a changing climate: managing water for health...climate change basics: definitions •weather -...

A CHANGING CLIMATE: MANAGING WATER FOR

HEALTH

MAP ConferenceSeptember 27, 2019

PRESENTERS:

Claire Karner, AICP, Beckett & RaederAaron Ferguson, MICHAP

Kris Olsson, Watershed Ecologist, HRWC

KEY TOPICS

• Where Does our Water Come From?

• Climate Change, Water & Public Health

• The Planner’s Role – Local Policy Options

WaterPublic Health

ClimateChange

Project Focus:1. Rural Populations2. Zoning / Policy Solutions

INPUT PROCESS

Literature Review Water Protection Survey

21 in-depth stakeholder interviews

4 Focus Groups &

community forum

Demo and Refine mapping platform

WHERE DOES OUR DRINKING WATER COME

FROM?

• 72% of Michigan residents get their water from public municipal water systems, 28% rely on private wells.

• Of municipal supplies…• 42% are surface water (blue)• 58% are groundwater (green)

• Municipal surface water supplies can be further broken down…

• Great Lakes (blue)• Rivers (green)• Inland Lakes (purple)

www.managingwaterforhealth.org

PUBLIC DRINKING

WELLS

• While municipal groundwater wells are found throughout the state, there are certain areas with high concentrations

• Wellhead protection boundary

• Pink= Type 1 (municipal), Green=Type 2 (institutional)


PRIVATE HOUSEHOLD

WELLS BY COUNTY

Oakland County – 35,000 private wellsSource: Welllogic, which provides online platform for entering well drilling records (private and municipal)


• Federal/ State /Local Partnership• Integrating Climate Adaptation into

Public Health Practice• Promote Adaptation Strategies to

Protect Public Health

Project Funders:Michigan Climate & Health Adaptation Program

(MICHAP)

CDC CLIMATE-READY STATES AND CITIES INITIATIVE

Resilience: The capacity of a community, business, or natural environment to prevent, withstand, respond to, and recover from a disruption.

Source: City of Calgary Climate Program (modified)

CLIMATE CHANGE BASICS:DEFINITIONS

• Weather - Short-term conditions at a location (temperature, wind, rain, etc)

• Climate - Long-term average of weather for an extended period of time at a certain location

• Climate change - Long-term continuous increase or decrease to average weather conditions or range of weather.

OBSERVED INCREASE IN PRECIPITATION

EXTREME PRECIPITATION

The amount of precipitation falling in the heaviest 1% of precipitation events increased by 37% in the Midwest from 1958 to 2012.

NOAA NCDC / CICS-NC

Winter+10 to 20%

Spring+0 to +15%

Fall+0 to +15%

Summer-5 to 0%

3-6%state yearly

average

Projected Precipitation Changes, 1971-2000 to 2041-2070

WHAT DO THOSE CHANGES REALLY MEAN?

Courtesy GLISA, 2015, modified from Hayhoe et. al.

PRIORITY CLIMATE‐RELATED HEALTH IMPACTS

1. Respiratory conditions

2. Heat Illness

3. Storm –related Injury, CO poisoning

4. Water – borne diseases

5. Vector – borne diseases

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO PUBLIC

HEALTH?

As temperatures rise, bacteria growth in water sources is enhanced.

Increase in heavy precipitation leads to flooding and runoff, increasing contamination from failing septic systems, and increasing urban and agricultural runoff.

Reduction in summer rain can put pressure on both surface- and ground-water recharge.

Each of these scenarios has the potential to increase people’s exposure to waterborne diseases and mental stress.

DRINKING WATER

PROTECTION

What is the Planner’s Role?

• Education• Where does it come from?

• What puts it at risk?

• How can we protect it?

• Local Policy Changes

SEPTIC AND PRIVATE WATER SUPPLY INSPECTION ORDINANCES

• Heavier rain events can exacerbate failing septic infrastructure.

• MSU Study found 100% of inland lakes in Michigan are compromised by leaking septic systems.

• Michigan is the only State in the County without a uniform state septic code

Michigan Communities with Point of Sale Septic Inspection Ordinances…• 5 Townships (0.4%)• 2 Villages (0.8%)• 10 Counties (12%)

Community Name

Type of Government

UnitCounty Type of Ordinance Health Department Permitted to Conduct Inspections

Does the Community

conduct certification

training?

