1024 24 26018 https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/9c4322a4991c3c60f26a927da3af8a82.jpg 70ce02c885cf2ca89cef66560b4a1cad Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Robert H. Merrill photographs Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Merrill, Robert H., 1881-1955 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1909/1950 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Robert H. Merrill papers (RHC-222) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource In Copyright Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-222 Description An account of the resource Photographs, negatives, and lantern slides digitized from the papers of engineer and archaeologist Robert H. Merrill. A Grand Rapids native, Merrill held an accomplished career as a civil engineer. He founded the company Spooner & Merrill, which held offices in Grand Rapids and Chicago. From 1919-1921, Merrill lived in China, working as Assistant Principal Engineer on a reconstruction of the Grand Canal - the oldest and longest canal system in the world. Merrill became fascinated by archaeology, and among other projects, he traveled to the Uxmal Pyramids in Yucatan, Mexico, with a research expedition from Tulane University. Merrill's photo collection includes images of his travels and projects, friends and family. Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Merrill_HotelItza_6_1930_003 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1930-04-28 Title A name given to the resource Uxmal: West Horizon from Adivino Description An account of the resource Black and white photograph of a stone structure from above, taken from Adivino (Pyramid of the Magician). A courtyard surrounded by four walls are visible in the image. Subject The topic of the resource Archaeology Archaeological sites Mayan architecture Mexico Uxmal Site (Mexico) Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Robert H. Merrill papers (RHC-222) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource In Copyright Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpg Language A language of the resource eng Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Merrill, Robert H., 1881-1955 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/dd62d8cc525b7fb7d1d158a73ff18194.jpg 744c72b8bbebb6aad38ff48753ed9b42 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Robert H. Merrill photographs Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Merrill, Robert H., 1881-1955 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1909/1950 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Robert H. Merrill papers (RHC-222) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource In Copyright Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-222 Description An account of the resource Photographs, negatives, and lantern slides digitized from the papers of engineer and archaeologist Robert H. Merrill. A Grand Rapids native, Merrill held an accomplished career as a civil engineer. He founded the company Spooner & Merrill, which held offices in Grand Rapids and Chicago. From 1919-1921, Merrill lived in China, working as Assistant Principal Engineer on a reconstruction of the Grand Canal - the oldest and longest canal system in the world. Merrill became fascinated by archaeology, and among other projects, he traveled to the Uxmal Pyramids in Yucatan, Mexico, with a research expedition from Tulane University. Merrill's photo collection includes images of his travels and projects, friends and family. Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Merrill_HotelItza_6_1930_004 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1930-04-28 Title A name given to the resource Uxmal: West Horizon from Adivino Description An account of the resource Black and white photograph of landscape from the Adivino (Pyramid of the Magician). Half of a stone structure is visible on the right side of the image. A dirt path can be seen leading to the ruins. Another stone structure is visible in the distance. Subject The topic of the resource Archaeology Archaeological sites Mayan architecture Mexico Uxmal Site (Mexico) Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Robert H. Merrill papers (RHC-222) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource In Copyright Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpg Language A language of the resource eng Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Merrill, Robert H., 1881-1955 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/c643007a2b8c278555b8e9a29710245c.jpg 916993afc6f0777d2cdfa216bfef84d4 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Robert H. Merrill photographs Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Merrill, Robert H., 1881-1955 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1909/1950 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Robert H. Merrill papers (RHC-222) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource In Copyright Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-222 Description An account of the resource Photographs, negatives, and lantern slides digitized from the papers of engineer and archaeologist Robert H. Merrill. A Grand Rapids native, Merrill held an accomplished career as a civil engineer. He founded the company Spooner & Merrill, which held offices in Grand Rapids and Chicago. From 1919-1921, Merrill lived in China, working as Assistant Principal Engineer on a reconstruction of the Grand Canal - the oldest and longest canal system in the world. Merrill became fascinated by archaeology, and among other projects, he traveled to the Uxmal Pyramids in Yucatan, Mexico, with a research expedition from Tulane University. Merrill's photo collection includes images of his travels and projects, friends and family. Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Merrill_HotelItza_6_1930_005 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1930-04-28 Title A name given to the resource Uxmal: West Horizon from Adivino Description An account of the resource Black and white photograph of six ruins of Mayan architecture surrounded by forest, taken from Adivino (Pyramid of the Magician) in Uxmal. Subject The topic of the resource Archaeology Archaeological sites Mayan architecture Mexico Uxmal Site (Mexico) Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Robert H. Merrill papers (RHC-222) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource In Copyright Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpg Language A language of the resource eng Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Merrill, Robert H., 1881-1955 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/c291a35aaec7eb07fbbb458591e728df.jpg 6ef35cced3676e88024577f229dc2de7 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Robert H. Merrill photographs Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Merrill, Robert H., 1881-1955 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1909/1950 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Robert H. Merrill papers (RHC-222) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource In Copyright Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-222 Description An account of the resource Photographs, negatives, and lantern slides digitized from the papers of engineer and archaeologist Robert H. Merrill. A Grand Rapids native, Merrill held an accomplished career as a civil engineer. He founded the company Spooner & Merrill, which held offices in Grand Rapids and Chicago. From 1919-1921, Merrill lived in China, working as Assistant Principal Engineer on a reconstruction of the Grand Canal - the oldest and longest canal system in the world. Merrill became fascinated by archaeology, and among other projects, he traveled to the Uxmal Pyramids in Yucatan, Mexico, with a research expedition from Tulane University. Merrill's photo collection includes images of his travels and projects, friends and family. Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Merrill_HotelItza_6_1930_006 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1930-04-28 Title A name given to the resource Uxmal: West Horizon from Adivino Description An account of the resource Black and white photograph of landscape from the Adivino pyramid. The ruins of a stone building are visible on the right side of the image. Six coordinates are labeled on the photo. Subject The topic of the resource Archaeology Archaeological sites Mayan architecture Mexico Uxmal Site (Mexico) Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Robert H. Merrill papers (RHC-222) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource In Copyright Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpg Language A language of the resource eng Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Merrill, Robert H., 1881-1955 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/88412fc338915c23065a96516140b606.jpg 17ffcea5e2364ca6fa6fa89fea2ccdb4 https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/23c3cfe94fa35a89ca2abaa161ec191c.jpg e4504fc6cd0bbf317c5c70704f7c3df3 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Adriana B. and Peter N. Termaat collection Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Termaat, Adriana B. (Schuurman) Termaat, Peter N. Description An account of the resource Collection contains genealogical, personal, and family papers and photographs documenting the lives and interests of Adriana and Peter Termaat. The bulk of the materials are related to family history and genealogical research carried out by the Termaats, including research notes and materials about places in the Netherlands that were significant to the Termaat and Schuurman families, such as the city of Alkmaar. Other materials in the collection are related to the Termaats' experiences on the eve of and during the Second World War, especially the German occupation of the Netherlands and the Termaats' participation in organized resistance to the Nazis. Also included are materials that document the family's post-war life in the United States, including their public efforts to recognize, commemorate, and honor people and events significant to World War II. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1869 - 2012 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/719">Adriana B. and Peter N. Termaat collection, RHC-144</a> Subject The topic of the resource Netherlands Netherlands--History--German occupation, 1940-1945 World War, 1939-1945 World War, 1939-1945 -- Underground movements -- Netherlands Dutch Dutch Americans Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-144 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Text Image Type The nature or genre of the resource application/pdf image/jpeg Language A language of the resource eng nl Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-144_Termaat_PHOT_1937-Vader-Schuurman-recto-img268 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Unknown Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1937 Title A name given to the resource Vader Schuurman, 1937 Description An account of the resource Portrait photograph of Vader Schuurman in uniform. Subject The topic of the resource Dutch Portrait photographs Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/719">Adriana B. and Peter N. Termaat collection (RHC-144)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/b71dfa83012a3a4aca83b4f37f8a8e25.jpg 6cfbb5d1d50d0295bc78d63f1cff54d2 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Decorated Publishers' Bindings Subject The topic of the resource Book covers Covers (Illustration) Graphic arts Publishers and publishing Pictorial bindings Description An account of the resource From the early 1870s to roughly 1930, many publishers issued their commercial book covers with a remarkable variety of graphic designs and illustrations. This sixty-year period saw many artists and designers contributing to this art form. While some can be identified from their style or initials, others remain unknown. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Seidman Rare Books Collection Michigan Novels Collection Regional Historical Collection Lincoln and the Civil War Collection Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2017-08-30 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a>, <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?language=en">No Copyright - United States</a> Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpg Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context DC-01 Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Source Seidman Rare Books. PS3503.L35 V34 1928 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context DC-01_Bindings0294 Title A name given to the resource Vagabond's House Description An account of the resource Binding of Vagabond's House, by Don Blanding, published by Dodd, Mead & Co., 1928. Subject The topic of the resource Book covers Covers (Illustration) Graphic arts Publishers and publishing Pictorial bindings Language A language of the resource eng Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?language=en">No Copyright - United States</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1928 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/2891af4b879108c71567c90bae47f0c2.jpg 442043eed0234917d262bd1961f83d89 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Naval Recognition Training Slides Subject The topic of the resource Slides Military education Airplanes, Military--Recognition Warships--Recognition World War, 1939-1945 Description An account of the resource Slides developed during World War II as a training tool, for top-side battle-station personnel on board ship and for all aircraft personnel, by the US Navy. In 1942 a Recognition School was established by the Navy at Ohio State University where the method of identification was developed. In 1943 the school was taken over by the US Navy. The importance of training in visual recognition of ships and aircraft became even more evident during World War II. Mistakes resulting in costly errors and loss of life led to an increased emphasis on recognition as a vital skill. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource United States. Navy Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/477">Naval recognition slides (RHC-50)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2017-04-04 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?language=en">No Copyright - United States</a> Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpg Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource image Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-50 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1943-1953 Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Source <a href="http://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/477">Naval recognition slides, RHC-50</a> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-50_X1072 Title A name given to the resource Valetta British transport Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource United States. Navy Description An account of the resource Valetta British transport, April 1, 1953. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Navy Military education World War, 1939-1945 Slides Airplanes, Military--Recognition Great Britain Language A language of the resource eng Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?language=en">No Copyright - United States</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Naval recognition slides (RHC-50) Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1953-04-01 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/e97f976c9266c87c38910d46b9b3630e.jpg abafb2f6fb6326f12f917b30336ca240 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Naval Recognition Training Slides Subject The topic of the resource Slides Military education Airplanes, Military--Recognition Warships--Recognition World War, 1939-1945 Description An account of the resource Slides developed during World War II as a training tool, for top-side battle-station personnel on board ship and for all aircraft personnel, by the US Navy. In 1942 a Recognition School was established by the Navy at Ohio State University where the method of identification was developed. In 1943 the school was taken over by the US Navy. The importance of training in visual recognition of ships and aircraft became even more evident during World War II. Mistakes resulting in costly errors and loss of life led to an increased emphasis on recognition as a vital skill. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource United States. Navy Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/477">Naval recognition slides (RHC-50)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2017-04-04 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?language=en">No Copyright - United States</a> Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpg Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource image Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-50 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1943-1953 Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Source <a href="http://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/477">Naval recognition slides, RHC-50</a> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-50_X1052 Title A name given to the resource Valiant British bomber Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource United States. Navy Description An account of the resource Valiant British bomber, March 1, 1954. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Navy Military education World War, 1939-1945 Slides Airplanes, Military--Recognition Great Britain Language A language of the resource eng Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?language=en">No Copyright - United States</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Naval recognition slides (RHC-50) Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1954-03-01 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/2780bb4a6c6255e382a3016a2e09009c.jpg 03481660993ca940fea94af97efc1a60 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Naval Recognition Training Slides Subject The topic of the resource Slides Military education Airplanes, Military--Recognition Warships--Recognition World War, 1939-1945 Description An account of the resource Slides developed during World War II as a training tool, for top-side battle-station personnel on board ship and for all aircraft personnel, by the US Navy. In 1942 a Recognition School was established by the Navy at Ohio State University where the method of identification was developed. In 1943 the school was taken over by the US Navy. The importance of training in visual recognition of ships and aircraft became even more evident during World War II. Mistakes resulting in costly errors and loss of life led to an increased emphasis on recognition as a vital skill. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource United States. Navy Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/477">Naval recognition slides (RHC-50)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2017-04-04 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?language=en">No Copyright - United States</a> Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpg Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource image Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-50 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1943-1953 Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Source <a href="http://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/477">Naval recognition slides, RHC-50</a> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-50_X996 Title A name given to the resource Valiant British bomber Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource United States. Navy Description An account of the resource Valiant British bomber, September 1, 1953. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Navy Military education World War, 1939-1945 Slides Airplanes, Military--Recognition Great Britain Language A language of the resource eng Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?language=en">No Copyright - United States</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Naval recognition slides (RHC-50) Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1953-09-01 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/be63b4eb66ab790f3f1d9b59ba599369.mp4 f250b2c4fec05ce44cc0af4da7fb46a7 https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/1d451e040cefbbe809cf7d67510edd46.pdf 3d08e964b4be08186460f12f76a89250 PDF Text Text Grand Valley State University Veterans History Project Interview Jack Valkenier (28:10) Born 1928 December 18th, in the Netherlands Anne Moene Falconeer Born 1925 August 13th Zeeland, near Belgium (00:00) Childhood - Father was a minister. (A) - Troublesome (J) - Describes riverine produce transportation (J) - Graduated 12th grade in Holland, later Calvin college (A, A+J) - Married 53 1/2 years - Graduated college '41 '33 (13:10) Germans - May 1940 attacked while in High School - Worked Odd jobs during occupation and completed HS - Battle for air superiority. Initial German troops arrived via air - Father (A) was a preached against the Nazis, member of underground resistance - Germans came in the middle of the night looking for father - Boys hiding in house to avoid forced labor in Germany - Father(J) part of resistance and hid Jews within house - Father(J) caught by Germans sent to concentration camp - Scarce food. Asked neighboring farmers for food - Buried and hid valuables. Often in compost pile (25:15) Liberation - Canadians and Americans arrived in motorcycles and jeeps, 1945 - Gave free rides �- Some people starved and died in the street. - Married in Canada, 1952 (28:10) - Drafted into Dutch Army(J), engaged in Indonesia against Japanese and Guerillas - 1948-50, Java, arrived via sea - Fought in rice fields, incapacitated by vitamin deficiency - Lived in Hamilton and Kitchener, Ontario, Canada - Decided to attend Calvin College, 1957 - Taught in parochial grade schools in Canada, returned to States in 1961 - Worked as mechanic(J) and lab worker(A) - Employed by Grand Rapids Doctor - Joined the masons(J) in 1982; Scottish Rite; Eastern Star; Shriner. 33 degree  � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Veterans History Project Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Grand Valley State University. History Department Description An account of the resource The Library of Congress established the Veterans History Project in 2001 to collect memories, accounts, and documents of U.S. war veterans from World War II and the Korean War, Vietnam War, and conflicts in the Middle East and elsewhere, and to preserve these stories for future generations. The GVSU History Department interviews are part of this work-in-progress, and may contain videos and audio recordings, transcripts and interview outlines, and related documents and photographs. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1914- Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Afghan War, 2001--Personal narratives, American Iran Hostage Crisis, 1979-1981--Personal narratives, American Korean War, 1950-1953--Personal narratives, American Michigan--History, Military Oral history Persian Gulf War, 1991--Personal narratives, American United States--History, Military United States. Air Force United States. Army United States. Navy Veterans Video recordings Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Personal narratives, American World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Smither, James Boring, Frank Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-27 Language A language of the resource eng Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/455">Veterans History Project interviews (RHC-27)</a> Oral History A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context ValkenierJA Title A name given to the resource Valkenier, Jack and Anne (Interview outline and video), 2005 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Valkenier, Jack Valkenier, Anne Description An account of the resource Jack and his wife Anne Valkenier are both ethnically Dutch. They describe the experiences they had during their younger years and the Nazi occupation. They describe their familial involvement in the Dutch resistance. Jack also depicts his later service in the Dutch armed forces in Southeast Asia. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Collins Sr., Charles E. (Interviewer) Collins, Carol (Interviewer) Subject The topic of the resource Oral history Veterans History Project (U.S.) United States--History, Military Michigan--History, Military Veterans Other veterans & civilians--Personal narratives World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American Video recordings Women Language A language of the resource eng Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Moving Image Text Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2005-09-01 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/455">Veterans History Project Collection, (RHC-27)</a> Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf video/mp4 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/1ff0e5eedba8328f447e9e3cfb18d734.jpg 2a06a295d6c58308aa98207c6539feb8 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Douglas R. Gilbert Photographs Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Gilbert, Douglas R., 1942-2023 Description An account of the resource Photographs scanned from negatives and transparencies from the Douglas R. Gilbert papers (RHC-183). Douglas R. Gilbert (b. 1942) is an American photographer from Michigan. He was born in Holland, Michigan and is the son of Russell W. and Carmen (Andree) Gilbert. Gilbert earned a B.A. in social sciences and art at Michigan State University in 1964, an M.S. in photography from the Institute of Design at Illinois Institute of Technology in 1972, and a M.S.W. from Salem State College in 1993. He is married to Barbara (McDonald) Gilbert, and has three daughters, Robyn, Rachel, and Anne. Gilbert took a serious interest in photography at the age of fourteen. In 1963 he joined the staff of Look magazine in New York as the second youngest photojournalist in the magazine's history. As a Look photographer from 1964 to 1966, he photographed folk musician Bob Dylan, the Newport Folk Festival, Simon and Garfunkel, the New York City Financial District, the children and facilities at the Manhattan School for Seriously Disturbed Children. From 1967 to 1969, Gilbert did several shoots, including that of folk singer Janis Ian for Life magazine. After moving to Chicago, Illinois in 1969 to attend the Illinois Institute of Technology, Gilbert conducted notable photo shoots of business and political figure Lenore Romney, and pursued more personal and artistic photography, focusing on urban and rural landscapes in Illinois and Michigan. He then joined the faculty of Wheaton College, where he taught from 1972 to 1982. In 1993, Gilbert graduated from Salem State College, Massachusetts, with a Masters in Social Work, and later pursued a second career as a psychotherapist. Douglas Gilbert died in June 2023. Throughout his photography career, he pursued both freelance commercial work as well as artistic work. His art photography is characterized by its classic black-and-white format, and features people, places and objects shot great attention and sensitivity. Gilbert's works are held in the permanent collections of the Art Institute of Chicago, the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, The Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena, and the Grand Valley State University Art Galleries, as well as in numerous private and institutional collections. