Step 1: Know Your Waterfront
A Waterfront Plan should include a detailed analysis of the natural, economic, legal, and social conditions along the waterfront.
Natural Dynamics
The natural dynamics of a waterfront include:
- Ecosystem health
- Water level fluctuation
- Erosion and accretion
- Shoreline and floodplain characteristics
- Wetlands and other natural elements
Understanding these factors is crucial as they impact any activity along the shore. Careless shoreline development can negatively alter these dynamics, causing harm to property and public safety.
Key Considerations by Water Body
The Great Lakes
- Water levels fluctuate due to precipitation, evaporation, and long-term climate patterns.
- High winds can cause large waves, flooding, and altered beach widths after storms.
- Erosion threats persist in exposed areas, while coastal wetlands may expand with beach accretion.
- Certain infrastructure, like seawalls, may worsen erosion on adjacent shores.
Inland Lakes
- Water levels are more stable but highly vulnerable to water quality deterioration.
- Runoff from lawns and parking lots introduces sediments, fertilizers, and pollutants.
- Poorly maintained septic systems can seep pollutants into the groundwater, leading to algal blooms and harming aquatic life.
Rivers
- Floodplain management is critical for controlling severe weather impacts.
- Wetlands play a role in flood mitigation by storing water and releasing it gradually.
- Erosion and sedimentation from construction or farm runoff can obstruct navigation, requiring costly dredging.
Economic Dynamics
A community’s resilience depends heavily on how it manages land use around its water resources.
Key Questions
- Who is using the waterfront?
- Which businesses rely on water access for success?
- How does the waterfront impact the inland economy?
Tools for Economic Planning
- Use Existing Land Use Maps to analyze current development patterns.
- Include details on:
- Setbacks
- Permeable surfaces
- Shoreline treatment
- Vegetation
Visual tools, like aerial or street view photographs, can effectively showcase this data.
Legal Dynamics
The legal framework governing waterfronts includes fundamental questions like:
- Who owns the water?
- Where is the water’s edge?
- What happens to land reclaimed from water?
The Public Trust Doctrine
- The Great Lakes and Lake St. Clair are public resources under the Public Trust Doctrine, affirmed by the 2008 Great Lakes Compact.
- This doctrine ensures:
- Public use of water and submerged lands.
- Private property owners maintain littoral rights (e.g., dock construction with State permits).
Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM)
The OHWM defines the boundary between public trust land and upland private property:
- Elevation Standard: Used for regulatory purposes and consistent across water bodies.
- Natural Standard: Defined by vegetation and visible water presence, per Glass v. Goeckel (2005).
Riparian Rights
- For inland lakes and rivers, property owners own the land under the water and can build structures with permits.
- Man-made lakes may require legal research to determine riparian rights.
Social Dynamics
Planners must assess how the waterfront impacts residents and visitors.
Key Considerations
- Access: Do residents have adequate access to the water?
- Vulnerability: Which areas and populations are most affected by flooding or erosion?
Vulnerability Assessment
Evaluate two key metrics:
- Exposure: Presence of people, homes, and infrastructure in high-risk areas.
- Sensitivity: At-risk populations, including seniors, children, low-income individuals, and those living in heat islands.
Public Access
- Inventory existing public access sites for activities like fishing, swimming, and boating.
- Identify opportunities for passive recreation in erosion-prone areas.
