To the editor:
In response to, ‘More wetland regulations seem unlikely,? (The Citizen, Nov. 3, page 4). Did you like Mr. Palulian’s remarks?
As a township resident, I resent being treated in this patronizing, disrespectful manner. We, the members of the DONT group, are not uninformed political gadflies out to make Mr. Palulian’s and the rest of our government employees? (our employees!) jobs difficult. We are a credentialed, informed, studied group of concerned citizens trying to protect the precious natural features of our community. We have done extensive scientific and legal research that has been presented orally and in written format several times to the planning commission and to the building department. We have stated loudly and fervently that we support ‘responsible development?; we are not against personal property rights. We are against the destruction of our sensitive natural resources.
We have not come in and demanded immediate change. We have, respectfully, come to these meetings, with research in hand, asking for consideration and further study by our officials. Several of our members have spent their own time to meet with Mr. Palulian before these meetings to share our information and discuss options. We have offered to do additional research, meet at their convenience, discuss options, and work ‘with, not against? the officials to protect our community.
Yet, Mr. Palulian has taken the stand that our research and suggestions have no merit, and his expertise and decisions take precedence over all citizen input. He states that Brandon has only 2,000 acres of wetland. Yes, the DEQ has identified these wetlands. However, he didn’t further explain that the DEQ only designates wetlands more than five acres. He also didn’t explain that Brandon Township is headwaters to two critical fresh water river systems in Michigan: the Flint River system and the Clinton River system. Everything and anything that affect any wetlands in Brandon eventually flows through these systems and finally into the largest fresh water system in the world, the Great Lakes. Or, permeates our land and ends up in our water supply ? that water that flows through our wells into our homes and businesses.
Mr. Palulian also states the township officials have not made any decisions that have adversely affected the wetlands or woodlands of this township. Really? Development allowed ‘up-river? on Kearsley Creek has reduced the flow and raised the temperature so high in my part of the creek that the DNR can no longer stock trout in that area of the creek. The M-15 project just south of the high school was allowed to clear cut and pile dirt, even though they did not comply with the restrictions set by the planning commission, as stated clearly in their minutes, when it was approved. These restrictions included tree and traffic surveys and wetland impact studies that still have not been submitted. What woodlands were destroyed there and what will the ultimate impact be? We will never know, since no survey or study was done.
Can we not work together for common goals? Can we not share expertise, information and opinions? Can we not expect our government officials to treat us citizens with respect and consideration?
I think we can. Our DONT group thinks we can.
I believe the members of the planning commission think we can. They have been more than considerate in giving us presentation time and truly listening to our remarks. Their recent concern over the approval of the commercial project near Long Lake Village shows they respect personal property rights, yet also vehemently want to keep the rural character and protect the natural resources of our community.
We plan to continue to work with and support the planning commission and the township board. Please, Mr. Palulian, get on board. Let’s work together.
Cheryl L. Gault, DONT member
Brandon Township