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1960-2011 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="%E2%80%9Dhttps%3A//gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/783%E2%80%9D">Douglas R. Gilbert Papers (RHC-183)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource In Copyright Subject The topic of the resource Photographs Photography -- United States Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections and University Archives. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-183 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Image Type The nature or genre of the resource image/jpeg Language A language of the resource eng Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-183_M217-0003a Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Gilbert, Douglas R. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1972-06/1972-08 Title A name given to the resource Valley of Rocks, Exmoor, England Description An account of the resource Black and white photograph featuring a landscape view of the hiking area in England known as "Valley of Rocks, " along the coast in Devon, England, within Exmoor National Park. Scanned from the negative. Subject The topic of the resource Landscapes--England--Devon Valleys--England--Devon Devon (England) Exmoor National Park (England) Black-and-white photography Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/783">Douglas R. Gilbert papers (RHC-183)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1970s Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/6a234c08a905c11215000094bc357a51.jpg 351233139ec1067c53c33d34a3bd3616 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Douglas R. Gilbert Photographs Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Gilbert, Douglas R., 1942-2023 Description An account of the resource Photographs scanned from negatives and transparencies from the Douglas R. Gilbert papers (RHC-183). Douglas R. Gilbert (b. 1942) is an American photographer from Michigan. He was born in Holland, Michigan and is the son of Russell W. and Carmen (Andree) Gilbert. Gilbert earned a B.A. in social sciences and art at Michigan State University in 1964, an M.S. in photography from the Institute of Design at Illinois Institute of Technology in 1972, and a M.S.W. from Salem State College in 1993. He is married to Barbara (McDonald) Gilbert, and has three daughters, Robyn, Rachel, and Anne. Gilbert took a serious interest in photography at the age of fourteen. In 1963 he joined the staff of Look magazine in New York as the second youngest photojournalist in the magazine's history. As a Look photographer from 1964 to 1966, he photographed folk musician Bob Dylan, the Newport Folk Festival, Simon and Garfunkel, the New York City Financial District, the children and facilities at the Manhattan School for Seriously Disturbed Children. From 1967 to 1969, Gilbert did several shoots, including that of folk singer Janis Ian for Life magazine. After moving to Chicago, Illinois in 1969 to attend the Illinois Institute of Technology, Gilbert conducted notable photo shoots of business and political figure Lenore Romney, and pursued more personal and artistic photography, focusing on urban and rural landscapes in Illinois and Michigan. He then joined the faculty of Wheaton College, where he taught from 1972 to 1982. In 1993, Gilbert graduated from Salem State College, Massachusetts, with a Masters in Social Work, and later pursued a second career as a psychotherapist. Douglas Gilbert died in June 2023. Throughout his photography career, he pursued both freelance commercial work as well as artistic work. His art photography is characterized by its classic black-and-white format, and features people, places and objects shot great attention and sensitivity. Gilbert's works are held in the permanent collections of the Art Institute of Chicago, the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, The Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena, and the Grand Valley State University Art Galleries, as well as in numerous private and institutional collections. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1960-2011 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="%E2%80%9Dhttps%3A//gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/783%E2%80%9D">Douglas R. Gilbert Papers (RHC-183)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource In Copyright Subject The topic of the resource Photographs Photography -- United States Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections and University Archives. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-183 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Image Type The nature or genre of the resource image/jpeg Language A language of the resource eng Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-183_M217-0007a Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Gilbert, Douglas R. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1972-06/1972-08 Title A name given to the resource Valley of Rocks, Exmoor, England Description An account of the resource Black and white photograph of a rocky mountainside in the hiking area known as "Valley of Rocks" along the coast in Devon, England, within Exmoor National Park. Scanned from the negative. Subject The topic of the resource Landscapes--England--Devon Valleys--England--Devon Devon (England) Exmoor National Park (England) Black-and-white photography Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/783">Douglas R. Gilbert papers (RHC-183)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1970s Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/e0686dea0102c22b728bf32543b2dab7.jpg 756f0fd7d41d4fb7e037db5e86780980 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Douglas R. Gilbert Photographs Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Gilbert, Douglas R., 1942-2023 Description An account of the resource Photographs scanned from negatives and transparencies from the Douglas R. Gilbert papers (RHC-183). Douglas R. Gilbert (b. 1942) is an American photographer from Michigan. He was born in Holland, Michigan and is the son of Russell W. and Carmen (Andree) Gilbert. Gilbert earned a B.A. in social sciences and art at Michigan State University in 1964, an M.S. in photography from the Institute of Design at Illinois Institute of Technology in 1972, and a M.S.W. from Salem State College in 1993. He is married to Barbara (McDonald) Gilbert, and has three daughters, Robyn, Rachel, and Anne. Gilbert took a serious interest in photography at the age of fourteen. In 1963 he joined the staff of Look magazine in New York as the second youngest photojournalist in the magazine's history. As a Look photographer from 1964 to 1966, he photographed folk musician Bob Dylan, the Newport Folk Festival, Simon and Garfunkel, the New York City Financial District, the children and facilities at the Manhattan School for Seriously Disturbed Children. From 1967 to 1969, Gilbert did several shoots, including that of folk singer Janis Ian for Life magazine. After moving to Chicago, Illinois in 1969 to attend the Illinois Institute of Technology, Gilbert conducted notable photo shoots of business and political figure Lenore Romney, and pursued more personal and artistic photography, focusing on urban and rural landscapes in Illinois and Michigan. He then joined the faculty of Wheaton College, where he taught from 1972 to 1982. In 1993, Gilbert graduated from Salem State College, Massachusetts, with a Masters in Social Work, and later pursued a second career as a psychotherapist. Douglas Gilbert died in June 2023. Throughout his photography career, he pursued both freelance commercial work as well as artistic work. His art photography is characterized by its classic black-and-white format, and features people, places and objects shot great attention and sensitivity. Gilbert's works are held in the permanent collections of the Art Institute of Chicago, the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, The Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena, and the Grand Valley State University Art Galleries, as well as in numerous private and institutional collections. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1960-2011 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="%E2%80%9Dhttps%3A//gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/783%E2%80%9D">Douglas R. Gilbert Papers (RHC-183)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource In Copyright Subject The topic of the resource Photographs Photography -- United States Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections and University Archives. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-183 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Image Type The nature or genre of the resource image/jpeg Language A language of the resource eng Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-183_M217-0017a Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Gilbert, Douglas R. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1972-06/1972-08 Title A name given to the resource Valley of Rocks, Exmoor, England Description An account of the resource Black and white photograph of a rocky cliff in the hiking area known as "Valley of Rocks" along the coast in Devon, England, within Exmoor National Park. Scanned from the negative. Subject The topic of the resource Landscapes--England--Devon Valleys--England--Devon Devon (England) Exmoor National Park (England) Black-and-white photography Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/783">Douglas R. Gilbert papers (RHC-183)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1970s Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/165e4d90da0f824ee56fbe7ce1c17421.jpg c20b13c97fead6253299ea0bab914f74 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Naval Recognition Training Slides Subject The topic of the resource Slides Military education Airplanes, Military--Recognition Warships--Recognition World War, 1939-1945 Description An account of the resource Slides developed during World War II as a training tool, for top-side battle-station personnel on board ship and for all aircraft personnel, by the US Navy. In 1942 a Recognition School was established by the Navy at Ohio State University where the method of identification was developed. In 1943 the school was taken over by the US Navy. The importance of training in visual recognition of ships and aircraft became even more evident during World War II. Mistakes resulting in costly errors and loss of life led to an increased emphasis on recognition as a vital skill. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource United States. Navy Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/477">Naval recognition slides (RHC-50)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2017-04-04 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?language=en">No Copyright - United States</a> Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpg Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource image Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-50 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1943-1953 Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Source <a href="http://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/477">Naval recognition slides, RHC-50</a> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-50_986 Title A name given to the resource Vampire fighter Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource United States. Navy Description An account of the resource Vampire British F (fighter), October 1, 1947. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Navy Military education Airplanes, Military--Recognition World War, 1939-1945 Slides Great Britain Language A language of the resource eng Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?language=en">No Copyright - United States</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Naval recognition slides (RHC-50) Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1947-10-01 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/f22ce5dbef53ae4885d33cd9f50395f0.jpg b1927c7350eccee9d4ea441fe2d2e8a3 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Naval Recognition Training Slides Subject The topic of the resource Slides Military education Airplanes, Military--Recognition Warships--Recognition World War, 1939-1945 Description An account of the resource Slides developed during World War II as a training tool, for top-side battle-station personnel on board ship and for all aircraft personnel, by the US Navy. In 1942 a Recognition School was established by the Navy at Ohio State University where the method of identification was developed. In 1943 the school was taken over by the US Navy. The importance of training in visual recognition of ships and aircraft became even more evident during World War II. Mistakes resulting in costly errors and loss of life led to an increased emphasis on recognition as a vital skill. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource United States. Navy Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/477">Naval recognition slides (RHC-50)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2017-04-04 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?language=en">No Copyright - United States</a> Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpg Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource image Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-50 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1943-1953 Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Source <a href="http://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/477">Naval recognition slides, RHC-50</a> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-50_987 Title A name given to the resource Vampire fighter Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource United States. Navy Description An account of the resource Vampire British F (fighter), October 1, 1947. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Navy Military education Airplanes, Military--Recognition World War, 1939-1945 Slides Great Britain Language A language of the resource eng Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?language=en">No Copyright - United States</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Naval recognition slides (RHC-50) Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1947-10-01 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/d37153b5047b1cc689009b9233e73966.jpg 5d6bcdf4180463e5b41f82d349a6d9d8 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Naval Recognition Training Slides Subject The topic of the resource Slides Military education Airplanes, Military--Recognition Warships--Recognition World War, 1939-1945 Description An account of the resource Slides developed during World War II as a training tool, for top-side battle-station personnel on board ship and for all aircraft personnel, by the US Navy. In 1942 a Recognition School was established by the Navy at Ohio State University where the method of identification was developed. In 1943 the school was taken over by the US Navy. The importance of training in visual recognition of ships and aircraft became even more evident during World War II. Mistakes resulting in costly errors and loss of life led to an increased emphasis on recognition as a vital skill. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource United States. Navy Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/477">Naval recognition slides (RHC-50)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2017-04-04 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?language=en">No Copyright - United States</a> Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpg Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource image Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-50 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1943-1953 Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Source <a href="http://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/477">Naval recognition slides, RHC-50</a> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-50_991 Title A name given to the resource Vampire fighter Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource United States. Navy Description An account of the resource Vampire British F (fighter), October 1, 1947. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Navy Military education Airplanes, Military--Recognition World War, 1939-1945 Slides Great Britain Language A language of the resource eng Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?language=en">No Copyright - United States</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Naval recognition slides (RHC-50) Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1947-10-01 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/b39f7171de74e693a723fc505068609c.jpg 235a5e2d45b0c1631c75c59d2f21fe06 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Naval Recognition Training Slides Subject The topic of the resource Slides Military education Airplanes, Military--Recognition Warships--Recognition World War, 1939-1945 Description An account of the resource Slides developed during World War II as a training tool, for top-side battle-station personnel on board ship and for all aircraft personnel, by the US Navy. In 1942 a Recognition School was established by the Navy at Ohio State University where the method of identification was developed. In 1943 the school was taken over by the US Navy. The importance of training in visual recognition of ships and aircraft became even more evident during World War II. Mistakes resulting in costly errors and loss of life led to an increased emphasis on recognition as a vital skill. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource United States. Navy Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/477">Naval recognition slides (RHC-50)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2017-04-04 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?language=en">No Copyright - United States</a> Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpg Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource image Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-50 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1943-1953 Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Source <a href="http://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/477">Naval recognition slides, RHC-50</a> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-50_993 Title A name given to the resource Vampire fighter Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource United States. Navy Description An account of the resource Vampire British F (fighter), October 1, 1947. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Navy Military education Airplanes, Military--Recognition World War, 1939-1945 Slides Great Britain Language A language of the resource eng Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?language=en">No Copyright - United States</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Naval recognition slides (RHC-50) Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1947-10-01 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/c8774c0574aee2898edb2c576a68c4f2.jpg 5eb2d24a70da2126b8531711c657b4b4 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Naval Recognition Training Slides Subject The topic of the resource Slides Military education Airplanes, Military--Recognition Warships--Recognition World War, 1939-1945 Description An account of the resource Slides developed during World War II as a training tool, for top-side battle-station personnel on board ship and for all aircraft personnel, by the US Navy. In 1942 a Recognition School was established by the Navy at Ohio State University where the method of identification was developed. In 1943 the school was taken over by the US Navy. The importance of training in visual recognition of ships and aircraft became even more evident during World War II. Mistakes resulting in costly errors and loss of life led to an increased emphasis on recognition as a vital skill. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource United States. Navy Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/477">Naval recognition slides (RHC-50)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2017-04-04 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?language=en">No Copyright - United States</a> Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpg Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource image Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-50 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1943-1953 Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Source <a href="http://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/477">Naval recognition slides, RHC-50</a> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-50_X985 Title A name given to the resource Vampire Mk 2 British RAF fighter Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource United States. Navy Description An account of the resource Vampire Mk 2 British RAF fighter, January 1, 1951. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Navy Military education World War, 1939-1945 Slides Airplanes, Military--Recognition Great Britain Language A language of the resource eng Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?language=en">No Copyright - United States</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Naval recognition slides (RHC-50) Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1951-01-01 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/cf7d3dacf1774851168544fed00d1786.jpg 479fd93033fa0558839c5c1be49edb39 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Naval Recognition Training Slides Subject The topic of the resource Slides Military education Airplanes, Military--Recognition Warships--Recognition World War, 1939-1945 Description An account of the resource Slides developed during World War II as a training tool, for top-side battle-station personnel on board ship and for all aircraft personnel, by the US Navy. In 1942 a Recognition School was established by the Navy at Ohio State University where the method of identification was developed. In 1943 the school was taken over by the US Navy. The importance of training in visual recognition of ships and aircraft became even more evident during World War II. Mistakes resulting in costly errors and loss of life led to an increased emphasis on recognition as a vital skill. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource United States. Navy Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/477">Naval recognition slides (RHC-50)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2017-04-04 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?language=en">No Copyright - United States</a> Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpg Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource image Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-50 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1943-1953 Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Source <a href="http://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/477">Naval recognition slides, RHC-50</a> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-50_X977 Title A name given to the resource Vampire Mk 3 British RAF fighter Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource United States. Navy Description An account of the resource Vampire Mk 3 British RAF fighter, April 1, 1952. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Navy Military education World War, 1939-1945 Slides Airplanes, Military--Recognition Great Britain Language A language of the resource eng Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?language=en">No Copyright - United States</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Naval recognition slides (RHC-50) Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1952-04-01 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/72c8b1f3fe28263da638f9f81f09ed86.jpg 9832c9d6eb1cb36f651c2efbf6f8ab7c Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Naval Recognition Training Slides Subject The topic of the resource Slides Military education Airplanes, Military--Recognition Warships--Recognition World War, 1939-1945 Description An account of the resource Slides developed during World War II as a training tool, for top-side battle-station personnel on board ship and for all aircraft personnel, by the US Navy. In 1942 a Recognition School was established by the Navy at Ohio State University where the method of identification was developed. In 1943 the school was taken over by the US Navy. The importance of training in visual recognition of ships and aircraft became even more evident during World War II. Mistakes resulting in costly errors and loss of life led to an increased emphasis on recognition as a vital skill. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource United States. Navy Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/477">Naval recognition slides (RHC-50)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2017-04-04 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?language=en">No Copyright - United States</a> Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpg Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource image Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-50 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1943-1953 Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Source <a href="http://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/477">Naval recognition slides, RHC-50</a> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-50_X983 Title A name given to the resource Vampire Mk 3 British RAF fighter Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource United States. Navy Description An account of the resource Vampire Mk 3 British RAF fighter, January 1, 1951. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Navy Military education World War, 1939-1945 Slides Airplanes, Military--Recognition Great Britain Language A language of the resource eng Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?language=en">No Copyright - United States</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Naval recognition slides (RHC-50) Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1951-01-01 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/366df3336045db1173b32e31887fe6e3.jpg 8365eaf6581bbe537bd670bf4c5ddccf Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Naval Recognition Training Slides Subject The topic of the resource Slides Military education Airplanes, Military--Recognition Warships--Recognition World War, 1939-1945 Description An account of the resource Slides developed during World War II as a training tool, for top-side battle-station personnel on board ship and for all aircraft personnel, by the US Navy. In 1942 a Recognition School was established by the Navy at Ohio State University where the method of identification was developed. In 1943 the school was taken over by the US Navy. The importance of training in visual recognition of ships and aircraft became even more evident during World War II. Mistakes resulting in costly errors and loss of life led to an increased emphasis on recognition as a vital skill. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource United States. Navy Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/477">Naval recognition slides (RHC-50)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2017-04-04 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?language=en">No Copyright - United States</a> Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpg Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource image Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-50 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1943-1953 Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Source <a href="http://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/477">Naval recognition slides, RHC-50</a> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-50_X984 Title A name given to the resource Vampire Mk 3 British RAF fighter Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource United States. Navy Description An account of the resource Vampire Mk 3 British RAF fighter, January 1, 1951. