Chapter 2. Community Description

Transcription

Community Description
COMMUNITY DESCRIPTION
Introduction
CHAPTER 2
Administrative Structure
Recreation Inventory
Planning Process
The text in this Chapter provides information about St. Clair County’s:
Location
Social Characteristics
Physical Characteristics
Goals & Objectives
Page
Introduction
also lead to major manufacturing centers in the
Midwest, including Metropolitan Detroit, Flint, Lansing,
Chicago, and Indianapolis. The County is also served
by ferry service in multiple locations. The Marine City
Ferry operates year-round between Marine City and
Sombra, Ontario. The Walpole Island Ferry provides
year-round transport between Algonac and Walpole
Island, Ontario. The ferry service from Algonac to
Russell Island and from mainland Clay Township to
Harsens Island is the only access to these islands
outside of private boat and aircraft.
WI
MI
IL
IN
OH
St. Clair County is a link, via the Blue Water
Bridge between Canada and other Great Lakes
states.
POPULATION NOTES
INTRODUCTION
LOCATION
St. Clair County is the easternmost county in
Michigan. Its eastern boundary is the international
border with Canada, formed by the St. Clair River and
Lake Huron.
Please see the maps on the following pages that
show:
St. Clair County’s location within southeast
Michigan
Some of St. Clair County’s general features
Because of its location at the base of Michigan’s
Thumb, St. Clair County is an amalgamation of rural
heritage and metropolitan influence.
The County population is heavily concentrated
along the St. Clair River. Port Huron, the seat of
St. Clair County government, is located 160
miles west of Toronto and 60 miles northeast of
Detroit.
Over 63% of St. Clair County workers that live
within the County, also work in St. Clair County.
The percentage of the labor force that travel to
jobs outside St. Clair County (37%) is higher
than the state average of people who work
outside their home County. Throughout
Goals & Objectives
Planning Process
COMMUNITY CHARACTER
St. Clair County offers a unique mix of residential and
agricultural land uses, urban and industrial areas,
along with a shoreline that offers pristine beaches and
attractive resort communities.
TRANSPORTATION OVERVIEW
The Blue Water Bridge and the St. Clair River Train
Tunnel are primary links between the United States
and Canada for international commerce and tourism.
Two interstate highways - Interstate 94 and Interstate
69 - cross St. Clair County, merging at Port Huron and
connecting with their Canadian counterpart, Highway
402, in Sarnia, Ontario. These interstate highways
Page 8
The Blue Water Bridge Plaza in Port Huron.
St. Clair County has 34 units of government including
St. Clair County government, 23 townships, eight
cities, and two villages.
Note: The eight cities within St. Clair County include
Richmond, which lies primarily in Macomb County, but
which annexed a small number of acres within St.
Clair County in 2000.
The following statistics are based on the most recent
data and demographic studies from:
U.S. Census Bureau
U.S. Census Bureau statistics show that St. Clair
County had:
145,607 people in 1990
164,235 people in 2000
163,040 people in 2010
SEMCOG projects that 192,167 people will live in the
County by 2035.
POPULATION TRENDS
The County’s population had been increasing steadily
since at least 1960. In the 2010 Census, that steady
growth in population came to an end and the County
actually lost about 1% of its population.
Within St. Clair County, most of the communities that
lost population from 2000 to 2010 were located in the
southern part of the County. Ira Township experienced
a 25.7% decrease, Casco Township lost 13.5%,
Columbus Township lost 11.8%, and Algonac lost
11.3% of its population. Additionally, all of the cities in
the county lost population except for Marysville, which
Page 9
Goals & Objectives
DATA SOURCES
St. Clair County is among the 15 most populated
counties in Michigan.
Planning Process
In addition, the County has seven school districts
within its borders.
POPULATION
UNITS OF GOVERNMENT AND SCHOOL
DISTRICTS
POPULATION OVERVIEW
St. Clair County is the northernmost of seven counties
in the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments
(SEMCOG). SEMCOG conducts planning studies and
maintains a comprehensive database that offers
detailed demographic information to its member
communities. These materials have proven to be an
authoritative source for statistical and populationrelated data that pertains to recreational activities in
St. Clair County.
REGIONAL PLANNING OVERVIEW
U.S. Census Bureau’s Economic Census
U.S Census Bureau, 2005-2009 American
Community Survey
U.S Census Bureau, 2006-2010 American
Community Survey
Michigan Department of Technology,
Management and Budget
Michigan Department of Human Services
Southeast Michigan Council of Governments
(SEMCOG)
Data Driven Detroit analysis of U.S. Census
Bureau 2000 and 2010 data
St. Clair County Metropolitan Planning
Commission
St. Clair County Transportation Study
(SCCOTS)
Introduction
Michigan, 69.8% of the labor force work in their
county of residence. Most of the St. Clair
County residents who are leaving the County
to work are commuting to jobs in Macomb,
Oakland, and Wayne counties.
