For more information on opportunities for local government to protect water and other natural resources consult the “Filling the Gaps” documents at www.swmpc.org/gaps.asp.
For more information on low impact development techniques visit www.swmpc.org/lid.asp.
The Southwest Michigan Planning Commission provides educational resources about stormwater and water quality to Berrien and Cass County Phase II communities. These resources are available on the Internet at www.swmpc.org/pep_materials.asp and could easily be adapted for use in the Black and Paw Paw River Watersheds.
Benton Harbor City, Benton Charter Township, St. Joseph City, Berrien County Road Commission and Berrien County Drain Commissioner and Administration participate in the Phase II stormwater program. More information on this program is available at www.swmpc.org/lsjr.asp.
The Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) published a guidance document designed to promote good planning practices and endorse consideration and integration of environmental issues into transportation projects. This guidance document is available on-line at www.swmpc.org/downloads/enviro_transpo_guidance.pdf.
Cities, villages and townships should enact ordinances that further protect the water quality of lakes and streams. Model ordinances to protect water quality can be found at www.swmpc.org/ordinances.asp.
For more information on Great Lakes Marsh visit www.swmpc.org/downloads/great_lakes_marsh.pdf.
For general information on floodplain forests visit www.swmpc.org/downloads/floodplain_forest.pdf.
For more information on forests visit www.swmpc.org/downloads/mesic_southern_forest.pdf.
For more information on oak savannas visit
www.swmpc.org/downloads/oak_barrens.pdf.