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Navy Military education World War, 1939-1945 Slides Airplanes, Military--Recognition Great Britain Language A language of the resource eng Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?language=en">No Copyright - United States</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Naval recognition slides (RHC-50) Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1951-01-01 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/abe8115493d41ae08e05a2ebf1791720.jpg ff2ab0751bcb3bef15b8eabf58e1373b Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Faces of Grand Valley Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Grand Valley State University Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource University Communications Description An account of the resource A non-comprehensive collection of photographs of Grand Valley faculty, staff, administrators, board members, friends, and alumni. Photos collected by University Communications for use in promotion and information sharing about Grand Valley with the wider community. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1960s - 1990s Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived GV012-03. University Communications. Vita Files Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource In Copryight Subject The topic of the resource Grand Valley State University College administrators College teachers Colleges and universities -- Faculty Michigan Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. Special Collections and University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GV012-03 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Language A language of the resource eng Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context VanAndelJay Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Grand Valley State University. University Communications Title A name given to the resource Van Andel, Jay Description An account of the resource Jay Van Andel, Friend of Grand Valley State Subject The topic of the resource Grand Valley State University – History Michigan Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived University Communications. Vita Files, 1968-2016 (GV012-03) Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. Special Collections and University Archives Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource In Copyright Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg Language A language of the resource eng https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/e4bc7dcc018fd04e91e70188d7a4d2f6.pdf 5016fe91b41cc530164eddbea8a24513 PDF Text Text VAN BUREN COUNTY COMPiml&.N SIVE PLAN JANUARY19~ '\fruten by V . • .. , .; .·" ·- • Van Buren County Commtn1ity'. Development Department anti' . Van Buren Cou1i'ty-Planning Commission ... �TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION THE NEED FOR PLANNING • . . . . . • • , LEGAL BASIS FOR COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING. ORGANIZATION OF THIS PLAN . . . . . . . 4 4 5 POPULATION SUMMARY . • . . TRENDS. . .. . PROJECTIONS ... . GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS. EDUCATION . . . . . . . 8 8 11 13 14 14 HOUSING TRENDS • . . . . . • RECOMMENDATIONS 16 19 ECONOMY SUMMARY • • • • • • EMPLOYMENT SECTORS . • • • . • • • • • • • 22 22 22 23 23 24 25 25 Manufacturing Agriculture Commercial Tourism TAXES IN MICHIGAN .... State Equalized Value LABOR FORCE ....... . 26 26 Age Structure Dependency Ratio Commuting Patterns Unemployment Trends Employment Trends INCOME/WEALTH • . . . 27 28 31 31 32 32 32 33 . Per Capita Income Welfare Recipients RECOMMENDATIONS . . . . ENVIRONMENT CLIMATE AND TOPOGRAPHY. WATER • • • . . . • . ..••..... • • • . . • • . . . . . . . . . . . . . • • • • • . • . . • . . . . • . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SOilS . . . WETLANDS . . FLOODPI.AINS FORESTS WILDLIFE . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . AIR . . . . . . ENERGY . SOLID WASTE RECOMMENDATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i . . . • • . 38 38 41 41 42 43 43 44 47 47 50 �LAND USE LANb USE SURVEY Agricultural Residential Commercial Industrial Recreational GROWTH MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS 56 58 59 61 61 61 63 64 FACILITIES ADMINISTRATION/BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS • • • HOSPITALS . • . Lakeview South Haven Community COUNTY DRAINS . . • . . . COUNTY ROAD COMMISSION . • COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT . • • MENTAL HEALTH • . . . • . . • VANCASCAP - COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY PUBLIC TRANSIT . . . . . . TRANSPORTATION • . . Highways Air Service Rail Facilities Water Transport And Port Facilities Public Transportation Trucking INDUSTRIAL PARKS . • . EDUCATION • . . • . . . . HEALTH AND SAFETY .... 68 69 69 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 78 78 78 80 80 80 80 80 80 • • APPENDIXES APPENDIX A THE NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM Emergency Phase . . . • . . • . . . . • . • Regular Phase . • . . . . • . . . . • • • • Department of Natural Resources Involvement 84 85 86 APPENDIX B FOREST TYPES 1..ND SAWLOG PRODUCTION APPENDIX C STATE WATER- AND LAND-RELATED REGULATIONS Flood Plain Control Act . . . Subdivision Control Act . . . Dam Construction Approval Act ii 88 88 88 • �Great Lakes Submerged Lands Act Inland Lakes and Strea~s Act. . . •. Goemaere-Anderson Wetland Protection Act Shorelands Protection and Management Act . . Soil Eros i on and Sedimentation Control Act . 89 89 90 90 91 APPENDIX D GROWTH MANAGEMENT APPENDIX E VAN BUREN COUNTY MAPS [ iii �:INTRODUCT:ION �INTRODUCTION THE NEED FOR PLANNING Community Planning is a process that seeks to make the best use of physical, human, natural, and aesthetic resources, while minimizing negative impacts on those resources. At the county level, planning is a process of policy making. These policies are meant to provide a central guide to help the numerous local governments develop specific objectives compatible with surrounding areas. Today, many pressing issues face citizens and government--issues that are in need of solutions or plans of action. over the past several years, many changes have occurred within Van Buren County. Population growth has become a major concern for local, regional, state, and even international governments. As populations increase and resources decrease, friction arises in the process of deciding who can build what and where. Growth itself is not necessarily bad, but it can have negative impacts if not properly guided or planned. · LEGAL BASIS FOR COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING The Van Buren County Planning Commission was established in 1968 according to Public Act 282 of -1945 1 as amended. The members of the Planning Commission are appointed by the County Board of • Commissioners and are charged with the responsibilities set forth in the Act to prepare and adopt a county plan. The Planning Commission Act states: It shall be a function of the County Planning Commission to make a plan for the development of the county. The plan with accompanying maps, plats, charts, and all pertinent and descriptive explanatory matter shall show the planning commission's recommendations for the development of the county. such plan shall be made with the purpose of guiding and accomplishing a coordinated, adjusted and harmonious development of the county which will be in accordance with present and future needs for best promoting the health, safety, morals, order, convenience, prosperity and general welfare of the inhabitants, as well as for efficiency and economy in the process of development. The statutory excerpt above states that, once having adopted the County Plan, the Planning Commission powers are quite limited with regard to l~cal decision making. The Commission is given certain powers in reviewing work or projects to be instituted by county boards, departments, or agencies, but has no approval or disapproval powers over such actions by local governments. Since the plan will be- adopted officially, its intent is to increase 4 �coordination and cooperation among the various local, county, state, and federal governmental agencies and departments. The physical, social, and economic well-being of the county will be advanced based on well-informed decisions and established policies. The purpose of the plan is to guide the decisions of local units of government. It is meant to be long-range, looking beyond current issues and preparing for the challenges that lie ahead. It is hoped that local officials and citizens will use this Comprehensive Plan as a reference when updating their own development plans and zoning ordinances. Much of the data used in this plan is over ten years old. Certain figures from the 1990 Census have been included. As final 1990 Census or other data becomes available, this plan is meant to be reviewed periodically and updated accordingly. ORGANIZATION OF THIS PLAN This Comprehensive Plan is organized into five chapters: Population and Housing, Economy, Environment, Land Use, and Facilities. E~ch chapter presents pertinent data and information , identifies problems and issues, and then makes recommendations for future decision making. The recommendations are not specific, because each township, village, and city must interpret the recommendations according to their situation. Each recor.-.mendation · however, is very pertinent for positive change to occur in the community. 5 �VAN BUREN COUNTY, MICHIGAN ALLEGAN COUNTY CA- r::::; E A R L I 0 CASS COUNTY �VAN BUREN COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION John Konopa, c~airperson Russell Boettcher, Vice Chairperson Reverend Judy Downing Orrin Dorr Joseph Miller Gary Stock John VerBeek Arlen Winther Fred Tobin, BOC Liaison Covert Area Keeler Area Gobles Area Waverly Area Decatur Area Lawton Area South Haven Area Mattawan Area Gobles Area VAN BUREN COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT STAFF Jill Bland, Director Peggy Marcelletti, Secretary The Van Buren County Planning Commission and the Van Buren county Community Development Department would like to thank the following organizations for assisting in the preparation of the Comprehensive Plan. ORGANIZATIONS Van Buren County Board of Commissioners Van Buren County Administration Van Buren county Economic Development Corporation Van Buren County Cooperative Extension Service Van Buren County Drain Commissl j n Van Buren County Equalization Van Buren County Public Transit Van Buren County Public Health Van Buren County Department of Social Services Van Buren County Mental Health Van Buren County Road Commission Region IV Area Agency on Aging VancasCap Soil and Water Conservation District Southwest Michigan Commission Michigan Department of Natural Resources Michigan Department of Commerce Michigan Employment Security Commission • �POPULATION �POPULATION SUMMARY • In 1990, over one-half million people lived in Southwest Michigan {including Van Buren and five adjacent counties). Recent trends and projections show that growth in Van Buren County will continue at a high rate, and that densities will be greatest along major transportation corridors. Many people moving into the county will still work in nearby counties--Kalamazoo, Berrien, Cass, ~llegan, and st. Joseph--thus making Van Buren County a "bedroom community" and the target of urban sprawl. This phenomenon will increase the need for government services, housing, water, sewer, and waste disposal services, recreation facilities, and other amenities. This will demand improved planning and economic development efforts on the part of local government and county officials. TRENDS ·Growth began slowly in Van Buren County, as compared · with the entire State of Michigan. However, Van Buren County now has a much higher growth rate than the state {See Table I.A.). From 1970 to 1980, Van Buren County's rate of growth was well above the state average. It should be noted that the state of Michigan lagged in population growth from 1970 to 1980 due to a large out-migration caused by a lack of jobs in the Detroit area. Southwest Michigan, however, was less affected than other areas. Van Buren County experienced a large in-migration that has continued ~hrcJgh the 199 o's. It is interesting to note that in MichigaP today, "migration has replaced births and deaths as the J: ': 1ncipal component of local population change. 111 Settled mi3ran~ workers make up a large portion of the population in Van Buren County. Looking at growth rates by municipality {Table I.B.) it is apparent that the majority of growth occurred in unincorporated areas. From 1980 to 1990, the growth rate for townships {or unincorporated areas) averaged 8.1%, while the rate for incorporated areas {cities and villages) showed a loss of 1.9%. Growth rates for townships are predicted to climb in the 1990 1 s and 2000's, espP.cially for those near urban areas such as Kalamazoo and St. Jos eph/Benton Harbor. Townships are experiencing . a high rate of in-mic;::ation for many reasons. City land limits have largely been filled, and land annexation is very difficult. Also, land tends to be cheape~ in the rural areas that make up townships, and taxes are generally lower. Y.any people are fleeing large cities located in nearby counties because of rising crime rates and other negative features. "Michigan's Growing Pains, 11 Planning 1989. 8 ~ Zoning News, Feb. �TABLE I.A. POPULATION GROWTH 1950-1990 1950 1 Buren cty. lthwest MI. ::: higan ited States ,1rce: 1960 %change 1970 %change 1980 %change %change 1990 39,184 48,395 23.5 56,173 16.1 66,814 18.9 70,060 4.9 183,071 235,192 28.5 263,425 12.0 287,589 9.2 280,915 2. 3 6,371,766 7,823,194 22.8 8,875,083 13.4 9,262,078 4.4 9,295,297 0.4 151,325,789 179,323,175 18.5 203,211,926 13.3 226,504,825 11.5 248,709,873 9.8 Southwest Michigan Commission and the 1990 U.S. census. 9 •) .) f) �t TABLE I.B. Van Buren County Populations 70-80 UNIT Almena Township Antwerp Township Arlington Tt:1 •.. ,tship Bangor city Bangor Township Bloomingdale Township Bloomingdale Village Breedsville Village Columbia Township Covert Township Decatur Township Decatur Village Geneva Township Gobles city Hamilton Township Hartford city Hartford Township Keeler Township Lawrence Township Lawrence Village Lawton Village Mattawan Village Paw Paw Township Paw Paw Village Pine Grove To~nship Porter Township south Haven city South Haven Township Waverly Township van Buren county Source: 1950 1960 ' 1970 1014 1746 1043 1694 1218 1092 465 1193 1734 1092 1664 1492 622 898 1838 1418 1414 1120 679 1206 1288 2456 1834 2109 1001 1176 471 239 1374 2323 1275 1827 1850 816 1023 2305 1746 2109 1421 773 1402 1368 2382 1280 845 5629 1885 914 39184 2970 1528 1047 6149 2766 1044 48389 1845 2312 1r,45 2050 1708 1493 496 209 1657 2659 1603 1764 2392 801 1167 2508 2211 2234 ' 1555 790 1358 1569 2592 3160 1835 1360 6471 3416 1313 56173 ---- ---- ---2067 1980 2956 3910 1884 2001 1993 1953 537 244 2004 2706 1684 1915 2984 816 1586 2493 2707 2638 2114 903 1558 2143 3207 3211 2379 2041 5943 4174 2130 66814 80-90 %change 1990 %change 60.2 69.1 14.5 -2.4 16.7 30.8 8.3 16.7 20.9 1.8 5.1 8.6 24.7 1.9 35.9 0.6 22.4 18.1 35.9 14.3 14.7 36.6 23.7 1.6 29.6 50.l -8.2 22.2 62.2 3581 5152 1929 1922 1948 2286 568 213 2339 2855 1856 1760 3162 769 1515 2341 3032 2344 2115 915 1685 2456 3532 3169 2594 2086 5563 4185 2188 70060 21.1 31.8 2.4 -3.9 -2.3 17.1 5.8 -12. T 16.7 5.5 10.2 -8.l 6.0 -5.8 -4.5 -6.1 12.0 -11.1 1990 Preliminary Census Data (Projections based on average increase.) 10 o.o 1.3 8.2 14.6 10.1 -1.3 9.0 2.2 -6.4 0.3 2.7 �Van Buren County population figures from 1950 to 1990 reveal that of the six townships with growth rates of over 120%, five are located in the eastern portion of the county. This area is highly accessible to I-94, I-96, and M-43, the three major thoroughfares that traverse the county. These areas are predicted to have the highest rates of growth in the near future. There is also a trend for rural counties in the region to experience more growth than their urban counterparts. Table I.e. and I. D.a. illustrate the likelihood of continued growth in Van Buren County. TABLE I.C. POPULATION CHANGE BETWEEN 1970 AN~ 1990 VAN BUREN COUNTY AND OTHER COUNTIES 1970 Allegan Berrien Cass Kalamazoo St. Joseph Van Buren Source: 66,575 163,875 43,312 201,550 47,392 56,173 u .s. 1980 81,555 171,276 49,499 212,378 56,083 66,814 1970-80 % CHANGE ·22. 5 4.5 14.3 5.4 18.3 18.9 1990 90,509 161,378 49,477 223,411 58,913 70,060 1980-90 % CHANGE 11. 0 -5.8 o.o 5.2 5.0 4.9 Bureau of the Census (1990 figures preliminary). PROJECTIONS The Southwestern Michigan Commission, in cooperation with local planning agencies, made population projections for Van Buren, Cass, and Berrien Counties, then compared them to projections for the entire state. Table I.D. shows that Van Buren and Cass Counties are projected to have high growth rates between 1980 and 2 010, as compared to Berrien County, Southwestern Michigan, and the state. 11 - r-=- .. �r t Table I. o.a. VAN BUREN COUNTY POPULATIONS AND PROJECTIONS UNIT Almena Towni:ihip Antwerp Township Arlington Township Bangor city Bangor Township Bloomingdale Township Bloomingdale Village Breedsville Village Columbia Township covert Township Decatur Township Decatur Village Geneva Township Gobles city Hamilton Township Hartford city Hartford Township Keeler Township Lawrence Township Lawrence Vill~ge Lawton Village Mattawan· Village Paw Paw Township Paw Paw Village Pine Grove Township Porter Township south Haven city south Haven Township WRverly Township Van Buren county Source: 1960 1970 1193 1734 1092 1664 1492 622 898 1838 1418 1414 1120 679 1206 1288 2456 1834 2109 1001 1176 471 239 1374 2323 1275 1827 1850 816 1023 2305 1746 2109 1421 773 1402 1368 2382 1280 845 5629 1885 914 39184 2067 2970 ' 1528 1047 6149 2766 1044 48389 1845 2312 1645 2050 1708 1493 496 209 1657 2659 1603 1764 2392 801 1167 2508 · 2211 2234 1555 790 1358 1569 2592 3160 1835 1360 6471 3416 1313 56173 1950 1014 1746 1043 1694 1218 1092 465 ---- ---- ---- 1980 2956 3910 1884 2001 1993 1953 537 244 2004 2706 1684 1915 2984 816 1586 2493 2707 . 2638 2114 903 1558 2143 3207 3211 2379 2041 5943 4174 2130 66814 1990 3581 5152 1929 1922 1948 2286 568 213 2339 2855 1856 1760 3162 769 1515 2341 3032 2344 2115 915 1685 2456 3532 3169 2594 2086 5563 4185 2188 70060 2000 2010 4222 6003 2150 2150 2130 2584 594 207 2625 3135 2047 1856 3579 805 1704 2466 3203 2566 2364 974 1805 2899 4065 3366 2922 2396 5546 4760 2506 77422 4863 6854 2371 2378 2312 2882 620 201 2911 3415 2238 1952 3996 841 2734 2591 3374 2798 2613 1033 1925 3342 4598 3563 3250 2706 5526 5335 2824 85845 1990 Preliminary Census Data (Projections based on average increase.) 12 �TABLE I. D. POPULATION PROJECTIONS TO YEAR 2010 FOR COUNTIES, REGION, AND STATE 1.SHANGE 1980 1990 2000 2010 171,276 161,378 175,952 182,596 6.6 Cass 49,499 49,477 61,226 67,398 36.2 Van Buren 66,814 70,060 77,664 84,615 26.6 SW Michigan 287,589 280 : 915 314,842 334,609 16.3 9,295,297 9,775,108 10,044,273 8.4 Berrien Michigan 9,262,078 * SW Michigan includes Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties. Source: 1990 u.~ . Census 13 ~ �L GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS The county's population is -getting older, due to longer life expectancy, lower birthrates, ·and the "brain drain," (the tendency for young, educ~ted citizens to move out of the county to places offering more professional opportunities for emploY1nent). In 1990, the 20-44 age group accounted for one-third of the entire population. The 45-65 age group comprised nearly 20% of the population. The lowest percentage of population was found Jn the 0-4 age group, which made up only 8% of the population. Age distribution is discussed further in the Economic Profile of this document. The 1990 racial composition of the county, as described by the u.s: Bureau of the Census, contained approximately 10% minorities, of which one-fifth (that is, 3% of the county) are Spanish speaking. Local officials consider these numbers to be incorrect. It is believed that the county's minority citizens, many of whom can not read or write, were probably not all reached by the 1990 Census. Furthermore, many migrant laborers, (mostly Hispanic) , have settled in the county over the past decade. If it is accurate, the 2000 minority count should grow considerably. SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS As noted in the Economic Profile, Van Buren County has a disproportionately large number - of low- to moderately-low-income citizens. It is also reported that over 13% of Van Buren County households have incomes below poverty level. The socia·1 agencies serving the county report that where there is poverty, there are also particular characteristics and needs that must be dealt with. For instance, it is known that 77% of single heads of households are women, therefore affordable child care will be needed. In summary, the issues that must be addressed are teen pregnancy, prenatal care, child care, jobs, housing, education, drug abuse, adequate health care, and transportation. EDUCATION Lack of education is thought to be the basis of many social and economic problems. Table I.E. shows levels of education attained by those 25 years and older in Southwestern Michigan. The table shows that 23.9% of Van Buren county citizens over age 25 have had some college education. The total percentage of people who have graduated from high school, (including college students) is lower than that of Berrien and Cass Counties in 1970, but shows improvement in 1980. Persons who were below age 25 in 1980 are not reflected in this chart; many are currently raising families. 2 1990 US Census and Unapproved Van Buren County Comprehensive Plan, Southwestern Michigan commission, 1976. 14 �TABLE I.E. EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT FOR THE PERCENT OF POPULATION 25 YEARS AND OVER 1970 - 1980 TRI-COUNTY AREA VAN BUREN 1970 1980 1970 1980 1970 BERRIEN 1980 CASS Elementary School 0-8 years 30.1 20.5 26.2 16.8 28.0 19.3 High School 1-3 years 4 years 23.0 31.6 17.4 38.2 24.2 35.9 19.8 41.9 19.9 32.5 15.9 36.3 College l-3 years 4 or more 9.2 6.1 13.8 10.1 7.8 6.0 13.4 a.a 10.3 9.4 15.2 13.3 Total completing High Scnool or College 37.7 48.3 41.9 49.9 41. 9 49.6 Source: U.S. Census of Population 1970 and 1980. 15 �HOUSING TRENDS Growth in the county depends upon providing adequate housing for an ever-increasing population. At the same time, the average household is decreasing in size. In Michigan, the averag~ household had 3. 27 persons in 1970, and 2. 66 persons in 1990. current estimates suggest an average household size of 2.73. This decline, in Michigan and in the nation as a whole, is due to societal trends. For instance, there are more single-person households because people are waiting longer to get married; fewer extended families are living together; there are more single parent households, and smaller families, having children later. As household size decreases, existing housing units can not be expected to serve a larger population. The need for housing increases more rapidly than population growth alone might suggest. Table I. F. VAN BUREN COUNTY HOUSEHOLDS BY TYPE 1990 - Total Population Total Housing Units Total Households* 70,060 31,530 25,402 Family Households Married- Couple Households Percent of Total Households Other Family, Male Householder Other Family, Female Householder 19,032 15,280 60.2 872 2,880 Non-Family Households Percent of Total Households Householder Living Alone Householder 65 years and over 6,370 25.1 5,301 2,474 69,335 2.73 Persons Living in Households Persons Per Households *A household is defined as an occupied housing unit. Source: 1990 U.S. Census Judging by a rough survey of building permits issued in past years, Van Buren County can expect over 280 new households per year (see Tabl e IV.B. of Land Use). If trends continue, Van Buren County could have several thousand new housing units by the year 2000. 3 U.S. 1990 Census and state demographer, Office of Revenue and Tax Analysis, Department of Management and Budget. 16 �More importantly, the majority. of these new units will be single family, moderate- to high-priced homes. This leaves the low income population with very few housing opportunities. To estimate new housing needs, we must also take into consideration the age of the present housing stock. As the present housing stock ages, it will need replacement. Table I.F. shows the age of the housing stock in Van Buren County and Michigan, according to a 1989 Demographic Report prepared by CACI, Arlington, VA. TABLE I.F. OCCUPIED HOUSING - YEAR BUILT VAN BUREN COUNTY AND MICHIGAN YEAR 1975-1980 1970-1974 1960-1969 1950-1959 1940-1949 PRE 1940 Source: VAN BUREN MICHIGAN 9.7% 11.9% 17.9% 19.4% 13.7% 27.4% 12.3% 14.4% 15.3% 11.8% 9.5% 36.8% Copyright CACI, Arlington, VA. TABLE I -. H. VAN BUREN COUNTY HOUSING OCCUPANCY AND TENURE UNITS IN STRUCTURE · Total housing units 31,530 OCCUPANCY AND TENURE Occupied housing units owner occupied Percent owner occupied Renter occupied Vacant housing units Percent vacant For seasonal, recreational, or occasional use Homeowner vacancy rate (%) Rental vacanacy rate (%) Persons per owner-occupied unit Persons per renter-occupied unit Units with over 1 person per room Percent over 1 person per room 25,402 19,482 76.7 5,920 6,128 19.4 3,511 1.6 6.7 2.77 2.59 860 3.4 UNITS IN STRUCTURE 1-unit, detached 1-unit, attached Percent 1-unit 2 to 4 units 5 to 9 units 10 or more units Mobile home, trailer, other 22,478 326 72.3 1,536 799 944 5,447 17 �Adding to the problem of aging housing stock, most low income people cannot afford to make repairs as needed, thus making the present housing stock unstable. The average age of the housing stock in Van Buren County is about equal -to that of the state as a whole. However ; a larger percentage of houses built before 1940 exists in Van Buren County than in the state. Different types of housing needs must also be considered. Van Buren county has large numbers of low- to moderate-income citizensand welfare recipients, creating a need for low-cost housing. To secure affordable homes, low-income families will probably co tinue to turn to rental, mobile, and manufactured homes, existing small homes, or to federal subsidy programs. TABLE I . I . 