Milton Township Township Antrim TOT Well and Septic Health Department of Northwest Michigan Health Department Sanitarians or contracted Evaluators

Barry County* County TOT Well and Septic Barry-Eaton District Health Department Health Department Registered Evaluators Yes

Benzie County County TOT Well and Septic Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department Health Department Sanitarians N/A

Eaton County* County TOT Well and Septic Barry-Eaton District Health Department Health Department Registed Evaluators Yes

Long Lake Township Township Grand Traverse TOT Septic Grand Traverse Health Department Township Registered Evaluator No

Kalkaska County County TOT Well and Septic District Health Department #10 Health Department Registered Evaluators Yes

Glen Arbor Township Township Leelanau TOT Well and Septic Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department Health Department Sanitarians N/A

Empire Village Leelanau TOT Septic Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department Heath Department Sanitarian or Liscensed Sanitarian No

Manistee County County TOT Well and Septic District Health Department #10 Health Department Registered Evaluators Yes

Shiawassee County County TOT Well and Septic Shiawassee County Environemental Health Division Health Department Registed Evaluators Yes

Washtenaw County County TOT Well and Septic Washtenaw County Environemtal Health Division Health Department Registered Evaluators Yes

Elk Rapids Village Antrim TOT Well and Septic Health Department of Northwest Michigan Health Department Sanitarians or contracted Evaluators

Macomb County County TOT Well and Septic Macomb County Health Department Health Department Registered Evaluators No

Isabella County County TOT Well and Septic Central Michigan District Health Department Health Department Registered Inspectors No

Ingham County County TOT Well and Septic Ingham County Health Department Health Department Registered Evaluators Yes

Brooks Township Township Newaygo TOT Septic District Health Department #10 Township Registered Evaluator No

Wayne County County TOT Septic Wayne County Health Department Heath Department Registered Evaluator No

Ottawa County County TOT Well and Septic Ottawa County Health Department Health Department Sanitarian N/A

Secord Township Township Gladwin TOT Well and Septic Central Michigan District Health Department Health Department Sanitarians or Registered Evaluators No

SEPTIC INSPECTION

FINDINGS

• Village/Township Police Power through IGA with LHD• County, enacted and enforced by LHD and County Board

Two types:

• Public Health – generally older, more political support, inspection requires certain level of functionality

• Environmental – seem to place more burden on property owners, must meet sanitary code

2 main reasons for enacting:

• Registered inspector, certified by LHD• Some require inspections are conducted by LHD staff • Many LHD have training programs or require licensing / credentials

Who conducts inspections:

• Public Awareness • Political support

Barriers

Realtor support & opposition

LEELANAU COMMUNITY FORUM:

A CASE STUDY

• A number of factors created a “perfect storm” for septic contamination risk

• Rising great lakes water levels increase septic contamination risks

• Many inland lakes are hydrologically connected

• Septic systems not designed for current uses

• More pressure on septic systems short-term rentals, more people moving “up north”

• New pharmaceuticals

• Barriers to adopting local ordinances:

• Political climate

• Private property rights, Frequent turnover of elected, lack of long-term foresight

• Health Departments have limited funding and capacity

• Information: Data & Education

• Need to take a Watershed approach, tied to permanent funding, implement watershed plans

WELLHEAD PROTECTION ORDINANCES

Community Name

Type of Government

County Enforcement of WHPA

Briley Township Monmorency Overlay District

Allegan City Allegan Overlay District Battle Creek City Calhoun Overlay District Evart City Osecola Overlay District Fenton City Genesse Overlay District Gladwin City Gladwin Site Plan Review Hartford City Van Buren Site Plan Review Ispheming City Marquette Overlay District Kalamazoo City Kalamazoo Overlay District Manistee City Manistee Overlay District

Niles City Cass and Berrien County Overlay District

Plainwell City AlleganOverlay District and Site Plan Review

Rockford City Kent Stormwater Permit Review Whitehall City Muskegon Overlay District

Williamston City InghamSpecial Land Use Review in Wellhead Overlay Areas

A total of 17 townships, 14 cities, and 3 villages have adopted wellhead protection provisions in their zoning ordinance.

WELLHEAD PROTECTION

INTERVIEW FINDINGS

• Purpose: protect drinking water aquifers

• Many communities had specific threats to aquifers which initiated ordinance (geologic and/or land use based)

• Within Zoning Ordinance – regulate land use as opposed to an activity

• Less opposition, Easier to enforce

• Overlay zones

• Generally include site plan review requirements; especially for more intensive uses

• Boundary Development

• Most common: Use MDEQ’s established 10-year time of travel for groundwater WHPAs

• More aggressive: Tiered system with boundary that extends beyond 10-year time of travel.

• Less common: geometric circle around municipal well

QUICK BREAK

Discussion Questions

• Is there a situation you could see using this mapping tool?

• Who would be a good audience for this tool?

• Any suggested improvements? New data layers?