Residents in northern St. Clair County enjoy
country scenes and lifestyles more aligned with
rural Sanilac, Tuscola, and Huron counties.
Likewise, St. Clair County is a commerce and
service center for rural residents of Sanilac
County who come, primarily to the Port Huron
area, for groceries, commodities, and
healthcare services.
Tuscola
Genesee
Planning Process
Sanilac
Lapeer
St. Clair
Shiawassee
Macomb
Livingston
Oakland
Saginaw
CANADA
Introduction
A Closer Look at St. Clair County, Michigan
Wayne
Washtenaw
Monroe
Goals & Objectives
Lenawee
MAP 2-1
Page 10
Planning Process
Goals & Objectives
Page 11
CANADA
Introduction
MAP 2-2
Introduction
Planning Process
Goals & Objectives
experienced a 2.8% increase.
Nearly 90,000 people left the State of Michigan
between 2005 and 2008, with 63 of 83 counties losing
population. Michigan experienced a 0.6% population
loss from 2000 to 2010 - the only state to lose
population during that time.
POPULATION DISTRIBUTION
According to the 2010 Census, the profile of general
demographic characteristics for St. Clair County shows
population distribution according to categories of
gender, age, race, and household types.
Gender
Male
Female
Age
0 to 9 years
10 to 19 years
20 to 44 years
45 to 64 years
65 years & older
Number
80,274
82,316
19,690
23,186
47,461
49,032
23,671
Percent
49.5%
50.5%
Many minorities live in the Port Huron and Capac
areas. Several senior citizens continue to live on rural
family farms. However, for the most part, seniors are
clustered in cities and villages. Many of these live in
retirement villages and other special accommodations
for senior citizens.
12.1%
14.2%
29.1%
30.1%
14.5%
WHERE DO MOST PEOPLE LIVE
IN ST. CLAIR COUNTY?
Population
30,184
11,108
10,654
9,959
9,358
9,066
6,817
5,579
5,485
5,178
In 2010, St. Clair County also had a Hispanic or Latino
population of 4,708 persons, who are included in one or
more of the race categories above. The U.S. Census
Bureau does not designate Hispanic or Latino as a race
category, but as “a point of origin” or “ancestry type.”
POPULATION CONCENTRATIONS
The median age is 41.3 years. More than half of St.
Clair County residents (52%) are at least 40 years old.
Over the next 20 years, the County will continue to see
its median age increase, which has numerous
Community
Port Huron
Fort Gratiot Township
Port Huron Township
Marysville
Kimball Township
Clay Township
St. Clair Township
Clyde Township
St. Clair
Ira Township
implications for recreation planning.
Race
Number Percent
White
153,052 93.9%
Black/African American
3,976
2.4%
American Indian/Alaska Native
729
0.4%
Asian
777
0.5%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
29
0.1%
Some other race/Two or more races 4,477
2.7%
POPULATION WITH DISABILITIES
According to the 2010 American Community Survey,
there were 26,494 residents, 5 years of age and older,
who were disabled in St. Clair County. This is 16.4% of
161,939, the total civilian non-institutionalized
population. Disabled persons are not located in specific
areas, but live in all areas of the County.
HOUSEHOLDS OVERVIEW
HOUSEHOLDS
U.S. Census Bureau statistics show that St. Clair
County had:
62,072 households in 2000
63,841 households in 2010
SEMCOG projects that St. Clair County will have
78,486 households by 2035. Through 2035, SEMCOG
projects that:
The number of households with elderly citizens
will increase.
The number of households with children will
Page 12
BUILDING PERMITS
INCOME
The median household income in St. Clair County was
$44,369 in 2010. This was slightly lower than the
Michigan median household income of $45,413.
The Michigan Department of Technology, Management
and Budget reports that, in 2010, the largest employer
categories in St. Clair County were, in order: health
care and social assistance, retail trade, manufacturing,
accommodation and food services, construction, other
services (except public administration), professional,
scientific, and technical services, administrative and
support waste management and remediation services,
finance and insurance and wholesale trade.
The six county Economic Growth Alliance region (St.
Clair, Macomb, Oakland, Lapeer, Genesee, and
Livingston counties) lost 109,369 jobs in 2009 alone
according to economists at the University of Michigan.
In 2010, the region gained 4,034 jobs - a turnaround of
113,403 jobs. As a region, the unemployment rate was
8.3% in 2008, 14.2% in 2009, and 12.9% in 2010.