1980-1990 HOUSING VALUE AND CONTRACT RENT 1 9 8 0 Median Value($) Van Buren county Almena Twp. twerp Twp. Lawton Village Mattawan Vill. Arlington Twp. Bangor City Bangor Twp. Bloomingdale Twp. Bloomingdale Vil. Columbia Twp. Breedsville Vil. covert Twp. Deca·: ur Twp. Decatur Village Geneva Twp. Gobles City Hamilton Twp. Hartford City Hartford Twp. Keeler Twp. Lawrence Twp. Lawrence Village Paw Paw Twp. Paw Paw Village Pine Grove Twp. Porter Twp. •South Haven City South Haven Twp. Waverly Twp. 33,300 46,400 38,300 26,300 37,300 31,900 22,900 29,000 34,200 N/A 25,600 N/A 24,400 25,800 24,900 29,000 N/A 35,800 23,900 32,000 36,100 33,600 N/A 39,300 35,800 33,400 41,100 32,50C.36,100 41,800 1 9 9 0 Median Value ($) 48,000 64,500 · 5a,400 37,600 53,700 45,100 30,100 39,700 41,800 29,500 36,100 23,200 34,200 35,200 32,600 43,700 37,700 45,600 30,400 39,700 51,300 45,200 34,200 55,600 46,000 52,500 62,000 50,100 49,600 57,100 18 1 9 8 0 Median Rent ($) 159 172 156 154 145 138 159 151 163 N/A 127 N/A 153 153 152 155 N/A 139 165 174 160 152 N/A 161 157 168 156 160 173 203 1 9 9 0 Median Rent ($) 266 339 302 275 303 270 246 235 261 256 244 222 230 245 242 254 289 253 261 261 272 245 202 271 263 266 273 288 277 279 �one agency in the county addressing · the housing problem is the Farmer's Home .... Administration (FmHA). The FmHA helps finance home loans to low-income and senior citizens who can not otherwise obtain housing loans. The agency also provides community assistance by financing public facilities for local governments. Vancascap also assists in housing needs through its weatherization program and emergency funding program. In 1989, a Human Resources Coordinating council was formed to address the social problems in the county. out of that council, a housing sub-committee was formed. In a very short time, the sub-committee has already acquired and renovated a house to be used for housing the homeless. South Haven also has a local chapter of Habitat for Humanity working to provide affordable housing. In 1991, two grants were received to renovate several existing homes in Covert and Columbia Townships and to provide training on how to perform basic housing upkeep for the occupants. RECOMMENDATIONS Conduct a study toward developing a county-wide standard housing code for health and safety. Develop more low income and senior housing in the county. Investigate new ways to subsidize housing. Encourage adoption of consistent zoning .ordinances and enforcement measures in townships, cities, and villages throughout the county. Develop a housing inventory to provide information about the number, nature, and location of below-standard housing units. 19 �ECONOMY �ECONOMY • ;;jtJMMARY Van Buren County has considerable potential for economic development and growth. Strong points include available land, numerous highways traversing the county, a strong manufacturing and food processing base, a growing tourism base, a steady agricultural base, and an expanding commercial base. Other points to consider are unemployment rates, the number of welfare recipients, per capita ' income rates, labor force trends, and state equalized value. EMPLOYMENT SECTORS Traditional activities with economic value include agriculture, processing, manufacturing of non-electric machinery, and the primary metal industry. These occur in varying concentrations throughout the county. The main economic activity--manufacturing--is located primarily in the county's densely populated areas, such as South Haven and Paw Paw. Smaller communities with industry include Lawrence, Decatur, Hartford, Bangor, and Mattawan. Manufacturing From 1967 to 1975, manufacturing activity in the state decreased dramatically; the number of persons employed fell by 21.3%. From 1980 to 1982, the state experienced a 2. 4% decrease in the number of firms; much of the decrease , ...._occurred in la~ge firms (more than sq employees) and small firms (fewer than , ~o employees). Several causes may be suggested for the decrease: the manufacturing sector is extremely sensitive to swings in t ,h e economy; many companies have become more aut,omated in recent years; some employees may have intentionally moved to other employment sectors, such as service. Even with past decreases, manufacturing remains a strong, viable part of the county economy. In 1989, 44% of manufacturers surveyed in Van Buren County indicated plans for plant expansions in the next five years, and 30% indicated plans for new buildings in the county. Today, 10% of these companies have 100 to 500 employees; by the year 1993, 20% anticipate employment levels between 100 and 500. This indicates that the manufactur-\11g sector is expected to grow and continue to be a strong part of our economy. "Michigan's economy has a large proportion of Gross State Product (GSP) originating from manufacturing industries. In 1986, approximately 35% of the state's GSP originated in manufacturing, compared to 22% at the national 4 Unapproved Comprehensive Plan for Van Buren county, 1978, prepared by Southwest Michigan Regional Planning Commission using 1975 County Business Patterns, Bureau of Census, pg. E-6. 5 Manufacturing Retention survey, Berrien - Cass - Van Buren Counties, conducted by the southwest Michigan Community Growth Alliance and Michigan Bell, July, 1989. 22 �level. 116 Nationally, the manufadturing manufactur ~ng sectors are increasing. sector is decreasing while non- As growth continues, we must be sure to preserve and protect such positive amenities as clean air and water by encouraging the location of "clean" industries. Agriculture Agriculture has been a dominant factor in the economic base and lifestyles of the residents of Van Buren County. The county is dependent on a heal thy agricultural base. Many major employers are tied to fruit or other agricultural production and processing. Total production expo/1ses, most of which are spent in Van Buren County, exceed 85 million dollars. Many nation-wide trends are beginning to affect agriculture in the county. One recent trend is a decrease in the number of farm operators, and an increase in the size of farms. Also, the average age of the farmer {51.7 years) is rising, indicating that fewer young people are employed in agriculture in Van Buren County. Coupled with these facts, the number of part-time farmers is rising (at 50% of all farmers). Former full-time /armers have sought work outside agriculture to supplement their farm income. The increasing size of farms and the increases in productivity and mechanization reflect the takeover of lqrge corporate farms that have economies of scale and find it easier to make a profit than the small farms. Ag-tourism is an area of agriculture that has not been utilized much in the county. Ag-tourism is an activity by which farmers in the area could enhance their farms, their communities, and their economic potential. Commercial The retail trades employed 3,225 persons in Van Buren County in January, 1991, according to the Michigan Employment Security :ommission. This fairly small retail work force is determined by the rural nature and lower total population on the county. Large retail establishments have difficulty finding adequate support in Van Buren County. Due to the fact that Van Buren County is a "bedroom community," much shopping is done in the Kalamazoo, Portage, and Benton Harbor/St. Joseph areas. The influx of tourism to the area, coupled with the recent residential increase, should increase the potential for more in-county retail establishments and specialty shops. South Haven and Lawton are good examples of this trend already occurring. 6 Industrial Targeting Study, American Electric Power, 1989, pg. 12. 7 • Five Year Plan 1988-1992, Van Buren Extension Service, Michigan State University. 8 Ibid. 23 County Cooperative �. Presently, ne~rly a quarter of the county's retail employment is in the food tore sector. This is due to rural areas supplying basic necessities, while urban areas -supply other shopping needs. Restaurant establishments also account for about a quarter of retail employment in Van Buren County. Again, this is due to the cbunty's rural nature and picturesque areas. Interestingly, one quarter of the retail employment is in the auto dealer and 0 service station sector. Several large auto dealerships in Van Buren County attract business from the Kalamazoo metropolitan and other areas, as well as serving county residents. The sTrvices sector employed 2,875 people in Van Buren County in January, 1 1991. As a society, we now have more knowledge of heal th and business services, and more leisure time for amusement and recreation services. The services of technical experts and specialists serve various needs of a growing population. In 1991, less than 1% of Van Buren County's reported l~por force, 375 people, were employed in finance, insurance and real estate. Although this is a small percentage, this sector is increasing with the rising population and increasing demands for local services. The construction sector continues to grow as the demand for residential development continues. Van Buren County does rely somewhat on its neighboring counties for construction labor, especially along the I-94 corridor. - ~etween 1967 and 1975, the transportQtion ~nd utilities sector lost 108 jobs in Van Buren county. This represented a 37% reduction of the labor fo~~e in this sector; by 1975, only 184 persons were employed by this sector.~ By January, 1980, the sector saw a tremendous increase to 1,075 employed. The increase is due to increasing demands for services and construction of Palisades Nuclear Power Plant in Covert Township. In January, 1991 this sector had increased to an all time high of 1,150 or 1. 6% of Van Buren County's population. Tourism As the manufacturing sector of employment has decreased, the tourism sector has steadily increased throughout Michigan and, specifically, in Van Buren County. For example, in 1975 total travel expenditures in Michigan were $16.5 million, and in 1987 travel expenditures in Michigan were $6.4 billion. Travel and 9 Civilian Labor Force and Employment Estimates, Michigan Employment Security Commission, Bureau of Research and Statistics, Field Analysis Unit, January, 1989. 10 Ibid. 11 Ibid. 12 Ibid. 13 Unapproved Comprehensive Plan for Van Buren Southwest Michigan Regional Planning Commission, 1978. 24 County, �tourism ranked as the 6th largest employer in Michigan in 1984, 14 3.7% of all jobs. generating_ Van Buren county has many attributes that make it a successful tourism destination--if marketed sufficiently. Table II. A is a summary of travel expenditures for Michigan, Southwestern Michigan, and Van Buren County. TABLE II.A. TRAVEL EXPENDITURES 1990 Michigan Direct Indirect Total $6,400 M $5,000 M $11,400 M $8,300 M $6,500 M $14,800 M $9,300 M $7,200 M $16,500 M SW Michigan Direct Indirect Total $124,838,000 $ 97,530,000 $222,368,000 $212,197,800 $166,790,000 $378,987,800 $160,769,000 $124,466,000 $285,235,000 Van Buren Direct Indirect Total $23,475,000 $18,340,000 $41,815,000 $37,607,300 $29,451,000 $67,058,300 $30,014,000 $23,236,000 $53,250,000 Source: Compiled by the Southwestern Michigan Commission and West Michigan Travel Association TAXES IN MICHIGAN Michigan's state and local tax structure reflects a higher tax burden per $1,000 of personal income (and also on a per capita basis) than its Great Lakes neighbors, its top industrial competitors, and the nation as a ~hole. Michigan's Great Lakes neighbors include I¼linois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, 1 Missouri, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Tax rates are offset through economic development benefits which are readily available to industries that want to loca-.:.e in the county. Some examples of these benefits are tax abatements, Tax Increment Finance Authorities, inexpen5ive land, business incubators, and so forth. State Equalized Value 14 Michigan Travel Bureau information, Southwest Michigan Tourist Council. 15 reported by the Michigan Tax Climate, citizens Research Council of Michigan, May, 1989. 25 �4 Table II.B. compares the State Equalized Value of counties with populations orr.parable to Van Buren County. Van Buren County has an above-average SEV ~elative to its comparable counties. TABLE II.B. STATE EQUALIZED VALUES OF COMPARABLE COUNTIES 1991 COUNTY TOTAL REAL PROPERTY Allegan Cass Clinton Grand Traverse Isabella Lapeer Marquette Shiawassee st. Joseph Tuscola Average 1,422,402,622 671,820,069 809,133,762 1,316,961,112 587,761,357 1,078,962,018 734,203,181 751,468,997 742,097,089 667,772,822 878,258,303 Van Buren Source: 950,584,759 Courtesy of Van Buren County Equalization Department. LABOR FORCE Age structure The changing age structure of the tri-county area's population changes the size of the civilian labor force, as well as the number of individuals experiencing employment problems. Between 1970 and 1980, the average age of the area's population increased. During this period, the 1940-60 "baby boom" population reached prime working age. These developments indicate the local area is likely to experience a relatively greater amount of job replacement demand due to retirements during the 1990's than at any recent time. If labor force participation rates remain unchanged, a declining population in the unde~-17 age group wif,l mean relatively fewer entrants to the area job market in the late l990's. e Table II.C. Buren area. shows recent population age structures for the Berrien-Cass-Van 16 Annual Planning Informatic~ Employnent Security Conrrnission. 26 Report FY 1989, Michigan �TABLE II.C. BERRIEN-CASS-VAN BUREN POPULATION AGE STRUCTURE PERCENT CHANGE 1980 PERCENT 1990 PERCENT Under 5 5-20 20-44 44-65 65+ 7.7 26.7 34.5 19.8 11.3 7.4 24.4 35.1 19.8 13 .1 -3.9 -8.6 20+ 65.6 68.0 3.7 AGE GROUP source: 1.7 0.0 15.9 Southwestern Michigan Commission and the 1990 US Census. Dependency Ratio The dependency ratio is another tool that provides a general overview of the future labor force and the extent of social services needed. The dependency ratio compare~ the number of people of ~orking age to the number of people not of working age. Van Buren County shows a change in the dependency ratio from 1980 to 1990 illustrating that there were more people dependent on the workin population. Table II.D. shows the actual ages from which the dependency rati~ was derived. 27 �TABLE II.D. AGE .DISTRIBUTIONS AGE DISTRIBUTION 1980 Dependency Ratio= 61.0l SOUTHWESTERN MICHIGAN VAN BUREN COUNTY < 5 years 5-9 year 10-19 years 20-44 years 45-64 years > 64 years 22,251 23,833 52,866 99,298 56,917 32,424 5,393 5,675 12,247 22,903 12,470 8,126 AGE DISTRIBUTION 1990 Dependency Ratio= 60.01 < 5 years 5-9 years 10-19 years 20-44 years 45-64 years > 64 years - source: 20,800 5,401 17,783 12,247 24,621 13,401. 8,854 68,602 52,866 98,530 55,507 37,476 U.S. Bureau of the Census, 1990. Commuting Patterns Past com.muting trends reflect future economic development trends. The following information is from the Kalamazoo Area Transportation St,Jdy prepared by the U.S. Bureau of the Census, 1980. Table II.E. illustrates the number of people who live in the county and work in other counties. It reveals that, while imported labor is growing, the county still exports more labor than it imports. As Table II.E. demonstrates, Kalamazoo County received most of the exported workers. Allegan, Berrien, Ottawa, and Kent counties also receive many Van Buren County commuters. 2 ,, �TABLE II.E. NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN VAN BUREN COUNTY AND WORK OUTSIDE THE COUNTY (exported labor) # OF WORKERS COUNTY OF WOfil< 572 1,965 10 Allegan Berrien Branch Calhoun (Battle Creek) Cass Eaton Ingham (Lansing) Kalamazoo Kent (Grand Rapids) Ottawa St. Joseph Source: 64 735 4 23 5,288 37 72 99 Kalamazoo Area Transportation study, U.S. Bureau of the Census, 1980. Table II.F. shows the number of residents of other counties who commute to work in Van Buren County. Of the 16,742 jobs available in Van Buren County in 1980, 13.2% were held by nonresidents. Figure II.A. shows a regional overview of commuters between counties in 1980. ~~ ~ TABLE II.F. NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO LIVE OUTSIDE THE COUNTY AND WORK IN VAN BUREN COUNTY (imported labor) # OF WORKERS COUNTY OF RESIDENCE Allegan Barry Berrien Calhoun Cass Kalamazoo Kent Ottawa St. Joseph Source: 1,090 40 740 15 309 · 740 25 28 73 Kalamazoo Area Transportation Study, U.S. Bureau of the census, 1980. 29 �FIGURE II. A. TRAVEL BETWEEN AREAS IN 1980 ALLEGAN COUNTY -------------T----------------~---------1 I I I I <:.74c:z I I I VAN BUREN COUNTY V3/ KALAMAZOO COUNTY I I I I I '\ t---------·--- °' I : I BERRIEN COUNTY O ----------, I (""\ I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Source: 1980 U.S. 1Census Bureau ---------------------- I I I I I I I CASS COUNTY I I I I ST. JOSEPH COUNTY �Unemployment Trends Job growth was extremely limited statewide during the national recessions of 1980 and 1982. In f/984, local labor market conditions began to ease as employment increased. Recently, unemployment rates have been positive. In 1988, Van Buren county experienced 8.5 percent unemployment, which was slightly higher than the state's. The 1990 average rate was only 9.2 percent. This rate is still slightly higher than the state's and the average rates of comparable counties in 1990. Table II.G. shows the unemployment rates of 10 comparable counties. During the later part of 1990, the unemployment rate rose throughout the United States due to the Persian Gulf War. This trend continued into 1991 when the war was ended and the economy began to stabilize. TABLE II.G. UNEMPLOYMENT RATES (PERCENT) OF COMPARABLE COUNTIES COUNTY Allegan Cass Clinton Grand Traverse Isabella Lapeer Marquette St. Joseph Shiawassee TUscola Average Van Buren Michigan Source: 1988 Average 1990 .Average 5~0 5.3 5.8 7.0 5.0 9.9 6.9 9.0 9.6 10.3 7.4 5.8 10.1 8.5 7.6 9.2 7.5 7 • :, 6.7 7.0 4.9 8.4 9.2 9.3 10.1 7.9 U.S. Bureau of the Census. Employment Trends During 1980-1987, few industries declined in employment in the tri-county area. In fact, several industries experienced significant job growth. These industries included lwnber and wood, furniture and fixtures, printing and publishing, rubber and plastics, transportation equipment, wholesale nondurables, retail trade, tran sportation, communic0~ ion and utilities, f i nance, insurance, and real estate. 17 Annual Labor Market Information Report FY 1986. 31 �• INCOME/WEALTH • ?er Capita Income The level of income received by residents of Van Buren County reflects their ability to purchase goods and services. Per capita personal income of an area is the income received by, or on behalf of, all its residents. Van Buren county had above-average personal income (among counties comparable in population and ability to pay) in 1979 and 1980. However, as the table indicates below in 1980 and 1989 the county did not fare as well. Van Buren has recently fallen well below the average of comparable counties. Van Buren county's per capita income is also below the state's. TABLE II.H. PER CAPITA INCOME ($) OF COMPARABLE COUNTIES COUNTY Allegan Cass Clinton Grand Traverse Isabella Lapeer Marquette Shiawassee St. Joseph Tuscola Average Van Buren State 1980 1989 8,547 14,729 14,938 8,516 14,439 8,978 9,140 7,666 9,143 7,936 9,133 8,604 8,858 8,652 15,514 13,631 15,687 13,394 14,951 14,371 13,629 14,528 8,017 10,165 12,923 17,535 Source: Annual Planning and Information Report, 1989, prepared by MESC and Maps and Rakings of Selected Data, September 1991, prepared by Industrial Development Division, University of Michigan. Welfare Recipients Another indication of the heal th of the county's economy is the number of welfare recipients. Table II.I. compares the number of welfare recipients in Van Buren County to counties comparable to Van Buren in both population and their ability to pay. Van Buren has more welfare recipients than comparable counties. The 10-county average is 5,317 recipients, while Van Buren County supports 11,316 recipients. It has been reported that over 13% of Van Buren county households have income below poverty level. Other statistics indicate that 12.2% of the County's 65-and-over population live on fixed incomes. 32 �TABLE II. I. WELFARE RECIPIENTS BY COMPARABLE COUNTIES JUNE 1991 COUNTY # OF RECIPIENTS 6,653 6,065 2,852 3,816 5,102 5,064 4,897 6,403 6,296 6,017 5,317 Allegan Cass Clintori Grand Traverse Isabella Lapeer Marquette Shiawassee St. Joseph Tuscola Average 11,316 Van Buren Source: Van Buren County Department of Social Services, 1989. RECOMMENDATIONS Continue current agricultural base activities. Increase levels of fruit and vegetable production. Expand ag-tourism. Continue to work with the Kalamazoo Board of Realtors, Southwest Michigan Board of Realtors and independent brokers in keeping the building inventory intact. Expand a balanced mix of commercial, tourism, manufacturing and industrial sector:: , while recognizing that some industries reflect a more attractive quality of life than others. Attain a sound tax base. Create new jobs. Minimize dependence on particular sectors of the economy. Expand all-season infrastructure and road improvements in areas where growth is desirable. En::;?loy good land use practices as specified in the land use portion of this do::ument. Continue current economic development ef::orts, such as the county communi t Development Department, the Southwest Michigan Community Growth Alliance, ana various local Economic Development agencies. 33 �• Make use of the Industrial Targeting Study (prepared by Michigan Power Company d Indiana Michigan Power Company) and the Manufacturing Retention and ~xpansion survey to attract new businesses and industry. Emphasize the importance of rural development policies by the state. stress the quality of life, or "civic infrastructure" in luring a new business. Foster cooperation among regions, counties,townships, villages, and cities. 34 �ENVIRONMENT �ENVIRONMENT ropulation growth affects the quality of natural resources and our environment in many ways. More importantly, each of us is dependent upon and interrelated with all these resour ces. Presently, many of our most valuable resources are being depleted or degraded. Our air, water, forests, wetlands, agricultural lands, wildlife, and fuel supplies are all affected. However, environmental degradation is not inevitable. Controls can be put in place to protect these valuable resources. Future growth can be accommodated with environmentallysensitive development tools. . These tools will be explored throughout the following portion of the comprehensive Plan. - · CLIMATE AND TOPOGRAPHY Van Buren County lies within the Humid Continental-Warm Summer climatic range. The county experiences pronounced seasonal variation, with cold winters and hot-to-warm summers. The average temperature in January ranges from 24 to 26 degrees F. In July the average runs from 70 to 74 degrees F. The county is also subject to temperature extremes; the_mercury has ranged from -23 F to 105 F. Van Buren County receives average precipitation of about 37 inches per year. The county generally receives 60 to 80 inches of snowfall each winter. During the winter months, there is generally one inch or more of snow cover on from 60 to 80 days. The Van Buren area was profoundly influenced by the retreat of the last continental glacier some 10, ·ooo years _a go. This glaciation formed the existing , opography, which has been modified somewhat by wind and water erosion. Surface elevation ranges from 600 feet above mean sea level at the Lake Michigan shoreline to 1000 feet above sea level at the eastern boundary. Both steep and gentle slopes are short and have complex directions. WATER The water resources of Van Buren County include productive groundwater reservoirs, a network of streams, and many inland lakes. Van B~ren c r ~nty has over 31go lakes and ponds ranging in size from less than o .1 acre to 298 acres. In addition to this abundance of inland water, Van Buren County also . possesses 13 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline. The source of public water supply for all communities, e~~ept South Haven, which obtains its supply from Lake Michigan, is groundwater. The groundwater is generally of high quality and generally suitable for most uses. According to a 1984 Geological survey, however, there are significant levels of nitrates, 18 Hydrology and Land Use in Van Buren County, U.S. Geological Survey, 1984. 19 Hydrology and Land Use in Va n Buren County, U.S. Geological Survey, 1984. 38 �chlorid_fo, · county. and atrazine present in the groundwater in some parts of the~ ~ Quality "In 22 percent of wells in the southern eight townships, nitrate concentrations exceeded the 10 milligrams per liter of drinking-water standards set by the u .s. Environmental Protection Agency." High nitrate concentrations are thought to be related to feitiliz~r apflic~tions, ~rrigat~on, an~ concentrated numb 7rs of septic systems. Irrigation is becoming an increasingly common practice for production of grain crops. Van Buren County currently ha: the largest number of irrigators in the state and ranks third in acres irrigated. Some of th~ problems associated with irrigation and fertilizers are being addressed by the Soil conservation District which is working directly with the farme~~ in the county. Chloride levels are higher than normal in areas where oil and gas fields are present. Atrazine is one chemical often found in water when there are pesticides present. County agencies are aware of these and other contaminants in groundwater and are taking steps to protect our groundwater. As the population of a community increases, the concentration of private wells and sewers also increases. High densities of wells and sewers makes satisfactory private well sites more difficult to locate, and the quality of the water becomes more uncertain. It _is difficult to determine what density of development may occur before the quality of the groundwater becomes unsatisfactory. The factors involved are complex. ,"?'\ The Geologic Information Survey (GIS) is in place at the C...Junty He ~:. .l.th Department, and contains geologic information and recent well logs providea by the Cooperative Extension office. GI~ aids in determining the most intensive safe use of land, and also shows which areas should be avoided because of geologic characteristics. There are several areas in Van Buren County that have hiah densities of development and yet have no public water or sewer systems. on:.y ten principal communities in the county have public water and/or public sewer systems. None of the areas without public systems can be served economically by extensions of existing systems due to distance. Generally, private well owners have not experienced enough significant problems to initiate a move toward public water or sewer. The prima~ obstacle to the construction of public water or sewer systems is fina~cial. In the past, state and federal money was more abund~nt, requiring considerably less match money by the local government. Rural areas, such as 20 For more information on groundwater quality, see Hydrolocry and Land Use in Van Buren County, U.S. Geological Survey, 198~. 21 Ibid. 22 Unapproved Comprehensive Plan, Southwest Michigan Regional Planning Commission, 1975. 39 �Van Buren County, also find it more difficult to attract industrial and C ommercial development that provides a larger tax base than residential growth. 23 Streambank erosion poses a serious threat . to water guality. The Sauk Trails · RC&D area has worked .to remedy some of the streambank erosion in the tri-county area. Sources of erosion include croplands planted too close to streams, with no natural vegetation buffers. Also, the natural absorption of water into the soil is reduced dramatically when development occurs. The greater the _area of concrete, blacktop, and rooftop surfaces, the greater the chance for streambank erosion. Quantity concerns have been expressed that a serious lowering of groundwater and inland lake levels could result from increased use of water for irrigation. The U.S. Geological survey has found these concerns to be unsubstantiated. There have also been concerns regard~ng so-called "dying lakes". The Handbook 4 on Groundwater in Southwest Michigan informs us that all lakes follow a cycle from birth to death. The number of years a lake exists depends highly upon the development that occurs, the extent of run-off present, and the activities around the lake. Fertilizers applied to lawns, and high numbers of private septic systems contribute to the "dying" effect. 23 Sauk Trails Resource Conservation~ Development Area Plan, 1977. 24 Groundwater in Southwest Michigan, University Center for Water Research, 1988. 