Huron River Watershed

Water Quality and Land Use

Top Ten Things Local Governments can do:

Zoning Ordinance: Minimize impacts on water cycle on the site level:

10. Include natural features in zoning map


9. Open space zoning

37

Zoning District

Within Water/Sewer Service District

Density Multiplication Factor

Required DedicatedOpen Space

Minimum Lot Size (Acre)

A‐1 ‐ 0.1 80% 0.5

A‐R No 0.2 65% 0.5

R‐C ‐ 0.2 65% 0.5

R‐1 ‐ 0.3 60% 0.5

R‐1A ‐ 0.5 50% 0.5

R‐2 No 1.0 50% 0.5

R‐2 Yes 1.0 50% 0.25

R‐3A Yes 2.27 50% 0.25

Table 1. OPEN SPACE REQUIREMENTS


8. Overlay districts


7. Setbacks and buffers

43

(d)Setback standards. The following setbacks shall apply:(1)A 25-foot non-disturbance setback from the boundary or edge of a protected wetland, as defined and regulated in chapter 26 of Article IV, wetlands protection.(2)A 25-foot non-disturbance setback from the ordinary high water mark of a watercourse.(3)In addition, no building or construction shall occur within the greater of (i) 100 feet from the high water mark of any watercourse or (ii) within the 100-year floodplain.

Sec. 74-684. - Steep slope protection.(1)

Prohibitive steep slopes : Steep slopes identified as prohibitive steep slopes in this section shall be sustained and cared for as natural areas. No disturbance is allowed unless the Township determines it is in the public interest to do so. In that case, the standards of precautionary steep slopes shall apply.

(2)Precautionary steep slopes : Steep slopes identified as precautionary steep slopes in this section shall be disturbed to the least extent possible. Alteration of the landform and/or vegetation will only be considered for approval if it is proposed in accordance with the following standards:

Sec. 74-683. - Natural feature setback.

6. Stormwater


46

Stormwater management conveyance, storage and infiltration measures and facilities shall be designed to prevent flood hazards and water pollution related to stormwater runoff, to prevent accelerated soil erosion from the proposed development, and shall conform with the requirements specified in the County Rules. Additionally, infiltration facility testing and design shall conform to the requirements in section 26-508(b) and 26-508(c) below.

(3)Unless otherwise approved, stormwater runoff shall be conveyed through swales and vegetated buffer strips so as to decrease runoff velocity, allow for natural infiltration, allow suspended sediment particles to settle, and to remove pollutants.

(4)Runoff rates from detention basins shall conform with the requirements specified in the County Rules.

Developments with a percent stormwater impact surface greater than 20 will be required to establish special mitigation procedures to retain on-site or infiltrate that portion of cumulative water volumes in excess of that produced by a 20 percent stormwater impact surface using a coefficient of runoff of 0.95. Special mitigation methods shall include best management practices such as retention basins, infiltration systems, permeable pavement and green roofs.

The Township requires the use of infiltration facilities as integral components of stormwater management plans. Site runoff for the first flush rainfall event, defined as the first 0.5 inches, must be infiltrated on-site, except for facilities listed below, as long as all the other conditions of this section are met.

Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner

Rules and Guidelines

Procedures & Design CriteriaFor Stormwater Management SystemsIssued - August 6, 2014Revised - October 17, 2016

5. Wetlands ordinance


4. Site Plan Review to reduce Impervious surface:

Best Management Practices

Site Design for Low Impact Development


Local GovernmentsWHERE development happens

HereNothere

3. Green Infrastructure Planning

Master Plan: Minimize impacts on water cycle at the landscape level

2. Future land use map determines pattern of land use



1. Protect natural areas, guide development to compact communities: Smart Growth

WAYN

E

OAKLAND

WA

SHTE

NAW

LIVING

STONIN

GH

AM

JACKSON

MONROELENAWEE

LIMA

LODI

SCIO

NOVILYON

IOSCO

GENOA

SALEM

HURON

MARION

SYLVAN

SHARON

WATERLOO

OCEOLA

LYNDON

PUTNAM

SUMPTER

ASH

WEBSTER

FREEDOMROMULUS

HAMBURG

HIGHLAND

SUPERIOR

UNADILLA

HARTLAND

VANBUREN

BRIGHTON

WHITELAKE

GREEN OAK

NORTHFIELD

WATERFORD

DEXTER TWP

MILFORD TWP

PITTSFIELD

BERLIN

COMMERCE

YPSILANTI TWP

W. BLOOMFIELD

STOCKBRIDGE TWP

WIXOM

BROWNSTOWN

CITY OF ANN ARBOR

ANN ARBOR TWP

FLAT ROCK

WOODHA

GIBRA

CITY OF YPSILANTI

CHELSEA

ROCKW

SOUTH LYON

CITY OF

BRIGHTON

ORCHARD LAKE VILLAGE

WALLED LAKE

S. ROCKWOOD

PINCKNEY

VILLAGE OF

MILFORD

BELLEVILLE

WOLVERINE LAKE

VILLAGE OF DEXTER

STOCKBRIDGE VILLAGE

Ann Arbor Greenbelt Program

County Natural Areas Preservation Program

Local Government Preservation Programs

Land Protection Policies and Funding on the Local Level

Local Government Funding• 5 of its local governments (out of 67) have property tax funded

land preservation programs

• 10,000 acres of natural areas and farmland protected

Other Tools for Smart Growth for Local Governments?

THANK YOU!

a changing climate: managing water for health...climate change basics: definitions •weather -...

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