| A NOAA
Coastal Services Center Fellow, in collaboration with the Planning
and Zoning Center, Inc., incorporated NEMO educational materials
into a guidebook for local governments in Michigan called Filling
the Gaps: Environmental Protection Options for Local Governments.
The guidebook demonstrates how improvements to community master plans
and zoning ordinances can protect wetlands, riparian areas and other
natural resources. The guidebook supports the Governor’s statewide “Land
Use Leadership Initiative” and is catalyzing local action throughout
the state. For example, Ada Township relied on the guidebook in crafting
a riparian protection ordinance that limits development
within specified distances of riparian features, completed a Natural
Features inventory, and established an endowment to
purchase lands that protect riparian resources. |
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