40 Western Michigan �SOILS The soil characteristics of the county reflect the strong glacial influence which left behind both healthy and unhealthy, well- drained and not-welldrained soils. However, the county has an abundance of soils well suited for agriculture. The soil survey of Van Buren County serves as a refer~nce for specific soil types and locations, and is available through the County Drain Commission, the community Devel-0pment Department, the Cooperative Extension Service, and the Soil Conse~tion District. Erosion Soil erosion is another issue with great bearing on Van Buren county. Wind and water erosion occurs on all cropland in Van Buren County. Approxi.rr.ately 74,100 acres of this land is eroding faster than the land can tolerate, and be expected to remain productive. These cropland acres lose 15,819,400 bushels of soil each year, or some 213 bushels of topsoil washed or blown from each acre. The most severe erosion is occurring in the northeast quarter and the southern -one-half of the county, on land growing corn, soybeans, and vegetables. Wind erosion can be. severe in ~e southwest quarter of the county. -.s~---~ ..... R.....,. ~ Some measures have been taken to alleviate soil erosion in the area. The RC&D Area, along with the Soil Conservation District, has planted trees to provide windbreaks. These serv~ as examples for landowners to follow. Soil erosion may also occur during various construction stages of development projects. Generally, the Soil Erosion Control department oversees development th~ough permits, however, site plans should be reviewed with the goal of minimizing the effects on · the environment, (see Figure III.A). WETLANDS Between the arrival of European settlers and 1955, our nation lost approximately 71% of its wetlands. Between 1955 and 1975, some 54% of FIGURE III.A. 25 STORM WATER RUNOFF United States Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservatio!. Service. 41 �« tland areas were lost. current estimate~6 reveal that wetlands in the U.S. Wetlands play an important role in maintaining habitats for many types of fish and wildlife. Both nationally and internationally, the importance of maintaining wetlands is recognized based on both economic and ~nvironmental implications. In 1979, the National Wetland Act was passed, and a wetland protection policy was established in recognition of the public benefits wetlands provide. The Act provides that no one has the unrestricted right to alter a wetlands' natural character. _:e still disappearing at an alarming rate. The u.s. Department of Agriculture (USDA) also recognizes the importance of these rapidly disappearing resources. current USDA policy prohibits · any assistance for draining wetland types 3 through 20 (as described in Circular 39, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) • Drainage improvements to seasonally importa~t wetlands (Types 1 and 2) are also minimized, according to the USDA policy. ' Van Buren County has an abundance of wetlands. Most are in private ownership. The Soil Conservation District and the local DNR are watchdogs for the federal and state wetland acts. To be effective, these agencies must have the help of local governing bodies who review and grant a variety of permits. FLOODPLAINS Flooding is a natural occurrence. As rainstorms and melting snow create excess water, rivers may rise and overflow their banks, flooding adjacent land areas. ~ he land areas, called floodplains, have been carved out by rivers specifically · -to transport the excess water. This natural process of coping with water in excess of a river's capacity has occurred periodically for ages. However, in building its homes and businesses, modern society has often refused to recognize the periodic overflows of rivers and the natural functions performeH by the floodplain. The result has been repeated social and economic losses. Traditional flood control methods (such as dams and levees) have not worked well in the past. Congress has realized that we should not try to control the natural processes of our rivers, but rather should locate and design structures to prevent flood damage. Through the National Flood Insurance Program, a municipality adopts the floodplain management regulations by amending their zoning ordinance. In return, existing households can receive subsidized floodplain insurance on structures through the HUD National Flood Insurance Program. Without this local zoning ordinance in place, homeowners cannot receive subsidized flood insurance. The National Flood Insurance Program offers protection of floodplains (see Appendix A). sample zoning ordinances 26 Wetland Protection Guidebook, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Land and Water Management Division, 1988. 27 ..-.. .__.. Ibid • 28 The National Flood Insurance Program, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Division of Land Resource Programs/Water Management Division, revised December, 1980. 42 for �FORESTS van Buren county contains approximately 102,000 acres of commercial forest land, all of which is privately owned. The tr¼-county area contains some of 9 the finest mixed-hardwood stands in the state. The major forest types are maple-birch, elm-ash-soft maple, oak-hickory, pine plantations, and aspen. The commercial forest land acreage is nearly equally divided between sawtimber, poletimber, and sapling-seedling stands. 30 Please see Appendix B for more information on acreage of forest types, and sawlog production. The potential for forest production and annual forest income is great in Van Buren County. One obstacle is the negative view most people have of forest management. Forest management includes thinning and replacing ·trees to provide for optimum growth, and optimum production of marketable trees, while enhancing the recreational and aesthetic value of the woodlot. The U.S. Department of Agriculture feels that if more people understood forest management, woodlots would improve. By recognizing woodlots as productive resources of economic value, owners would be less likely to destroy woodlots to plant other marketable crops. Another cause for the transformation of woodlots to other uses is the current method o'! land taxation in Michigan. "Taxation in Michigan is based on the land's potential for development. This valuation is generally made on the basis of current sale values of comparable propert~rs rather than on the productive potential of the land in its current use." In a developing area such as Van Buren County, this type of · taxation discourages the retention of land in commercial forest use or any agricultural use. Trees in an urban environment are exposed to more difficult growing conditions than trees in a natural environment. They are surrounded with large areas of concrete, and receive heavy doses of chemicals through runoff. Urban forestry specialists are available through the DNR or the Cooperative Extension Service to assist a town or village in the establishment of municipal forestry plans and tree ordinances. These specialists will 3llso provide individuals with guidance about tree selection and maintenance. WILDLIFE The shallow glaciated lakes and marshes of the st. Joseph River Basin and the Paw Paw River Basin in Van Buren county are important waterfowl breeding habitats. The wooded wetlands along the basin's lakes, streams, and rivers are 29 30 Sauk Trails RC&D Area Plan, 1977. , Van Buren County Natural Resources and Opportunities fo~ Action, preparP-d by U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, Economic Research Service, and U.S. Forest Service, in cooperation with Van Buren County Soil Conservation District, March, 1985. 31 32 Sauk Trails RC&D Area Plan, 1977. Sauk Trails RC&D Area Plan, 1977. 43 �. • used heavily by all types of ildlife. The U.S. Fish and ~ildlife Service . recognizes tne national importance of these wetlands for waterfowl production by assigning a high priority to future acquisitions in the area. It has already purchased one Waterfowl Production Area in Porter Township, van Buren county. The U. s. Fish and Wildlife Service has many conservation easements in the county. Presently, conservation easements encompass 353.95 acres. These important wetlands range from temporarily flood~~ to permanently inundated marshes. Some of the more common species of wildlife include pheasant, bobwhite, quail, ruffed grouse, woodcock, various species of waterfowl and song birds, deer, raccoons, squirrels, and rabbits. Fox, mink, raccoon, and muskrat are important fur-bearing species in the area. FIGURE III.B. The number and acreage of woodlots, brushlands, and wetlands determines the amount, type, and variety of wildlife present. BENEFITS OF TREES There is some land available for public hunting in Van Buren County. Some of these areas include the Keeler Game Area, Keeler Township, 390 acres; Three Rivers State Game Area, Porter Township, 140 acres. Other wildlife preserves include the Martha Mott Preserve, Almena Township; Haltmark Preserve, Columbia Township; Van Buren State Park, Covert Township, and various state-owned properties around the county. Wildlife has greatly diminished in recent years, along with wetlands, forests, and brushlands. Demand for additional residential, commercia-:i. , industrial, and transportation development, and corresponding damage to wetlands and forests are major factors that can damage present wildlife resources. AIR Air pollution has been a public concern since thE industrial revolution began. We know that the "greenhouse effect" is caused by an abundance of carbon dioxide (among other gases) caused by automobile exhaust and industries burning oil and coal. Losses of forest, wetland, and other natural vegetative cover aggravate this problem. Federal and state governments have enacted Clean Air 33 Action. Van Buren County Natural Resources and Opportunities for �Acts to help alleviate air pollution caused industry, automobiles, and other sources. 45 by �Acid Rain ~ ulphur and nitrogen oxides in the air, which precipitate as acid rain, are among the major air pollutants that we are aware of today. Human act~vities account for about 9.0% of the air pollution that causes acid rain. our industries use coal, oil, and ores that emit sulphur and nitrogen when processed. Automobile emissions also contribute to total pollutants. When these chemicals mix in the air, they create dangerous new compounds such as sulfuric and nitric acids. Acid rain-causing pollutants are carried by prevailing winds. In Michigan, the prevailing winds move east and north toward Canada. Thus, the pollutants originating from industries in Michigan create acid rain in Canada and New England. Michigan also receives acid rain originating in the midwest and western states. The damage caused by acid rain is now recognized throughout the U.S. , Canada, and Europe. It continues to damage lakes, f crests, agricultural productivity, natural food chains, and numerous historical monuments worldwide. National clean air legislation regulates ·emissions of new industries, power plants, and cars. However, controls have not been required on many older industrial plants that create a large portion of all sulphur dioxide emissions in the United states. Greenhouse Effect • Scientists know that the greenhouse effect (global warming) is beginning to affect our atmosphere. Each year, human activities discharge 5.5 million tons 'of carbon dioxide into the Earth's atmosphere. Approximately half of this carbon dioxide is absorbed by forests and oceans. As fo~tsts are reduced, their important ability to absorb carbon dioxide is lost. Carbon dioxide then remains in the atmosphere, creating an insulating layer that holds in more of the Earth's warmth. The atmosphere's me~p temperature could rise as much as eight degrees during the next 60 years. If so, weather patterns will change dramatically, causing profound shifts in growing seasons everywhere. For these reasons, efforts to retain healthy forest cover, wetlands, and other natural vegetation, as described above, are doubly important. 34 "It's Time to Stop Acid Rain," Environment Ontario, Bradley, Minister. 35 Jim Ibid. . . . Gardening, . . An' nie Proulx, "Our Vanishing Forests," Organic March, 1989. 36E 37 "The Maj or Threats to the Earth's Environment," Time. 46 �ENERGY "Michigan communities have a dismal track record in terms -of energy planning and energy efficient design. Some communities included energy planning as an element in their comprehensive plan, particularly those adopted in the early 1980 's when energy conservation was a concern. But energy planning, in combination with land use p1ianning, zoning, and site plan review is virtually non-existent in the state." Energy conservation is a major concern today because the supply of nonrenewable resources is limited. The cost of fuel rises constantly, as does U.S. dependence upon foreign countries that provide that fuel. Energy conservation is an issue that can and should be addressed locally. The Michigan Planner, Summer, 1983, stated: "At the local level, planners are in a unique position to promote and execute programs that encourage the use of solar and conservation technologies. Through such initiatives, communities can improve their ability to weather energy price i~~reases, while at the same time help to create an improved economic climate." SOLID WASTE Existing System Historically, solid waste collection and disposal in Van Buren County has remained in the private sector. In 1973, there were 15 identified landfill "dump" operations in use by private haulers and citizens with direct use of municipally owned landfills. As new state and federal laws were implemente to protect the environment, most of thestr, landfills were closed or became: • transfer station/ dumpster site locations. Today, private haulers take garbage to landfills outside Van Buren County. Orchard Hills Landfill in Watervliet, 4~errien County, receives approximately 85 to 95% of Van Buren County waste. If this landfill were to close or refuse out-of-county waste, Van Buren County haulers would be farced to transfer waste much further away, increasing waste disposal costs considerably. Public officials and private citizens alike are concerned and have begun to take a hard look at solid waste issues that plague the county, state, nation and the world. Landfilling has been the predominant method of disposal in Michigan, and our "throwaway" mentality makes us even more dependent on landfills. We now see that cheap and easy waste disposal is a myth. Precious 38 "Energy Planning March, 1989. 39 in Michigan," Planning ~ Zoning News, "Conservation and Solar Energy," Michigan Planner, Summer, 1983. 40 41 Proposed Van Buren County Solid Waste Plan, 1989. Ibid. 47 �groundwater has been contaminated, and nobody wants a landfill nearby. ecessary design restrictions make landfills very expensive. Today's ·Alternatives The county must create a solid waste plan according to policies set forth by the state. The State of Michigan Solid Waste Policy promotes reduction, reuse, composting, recycling, and incineration, with resource recovery and limited use of landfills. Following is an explanation of these solid waste techniques as described in the state's Solid Waste Policy. waste reduction (source reduction) is a philosophy or practice that results in creating or generating less waste • • Reuse is using a product again, either for its originally intended purpose or another purpose, without changing its original form. • Composting is the natural decomposition of organic matter, such as leaves, grass clippings, garden waste and small brush, into a material called humus. • Recycling is separation, collection, and processing of materials that would otherwise become solid waste, for conversion into raw materials or new products. • Incineration with energy recovery, or waste-to-energy, involves the incineration of solid waste at high temperatures under controlled conditions, with use of the energy released. It is a capital- intensive technology, best used where there are large volumes ~f waste available (to provide economies of scale). • Landfilling involves dumping waste into a hole in the grouna. The landfill may or may not be lined; mechanisms may be needed to allow gases to escape, or to capture contaminated water that may leach out. The state Solid Waste Policy puts forth particular goals to be reached by suggesting that a certain percentage of the waste stream be directed into each technology. Each of the above solid waste technologies may be controversial. Each has advantages and disadvantages, and certain technologies may be more suitable for one municipality than another, depending upon available resources. Education is considered by some to be the most important step in the solid waste planning process. In order to make intelligent educated decisions about whether, when, how, and where any of the alternatives should be used, people must understand the implications each will have. Environmental, economic, social, and political implications will need to be thoroughly investigated. All the alternatives must be assessed with environmental quality in mind. Many changes have taken place in the p~st ten years with regard to markets for recycled materials. Many current expansions--and others to come--were not taken into consideration in the state's Solid Waste Plan. The county need not set goals &=cording to state goals, but rather according to the resources available in Van Buren County. The county can likely redirect much more than 25% of the waste stream through recycling, and should act acco~dingly. 48 �The county should dedicate itself to managing solid waste by appropriating time, money, and staff, just as for any other human service. Each municipality should also be willing to cooperate and work together to help solve the solid· waste problem. ~ FIGURE III.C. MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE STREAM Glass 8.4 Food Westes 8.9 Misc. lnorganics 1.8 " Rubber end Leather 2.8 Textiles 2.0 Wood 4.1 Yard Wastes 20.1 Source: Frz.nklin A.ssociz.tet, ,~86. 49 �• RECOMMENDATIONS rlater Accelerate improvement of the quality of groundwater, lakes, and streams. Provide a residential density overlay map. Protect existing private well water quality. Implement a residential well permit system through the Van Buren County Public Health Department. use careful planning for the location and number of wells, implementation of the "most intensive safe use" theory. and allow for Whenever making a land use or zoning decision, utilize the Geologic Information systems (GIS) and the "most intensive safe use" theory. Modify zoning ordinances to comply with the findings of the GIS system and the "most intensive safe use" theory. Include evaluation of stormwater run-off in all site plan reviews. Require well testing for private and public citizens through the Van Buren County Public Health Department. A9sncourage government cooperation to develop public water and sewer systems throughout the highest population growth areas. Guide future growth into areas where utilities exist. Include in the solid waste plan a provision for penalties to those individuals and businesses that illegally dump wastes, and provide incentives to businesses and households for proper waste disposal. Cooperate with other agencies to monitor water quality changes, information on preserving water quality to the public. Integrate water management governmental levels. responsibilities more and provide effectively at all Establish a coordinator to monitor groundwater. Educate people about groundwater concerns. Insure high q ,::ality water for the future. Soils Utilize the Geologic Information system (GIS) offered at the Cooperative Extension Service in each local government and county agency's site plan review. 50 �Encourage local permitters and county agencies to include the "most intensive safe use" theory in every permit approval process. Adopt development restrictions to reduce soil erosion and enforce the Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Act (PA 347 of 1972). Encourage the Soil Erosion development regulations. Control Division to implement and enforce Use the van Buren county Soil Survey for information and planning in areas that are best suited to develop. Wetlands Monitor and discourage development in or near wetlands in violation of the Inland Lakes and Streams Act (PA 346 of 1972), the Great Lakes Submerged Lands Act (PA 247 of 1955), PA 346, PA 247, the Flood Plain Control Act, the Dam Construction Approval Act, and the Goemaere-Anderson Wetland Protection Act. (See appendix c.) Floodplains Require developers to work with the topography to accommodate and preserve the natural floodplain to avoid future flooding problems. Adopt floodplain ordinances and take part in the National Floodplain insurance programs (set Appendix A). Forests Protect natural forest lands and require more tree plantings. Implement protection measures for our forest resources. Promote forest conservation measures. Work with various educational entities to expand Forest Management and tree planting educational programs. Promote tax incentive programs for forest land. Through Economic Development entities, encourage locating new forest product markets to make it easier for landowners to realize a profit from managed forests and woodlot s . Pro~ect prime forest lands from development into other uses. Encourage the preservation of natural vegetation during development. Wildlife 51 �Continue preservation efforts to benefit wildlife, ,e:tiality of life. as well as tourism and Seek zoning ordinances that keep new development to a minimum in wildlife areas, and direct new development into already-developed areas. Air carefully assess the impact of new and proposed developments that generate pollution from either the development itself or from increased automobile activity, to avoid ozone and air pollution problems. Encourage state and federal legislation to decrease harmful impacts to air and water quality. environmental Energy Use solar energy and other alternatives to conserve traditional nonrenewable resources. Build bike paths and wider road shoulders to encourage bicycle use. • Establish zoning ordinances to allow rooftop solar collectors, earth-sheltered housing, and conservative lot line development in all residential districts • Establish zoning ordinances structures. to allow commercial development in mixed use -- .. Locate high density residential development along major transit routes. Locate high density residential and mixed uses in and around Central Business Districts. Solid Waste Continue regional Solid Waste Planning. Promote reduction, reuse, and recycling. Protect high quality ground and surface waters through solid waste programming and education. Through Economic Development entities, attract industries that would increase market potential for recycling and composting. Attract businesses with environmentally sound solid waste practices. Implement a comprehensive solid waste disposal plan that will provide safe, cost-effective, environmentally-sound and convenient soli~ waste -disposal facilities and practices. 52 �Develop incentives to discou~age illegal dumping of trash and oil or other potentially hazardous wastes by private individuals and businesses on public and private lands. Provide intensive educational programs and incentives to promote the solid waste disposal plan. Adopt anti-burn ordinances of leaves and waste, and promote the use of compost programs. 53 �LAND USE �LAND USE Land Use policies are made with a simple goal in mind. Land use policies and resulting practices attempt to encourage land use that provides citizens the highest quality of llfe, easy access to community services, and a pleasant and organized environment, while_ retaining the county's precious and productive natural resources. Quality of life is a concept being discussed all over the nation. Thus far, Van Buren County has retained an excellent quality of life. The large number of non-residents who vacation in Van Buren county provide testimony to our quality of life. Quality of life is one of Van Buren County's greatest assets, and should be preserved. Land use policies are one way of ensuring the preservation of the county's quality of life. Following is an inventory of county land use and recommendations for future use. Throughout this portion of the Comprehensive Plan quality of life will be considered top priority. · LAND USE SURVEY • The land use survey is an inventory that classifies similar land uses into groups, such as residential, commercial, agricultural, and so on. The purpose of the survey is to establish current, accurate data on the amount, location, and use of land in the county. Figure IV.A. is a land use inventory and land use .projection developed by the Southwestern Michigan Regional Planning Commission (SMRPC) in 1977. This inventory was created by interpreting actual aerial photographs. These figures do not necessarily relate to land that may be zoned for particular land use within the cities and townships. This is especially true for land zoned commercial, industrial, and residential. The projections may not be entirely accurate, the projections for forest lands and wetlands especially seem much higher than what is actually present. According to the Soil Conservation Service, many wetlands have been filled or drained over the past ten years, and forested areas have been clearcut. This will lower considerably the land use projection for forest land and wetlands in 2000. It is useful to compare land use in Van Buren County with the state, region, and neighboring counties as shown in Table IV.A. 56 �I Figure III.A. Change in Land Use 1977...:2000 Percentage Wellands -,~ Commercial l\.grlculture Transportallon Residential Open Space forest Land. Induslrlal :~~~~L Water -p~ 0 10 40 Land Use 30 20 Year S0urce: Soulllwesl Michigan Commlsslon 1977 ~2000 50 60 70 �Agriculture and forest take up most of the land in all areas. The entire Southwest Michigan region tends to be similar in its use of land. The only • xception is urban land use in B~rrien County, which is much higher than in Cass and Van Buren Counties. Forested land figures also stand out. The state percentage of forest land is twice that of Southwest Michigan. TABLE IV.A. PERCENT LAND USE 1979 CASS VAN BUREN REGION* BERRIEN Total Acres 37,267,240 1,090,560 373,760 323,200 393,600 1.8 98.2 0.7 99.3 2.9 97.1 2.0 98.0 26.5 60.5 18.7 58.2 5.2 0.5 10.6 22.1 65.6 58.4 6.9 6.1 MICHIGAN USE Inland Water Land Surface 2.4 97.6 Forest Agriculture Transportation Recreation Urban Other 52.0 32.7 3.2 1.7 3.0 7.4 4.2 0.5 5.0 3.3 3.4 1.1 1.7 25.8 3.9 0.1 2.4 9.3 Source: County and Regional Fact Book, 1979, Michigan State University, East Lansing. *Region represents the tri-county area including Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren. • Agricultural Priree farmland is one of several important farmland types defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It is of major importance in meeting the nation's short- and long-range needs for food and fiber. Because the supply of high quality farmland is limited, the USDA recognizes that responsible levels of government, as well as individuals, should encourage and facilitate the wise 42 use of our nation's prime farmland. About 130,000 acres in Van Buren County, or nearly 43 33 percent. of the total acreage, meets soil requirements for prime farmland. About 120,000 acres of this prime farmland is used for crops. These crops account for an estimated two-thirds of the county's total agricultural income each year. The crops grown on agricultural lands include many varieties of fruits, vegetables, and field crops. Michigan ranks second in the nation among fruitproducing states, and Van Buren County ranks second in the state among 11 fruit-producing counties. Van Buren County is the leader in plums, prunes, and blueberr~es, and also has high yields of apples, apricots, and pears. Van Buren County also leads the state in production of cucumbers, pickles, and cantaloupe. 