Page 13
Goals & Objectives
SOCIOECONOMIC OVERVIEW
EMPLOYMENT AND UNEMPLOYMENT
Planning Process
The top five communities with the fewest permits
issued were the Village of Emmett with three, Memphis
with four, Yale with six, Marine City with 15, and Lynn
Township with 79 permits. All communities within St.
Clair County experienced a significant decline in the
number of building permits issued within the last five
years with the exception of Kimball Township who only
experienced a decline in the past three years. The
average number of permits issued within St. Clair
County between 2000 and 2011 is 202 building permits.
Percent
6.2%
5.0%
11.7%
11.6%
14.9%
21.2%
13.6%
11.7%
2.6%
1.6%
Between 2000 and 2011, there were 6,473 building
permits issued in St. Clair County. The top five
communities with the most building permits issued were
Port Huron Township with 715, Kimball Township with
570, Fort Gratiot Township with 434, and the City of
Port Huron and the City of Marysville both having
issued 408 permits.
Households
4,045
3,266
7,712
7,616
9,793
13,892
8,940
7,663
1,704
1,046
increase.
The number of households of non-elderly
persons with no children will decrease.
County Income Distribution
Less than $10,000
$10,000 to $14,999
$15,000 to $24,999
$25,000 to $34,999
$35,000 to $49,000
$50,000 to $74,999
$75,000 to $99,999
$100,000 to $149,999
$150,000 to $199,999
$200,000 or more
St. Clair County had 63,841 households in 2010.
Introduction
According to the 2006 – 2010 American Community
Survey there are 44,897 or 8.8% of families whose
income is below the poverty level. Of these, there are
20,572 or 14.9% of families with children under the age
of 18 years below the poverty level in St. Clair County.
Compared to the State of Michigan as a whole, the
County has a higher percentage of both families living
below the poverty level and families with children under
18 years below the poverty level. Moreover, there are
4,549 families headed by a single female head of
household with related children under 18 years below
the poverty level, or 41.2% of families with such a
situation.
Introduction
For St. Clair County, the annual jobless rate in 2010
was 14.9%, which was 2.6% lower than the annual
jobless rate for 2009, which was 17.5%. As of October
2011, the jobless rate in St. Clair County was 11.5%
beaches on Lake Huron, the St. Clair River, and Lake
St. Clair within an hour’s drive of the Detroit
metropolitan area makes it a desirable, recreational
“nearby getaway.”
LABOR FORCE
The Blueways of St. Clair features 16 paddling routes
along St. Clair County waterways, which serve as a
tourist attraction for water enthusiasts from throughout
Southeastern Michigan. Kayaking and canoeing are
continuing to grow in popularity and PARC expects
increased use of the County’s paddling routes.
The Michigan Department of Technology, Management
and Budget’s Labor Market Information reports that the
average monthly labor force in St. Clair County for the
year 2010 totaled 79,660. Of those, an average of
67,751 were employed and 11,909 were unemployed
each month.
Goals & Objectives
Planning Process
SOCIAL ISSUES
The St. Clair County office of the Michigan Department
of Human Services statistics show that its case load, for
the fiscal year 2010 included:
Case Load
Family Independence Program (FIP): 1,838 cases
Food Assistance Program (FAP): 19,237 cases
Adult Medical Program (AMP): 1,761 cases
State Disability Assistance (SDA): 484 cases
Child Development and Care (CDC): 1,065 cases
In addition, the ongoing development of new
“greenways” trails will help connect the communities of
Southeastern Michigan through the creation of a
connected green infrastructure, including biking and
hiking paths, conservation corridors and habitats
among and between communities. Greenways are
linear open spaces, including habitats and trails, which
link parks, nature reserves, cultural features or historic
sites with each other, for recreation and conservation
purposes.
GEOGRAPHIC OVERVIEW
TOURISM
Most of St. Clair County’s tourist attractions are along
the eastern and southern coastline in the form of
beaches, parks, and marinas. There are few
recreational areas inland. Local communities offer
special events, such as parades and annual or semiannual festivals.
The following information pertains to physical factors
that affect St. Clair County’s ability to meet current and
future needs.
AREA
The area of St. Clair County is:
460,451 acres (719.45 square miles) of land.
921 acres (1.44 square miles) of surface water.
Direct tourism expenditures in St. Clair County in 2000
were estimated at $106.3 million, according to Michigan
State University’s Department of Park, Recreation, and
Tourism Resources.
Out of 83 counties, St. Clair County is the 26th largest
in Michigan.
