

The overall goal of the Alpena Township Nature Preserve Management Plan is to develop a resource friendly, management plan that will allow for recreational enjoyment, while protecting the natural resource integrity of the nature preserve. The effort documents existing conditions including soils, plant and wildlife communities, geology, water resources, views, recreation activities, existing trails and development. The Natural Resource Conservation Service completed a detailed soil survey on the un-mapped property. The Michigan Natural Features Inventory conducted rare plant and rare and/or high quality natural community surveys. This information was fed into the process with the end product being an opportunities and constraints map of the property.

NRTH: Negwegon, Rockport, Thompson's Harbor State Park Planning

Click here to read more about the State of Michigan DNRE park management plans.