42 Soil Survey of Van Buren County, United States Department of Agriculture and Soil Conservation Service, 1986, pg. 42. 43 b 'd LL, pg. 42. 58 �Farmland Preservation A recent trend i:1 land use in some parts of· the county has been the loss of~ prime farmland to industrial and residential uses. The loss of prime farmland to other uses puts pressure on marginal lands, which generally are more erodible, draught prone, less productive, and less easily cultivated. The Farmland and Open Space Preservation Act (Public Act 116) attempts to protect farmland from development into other uses. It reduces . conversion of farmland and open space into more intensive uses. Through the development rights agreement, the owner relinquishes his/her right to develop the property, in exchange for tax credits for from 10 to 99 years. The Act has become somewhat controversial because it greatly limits all types of development. Residential Recent residential development has been concentrated in particular areas of the county. Recent surveys of building permits issued reflect the areas of greatest development. Table IV.B. shows the following townships had over 15 permits issued in 1985: Almena, Antwerp, Columbia, Pine Grove. and Waverly. In 1988 these areas had over 20 permits issued: Almena, Antwerp, tl c-~mingdale, Columbia, Geneva, Hartford, Paw Paw, South Haven, and Waverly townships, and the Villages of Mattawan and Decatur. These growth concentrations are located along the I-94 and M-43 corridors. 59 �TABLE IV.B. PRIVATE DWELLING UNITS AUTHORIZED BY GOVERNMENTAL UNITS VAN BuREN COUNTY . 1970-1989 • TOWNSHIPS ALMENA ANTWERP ARLINGTON BANGOR BLOOMINGDALE COLUMBIA COVERT DECATUR GENEVA HAMILTON HARTFORD KEELER LAWRENCE PAW PAW PINE GROVE PORTER SOUTH HAVEN WAVERLY , 1970 1975 1980 1985 1989 1990 19 20 31 42 34 40 . 5 9 9 3 10 12 6 3 4 56 21 28 8 1 13 16 10 1 1 6 6 13 5 0 19 28 37 5 5 17 58 11 6 9 · 2 18 5 7 7 14 3 8 13 32 15 10 6 8 4 9 15 8 21 25 9 11 40 4 21 13 11 29 10 22 30 3 ' 6 9 4 1 13 11 11 24 34 3 VILLAGES . :- : DECATUR LAWRENCE LAWTON MATTAWAN PAW PAW 11 5 0 3 3 0 1. 3 1 1 17 25 31 4 1 25 9 1 36 2 28 14 28 33 0 0 33 48 0 2 81 1 1. 14 3 24 7 1 1.7 CITIES BANGOR HARTFORD GOBLES SOUTH HAVEN Source: 0 1. 1. 31. 5 55 1 1990 U.S. Census and Community Development Dept. 60 �Commercial Commercial development has occurred concurrent with residential development i~~ the county, mainly along primary transportation routes. It has emerged in both cluster and strip patterns. Commercial development has not grown as quickly as residential, however, because of the proximity of two major regional retail centers. The Kalamazoo/Portage retail center is44 supported by four to ten percent more people than the immediate population. Many of those supporters are Van Buren County residents. If the population continues to expand in Van Buren County, the service industry will likely develop, regardless of the proximity of the regional shopping centers. Industrial Industrial development has occurred mainly in the county's Industrial Parks, and in existing industry expansion. Industrial parks are located in the cities of Bangor and South Haven. As mentioned in the Economic Profile, industrial growth is important to the economy and livelihood of the county. Thus, industrial development · and expansion is encouraged and assisted at the county and local levels. The types of industries attracted, and their location, must be addressed at the local level to create an orderly, attractive, and appropriate use of industrial land. Recreational As population grows and urban areas increase, the county is satisfy demands for various p'J.blic facilities such as schools, stations, and so forth. As a result, vast acres of potential other recreation resources continue to disappear, being usurpeci uses as residential, commercial, and industrial development. attempting t s~reets, fire park land and ,, · by such urban "If steps are not taken to preserve land for recreation use in Van Buren County, the prime recreation land will undoubtedly be lost to other land uses. This is especially critical in Van Buren County since public recreation facilities are scarce. The county has a great number of water resources that are critical elements in park development. It will be desirable for the county to establ\g;h recreation areas adjacent to water resources as much as is feasible." 44 Hotel/Conference Center Feasibility Study. Developro~nt, City of Portage, July, 1987. . Recrea t.1.on Plan for Van Buren Countv Michigan, Vilican-Leman Associates, Inc., 1973. 45 & Department of 61 �• • �The Recreation Plan of 1973 set forth short and long range goals. Among those goals, the plan provides a range of ► facilities to satisfy the recreation needs"1 of the various population age groups, (school age, labor :orce, and retirement age). The plan capitalizes on the county's potential in terms of natural resources such as water, wooded areas, and cultural and historic sites that could also have the effect of drawing more tourism dollars into the county. The plan also seeks to preserve historic areas for their cultural value, and protect wildlife habitat areas from pollution and other factors that may alter the ecological balance. The plan points out a number of options and particular sites that would be best suited for recreational development. Recreation standards adopted by the National Recreation Association provide a basis for recreation goals for a county. The standard states that the county should have 15 recreational acres (privately or publicly owned) per 1,000 residents. In 1973, Van Buren County appears to have been in line, having approximately 2,700 acres in private and private-nonprofit campgrounds alone. However, a healthy mix of recreational uses is also recommended. Uses can include golfing, swimming beaches, boating, canoeing, picnicking, organized games areas, and natural areas, (used for camping, hiking, bridle paths, scenic drives, and nature study). Aside from Van Buren State Park, (200 acres), and the county Fairgrounds, the state and the county owned little recreational land in Van Buren County in 1973. Some progress has been made in development of recreational facilities since then. In 1973, the report states that there were only two golf courses in the county; today there are six. The Kal-Haven Trail provides a park facility for bridle paths, hiking, bicycling, cross country skiing, and snowmobiling. Many local governments have parks within their boundaries that are used fo festivals, baseball, picnics, and organized games. The county also has fivL riding stables, two cross country courses, six charter fishing boats, three gocart amusement parks, and numerous museums, art galleries, and flea markets. The amount of county owned land for recreation use is still limited, however. GROWTH MANAGEMENT Some townships are experiencing fast, or soon to become fast, residential growth. The growth is fueled by a preference for open space, by relatively lower taxes, and by a desire to escape from unattractive city amenities. One term used to describe this process is "urban sprawl." The authors of Planning and Zoning News warn of the dangers of urban sprawl by stating that "the value placed on low density living has consistently outweighed environmental prot 7c~ion,~ resource preservation, energy, and efficiency in service prov1s1on." The results of urban sprawl are high municipal service costs, ~nd high public expenditures as state and local governments strive to service widespread populations. In response to urban sprawl, local governments are focusing on growth management as a technique to direct and guide growth rather than react to it. Growth management utilizes a number of tools to channel growth harmoniously into desirable places. 46 Pl anning . ~ . Zoning News, February, 1989, pg. 9. 63 �• Growth management can be implemented through the following methods: state and federal funding assistance - county review of local development as mandated by law - an official map - local assistance and outreach - land acguisi tion - tax and fee systems - land use controls - public facility improvements - policy assessment tools Appendix D will explain these methods further. When growth management programs are in place, the local community should benefit greatly. RECOMMENDATIONS Agricultural Identify, conserve, and enhance rural resources with unique recreation, scenic, or historic value. Strengthen rural zoning categories to preserve prime agricultural properties and environmentally sensitive areas, and to limit urban sprawl. Allow higher density in residential areas. • cooperate with the tourism organizations to promote the ag-tourism industry. Residential Guide residential development through the use of the Geological Information System (GIS), the County Soil survey, zoning ordinances, and through a residential density overlay plan. Direct residential growth toward those areas t~at have existing or ·planned expansion of municipal services such as water, sewer, fire, and ambulance protection. Promote cluster development subdivision regulations. and incorporate cluster development into Industrial Give high priority to the preservation of quali~y of life, na ~ural resources, agricultural resources, and air and water quality when attracting or assisting new industries. In mixed use zoning, encourage the use of buffer zones. Locate i:r;dustrial growth in areas of existing or planned infrastructure system~ and road improvements. 64 �Commercial Zone for convenient business locations in existing and future activity centers. Give high priority to environmental quality and neighborr.ood integrity :when providing for commercial growth. Promote commercial growth as an integral part of economic development. Coordinate commercial development with other land uses by limiting the scale of growth and the development location. Direct commercial development to areas with existing utilities, other amenities. roads, and Limit spot commercial development. Recreational Conserve open space and green space. Provide for a wide range of recreational activities, buffers between land uses, and preservation of wildlife habitats. Promote preservation of floodplains, wetlands, and other environmentally sensitive land areas in order to prevent flooding, soil erosion, sedimentatio and other negative impacts. Investigate ways, such as cooperation with public and non-public groups, to provide open space or recreational areas for residents and tourists. Give high priority to recreational space and open space in the preservatior. of quality of life, tourism, and cultural and historic character. Growth Management Provide education on Growth Management techniques along with basic plan~ins principles. Use the Geological Information system (GIS), land use overlay 1:1aps , and other information pertaining to the "most intensive safe use" theory \;nen making lanA use decisions. Provide information and support to enhance planning efforts . 65 �FACILITIES • �FACILITIES ollowing is a description of_ the administrative, health, social, and infrastructure -facilities within the county. Each has its own unique ·set of problems and need for money. As state and federal funding shrinks annually, these facilities must seek new, creative avenues to funding. The county recommends increased cooperation and communication among agencies to make the most of the limited funds available. The county also recommends a focus on prevention of problems as a means to save money in the future. These measures, along with economic development to increase county revenue, should be the focus of all agencies throughout the county. ADMINISTRATION/BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS In recent years, Van Buren County has increased its capabilities and taken steps towards excellence. In 1988, a Van Buren county Administrator was hired. The Administrator, in cooperation with the Board of Commissioners, runs the county as a business, in order to keep the budget in the black and maintain its level of service to citizens. The goals of the Board of Commissioners reflect the direction the county is going today. Following is a list of priorities identified by the Board of Commissioners: · 1. To positively affect the quality of life of the county's citizens by personally taking part on a multitude of sub-boards. One example is the recently-formed Human Resources . Coordinating Council, and the future possibility of an intergovernmental council of governments. • 2. To create a work environment in which all departments, and individuals employed by the county, can reach their fullest potential, and in which the greatest public participation is fostered. In addressing this issue, the county has recognized the need for adequate and pleasant work space, which will in turn increase the effectiveness of each department. 3. To improve its financial soundness by completing: A. A Five-Year Financial Plan to insure adequate financial health in order to maintain and expand the county's level of services; B. A Capital Improvements Plan that attempts to maintain the county's physical plant and create a professional image for the county; c. Actions to maximize reimbursement of state and federal monies. 4. To improve the efficiency of the county Government by converting from manual to automated office operations and training appropriate county employees for utilization of new office technology. Also, a Tax Automation system has recently been implemented to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the local township assessors. 5. To improve communications and cooperation between the County Commission and employees, elected officials, Townships, municipalities, and adjacent county Boards of Commissioners . • Among the services that expanded in the last two years is the Public Health Department, which has satellite offices in the new Human Services Building on 68 �Hazen Street in Paw Paw. The new building includes 25,505 square feet of space and provides citizens with a more ?ppealing Health Department facili7y. To better utilize Public Transportation resou.::::-ces, contracts will be ar.::::-anged with-'?"\ other agencies in the county in need of transport services for their clients.,_ The communication system has been expanded over the past year, and a new tax automation system has been implemented to make the assessors more efficient and effective. A new DSS building will provide 36,760 square feet of new space and more effective services in the Department of Social Services. HOSPITAI.S There are two hospitals in the county. Lakeview Hospital, located in Paw Paw, and South Haven Community Hospital in South Haven. Lakeview Lakeview Hospital serves approximately 14,000 emergency patients and 1,500 inpatients, and approximately 26,000 outpatient visits annually. The hospital houses a 15-bed psychiatric unit, and owns a nursing home in Lawton which houses 125 people and has a constant waiting list. In addition, the hospital serves community by providing outpatient surgery, EKG s.ervices, X-ray services, obstetrics, and community education services such as healthful cooking classes, living with diabetes training, and CPR training. the The total annual budget for the hospital is approximately $17 million. It employs approximately 300 people. Funding comes primarily through patient fees; a tax district authority provides a mere four-tenths of one mill. South Haven Community ~- South Haven Community Hospital is an acute care hospital licensed for 82 inpatient beds and providing an increasing amount of emergency, out-patient and diagnostic testing. In 1990, South Haven Community Hospital had over 2,000 inpatient admissions, over 12,000 emergency cases, delivered 382 babies, and provided over 36,000 out-patient services. A full spectrum of diagnostic services is available including mammography, CT scans, MR scans, nuclear medicine studies, ultrasound, EEG, EKG, stress testing, echocardiography, cardiac fluoroscopy and vascular studies. South Haven Community Hospital provides a medical/surgical floor, pediatric services, obstetric services including birthing room facilities, a critical care.unit, physical therapy, inpatient and out patient surgery, a~d emergenc~ services. South Haven Community Hospital is one of the major operational budget is approximately $12, ooo, 000 Hospital they serve a designated portion cf Van They receive 0.4 mill for operations from their approximately $145,000. employers of the area; their per year. As an Authority Buren and Allegan Counties. service area, resulting in Concerns at these and other hospitals stem from high malpractice awards and corresponding hospi7.al insurance premiums. Michigan's rates are higher than some 48 other states. Compared to Indiana, Michigan's insurance rates for an obstetrician are three times higher. Another financial burden on hospitals ~ that Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement policies do r.ot cover the actual co 69 �of services: this problem becomes progressively worse each year. While inflation has risen in recent years by 27%, Medicare reimbursement rates have . ncreased by only 14%. COUNTY DRAINS There are 504 drains in Van areas that need drainage in purposes. The County Drain of 1956, as amended and has statute defines a drain as: Buren County. The county includes many low-lying order to be used for farming or other development Commissioner acts under Act 40 of the Public Acts jurisdiction over all drains in the county. State "that which shall include the main stream or trunk and all tributaries or branches on any creek or river, and watercourse or ditch, either open or closed, any covered drain, any sanitary or any combined sanitary and storm sewer or storm or conduit composed of tile, brick, concrete, or other material, any structures or mechanical devices that will properly purify the flow of such drain, any pumping equipment necessary to assist or relieve the flow of such drains, and any levee, dike, barrier, or a combination of any or all of same construction, or proposed to be constructed, for the .purpose of drainage or for the purification of the flow of such drains, but shall not include any dam and flowage rights used in connection therewith which is used for the· generation of power by a public utility subject to regulation by the public service commission." There are two types of drains as des~ribed by the drain commission. There are ~ open ditches, and tiled, or closed drains. A distinction is also made between . rains within the county, called intra-county drains, and drains shared with neighboring counties, cal led inter-county drains. Activities When a need exists for improvements or new drains, a petition must be made by residents or by the Board of Determination for work costing over $2,500. Any improvements costing under $2,500 do not require public notice, and do not need approval except by the Drain Commissioner. The process leading to a new drain or an improvement to a drain is a lengthy one. It includes: petition by residents or by the Board of Determination; announcement to property owners and title contract holders; announcement of hearing posted; release of right-of-way by property owners; notice of assessmen~s; review of apportionments; receipt of bids; letting of contracts; and assessments to tax bills. The County Drain Department often comes in contact with the County Road Commission, the Soil Erosion Control Department, and the Department of Natural Resources, because their functions often overlap. The DNR is responsible for all natural watercourses and wetlands; DNR approval is required for certain changes to drains established after 1972. The County Road Commission is responsible for the upkeep of the primary road system, which often crosses county drains. Soil Erosion Control is responsible for keeping erosion from occurring whe~ever construction occurs. • Funding 70 �New drains or improvements are financed through shared assessments by the property owners, the Township, and the county. In an inter-county drain, the cost is shared among the Counties involved. The county provides a revolving • loan fund for paying for improvements before they are put on the tax rolls. Monies used from this fund are always reimbursed when the assessments are paid. Needs A maintenance program should include the purchase of ~guipment ~nd hiring of a drain crew to maintain the drains on a continuous basis. This wc:.uld greatly · improve the life of drains and would probably save money in the long run, since fewer new drains would have to be built. Another improv ~ment would be state payment for a fair share of improvements made on state-owned land. COUNTY ROAD COMMISSION Until 1930, townships controlled and maintained all roads within their boundaries. After 1930, each Township made recommendations to designate roads as either primary or local. Local roads were to be kept under Township responsibility for major improvements, while the newly·· formed County Road Commission would provide maintenance. Primary roads were pu~ under the jurisdiction of the County Road Commission, which was responsible for both maintenance and major improvements. Activities The County Road Commission is required by law to maintain the· safety of road<; under its jurisdiction, and is held liable for safe~~ problems. Maintaining the safety of the roads includes many act i v ities throughout ~he ye:ar. Some activities include repairing holes, resurfacing, grading, snow plowi:1g, mowing, tree trimming, and spraying. The Road Commission also provides se::vices other than pavement maintenance. They record the number of accidents throughout the county; keep an inventory of each road sign and its condition; make routine traffic counts; and time intersection delay periods. The Road Commission works with the county Drain office, the Soil Erosion Control department, the Land Description office, and Cooperative Extension Service to accomplish these activities. Funding Van Buren County ranks fifth in the state in the amount o~ funds returned to local townships. There are five major funding sources f0 r the County Road Commission. • State Act 51; the Michigan Transportati6n Fund is provided by a tax on gasoline which is collected by the state. These funds can be used only for maintenance purposes. • A county-wide assessment of one mill (which amounts to about $750,000 per year) is used for local improvements, except for $100,000 which is put into a fund for bridge improvements. 71 �• The federal government provides an allotment of funds that can only be used for roads designated as part of the Federal Highway System (such as Red Arrow Highway). The Road C~mmission must make formal plans and keep extensive records in order to receive these funds. Townships provide• a match of funds whenever improvements are made to roads within the Township boundaries. Road improvements made within the Township are determined each spring by the Township Supervisor, the County Road Superintendent, and the assistant Highway Engineer. • The county can apply to the state for special grants if it meets ·particular· qualifications. Van Buren County applied for an Economic Development grant for road improvements to CR 681 in 1989 and 1990. If granted, the funding would allow the county to upgrade CR 681 to an all-season road which could accommodate large trucks and therefore enhance economic development in the county. Needs Improvements to the County Road Commission include improved public relations, and an improved ability to respond to complaints and requests, and to keep the public better informed in order to avoid conflicts. These improvements will be made very soon as a new computer system is being installed which will allow staff to keep better records, and to work more efficiently. One problem for the county Road Commission is the rapid growth in the number of liability cases. This trend in litigation has caused Road Commission insurance rates to skyrocket, reducing funds available for road improvements • • One obstacle that could hinder the efficiency of the Road Commission is a bill now before Congress. It would allow Townships to choose whether to once again take control of and maintain their own roads, and therefore to receive state and federal funding that otherwise would have gone to the county Road Commission. If this bill passes, and some Townships choose to take control of roads, the cost effectiveness of county-wide road improvements would decrease significantly. COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE The Cooperative Extension Service is a part of a national network of extension services based in each of the 50 state land-grant universities. In Michigan, the Cooperative Extension ·service is bas-ed at Michigan state University in Lansing. The purpose of the Cooperative Extension is to provide an educational network of information, research, science, and technology to businesses, government, and individuals. It cooperates with fed•·: ral, state, and local governments by sharing resources and expertise. The CES is unique in that it is · able to address both national, state, and local issues because of its close link with all levels of government. Activities 72 �In Michigan, the CES has offices located in every county. It provides five main se:::::-vices in 4-H, home economics, public information, natu~al resources, and public policy. Through experts located in each office and at Michigan State University, information on a wide variety of topics is available both to citizens and government. Publications are available on topics such as agriculture, state and local government, human development, gardening, forestry, disease control in plants and animals, small business, computers, and community development. ~ The extension director of each county determines his or her own goals and objectives for that branch extension service. This allows each agency to be distinctive by addressing problems unique to its community. One of the main objectives of the Director in Van Buren County is the transfer of programs and technology to existing programs. Another objective of the extension service is to coordinate activities between agencies in order to make them more efficient and more productive. Funding The Cooperative Extension Service is funded through federal, state and local dollars. The federal government provides about 11% of funds, while the county provides approximately 25%. The remainder of funding comes from the state of Michigan through Michigan State University. Needs The Cooperative Extension Service will continue to provide as many services as possible with available funding. If, in the future, more funding becomes available, CES will be able to provide more services to the · community, an~ expand on those presently provided. · DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES Activities The Department of Social Services (DSS) is the conduit for many state and federal grants. The agency provides services for people with low income and others in need. Its many programs include financial support and health care services to families and individuals in the form of aid to dependent children, food stamps, medical assistance, general assistance payments, and migrant services. In addition, emergency services are provided to those who have v e rified emergencies, but are ineligible for assistance through other programs. f: ome spe.cialized social services include community placement for children, adoption services, children's protective services employment services, adults in independent living services, Indian outreach, and volunteer services. As seen in Table II.I. of the Economic Profile section of this document, the number of welfare recipients in Van Buren county is high compared to similar counties. (As a reflection of the positive state-wide economic environment over the past few years, the number of needy has dropped two percent.) The Department of Social Services attributes the high rate of poverty in the county to the lack of jobs, low level of e c.'