St. Clair County is in a prime position to attract even
greater amounts of tourism dollars thanks to the park
and trail facilities, historical features, eco-tourism, agritourism, cruise ship tourism, and a trend for families
and aging citizens to take vacations closer to home. St.
Clair County’s position as a semi-rural area with public
Land in St. Clair County is used primarily for
agriculture. According to SEMCOG, the County had
218,808 acres of agricultural land in 2008, which
accounted for 47% of the land in St. Clair County.
PRIMARY LAND USE
Residential, commercial, and industrial development
has occurred in cities and townships along the eastern
Page 14
Planning Process
Goals & Objectives
Page 15
CANADA
Introduction
MAP 2-3
Introduction
Planning Process
Goals & Objectives
and southern shores and around cities and villages in
the central, western, and northern areas.
According to SEMCOG, residential land uses covered
nearly 180,405 acres of St. Clair County and 22,731
acres were used for parks, recreation and open space
in 2008.
TOPOGRAPHY
Topography refers to the elevations, relief features, or
surface conditions of a geographic area. The
understanding of topography is critical for a number of
reasons. In terms of environmental quality, agriculture,
and hydrology, understanding the topography of a
region enables the understanding of watershed
boundaries, drainage characteristics, water movement,
and impacts on water quality.
The land surface of the County is a glacial landform,
with characteristic slopes, substrata, soils, and
drainage conditions, and as a result of these physical
factors, certain vegetation evolved and now exist.
According to the United States Geological Survey, St.
Clair County is part of the landform called WashtenawMaumee Lake Plain. The County consists primarily of
clay soils, along with several one to three mile-wide end
moraines that have been reshaped by water and runoff.
Beach ridges and small sand dunes are common on
the sand channels, which are visible from Fort Gratiot
Township to St. Clair, running parallel to the shoreline.
While there are no inland lakes of significant size, St.
Clair County has a bounty of inland rivers. These
include:
149 miles of primary rivers
810 miles of tributaries
The St. Clair County Parks and Recreation Commission
recognizes the County’s abundance of inland rivers and
streams as recreational opportunities for water trails on
which canoeists and kayakers can paddle through
miles of riparian scenery and silence. In 2010, PARC
partnered with the St. Clair County Metropolitan
Planning Commission to develop The Blueways of St.
Clair. See www.BluewaysofStClair.org for more
information.
LAKE HURON
Lake Huron is the largest neighboring watercourse. It
creates a 12.5-mile shoreline boundary on the
northeast corner of the County and is an integral
recreational and economic factor. The cities of Detroit
(60 miles south), Flint (75 miles west), and 90 other
communities pump 400 million gallons of water per day
from Lake Huron. Awareness of the quality of the water,
from Lake Huron and the Great Lakes has been a
concern since the mid-1970s.
Elevations throughout the County range from 580 feet
to 800 feet above mean sea level. The highest points
are in a glaciated area in the western part of the
County, along the Black River in the northern part of the
County, and along Lake Huron and the northern part of
the St. Clair River. The lowest part of the County is in
the south in an area known as St. Clair Flats, which is
within the Lake St. Clair floodplain.
WATER RESOURCES
St. Clair County is blessed with water resources. The
most noticeable of these are Lake Huron, the St. Clair
River, and Lake St. Clair, all of which are part of the
Great Lakes system.
Residents and visitors enjoy swimming in Lake Huron at Fort
Gratiot County Park.
Page 16
Planning Process
Goals & Objectives
Page 17
CANADA
Introduction
MAP 2-4
Introduction
Confluence of the Black River and St. Clair River in downtown Port
Huron.
Goals & Objectives
Planning Process
Paddlers enjoy a calm summer day on Lake St. Clair.
LAKE ST. CLAIR
Lake St. Clair borders 11.3 miles on the southern
corner of St. Clair County and is a recreational Mecca
for boaters, anglers, and sightseers. The largest fleet
of pleasure boats on the Great Lakes is on Lake St.
Clair, and about 1/3 of all the fish caught on the Great
Lakes are caught there. However, there is limited public
access to the lake.
The largest remaining marshland in the Great Lakes
Basin is located at Clay Township and Canada’s
Walpole Island near Lake St. Clair. Environmental
concerns abound in this area and are evidenced by
beach closings due to bacterial contamination, visible
changes in the lake, and changes to lake plants and
animal populations.
ST. CLAIR RIVER
The St. Clair River is 34.3 miles long and borders most
of the east side of St. Clair County. The St. Clair River
extends from Lake Huron in the north to Lake St. Clair
at the south, where it has an average flow rate of
182,000 cubic feet per second. The City of Port Huron
gets its water from the St. Clair River.
