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From the Field
Out Front on South Fox Island
By Jim
Lively
When I moved to northern Michigan 11 years ago to take my first job as
a regional planner, I was idealistic and excited about the opportunity
to work with local government officials. I believed I had a fresh perspective
on protecting natural resources and special community assets that would
result in more visionary master plans, innovative zoning ordinances, and
cooperative approaches to managing the region’s burgeoning growth.
Ten years later I was proud to say I had provided better maps and natural
resources data to support local planning and zoning efforts. But I couldn’t
point to many regional land use issues that I had influenced in any significant
way.
That changed last January, two weeks after I joined the Michigan Land
Use Institute. My first assignment dropped me right in the middle of one
of the hottest, most divisive public land issues in recent memory: The
Engler administration’s attempt to trade away the most resource-rich
and publicly accessible lands on South Fox Island, off the Leelanau Peninsula,
to a wealthy campaign donor. My task was to help Leelanau Township officials
understand how they could stand up to the landowner, his cadre of attorneys,
a pool of state resource experts and — behind the scenes — Governor
John Engler himself.
What a contrast. What a pleasure!
I am still adjusting to my new role as an outspoken advocate for Smart
Growth and resource protection, but I am enjoying the freedom to speak
up on issues when previously, as a government employee, I could only watch.
I am also respectful of the awesome responsibility I have as an advocate
to frame the issues accurately and fairly while taking a strong public-interest
stand.
From my experience working with local government officials, I know they
are busy — often grabbing hours from their families and day jobs
to study issues and attend meetings, where they make decisions that can
have tremendous implications for the future of their communities. Pressed
for time, they often look to outside “experts” for the information
and perspectives they need.
Too often the only “expert” available is a hired-gun consultant
who works for the person or corporation that stands to gain the most from
the proposal. I came to work for the Michigan Land Use Institute to provide
another source of information and ideas — one that comes from the
public’s point of view.
That was exactly the need in Leelanau Township, where the Michigan Department
of Natural Resources was actually applying on behalf of the wealthy campaign
contributor for a permit to blast a road through critically steep, publicly
owned sand dunes on South Fox Island. I was there to say that, because
of a special provision in the state’s sand dune protection law, Leelanau
Township officials had every right to say “no” to the damaging
development.
In my new role as a public interest advocate, I was able to collaborate
with several other groups opposed to the road plan and to back up the
voices of more than 100 local residents who packed the township hall.
Together we put forward a logical and legal rationale that helped the
majority of township officials vote down the road-building plan, a key
element of the sweetheart land swap deal.
What a change. What a victory!
The public won the first round of the South Fox Island land swap debate.
The last word will come from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which
is currently drafting an environmental impact statement on the administration’s
plan to swap the most valuable parts of this public treasure.
But even though the final outcome is unclear, I know now how reasoned
analysis and a bold voice can make a difference.
I like this job. 
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