8. How the Database Fits with Other Township Initiatives

Springfield Township Native Vegetation Enhancement Project
A multi-year project, completion 2001.
Project Owner: Springfield Township
Project Consultants: Carlisle/Wortman Associates; Land Ethics, Inc.
Project Purpose: Encourage use of native plants to protect natural resource systems; Identify commercial sources of plants; Develop and provide information for property owners, developers, contractors and others; Analyze existing Township master plan, standards and ordinances for consistency with project purpose; Revise, as needed, Township master plan, standards and ordinances to integrate use of native landscaping and vegetation where appropriate.
Project Products: Interactive CD database and other education/information materials; Model language for local master plans, ordinances and standards, incorporating use of native landscaping and vegetation.
Project Funding: Springfield Township; United States Environmental Protection Agency, Great Lakes National Program Office (GL0055675-01-0)
Project Contacts: Springfield Township Clerk's Office, (248) 634-3111; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (800) 621-8431

Shiawassee & Huron Headwaters Resource Preservation Project
A multi-year, multi-jurisdiction project, completed 2000.
Project Partners: Townships of Springfield, Highland, Milford, Rose and White Lake; Milford Village; Oakland County
Project Consultants: Carlisle/Wortman Associates; Michigan Natural Features Inventory
Project Purpose: To identify significant natural resource systems and develop new planning strategies to protect these resource systems.
Project Outcomes: Develop method to identify and rank natural resource systems; Field inventory selected sites; Review land use planning documents of participating municipalities for compatiblity with project purpose; Conduct national literature search of natural resource protection tools and techniques; Prepare model ordinances, plans and guidelines.
Project Products: Final Report in hard copy (400 pp.) and CD format. Includes: identification and ranking of 114 sites; detailed field inventories of eight sites; model natural areas opportunity plan; description of 35 most applicable planning tools and techniques; language for 14 model policies and ordinances; and findings and recommendations. Also includes detailed literature search and numerous maps.
Project Funding: United States Environmental Protection Agency, Southeast Michigan Initiative (X98565801-0); Oakland County; Community Foundation for Southeastern Michigan
Project Contacts: Oakland County Planning and Economic Development Services, (248) 858-0720; Springfield Township Clerk's Office, (248) 634-3111; other Project Partners; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (800) 621-8431

Springfield Township Rural Road Preservation Program
A one-year project, completed 1998.
Project Owner: Springfield Township
Project Consultant: Carlisle/Wortman Associates
Project Purpose: To develop a plan to preserve the trees and rural character of road corridors in Springfield Township
Project Outcomes: Inventory existing conditions; Analyze local needs; Develop policy recommendations.
Project Product: Final Report (60 pp.)
Project Funding: Springfield Township; Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Project Contact: Springfield Township, (248) 634-3111

Bridge Valley Ecosystem and Residential Development Project
An innovative and successful ad hoc Township initiative, working in partnership with a developer and local land conservancy, to protect a unique, high quality natural resource complex, while also accommodating development. Plan approved in 1996. Prompted idea for Shiawassee & Huron Headwaters Resource Preservation Project and served as forerunner for development approaches now common throughout the Township.
Project Contacts: Springfield Township Clerk's Office, (248) 634-3111; KIRCO, (248) 680-7180

Springfield Township Master Plan
The official document for the Township, setting forth an agenda for the achievement of goals and policies for the entire Township. Includes long range statement of general goals and policies aimed at the unified and coordinated development of the Township. Provides the basis upon which zoning and land use decisions are made. Includes strong emphasis on natural resource systems as determinant for land use planning. Proposed plan revision incorporates information and findings from the Headwaters, Native Vegetation, Rural Road Preservation and other Township projects.
Project Consultant: Carlisle/Wortman Associates
Project Contact: Springfield Township Clerk's Office, (248) 634-3111