Except for a few drains that flow into Lake Huron or
Lake St. Clair, the St. Clair River is the receptor of all
drainage basins within St. Clair County, and water level
fluctuations of two to three feet are common. This
fluctuation, plus rapid currents, causes tree mortality,
shoreline erosion, and major alterations to the
composition and habitat of marshes and wet prairies.
Six locations along the St. Clair River, plus one in Lake
Huron, are monitored monthly to determine water level
fluctuations. Water levels are usually lowest in
February, then rise through July, and decline through
the rest of the year.
The St. Clair River’s current and the occasional
passage of large lake freighters provide for unique
sightseeing and tourism opportunities. Shipping has
brought infestations of non-indigenous aquatic species
that are potentially detrimental to the environmental
health of the river. The St. Clair River Binational Public
Advisory Council (BPAC) is having noteworthy success
in improving the quality of both water and habitat in and
along the river.
BLACK RIVER AND MILL CREEK
The Black River is the major tributary of the St. Clair
River. It flows south from the Minden Bog in Sanilac
County and through Port Huron. Along with its major
tributary Mill Creek, the Black River drains almost all of
the northern and western parts of St. Clair County.
The river’s watershed – 159,930 acres – is the largest
in Southeastern Michigan and is primarily a broad, flat
plain bounded on three sides by hills ranging from 20 to
100 feet high.
Page 18
Planning Process
Goals & Objectives
Page 19
CANADA
Introduction
MAP 2-5
Introduction
Planning Process
Goals & Objectives
The Black River offers limited recreational use due to
easily eroded clay soils. Traditionally, the river has
afforded high-quality fishing, but fish populations have
diminished and become almost nonexistent in recent
decades.
PINE RIVER
The Pine River is a tributary of the St. Clair River and is
the largest watershed – 126,110 acres – contained
within St. Clair County. It flows through relatively flat
land from the central part of the County and through the
City of St. Clair.
St. Clair Flats State Wildlife Area on Harsens Island, Clay
Township.
BELLE RIVER
The Belle River is also a tributary of the St. Clair River.
It originates in the west central part of the County,
passes a short distance through a corner of Macomb
County, then continues southeast through Marine City,
draining 83,000 acres of relatively flat land.
CLINTON RIVER
In addition to these watercourses within St. Clair
County, the North Branch of the Clinton River drains
8,600 acres in the southwestern part of the County,
even though the river does not physically flow through
the County.
SHORELINE
St. Clair County has a total of 58 miles of shoreline
along Lake Huron, the St. Clair River, and Lake St.
Clair. Most of this shoreline either has been developed
or is not suitable for development.
Much of this
shoreline, especially along the St. Clair River, has been
stabilized with seawalls.
The undeveloped or recreational parts of the shoreline
provide places for walking and/or fishing. Most public
walkways along the river are developed and stabilized.
The Lake Huron shoreline is 12.5 miles, 1.1 mile of
which is accessible through state and municipal parks.
The St. Clair River shoreline is 34.3 miles, most of
which lacks natural beaches, but is good for scuba
diving, boating, waterskiing, fishing, paddling and
sailing. A significant amount of the shoreline has parks
and walkways for walking, rollerblading, and biking.
The 11.3 miles of Lake St. Clair shoreline is densely
populated with residential development and limited
public access beaches. However, more than 20 public
boat ramps and marinas provide boaters with access to
Lake St. Clair.
FLOODPLAINS
Areas adjacent to creeks, streams and rivers are
susceptible to periodic flooding that can cause
extensive damage to buildings and can pose a
substantial threat to public health and safety. A
floodplain is an area of relatively level land that is
inundated from time to time. A floodplain may border a
stream, lake or river, or may be a watercourse in its
own right. A 100-year flood refers to a floodplain where
there is a 1-in-100 chance that a flood will occur in any
given year. When flooded, floodplains serve as a
natural retention area for floodwaters and, thus, reduce
the danger of vast amounts of water moving too rapidly
downstream. 100-year floodplains exist in St. Clair
County along the lower portions of the Black, Pine, and
Belle Rivers and along numerous creeks and drains.
The Federal government offers a mapping program that
helps communities preserve designated floodplains.
Some St. Clair County communities participate in this
program, which establishes Flood Hazard Boundary
Maps, Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM), and land
Page 20
Introduction
use regulations for designated floodplains. This
program helps local communities prevent construction
within a floodplain that would result in obstructions and
cause floodwaters to backup and expand the
floodplain’s size.
CLIMATE
The climate of St. Clair County is temperate with cold
winters, hot summers, and moderate springs and falls.
