Someone recently sent me “The River Raisin Watershed Management Plan”. Have you read it? It’s not as dry as you might think. I actually enjoyed reading it. Here’s what it says in a nutshell. The River Raisin is in bad shape and it’s due mostly to the agricultural industry. Before you get pissed off, hold on! This isn’t a report that just criticizes the ag industry. It provides good suggestions for working with the ag industry to fix the problems. I like that. But, this plan will probably fall on deaf ears in Lenawee County. There are a lot of farmers here. 75% of the watershed is farmed. Many of the farms are struggling. And, farmers have the right to do as they please. It’s their land. The good news is that we have access to one of the best agricultural institutions in the United States in Michigan State University. MSU always comes to the rescue for us here in southern Michigan. And, the River Raisin does need some rescuing. One thing that might help us according to the RRWMP is “to transition away from growing corn as a biofuel. Corn is possibly the least ecologically sustainable biofuel, requiring significant annual nitrogen inputs, pesticide application and water.” Personally I think this is priority one and here’s why. Because most polluters are permitted to pollute as long as they do not adversely affect the quality of the water. Since the water sucks to begin with, we tend to have more polluters. It’s a snowball effect. Since agriculture makes up 75% of the watershed. One single change in crop preference could make a huge difference in water quality….and help reduce the number of permitted polluters…ie CAFO’s. I’ve heard that Switchgrass is a much better biofuel. It requires no nitrogen input or pesticide application. Why aren’t we growing it? If you know please enlighten me. I’ll ask some of my MSU friends for that answer.
Another fascinating idea the RRWMP suggests is to convert some farmland back to wetland. Did you know that the Blissfield area used to be a wetland before it was drained for cropland? According to Dr. Jim Martin, Biology Professor at Adrian College, the Blissfield area is a prime location for conversion back to wetland by the DNRe. It is also, however, PRIME land for crops. Should we give up prime cropland for wetland? Hell yes and here’s why. From an environmental standpoint…wetlands naturaly fix the problems caused by our careless use of the land. And, creating a new State Park in Blissfield will draw thousands of recreational birders to the area. We are in the path of two major migratory bird routes. With birds come tourists. How many people do you know come to Lenawee to watch corn grow?
Anyway, you should read the River Raisin Watershed Management Plan if you get a chance. For more information about the River Raisin Watershed Council check out their website.
The Heron 