MCRCG News
"Hillsdale County Under Siege"
County Residents
lose control of their land
The ordinance adopted by the Hillsdale
County Board of commissioners on Jan. 27. 2003 known as Grading/Soil
Erosion & Sedimentation Control is yet another attempt by those
that would take total control of your land.
Don’t think so ?, then just follow along and we will show
you what we mean. We will only cover one item to point out the deceit used
in writing this Ordinance to help you understand just how they work.
You may want to print this out so you can use it as a guide while you read
the Ordinance (which can be found on our website at www.mcrcg.org )
A Grading Permit ($40.00) would be required for :
Lets first go to page 6, A--1. of the
ordinance.
( “Earth changes within 500 feet of surface water’s edge and
disturbing more than 225 square feet.”)
Lets just say you want to put in a garden this spring
to help supplement the food bills and want to make it 20 feet by 20 feet,
that’s 400 square feet. That’s more than your allowed unless you buy
a permit.
That doesn't effect me, I don't have any lake or pond
nearby. Well, lets examine that a little.
OK, back to page 3 (Earth
Change- a human made change in the natural cover or topography
of land,) Now; the rest of the things listed under that are
included in the definition but, the first clause is what is important.
So if you change the natural cover (grass, weeds ect.) you have made
a earth change and its over 225 Sq. Ft.
Still doesn't affect me, no surface water around;
right ? OK back to page 5. Lets see
what surface water is.
Surface water:
Any water including ponds, lakes, streams, rivers,
drains
( as defined) and wetlands,
which holds or
conveys water continually
or seasonally. OK Back to page 3
so we can see what a drain is.
Drain:
A drain will be considered a County drain ( as defined) or a
storm drain (as defined).
OK,
back to page 5: lets look up
storm
drain:
Storm drain: - a conduit,
pipe,
natural
channel, or human made structure,
which serves to transport storm water runoff. Strange,
all these things are now known as surface water. Sneaky
!!!
Lets see now, the last time I drove into my house I crossed a conduit,
pipe under the drive which led to a ditch which serves to transport storm
water runoff.
Since these things are known as surface water,
My house and Garden are within 500 feet, I now need a permit.
Now that you know how things work, perhaps you
had better read the Ordinance again, because; it does effect you
and everyone else in Hillsdale County. You can learn
more by visiting www.mcrcg.org or coming to our meetings.
It's your Land ! Of course they would never ever enforce such
a thing !!
Contact us at : www.mcrcg.org or
MCRCG P.O.Box 12 Pittsford, MI 49271