January average low temperature: 17° Fahrenheit
January average high temperature: 30° Fahrenheit
July average low temperature: 62° Fahrenheit
July average high temperature: 82° Fahrenheit
Average days below 0°: 5
Average days above 90°: 13
Average Heating Degree Days: 7,200 HDD per year
Average annual rainfall: 31 inches
Average annual snowfall: 36 inches
Growing season: 170 days
Page 21
Goals & Objectives
Climate refers to the weather pattern that can be
expected in a geographical region, based on the
average weather for a month or season in previous
years. Weather conditions affect the community's
economic base. Variations in average conditions,
especially during the summer months, can cause
fluctuations in tourism and outdoor recreation activities,
upon which the local economy is dependent. Prevailing
Planning Process
Wetlands are scattered throughout the County,
covering approximately 62 square miles, or 8.6% of the
County’s land area, but are most prevalent along the
eastern and southern coastline and along inland rivers.
They are often covered with lowland-hardwoods,
lowland-conifers, shrub or scrub growth, or aquatic
beds. Wetlands are essential to St. Clair County
communities as they help to maintain the delicate
balance of the ecosystem. Wetlands serve as sponges,
absorbing excess runoff during rain events. As the
water infiltrates, it is cleansed using the natural filtration
capability of the plants and soils. Wetlands also retain
moisture for much of the growing season, endowing
nearby plant communities with water and recharging
underlying groundwater supplies.
Regulated wetlands include all wetland areas greater
than five acres or those contiguous to waterways.
Wetlands, which are hydrologically connected to
waterways, are also regulated. Activities exempted
from the provisions of the Act include farming, grazing
of animals, farm or stock ponds, lumbering,
maintenance of existing nonconforming structures,
maintenance or improvement of existing roads and
streets within existing rights-of-way, maintenance or
operation of pipelines less than six inches in diameter,
and maintenance or operation of electric transmission
and distribution power lines.
St. Clair County averages 177 sunny days each year.
Because wetlands are a valuable natural resource, they
are protected by Part 303 of Public Act 451 of 1994.
Part 303 requires that permits be acquired from the
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)
prior to altering or filling a regulated wetland. The
Wetland Protection Act defines wetlands as
characterized by the presence of water at a frequency
and duration sufficient to support and that under normal
circumstances does support wetland vegetation or
aquatic life, and is commonly referred to as a bog,
swamp, or marsh and is contiguous to a Great Lake, an
inland lake or pond, or a river or stream. Michigan is
one of only two states (the other is New Jersey)
allowed to assume Federal permitting authority
according to the Federal Clean Water Act of 1984.
WETLANDS
Goals & Objectives
MAP 2-6
Page 22
CANADA
Planning Process
Introduction
Introduction
winds determine lakeshore and sand dune erosion
patterns, which impose limitations on development
along the Lake Huron shore. The Great Lakes are a
major control factor on the climate for the Midwest;
however, St. Clair County is less strongly influenced by
climate because of its southeastern location in the
State. The most obvious effect of the lakes on the
County is the increased percentage of cloudiness in
late fall and early winter, when prevailing westerly
winds move cold air across the warmer lake water. In
addition, the County’s southeastern location provides it
with five to ten percent more sunshine than those
counties at the same latitude on the western side of the
State.
SOILS
Soil refers to the portion of the Earth’s surface that
consists of disintegrated rock and/or humus – the
ground used for vegetation and for cultivating crops.
Soils in St. Clair County are largely wet loam and clay.
These are calcareous (non-acidic) at shallow depths,
have low permeability, and generally require drainage
for agricultural purposes.
Salt, oil, and natural gas deposits are also found below
the surface in St. Clair County. Mining these
subsurface resources affects land use activities above
the ground. Land that cannot be used for development
and construction due to mining below ground is land
that St. Clair County could target for use in recreational
activities.
Page 23
Goals & Objectives
Hydric soils refer to wet or moist soils that merit
particular consideration because they cover more than
half, or nearly 444 square miles, of St. Clair County,
chiefly in the southern portions. Hydric soils generally
have been exposed to water saturation conditions for
extended periods, such as in a wetland. They are very
poorly drained, saturate easily and retain large
quantities of water. If artificially drained, they are often
SUBSURFACE RESOURCES
Planning Process
The majority of St. Clair County has drainage problems
and more than 95% of the soils are severely limited for
development, especially near the shoreline and on
farmland. The soils most suitable for development are
away from the shoreline and in areas that are flatter
and less susceptible to flooding, erosion, and fading or
sinking.
More than half of the soils in St. Clair County are
classified as prime farmland soils. See Map 2-6. Prime
farmland soil types have been identified by the Natural
Resources Conservation Service as those best suited
for food production: they require minimal soil
enhancement measures such as irrigation and fertilizer.