! .. ::ation, and the rural location that keeps residents from getting to areas wher~ jobs exist. Every month, 4,000 to s,o~ 73 �needy people come through the doors of the DSS. . . n the summer months. _ This number increases to 8,000 The Department of Social Services prides itself on its ability to address both the symptoms of poverty and the prevention of problems related to poverty. One of the programs it Has focused on is called "MOST." The goal of the program is to help public assistance recipients obtain self-support status and reduce their dependency on welfare. Individuals receive aid in obtaining employment through job placement, vocational training, community work experience, and structured search programs. In fact, all able-bodied men and women are required to take part in this program. As a result of employment, the public assistance cases of 1,756 MOST participants wey closed or reduced. Annualized savings to the DSS are estimated at $260,425. Needs Public transportation is especially important in a rural area such as Van Buren County, and is badly needed by the poor and disabled. In order for the DSS to provide its services, the people must have reliable transportation. Housing needs also must be addressed more thoroughly in the county. A minimwn housing code emphasizing health and safety standards is needed throughout the county. This would keep the county from paying for substandard housing improvements through social programs. The county dedicated a new building in the fall of 1990 to house the Department of Social Services. This building is anticipated to provide accommodations for the DSS for the next 50 years • • PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT The Van Buren County Public Health Department is comprised of four divisions: Health Services, Dental Services, Substance Abuse, and Environmental Health. Activities Personal Health Services division activities include public health nursing, communicable disease control, chronic disease care, high risk maternal and child health care, nursing home patient evaluation, home health care, and an Early Periodic Screening Diagnosis and Treatment Program (EPSDT) providing health screening for Medicaid recipients under 21 years of age. Family Planning and Prenatal Care also is provided by the Personal Health Services. The Substance Abuse Division provides screening, education, and counseling to help clients who abuse drugs and/or alcohol to become drug free. The Dental Division offers a wide range of services to county residents. Their main goal is to intercept children's early dental problems while they are more economically manageable. 47 Annual Report, Services, 1988. Van Buren 74 c~unty Department of Social �The Environmental Health Division provides food service sanitation inspections, issues permits for public water and sewer systems, inspects campgrounds and mobile home parks, provides soil evaluations, investigates housing regulations,#'"' inspects DSS programs, and provides radiological health defenses. Coordination The Public Health Department coordinates activities with the Department of social services, the Mental Health Department, Cooperative Extension Service, Kalamazoo Visiting Nurses, Bronson Hospital, and other regional and local hospitals. currently, they are working directly with the school systems to address the teenage pregnancy crisis. At-Risk Youth Programs are a result their coordination with other agencies such as the Sheriff Department. Interagency agreements are in place with health departments in other counties such as Cass and Berrien. Funding The county provides approximately 24% of revenues for the Public Health Department. Federal and state grants provide approximately 29%, and the other 47% is derived from other contracts, fees, and collections. Needs Van Buren County is a relatively poor county in comparison to other counties in the state. Because it is poor, more people need services. In the past five years, the budget of Public Health has nearly doubled and so have services provided. Wnile other health departments in the region are having a crisis* the Van Buren Health Department is holding its own due i:.o sound fisca:I: management and a strong commitment from the County Board of Commissioners. Future programs will focus on teenage pregnancy, prenatal care for low ir1;ome families, drug and alcohol abuse, and improved community outreach and interaction. There is also an urgent need to work more with local anc regional hospitals to achieve these goals. Continued county growth has made the need for a residential well permitting system apparent to the Environmental Health Division. A permitting system would allow the Department to track the number and quality of wells and to monitor them for particular contaminants. MENTAL HEALTH Activities The Van Buren County Mental Heal th Department has sites in South Haven, Arlington Township, Hartford, and Paw Paw. Services include prevention services, outreach programs, and clinic-based care services. Prevention services toward adolescents; Department of Social Specialist Services; and mentally ill. include a School Based Prevention Project directed Family Enhancement Project ( in conj unction with the Services); Migrant Services Project; criminal J·ustice and In-Home Services for the developmentally disabl75 �• Outreach programs include Elder Services Nursing Horne Project; Developmentally Disabled Resp~te Care Program; and Drop-In Centers. Clinic-based care programs are Outpatient Therapy; Partial Day Services for mentally- ill anp developmentally-disabled persons, Emergency Services for people in crisis; Residential Services (group homes); and Psychiatric Services. Funding ,:~;.\ t Mental Health Department funding is broken down as follows: state Departme.nt'. , of Mental Health, 59%; grants and contracts, 10%; reimbursements, 24%; .and~; local funds, 7%. The total budget for FY '87-88 was $5,951,251. The agency° continues to seek grant monies to bring additional resources to the county. As these become available, more income is needed locally 48to provide match monies, involvement, and support for grant-funded projects. Needs • As stated earlier, the Department of Mental Health could use more local funding as match for grant funds. In the future, state and federal funding is predicted to decrease. This puts pressure on the department to focus its efforts on the most pressing problem: cases of mental illness. As a result, less emphasis is placed on prevention. In reality, when attention is placed on prevention, money will be saved 20 years later. The immediate needs of the Department are the replacement or rehabilitation of their site near Bangor, and the continuance of an effective public transit service . VANCASCAP - COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY VanCasCap stands for Van Buren, Cass County Community Action Program. Altho~gh the Community Action Program has been in existence for 25 years, Vanca~¢ap itself was founded in 1982 as a nonprofit corporation to address community needs in Cass and Van Buren Counties. The main focus of VanCasCap is to provide emergency help to low- and moderate-income people in the form of food, shelter, utilities, and transportation. Activities Programs offered through VancasCap include: Weatherization: efficient; home improvement measures to make a home more energy Senior Horne Repair: contracts w~th Area Agency on Aging to help with minor home repair for senior citizen homeowners. Domestic Violence: prevention classes. Commodities: 48 counseling, crisis intervention, transportation, ::.:a.n_d distribution of U.S. surplus food. Annual Report, Van Buren Mental Health Services, 1987-88. 76 �Gleaning: distribution of various foods from local producers of items such as fresh vegetables, fruits, and baked goods. _ T' FEMA: Federal emergency help for providing utilities, rent or mortgage, or emergency shelter. Medical Transportation: prescriptions. transportation to doctor appointments or to buy outreach: help in completing applications and tax returns or obtaining citizenship, assistance at hearings, and so forth. WIC Program: providing nutritional food to women who are pregnant or breast feeding, and infants up to five years old. Funding VanCasCap has a staff of 19 people and is funded through federal and state grants and contracts with other agencies such as DepartTilent of Social Services and the Area Agency on Aging. In previous years they have also received funding from the three counties they serve. Recently VanCasCap received a Neighborhood Builders Alliance grant. With this grant, VanCasCap will be able to provide help in rehabilitating low- and moderate-income housin~ and rebuilding neighborhoods. The agency is also involved in a pilot program to help low-income people acquire homes. Needs ti' The immediate needs for the county are for more subsidized housing, low income housing, and senior citizen homes, and better public transportation. The _ implementation of a county-wide housing code would provide health and safety standards not currently in place. PUBLIC TRANSIT With cu~rent fixed costs of 47%, the Public Transit system in Van Buren County is having financial difficulties. The level of federal and state subsidies is limited, and county subs .dies will not likely be increased. However, the possibility of increasing the number of contracts with other agencies within the service delivery area will greatly improve the financial stability of the Public Transit System. The county realizes the vital need for public transport in rural area~, and is looking at all options to expand the Public Transit System and maka it financially sound. 77 �TRANSPORTATION ~ ighways Van Buren County is located conveniently between Detroit and Chicago on Interstate 94. This . major transportation route bisects the county, providing an east/west corridor and interchanges to the communities of Mattawan, Paw Paw, Decatur, Lawrence, and Hartford. Interstate Highway 196 also crosses the ;..' county, forming a north/south corridor. This highway traverses western Van Buren county connecting South Haven with Interstate 94 and Grand Rapids. . Four major state trunk lines also pass through the county. Route M-4 3 connects south Haven and Bangor with Kalamazoo; M-4 O connects Gobles, Paw Paw, and Lawton with Allegan and Holland to the north, and South Bend-Elkhart to the south; Route M-51 links I-94 to Decatur and Niles; while Route M-140 connects covert with I-196 and I-94. Complementing these thoroughfares, the county also has a good system of primary roads serving most industrial areas. All-season roads are needed in many areas throughout the county where industries might be able to locate. Air Service Van Buren County is located approximately 20 miles west of the Kalamazoo-Battle Creek International Airport. This major regional airport is served by several commercial airlines and has freight service available. Other airfields providing commercial services to county residents include the Michiana Area Regional Airport in South Bend, Indiana, approximately 40 miles south of Van Buren County, and Ross Air Field in Benton Harbor. These facilities also have . aintenance and storage services for smaller private aircraft. The South Haven area is served by the South Haven Municipal Airport, a general utility facility. The City of Dowagiac Airport, located 10 miles south of the county, is also a general utility facility. Rail Facilities Decatur, Lawton, and Mattawan are served by the Penn-Central (Conrail) Railroad. This line connects the county with direct rail service to Chicago and Detroit. The Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad also serves the county. The CS&X System Chicago-Detroit runs north and south and crosses through both Hartford c:.nd Bangor. Spurs of this line serve Lawrence and Paw Paw to the east. Rail passenger depots are located in nearby Niles and Kalamazoo, with stops in Decatur and Bangor. From an economic development standpoint, the county would be best served by preserving this rail transport. 78 ..,_ �tr. 0 >i ..., '-' ~ - -...... (j') (j') r t:D ~ >- ~ ~ ::, 0 u t Ll L ::, a :: ~ > "d r D :.n __, '-' D 0 ~ ";.-c 0 ·C; > ,_.. �Water Transport And Port Facilities . ordering Lake Michigan, Van Bure~ County bas direct access to the Great Lakes, Mississippi River, and the St. Lawrence Seaway. A large commercial port i~ Benton Harbor-st. Joseph is located 10 miles from the county. South Haven offers a commercial •fishing port as well as a major pleasure craft harbor. Public Transportation Public transportation is provide~ to all county residents by Van Buren County Transportation, a county-wide, demand-response service. Special work trip runs can be scheduled. Two major line-haul bus companies also serve the county. Indian Trails, in connection with Greyhound, provides services to Chicago, Kalamazoo, South Bend, and Grand Rapids. Trucking Van Buren County is served by all major trucking firms. Recent deregulation of the trucking industry has effectively lowered almost all rates in the county. INDUSTRIAL PARKS The opportunities for new or expanding industry locating in Van Buren County are virtually unlimited. The county is conveniently situated along the I-94 corridor between Chicago and Detroit. Suitable building sites are available throughout the county, many having installed municipal utilities. In 4ti?articular, the Bangor State-Certified Industrial Park and the South Haven Industrial Parks provide excellent location and amenities for ·new and expanding industry. The county also has a business incubator facility in South Haven and another is anticipated. EDUCATION Van Buren County has a centrally-located Vocational Technological Center offering 23 vocational programs to high school juniors and seniors. The VoTech center's primary goals are occupational training and career development services to area youth and adults. This training and assistance is designed to meet the needs of area employers. There are also many two- and four-year degree schools nearby. The four-year schools within a thirty-mile radius are Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo College in Kalamazoo, and Hope College and Western Theological Seminary in Holland. The two year schools are Kalamazoo Valley Community co.:..lege, Lake Michigan College, and Southwestern Michigan College. Specialized degree schocls include Bronson Methodist School of Nursing, Borgess Medical Center, Andrews University, and Davenport College. HEALTH AND S~FETY . Into the 1990's, health and safety will become important issues. In Van Buren County, a county-wide 911 system has been implemented to provide citizens with 80 �central dispatch of police and medical assistance. Due to the county's rural nature, the Sheriff's Department serves as the central 911 dispatch. Van Buren county has also taken a proactive step in dealing ·with drug and juvenile._ delinquency problems by implementing a county-wide Drug and Juvenile Task Force. van Buren county also receives medical services from the two hospitals mentioned earlier--one in south Haven and the other in Paw Paw. Major medical services are also provided by direct air-linkage with two major hospitals in nearby Kalamazoo. RECOMMENDATIONS continue coordination of the 9-1-1 system throughout the =ounty. Encourage county-wide cooperation of the Drug and Juvenile Delinquency Task Forces. Encourage cooperation and coordination of medical services between the two incounty hospitals and other area hospitals to ensure medical services on all levels. 81 �I APPENDIXES • • �APPENDIX A THE NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM ~ copy of National Flood Insurance- Program guidelines is available through the Land & Water Management Division of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Write or• call: Bruce Menerey MDNR Land & Water Management P.O. Box 30028 Lansing, MI 48909 (517) 335-3181 Participation by a community in the National Flood Insuranc-e Program is premised upon the adoption of floodplain management regulations. The adoption of more detailed regulations occurs during the two phases of the program-emergency and regular--through a four-step process. Emergency Phase When a community initiates participation in the National Flood Insurance Program, it enters the emergency phase. At the point of entry into the Program, a Flood Hazard Boundary Map (FHBM) may have been prepared by the Federal Insurance Administration. If a Flood Hazard Boundary Map has not been prepared, the Federal Insurance Administration will initiate a study of the community and prepare a FHBM if flood hazard areas are found. Subsidized insurance is available to property owners in the participating community from • ..he point of entry into the program, even if the Federal Insurance Administration has not completed a Flood Hazard Boundary Map~ overall, a community typically will be involved in a four-step process in which the Federal Insurance Administration will provide increasingl.y detailed floodplain information. The community will be expected to adopt correspondingly detailed floodplain management regulations. The federal regulations describing the transmittal of floodplain management regulations are set forth in the Federal Register, Vol. 41, No. 207, October 26, 1976. The two steps comprising the emergency phase are summarized as follows: 1. Absence of FIA Floodplain Data - At this point, a community, through its application to participate in the Program, has indicated the presence of flood hazards. The community must designate an agency or official responsible for the Program in the community to use available floodplain information to implement a permit system which will enable a community to determine whether proposed development will be in flood-prc-ne areas, and to impose basic requirements designed to minimize flood damage. (See Federal Register, October 26, 1976, section 1909.22bl, page 4673, and section 1910.3a, page 46976.) 2. Presence of Flood Hazard Boundarv Map - The Federal Insurance Administration will provide to a community a Flood Hazard Boundary Map designating areas of special flood hazard (A zones). Upon receipt of this map, the community • must incorporate additional management regulations relating to mobile homes and the elevation of structures above flood levels. In some situations, 84 �communities may enter the Program at this point. If this is the case, the management requirements for both · steps 1 and 2 must be met. (See Fe ~eral ~ Register, October 26, 1976, section 1910.3b, page 46976.) Regular Phase As funds become available, · the Federal Insurance Administration will begin detailed engineering studies to define the flood hazard areas on the basis of hydraulic calculations. These studies will define the limits of the 100-year floodplain, and will divide the floodplain into zones reflecting the risk of flooding. The risk zones are used as the basis for determining insurance premiums. upon completion of the studies, a community will receive a copy of t~e study and a Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM). With receipt of this doc:.1mentation, a community enters the regular phase of the National Flood Insur:,nce Program, provided appropriate management regulations have been adopt ~d. (NOTE: communities without specific flood hazard areas, but which ar~ experiencing flood problems, may participate in the Program. A flood insurance study is not prepared for such communities.) This phase is characterized by two further steps which require adoption of additional management regulations: 1. Presence of Flood Insurance Rate Map - Upon receipt Study and Flood Insurance Rate Map, a community management regulations relating to the elevation structures, and the · placement of ~obile homes. October 26, 1976, section 1910.3c, page 46977.) 2. of the Flood Insurance must adopt additional and flood-proofing of ( See Federal Register. Designati9n of the Regulatory Floodway - At the time of transm~tting tht Flood Insurance Rate Map, the Federal Insuranc~ Administration may provide information designatin;· the regulatory floodway. This information may also be provided at a later date. The map displaying this information is called a Flood Boundary Floodway Map (FBFWM). Of course, a community expe riencing lake flooding may not have a floodway. In either case, the Federal Insurance Administration, in cooperation with the participati; ;. community, will designate a regulatory floodway. Upon designation, ~anagement regulations relating to the types of development permitted in tl':.:.;.; portion of the floodplain must be added to the local ordinance. (£. ~e Federal Register, October 26, 1976, section 1910.3d, page 46977.) In addition to the minimUill regulatory requirements a community must embody in its ordinances for purpose of floodplain management, tb? Federal Register also prescribes procedures relating to participation in the i:.:ogran: , acceptable data on which to base management decisions, record keeping responsibilities, changes in floodplain boundaries, planning considerations and review proc-..,dures. A few of the more noteworthy requirements arA summarized below. Howeve,_· , communities participating in the Program shou:: d. become intimately fa J.;;i l -..~r with the requirements as prin~ed in the Federa : Register. 1. The floodplain management regulations must be legally enfcrceable, apply to both public and private land, and take precedence over less restrictive laws, ordinances or rules. (See Federal Register, October 26, 1976, section 1910.lb, page 46975.) 85 �2. • The management criteria set forth in the Federal Register are minimum standards. A community may adopt more stringent regulations. (See Federal Register, Octcber 26, 1976, section 1910.ld, page 46975.) 3. Communities must adopt appropriate management regulations within six months of receiving the ,floodplain data from the Fede~al Insurance Administration. (See Federal Register, October 26, 1976, section 1910.2a, page 46975.) 4. The floodplain management regulations must be based upon the most recent floodplain studies provided by the Federal Insurance Administration. In the absence of FIA studies, other available floodplain information may be used. (See Federal Register, October 26, 1976, section 1910.2h, page 46975, and section 1910.3, page 46976.) 5. Upon receipt of floodplain data from the Federal Insurance Administration, the community must inform the appropriate state and area-wide clearinghouse that it must adopt management regulations within six months. The clearinghouses are encouraged to assist communities. (See Federal Register, October 26, 1976, section 1910.26, page 46981.) 6. The development of comprehensive management plans for flood-prone areas is encouraged and considerations to be included in such plans are specified. (See Federal Register, October 26, 1976, section 1910.22, page 46980.) 7. Inter-jurisdictional cooperation in the adoption and implementation of floodplain management regulations is encouraged. (See Federal Register, October 26, 1976, section 1910.26, page 46981.) ·· The National Flood Insurance Program· also provides subsidized insurance for property against loss caused by flood hazard. Management regulations meeting the requirements set forth in the Federal Register must be adopted by a community to maintain Program participation. (See Federal Register, October 26, 1976, section 1910.5, page 46978.) It should be noted that the Program does not cover structure loss caused by the gradual erosion of lakeshore banks or bluffs. The erosion and subsequent loss must be related to the occurrence of a flood. This portion of the Program is currently under review by the Federal Insurance Administration and may be altered in the future. -- Department of Natural Resources Involvement The Department of Natural Resources, Water Management Division, has been designated the State Coordinating Agency for the National Flood Insurance Program. The Division is available to answer questions related to Michigan's floodplain law, and the National Flood Insurance Program, and can provide limited technical assistance and review. In addition, the Division of Land Resource Programs within the DNR provides technical planning and zoning ass~stance to communities in Michigan. This Division will be available to ass i st communities in resolving problems encountered in the development of floodplain management regulations . • 86 �APPENDIX B FOREST TYPES A,ND SAWLOG PRODUCTION FOREST ACREAGE 1980 FOREST TYPE ACREAGE {1 1 000) Oak - Hickory Elm - Ash - Soft Maple Maple - Birch Aspen Exotic (e.g. Christmas trees) 102,000 Total acres Source: 1980. 13.7 25.3 58.2 2.2 2.6 Timber Resource of Michigan, Southern Peninsula, USDA Forest Service, Of the 102,000 acres of 30,500 acres are 35,500 acres are 36,000 acres are forest in Van Buren County; saw timber; pole timber; sapling and seedling. SAWLOG PRODUCTION 1984 SPECIES PRODUCTION (1000 BOARD FEET) 50 Beech Yellow Birch Cottonwood Elm Hickory Hard Maple Soft Ma:t: lf: Red Oak White Oak Walnut Other Hardwoods Source: \l 1 30 34 61 254 461 2,103 577 31 323 Sauk Trails, Recreation, Conservation 87 & Development Area, 1989. �APPEh'DIX C STATE WATER- AND LAND-RELATED REGULATIONS Flood Plain Control Act (1929 P.A. 245 as amended by Act 167 of P.A. 1968) Purpose: • To control encroachments in floodway for flows including a 1% probability. Requirement: For all occupations or alternations including bridges and culvert construction, fills and stream modifications. Pennits: Land and Water regulations. Management Division; possible local Subdivision Control Act (1967 P.A. 288) • Purpose: To require that each lot in an approved subdivision have access and ensure that the building site is not flood prone. Approvals: Land and Water Management Division, DNR; Departments of Transportation, Health & Treasury; follow local regulations. Dam Construction Approval Act (1963 P-.A. 184, as amended) Purpose: To ensure that an impoundment will not have significant adverse effect on fish, wildlife, or recreational values, or infringe on public rights in the waters of the state. Requirements: Retention or detention basin impounding more than five acres, or with hydraulic head more than five feet; professional engineer to prepare plans. Pennit: Land and Water Management local/county regulations. 