LTBB Master Land Use Plan - Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa ...

tranquility of the lakes are all part of the natural ambiance of Emmet County. These resources also
contribute to a viable recreational economy.”
Watershed Boundari es
Map 24 displays boundaries for major watersheds located within and adjacent to The LTBB
treaty delineated reservation area. A watershed is the area of land that catches rain and snow and
drains or seeps into a marsh, stream, river, lake or groundwater. Watersheds are inherently defined
by topography as water always follows the path of least resistance. As a result, all activities within a
watershed affect the quality of water as it percolates through and runs across developed landscapes.
The reservation area is divided by two large watersheds: Lake Michigan to the West and Lake Huron
to the East.
Domestic Well Water Depth
This map of domestic well water depths (Map 25) illustrates the dependence of the surrounding
area on groundwater quality. Every citizen of this region is dependent on ground water for their
drinking water source. The quality and quantity of these resources are important to the Tribe and
surrounding community members for more then just our household uses. These vast aquifers are the
driving force of the areas environmental and economic health. Thousands of people travel to this
area each year for the beauty of our lakes and Rivers and the prolific wildlife that abounds due to
groundwater’s influence on surface bodies of water.
Without adequate ground water the health of our lakes, rivers and wetlands would be
dramatically affected. Many of the LTBB Tribal members depend on fishing, hunting, and gathering
for cultural and subsistence motives. This way of life is depended on groundwater quality. The
tourist that visit the Tribal businesses and developments that located in this area come indirectly
because of groundwater’s affect on our surface water. The biggest threats to this resource is failing
septic systems, and leaking underground storage tanks. Protecting this resource is important for the
long term health of Tribal members.
Prime Farmlands
The ‘Prime Farmlands’ map (Map 26) represents prime agricultural lands within Emmet and
Charlevoix counties. The LTBB reservation boundary falls within this geographic context.
Prime farmland is defined by the USDA as “land that has the best combination of physical and
chemical characteristics for producing food, feed, forage, fiber, and oilseed crops. Prime farmland
has the soil quality, growing season, and moisture supply needed to economically produce sustained
high yields of crops when treated and managed according to acceptable farming methods.”
(Watershed Resource Papers, Lang worthy, Strader & LeBlanc & Associates, Inc.)
Preserving farmland is becoming increasingly difficult. The irony of this issue is that many nonfarming
residents want to preserve existing farmlands, while farmers themselves may also want to
preserves their farms, but at the same time want to retain their right to sell.
From an environmental perspective, agricultural lands can offer floodplain protection, areas of
groundwater recharge and wildlife habitat. From a development perspective, agricultural lands can
offer a low to flat developable surface, large parcel sizes and a willing seller. Indeed, some farmers
have begun to view their land holdings as a land retirement accounts.
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