Crops grown on these soils will produce the highest
yields with the smallest input of energy and economic
resources. This land is primarily north and west of a line
from Port Huron to Memphis.
Sand is common along – and a few miles inland from –
the eastern and southern shores. These areas are
poorly or very poorly drained in depressions,
excessively drained on dunes, and subject to wind
erosion if cultivated.
suitable for farmland use. They are commonly
populated by cattails, sedges, bulrushes, water
plantain, wild rice, wild celery, duckweed, and other
wetland vegetation. Hydric soils are another limitation
on development.
More than half of the soils in St. Clair County are prime farmland
soils.
Introduction
VEGETATION
Vegetation within St. Clair County consists of
agricultural crops, woodlands, indigenous grasses, and
landscaped plantings. Some threatened or endangered
plant species are also found in St. Clair County.
Additionally, St. Clair County is experiencing the growth
of invasive plants, such as purple loosestrife,
dandelions, and phragmites.
Most woodlands within St. Clair County are along
inland banks of the Black, Pine, and Belle rivers and at
various locations in wooded acreage areas and small
woodlots throughout the County. These woodlands
cover only about 113 square miles, or 15% of the
County; two-thirds of that land is managed by the
Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Mature
trees represent a valuable resource in maintaining the
aesthetic character of the area, not to mention their
overall importance to wildlife and the natural
environment.
FISHING RESOURCES
Lake Huron, the St. Clair River, and Lake St. Clair are
the most popular fishing sites in St. Clair County. Here
anglers catch brown trout, lake trout, steelhead,
salmon, smelt, walleye, perch, bass, pike, muskellunge,
carp, catfish, and panfish. The inland rivers have also
been historically good fishing areas and continue to be
a source of recreation for many anglers.
Goals & Objectives
Planning Process
WILDLIFE RESOURCES
St. Clair County’s wetlands, shoals, open waters, rural
areas, woodlands, and some urban land provide
ecosystems that have appropriate soils and food to
support a wide variety of plant and animal species.
Certain animal species spark the interests of hunters,
trappers, and persons who enjoy viewing wildlife.
Wildlife species in St. Clair County include whitetail
deer, cottontail rabbit, fox squirrel, gray squirrel,
raccoon, skunk, fox, coyote, beaver, muskrat, badger,
opossum, pheasant, quail, ruffed grouse, crow,
woodcock, wild turkey, ducks, geese, eagles, crows,
swans, and others.
Lake Huron, the St. Clair River, Lake St. Clair and numerous inland
streams provide ample opportunities for anglers in St. Clair County.
The Great Lakes Basin is also a major flyway for
thousands of North American waterfowl and breeding
territory for several hundred species. For this reason,
bird watching is a popular recreational activity in St.
Clair County. The fact that many bird species are
highly visible and easily tabulated within St. Clair
County indicates the County is rich with wildlife habitat,
not only for birds but for less noticeable vertebrate,
invertebrate, and micro-organic species. This is
especially true in aquatic places, on publicly-owned
land, and along the edges of agricultural acreage.
THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES
Rare plant communities and many threatened or
endangered animals can be found in wet, moderately
wet, and dry sand prairies of St. Clair County.
Originally, such land forms ranged extensively
throughout the County but have been supplanted by
commercial and residential development. Now, such
plants and animals are found primarily on state-owned
land.
PLANNING AND ZONING
St. Clair County has a Master Plan for land use. This is
a comprehensive document, which was prepared by
the County’s Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC)
staff from 2006 through 2009. It was adopted by the St.
Clair County MPC and endorsed by the St. Clair County
Board of Commissioners in the summer of 2009. The
Page 24
Planning Process
Goals & Objectives
Page 25
CANADA
Introduction
MAP 2-7
Goals & Objectives
MAP 2-8
Page 26
Planning Process
CANADA
Introduction
Introduction
MPC will begin to update the plan once again in 2013.
Much of the information for this section of the Master
Recreation Plan is based on data in the County Master
Plan.
LAND USE PATTERNS
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
The primary environmental issue in St. Clair County is
non-point source pollution caused by a combination of
residential sprawl and impermeable soils. Much of the
Roads
St. Clair County has:
63 miles of interstate highways (I-69 and I-94
terminate at the Blue Water Bridge, which is St.
Clair County’s international link to Canada)
128 miles of state trunklines (M-19, M-25, M-29,
M-136, and M-154)
1,651 miles of County roads, including:
♦ 604 miles of paved County roads
♦ 1,047 miles of unpaved County roads
289 miles of paved city and village roads
234 bridges
Airports
St. Clair County International Airport is owned and
operated by St. Clair County. The Marine City Airport is
privately owned and operated. The airport is classified
as a general-utility airport. The I-94/26 Mile Road
interchange is the closest major access point to serve
this airport.
