By Meg Peters
Review Co-Editor
Orion Township is the first municipality in Oakland County to develop an ordinance strictly to control the growth of phragmites, an invasive plant species torturing both inland and coastline native plants.
Township trustees approved the Environmental Resource Committees? recommendation, backed by township consultants Carlisle Wortman Associates, to begin ordinance work.
The process requires updating current ordinances 78’Zoning, 79’Noxious Weeds, 107’Wetlands and 139’Stormwater, along with creating an entirely new ordinance.?
Trustees approved the recommendation, which would cost the township close to $3,000.
The Phragmites Control Ordinance would be patterned after current ordinances already established in Michigan, primarily those from northern communities including Beaver Island, Hayes, Banks, Acme, Peninsula, and Emmet County.
Township consultants also met with representatives from Clay Township to discuss ordinance language. Clay Township is near St. Clair Shores and one of the only other Lower Peninsula communities to have its own phragmites ordinance.
The ordinance would include introductory literature, namely findings, purpose, and definitions, along with points to address phragmites inspection, written reports, the rights to access property and written notices.
The ordinance would also identify phragmites eradication zones based on the following factors: hazardous fire conditions, sight visibility and road intersection clear zones, ecological impacts associated with water quality, flora and fauna, and site development as part of site plan, special land use circumstances and developments seeking Planned Unit Developments.?
Supervisor Chris Barnett noted the ordinance would more commonly be geared towards new commercial developments rather than individual homeowners, but that targeted audiences where still under discussion.
‘It would be geared towards new developments. If they have them on their property, they would have to mitigate them as part of their site development process,? he said.
Trustee John Steimel, who also sits on the planning commission, said in many cases phragmites take over storm water retention areas.
‘What we are finding is the phragmites are rendering what we planned for certain sites useless,? he said.
After establishing the Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area with Independence Township earlier this year (CISMA) and 19 other surrounding municipalities and groups, with this step, Orion Township will be one of the leaders in southeastern Michigan for phragmite control. Orion Township hosted a CISMA meeting at the Orion Center March 2, and will host another’March 16.
‘This is a blight that is throughout Michigan, and most communities are not necessarily aware of it,? Treasurer Mark Thurber said. ‘Through the initiatives taken by this board, our ad-hoc committees and concerned citizens, I think we are well on track in becoming one of the leading municipalities to tackle this problem.?