88 Division, DNR; possible �Great Lakes Submerged Lands Act (1955 P.A. 2~7, as amended) Requirement: Permits required for all filling, dredging and permanent ~ structures (docks, piers, piling, etc.) lying below the Ordinary High Water Mark, and all upland channels extending landward of the O.H.W.M. of the Great Lakes. Permit: Land and Water Management Division (Submerged Lands Management Unit) ; Corps of Engineers, Detroit District Engineers Office; local/county regulations. Inland Lakes and Streams Act (1972 P.A. 346, as amended) Purpose: To regulate all construction, excavation and commercial marina operation on the State's inland waters. In passing upon an application, the Department shall consider the possible effect of the proposed action upon the inland lake or stream and upon waters from which or into which its waters flow and th~ uses of all such waters, including uses for recreation, fish and wildlife, aesthetics, local government, agriculture, commerce and industry . Requirement: A permit is necessary to: a. dredge or fill bottomland b. construct, enlarge, extend, remove, or place a structure on bottomland c. erect, mainta i n: or operate a marina d. create, enlarge, or diminish an inland lake or stream e. structurally interfere with the natural flow of ai,~ inland lake or stream f. construct, dredge, commence, extend, or enlarge an artificial canal, ditch, lagoon, pen~ , lake, or similar waterways in which the purpose is ultimately connection with an existing inland lake or stream, or where any part of the artificial waterway is located within 500 feet of the Ordinary High Water Mark of an existing inland lake or stream g. connect any natural or artificially constructed waterway, canal, channel, ditch, lagoon, pond, lake or similar body of water with an existing inland lake or stream for navigation or any other purpose. Pennit: Land and Water Management Division, DNR. 89 �Goemaere-Anderson Wetland Protection Act (1979 P.A. 203) • Purpose: To provide for· the preservation, management, protection and use of wetlands Requirements: 'Except as otherwise provided for by this Act, a person shall not: a. deposit or permit the placing of fill in wetland b. dredge, remove, or permit the removal of soil or minerals from a wetland c. construct, operate or maintain any use or development in wetland d. drain surface water from a wetland. Note: The Land and Water Management Division shall determine that a parcel of land is under the jurisdiction of the Wetland Act. Permit: Land and Water Management Engineers, Detroit District regulations. Division, DNR; Corps of Engineer's Office: local Shorelands Protection and Management Act (Act No. 245 of P.A. 1970) Purpose: • To protect designated environmental areas, flood risk areas and high risk erosion areas that may be damaged by various land use activitiBs along the Great Lakes shoreline • ·, Requirement: Designated Environmental Area: dredging, filling, grading, or other alterations of the soil alteration of natural drainage, but not including the reasonable care and maintenance of established drainage improvement works or maintenance of established drainage alteration of vegetation utilized by fish or wildlife, or involving an identified colonial bird nesting area placenent of permanent structures farmins of land is allowed without a permit if artificial draining, pumping, diking, dredging or filling are not used. DesigDated Flood Risk Area: Any new permanent structure on a parcel of land of which any portion is designated. Designated High Risk Erosion Area: The erection, installation or moving of a permanent structure on a parcel of land of which any portion is des i.gnated. • Pennit: Land and Water Management Division, DNR . 90 �Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Act (Act No 347 of P.A. 1972, as amended by Act 197, PU.blic Acts of 1974) C'\ Purpose: To provide for the control of soil erosion and to protect ~ the waters of the state from sedimentation. Requirement: An earth change disturbing one acre or more of land, or if the earth change is within 500 feet of a lake or stream of this state. Pennit: Local/county regulations. 91 �APPENDIX D GROWTH MANAGEMENT . In the past few years a relatively new term has echoed among planners and local government officials: growth management. By definition, growth management means the effort by city and county governments to achieve a more compact pattern of future development in accordance with a comprehensive land use plan for the community. We have seen what occurs when there is no growth management in a community. Some of the negative effects of growth that can be curtailed through growth management are: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. • • Depletion of prime agricultural lands The loss of aesthetically pleasing open space and greenbel t s High cost of providing municipal services to sprawling development. Some of the costs of sprawling development are: a. sewer & water b. police, fire, ambulance, health facilities c. costs involved in solid waste collection d. costs of fuel for commuters and public transportation e. cost of providing new roads Loss or degradation of urban activity centers Loss of natural resources such as those found in wetlands, environmentally sensitive areas, wooded areas, and so forth. Pollution of groundwater by the emergence of multiple private sewer systems. Loss of a sense of community or a sense of place. Loss of cultural and historical characteristics. The deterioration of urban centers in which millions of dollars of infrastructure investment go unused . 92 �• APPENDIX E VAN BUREN COUNTY MAPS • �Vlili BUREN COJNTI LAKES AND 'PONDS - - .y·. f, . .. · sv , '. ...o - . o· ·0 ... I -.. ~ 1 · : >-. . : . .·... . ,. : . . . . G . :-o· ·□ · ,<:>: . 4 ti . ~· , • • ·.... \ .; 0 -: . ~. . · ~ ·P ~ ......... {?. Van Buren County Cooperative Extension Service 1991 • • ':';p_ ·_. ._ ~L,r • !' - Cl I r ., • t:l . ,. {) ��)1'ELLING UNITS/SQ. - LEGEND 0 0 - 23 UN!TS '-4 UNITS l4S UN:TS ~2'- - = I:::::= .> Ei=i"'!l- idl Ut-:ITS tv1ILE, VAN BUREN, 1991 �V/.J\ BUREN COUNTY DRAINS c.. _, .- ..... ti I I I , / ,,.. _, . SOURCE , ( 0 Van Bure~ County Coope=acive Extension Service ---- :.::.:·~ p::l_~ ~- 1991 �V/,J\ BUR.EN COUNn· STATE HIGH~AYS AND INTERCHANGES □ Q r I -------_y ~ I SOURCE Van Buren County Cooperative Extension Service 1991 l � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wyckoff Planning and Zoning Collection Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Planning & Zoning Center (Lansing, Mich.) (Organization) Wyckoff, Mark A. Description An account of the resource Municipal master plans and zoning ordinances from across the state of Michigan, spanning from the 1960s to the early 2020s. The bulk of the collection was compiled by urban planner Mark Wyckoff over the course of his career as the founder and principal planner of the Planning and Zoning Center in Lansing, Michigan. Some additions have been made to the collection by municipalities since it was transferred to Grand Valley State University. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Michigan Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1960/2023 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/870">Planning and Zoning Center Collection (RHC-240)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/">No Copyright - United States</a> Subject The topic of the resource Michigan Comprehensive plan publications Master plan reports Zoning--Michigan Zoning--Maps Maps Land use--planning Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-240 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Van-Buren-County_Comprehensive-Plan_1992 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Van Buren County Community Development Department Van Buren County Planning Commission, Van Buren County, Michigan Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1992-01 Title A name given to the resource Van Buren County Comprehensive Plan Description An account of the resource The Van Buren County Comprehensive Plan was prepared by the Van Buren Community Development Department and the Van Buren County Planning Commission in January 1992. Subject The topic of the resource Comprehensive plan publications Van Buren County (Mich.) Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/870">Planning and Zoning Center Collection (RHC-240)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/">No Copyright - United States</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/28ce446056b9987ad55412af983ab6f8.mp4 cff89701cec9485d6c8585cf3bea8b05 https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/6d8fa7d382db7aca0b67990821856f8f.pdf 06162bfa2d2aa38515a131493e1545e2 PDF Text Text Grand Valley State University Veterans’ History Project Chuck VanCleve Vietnam War 1 hour 38 minutes 55 seconds (00:00:17) Early Life -Born in Linwood, California in 1950 -Grew up in Linwood -His father had a company that produced silicone products -He had flown with the Flying Tigers in China during WWII -Chuck’s older brother and sister were born during the war -Found work with Pan-Am -He got his GED after getting into the Army in 1968 -He had changed high schools during senior year -The different school had a different system which made him fall behind -He just wanted to get out of high school and get into the Army (00:02:38) Enlisting and Basic Training -Enlisted in the Army on May 6, 1968 -Didn’t know a lot about what was happening in Vietnam -Raised in a patriotic household and grew up around WWII heroes -Joining the military seemed like the only sensible option -He wanted to get right into service, so the fastest route was to join the Army -Went to Los Angeles for his Army physical -Went to Fort Ord, California for basic training -The introduction to basic training was rough -He had been prepared for any eventuality though, so it wasn’t too shocking -Decided to go through basic training with a compliant attitude -Lots of the trainees were uncooperative -Trained alongside enlisted men as well as draftees -There was a racial divide between the black and white soldiers -Each race would form their own group and associated exclusively with their own race -Trainers actually encouraged the division and the attention -Felt it would be good for competition between soldiers and for entertainment -Enjoyed watching the recruits get into fights -He was disappointed about the lack of camaraderie and teamwork -Basic training lasted eight weeks (00:07:51) Overview of Advanced Individual Training and Officer Candidate School -Went to AIT and also qualified to go into OCS -His specialization was selected for him and it was going to be field artillery -Went to AIT at Fort Sill, Oklahoma -After AIT went into OCS -He was the youngest officer candidate -During AIT trained with 105mm and 155mm howitzers -Trained on how to set up the guns, load them, and then fire them �-Consisted of a lot of classroom work as well as physical work -Received more small arms weapons training while in AIT -There was still some physical training -The area around Fort Sill was rugged, cold, and windy -There was a greater degree of freedom in AIT -AIT was a better experience than basic training -The trainers never really emphasized anything that would be particularly helpful in Vietnam -Worked with a better group of men in AIT -Attributes that to field artillery AIT requiring a higher aptitude -Didn’t maintain any friendships in AIT though -AIT lasted eight weeks (00:12:49) Details of Officer Candidate School -He took his artillery OCS at Fort Sill -The upper classmen would verbally harass the lower classmen -Get in your face and scream at you -OCS lasted six months -OCS consisted primarily of classroom work -It was difficult for him because of how much work was done in the classroom -The content itself was easy for him though because he was good at math -Started training at dawn -Got up, got showered, and got dressed in fifteen minutes -Did some physical training -Went to the mess hall for breakfast -Did a five mile run up and then down a hill -Ten hours of classroom work for the rest of the day -Days started at 5 AM and ended at 7 PM -A high percentage of the candidates washed out or were kicked out -During OCS he was given more hands on, practical experience with artillery -Taught how to call in artillery on a position -Worked primarily with 105mm howitzers and got some limited training with 155mm howitzers -Given weekends off as he got closer to completing OCS -There wasn’t much to do in Oklahoma for entertainment -It was just enjoyable to get off base, get a hotel room, and buy some McDonald’s -He was the youngest candidate in his OCS class -Still able to go to the noncommissioned officers’ club on base and drink though -Never had any major doubts about enlisting in the Army -He was totally committed to seeing it through to completion -At the end of OCS he signed up to go on to helicopter school -He was colorblind but was still able to get into the school -Wound up washing out at the end of the school due to his colorblindness -Couldn’t pick out safe terrain for an emergency landing -Completed OCS on June 17, 1969 (00:25:09) Helicopter School -Helicopter School was at Fort Walters, Texas -He was able to complete the entire course, but had to wash out on the final check ride -Due to aforementioned colorblindness �-Course lasted ninety days -Most of the trainees were warrant officers; he was only one of a few commissioned officers -During Helicopter School he was still the youngest officer -It was a much different environment than the other training courses that he had completed -Allowed to live off of base -Learning to fly a helicopter was the easy part -The hardest part of the school was the classroom work -He feels that he may have been too young to handle the work -The navigation classes were easy for him though (00:29:18) Jungle Training -After washing out of Helicopter School he went back to being an artillery officer -He was sent to Jungle Training in Panama -He had been called by a colonel at the Pentagon and was offered three choices -Go to Fort Lewis, Germany, or Vietnam -He wanted to go to Fort Lewis, Washington because his godfather lived there -At the last minute he was told that he was in fact being sent to Vietnam -Remembers being taught how to kill a chicken with his bare hands in Jungle Training -Panama was a hot and humid country -Trained during the monsoon season which didn’t help that at all -Feels that Jungle Training was at least somewhat helpful in preparing him for Vietnam (00:34:11) Deployment to Vietnam -After completing Jungle Training he was given three weeks of leave home -Able to spend Christmas 1969 with his family -Reported to San Francisco and flew out of there -Landed at Tan Son Nhut Air Base, South Vietnam -Stayed there for only one night -From Tan Son Nhut he was sent up to Camp Eagle to join the 101st Airborne Division -Transported there via Huey helicopter -Stayed in Camp Eagle for one night -The night that he was there the Vietnamese broke through the perimeter -Remembers that it was chaotic and a memorable introduction to Vietnam -The next day he was taken by truck to Camp Evans (00:36:41) Joining His Unit -At Camp Evans he was given a short orientation -After that he was assigned to his unit -B Company 2nd Battalion 319th Field Artillery Regiment 101st Airborne Division -Attached to D Company 2nd Battalion 506th Infantry Regiment 101st Airborne -Both of which were based out of Camp Evans -He met the men that would be in his battery and then flew out to Firebase Jack -Joined D Company at Firebase Jack and met Captain Rollison -He would serve as the forward artillery observer for Captain Rollison -He would call in artillery during a firefight if necessary -He would also calculate the coordinates for an artillery strike -He would also call in defensive fire at night around their perimeter -The goal of that being to drive away the North Vietnamese �(00:41:31) Operating in the Field -If they established a new camp for the night, or cut a new trail he wouldn’t call in defensive fire -That was only used if they had been using old trails, or a previously used camp site -They would go into the jungle for a few weeks then return to Firebase Jack for a couple weeks -He stayed with D Company for about five and a half months -While in D Company he served under Captain Rollison and Captain Hewitt -He liked Captain Hewitt well enough -Captain Rollinson is the one that taught Hewitt to set up a hammock at night to sleep in -This advice wound up leading to Hewitt getting killed on Hill 902 -Before Firebase Ripcord they spent most of their time operating around Firebase Jack -Patrolled the jungle around Jack for about two months -During those two months didn’t see any significant action -Occasionally ran into an enemy soldier and killed him, but that was about it (00:46:15) Being a Forward Observer -He was complacent being an artillery forward observer -He was detached from the rest of the company with a radio operator -Further away from a large force meant not attracting so much attention (00:47:38) Firebase Ripcord and Reassignment to C Company -Went to Firebase Ripcord for a stand down in late June 1970 -He was only one week away from an R&R -It felt good to be back on Ripcord -Chance to relax and eat some decent food -Only stayed at Ripcord for one night -He was reassigned to C Company 2nd Battalion 506th Infantry Regiment -Flew out and joined them on Hill 902 on July 1, 1970 -By the time he got to C Company it was late in the day and had to work on limited time -Had to call in defensive fire and dig a substantial foxhole before nightfall -Hill 902 was an oval hill that had its “points” going east and west -It was also incredibly close to Ripcord which meant 105mm howitzers couldn’t be used -Instead had to rely on Ripcord’s mortars which were ineffective in the jungle -His foxhole was forty feet away from Captain Hewitt’s position -At the time Hill 902 was being used as an observation post for Ripcord’s artillery -C Company had used the landing zone the previous night and was staying the same place -A major strategic error because the North Vietnamese knew where to find them -Hewitt had made camp in a place on Hill 902 where he was completely exposed to enemy fire (00:56:44) Battle of Hill 902 Pt. 1 -On the morning of July 2, 1970 Chuck was on radio watch -Communicating with platoons that were camped around Hill 902 and with Ripcord -It was a one man watch and was considered part of the command post -He was monitoring the radio when a call came in from the perimeter that there was movement -Told the caller to confirm that it was enemy movement -One minute later the caller confirmed that it was North Vietnamese troops -Chuck ordered the caller to detonate his claymore antipersonnel landmine -Caller reported that the claymores did not detonate and had been disarmed -Chuck started to move to his foxhole when the rocket propelled grenade barrage happened -He was wounded in his hand but was still able to function �-He collected his radios and his rifle and got set up in his foxhole -He didn’t know that Captain Hewitt had been killed in the RPG barrage -Learned from a medic named Cafferty that Hewitt was dead (01:05:09) Battle of Hill 902 Pt. 2 -He started calling in artillery fire directing the American barrage to the eastern edge of Hill 902 -This was the sector that had been breached and was closest to Firebase Ripcord -The mortars would fire in flares, but they didn’t last long and were mostly ineffective -He tried to call in “beehive” antipersonnel rounds -Used exclusively if a position was overrun, and C Company was overrun -The NVA had broken through the perimeter and were starting to throw satchel charges -During the fighting accepted that he was probably going to die and kept doing his duty -A satchel charge fell into his foxhole, but the fuse went out and it didn’t explode -At one point Huey helicopters flew in and started dropping flares to provide light -At this point Chuck is coordinating the helicopters as well as artillery fire -In the middle of this all Major Koenigsbauer radios in and wants to know what’s going on -The major was being largely unhelpful and kept asking for unnecessary updates -Chuck orders the major to get off of the radio -Believes that this is why Koenigsbauer would later resent him -During the fight he had to set down his radios and pick up his rifle and start shooting -The North Vietnamese were mere feet from his position -As the fighting began to die down Ripcord radioed in and told him to redirect the mortar fire -He refused because it meant leaving his foxhole which would get him killed -His getting killed would be a dereliction of duty -Since Hewitt was dead he was now the acting company commander -The total fighting lasted for forty minutes -After the initial RPG barrage the intensity began to taper off -The majority of enemy fire they received was explosives (01:19:38) Battle of Hill 902 Pt. 3 -After the fighting stopped they were ordered to hold their positions until daybreak -There was concern that there would be a second attack -At daybreak they started looking for American and North Vietnamese survivors -Collect the American survivors and look for surviving North Vietnamese -Chuck ordered all undetonated grenades and satchel charges to be placed in one foxhole -Didn’t want to run the risk of an explosive going off and causing unnecessary casualties -Oversaw the collection of American and North Vietnamese dead -Stacked each in a separate pile to be sorted out later -Remembers throwing half of Hewitt onto a medevac and being frustrated -Hewitt had been blown in half during the RPG barrage -Chuck refused to leave the landing zone until a replacement for him was flown in -Remembers the medic, Cafferty, tending to the wounded even though he was shell shocked -Remembers that the first helicopters that came in were the medevacs -At the end of the counting learned that only twelve North Vietnamese had been killed -Frustrated because he feels that there should have been more dead (01:25:25) Leaving Vietnam and Coming Home -He was evacuated from Hill 902 to Firebase Ripcord for a debriefing -They started taking incoming fire and so he was moved again �-Went to Camp Evans to debrief with B Company of the 2nd/319th -After the debriefing he was sent to the hospital in Camp Evans -While there he was awarded the Purple Heart -Also told he would be put in for the Distinguished Service Cross -He would have rather just had the Combat Infantry Badge -He recommended that Cafferty get the Silver Star -Felt he was due for that for doing his duty even while being in shock -From Vietnam he was sent to Kanazawa, Japan -From Japan he was sent to William Beaumont Hospital at Fort Bliss, Texas -The first phase of treating the wounds in his hand lasted six months -Consisted of physical therapy and massage -Once he had healed enough he was assigned to be a Reserve Officer Training Corps trainer -He had two operations on his hand, both of which were unsuccessful (01:30:20) End of Service -He was sent to Fort Sill, Oklahoma to be with the Headquarters Company there -After a short time he returned to Fort Bliss for a third operation which was successful this time -He was reassigned to Fort Bliss to act as an ROTC instructor there -While at Fort Bliss he began to exhibit signs of post-traumatic stress disorder -He started having trouble with money -He couldn’t relate with the men on base, because they hadn’t been to Vietnam -He was still the youngest officer on Fort Bliss -He began to see therapists at Fort Bliss, but unfortunately they had no effect on him -In 1974 his commitment with the Army was up and he left the military (01:33:13) Life after the Army -He got a job through Merrill Lynch as a stockbroker -He had a lot of trouble just sitting behind a desk and answering phones all day -He also had trouble relating with his coworkers -After leaving Merrill Lynch he met a man who wanted to start a swimming pool company -Started the company and moved on to doing landscaping and then on to building houses -He felt much better working outside and actually meeting people to do business with -Remembers that their first project wound up being a 48,000ft2 house in Acapulco -After coming home his family noticed and addressed that he needed help -He was distant and exhibiting signs of alcoholism -He didn’t want to go to the VA (Veterans’ Affairs) or have anything to do with the military -Started seeing independent psychologists -He was diagnosed as being an alcoholic -Told that he could have one drink per night to help keep it in check -The PTSD wasn’t addressed until later -He got married and got divorced twice -Just really felt that he needed some kind of companionship -He eventually went to the VA to receive help for his PTSD -He also met and befriended men who were also suffering from PTSD that had been to Vietnam -One of his friends was a colonel that served as a psychiatrist for the Navy SEALs (01:38:03) Reflections on Service -The Army helped him learn that he was a leader -In a way he already knew that, but his service just cemented that and exemplified it � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Veterans History Project Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Grand Valley State University. History Department Description An account of the resource The Library of Congress established the Veterans History Project in 2001 to collect memories, accounts, and documents of U.S. war veterans from World War II and the Korean War, Vietnam War, and conflicts in the Middle East and elsewhere, and to preserve these stories for future generations. The GVSU History Department interviews are part of this work-in-progress, and may contain videos and audio recordings, transcripts and interview outlines, and related documents and photographs. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1914- Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Afghan War, 2001--Personal narratives, American Iran Hostage Crisis, 1979-1981--Personal narratives, American Korean War, 1950-1953--Personal narratives, American Michigan--History, Military Oral history Persian Gulf War, 1991--Personal narratives, American United States--History, Military United States. Air Force United States. Army United States. Navy Veterans Video recordings Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Personal narratives, American World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Smither, James Boring, Frank Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-27 Language A language of the resource eng Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/455">Veterans History Project interviews (RHC-27)</a> Oral History A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-27_VanCleveC1677V Title A name given to the resource Van Cleve, Charles (Interview outline and video), 2014 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2014-10-11 Description An account of the resource Chuck VanCleve was born in Lynwood, California in 1950. He grew up in Lynwood, California and enlisted in the Army on May 6, 1968. He qualified for officer training despite his young age, and received his commission on June 17, 1969, and went to Helicopter School at Fort Walters, Texas. He completed the entire course, but was forced to wash out on the final check ride due to colorblindness. From there he went to Jungle Training in Panama to prepare for a deployment to Vietnam. Upon completing that he was sent to Vietnam in late 1969. After travelling to Camp Eagle he was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division and travelled from there to Camp Evans where he was assigned to B Company of the 2nd Battalion of the 319th Field Artillery Regiment attached to D Company of the 2nd Battalion of the 506th Infantry Regiment as a forward observer for artillery. He served under Captain Rollinson and took part in patrols of the area around Firebase Jack and later around Firebase Ripcord. On July 1, 1970 he was reassigned to C Company of the 2nd of the 506th under the command of Captain Hewitt. On July 2nd Hill 902 came under attack by North Vietnamese forces and he was wounded in the initial rocket barrage. Despite being wounded he assumed the role of acting company commander (Captain Hewitt was killed immediately in the barrage) and directed mortar fire and flares to ward off the North Vietnamese onslaught. After the battle he was evacuated to Camp Evans where he was awarded the Purple Heart and later the Distinguished Service Cross and then eventually to Japan and finally to Fort Bliss, Texas to receive treatment for the wound on his hand, and served as an ROTC instructor at Fort Sill, Oklahoma until he left the Army in 1974. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Van Cleve, Charles Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Smither, James (Interviewer) Subject The topic of the resource Oral history Veterans History Project (U.S.) United States--History, Military Michigan--History, Military Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Personal narratives, American United States. Army Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Moving Image Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/455">Veterans History Project collection, (RHC-27)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University Libraries. Allendale, Michigan Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf video/mp4