Page 27
Goals & Objectives
While change is inevitable and growth in both
population and housing will occur, St. Clair County is
committed to managing that growth for reasons of
economic benefit, recreational activities, and overall
quality of life for all St. Clair County residents.
TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS
Planning Process
Land use patterns in St. Clair County are exemplified
by the disparity between local land use plans and their
zoning ordinances, as described in Planning and
Zoning above. The influx of single family dwellings on
quality farmland – “sprawl” – is also visually evident by
driving through St. Clair County’s rural and once-rural
areas.
soil in St. Clair County is clay and will not support
individual septic fields in the density allowed by current
zoning regulations. In some parts of St. Clair County,
parcels of one to three acres are not adequate to
provide sufficient septic field operation. As people
overpopulate the land and septic systems fail, human
and household waste seeps into aquifers or drains into
ditches, drains, and creeks.
While county government in Michigan encourages and
considers community input, it can only recommend and
suggest land use planning. The Master Plan document
and the efforts of the Metropolitan Planning
Commission are helping to bring local zoning legislation
in line with local planning intentions.
Land use patterns in the central and western parts of the county
are characterized by a mix of rural and rural-residential uses.
Maps 2-7 and 2-8 show this discrepancy. Notice the
“Agriculture and Rural Residential” areas (pale yellow)
and “Recreation, Open and Public Spaces” (green) on
the Generalized Master Plan map, and the “Single
Family Residential, Low Density” areas (medium
yellow) and the absence of “Recreation, Open and
Public Spaces” on the Generalized Zoning map.
One significant finding in the County Master Plan is the
discrepancy between planned land use and zoned land
use. Most townships and municipalities plan for
preservation of the County’s rural character and
riparian corridors, but their zoning ordinances legislate
a different, if not opposite, effect.
Introduction
Railroad Service
CSX Transportation and CN North America Railroad
provide Class I rail service to and through the County.
The Class I rail routes in St. Clair County provide U.S.
freight connections to Canada through the International
Railroad Tunnel in Port Huron, as well as service to
industrial sites throughout Michigan. The CN North
America's primary line runs east to west through the
communities of Port Huron, Emmett, and Capac. CN
North America also has a route through the
communities of Columbus and Smiths Creek on a SWNE Detroit line. The CSX line runs from Marine City
through St. Clair, Marysville and Port Huron. In addition
to freight, the CN east-west route provides passage for
Amtrak passenger rail service. The Amtrak route
provides service between Port Huron to Chicago.
COMMERCIAL WATER PORTS
St. Clair County also has commercial water ports in
Algonac, Marine City, Marysville, Port Huron, and St.
Clair.
Goals & Objectives
Planning Process
UNIQUE FEATURES
Many of St. Clair County’s unique features include the
natural environment – places such as:
Port Huron State Game Area
St. Clair Flats
St. Johns Marsh
The St. Clair River
Nearly 1,000 miles of inland rivers and
tributaries
Goodells County Park
Fort Gratiot County Park
Columbus County Park
The Pine River Nature Center
Remnants of oak savannahs in Algonac State
Park
Preserved properties owned by the Michigan
Nature Association
Hiking, biking, and equestrian trails
More than 100 archeological and historical sites, as
designated at the federal, state, or local level, are
located within St. Clair County. These include:
Native American villages, mounds, and burial
grounds
Fort Gratiot, which was built by the United
States Army during the War of 1812
Sawmill and gristmill
Shipwrecks
The Blue Water Bridge
The Fort Gratiot Light Station
The Huron Lightship Museum
The Thomas Edison Depot Museum
The Port Huron Museum and museums in
surrounding communities
Preserved or utilized heritage buildings or
homes
Sites of houses that have been demolished or
removed
All of these unique features are recreational attractions
for residents and tourists that can be linked via
highways, roads, and trails.
The Fort Gratiot Light Station is the oldest lighthouse in Michigan.
St. Clair County is also the home of Michigan champion
black oak, red maple, alternate-leaf dogwood, and
scarlet oak trees.
Page 28

Chapter 2. Community Description

Transcription

Similar documents

FORM. ART. FUNCTION. LOCATION.

rock walkathon along the river song writing contest rock this way

2015 Wrap Up - Funfest Events

PARK MAP - Huron-Clinton Metroparks

Fort Couch Wins Fourth National Blue Ribbon Award

Newsletter - Library Home

Windsor - St. Clair College

For the Paris debut of her couture collection at the Musée des Arts

“Holiday Home Tour”