A planned seed orchard on two parcels of land near Brighton eventually could grow into a parklike setting with well-spaced, healthy trees and grassy areas.

But first, the hilly land owned by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources between Brighton Road and Cunningham Lake Road in Genoa Township, in southeast Livingston County, needs to be leveled to accommodate the orchard. The most cost-effective route to that is a short-term lease of the rights to mine sand and gravel on the properties.

"We're not offering this lease to make money," said Jason Hartman, silviculturist for the DNR. "It's one step in a series of steps toward getting to our goal for state forest planning and for this land. It's good for the state and good to have more green space in the community."

Public information meeting in October

The DNR will schedule a public meeting in October to discuss the steps in the multiyear process and answer residents' questions.

The properties, which are near several residential subdivisions, include a 50-acre parcel and a 77-acre parcel. Both were listed as surplus properties by the state and destined for auction. But they're also near the DNR's Tree Improvement Center, where seedlings are grown to help maintain healthy landscapes among more than 3.9 million acres of state forests.  

The DNR has managed seed orchards to procure jack pine and red pine seeds at the Tree Improvement Center for about 50 years. Red pine seeds are especially difficult to collect in a natural setting, so orchards are used to provide large volumes of pine cones to help in DNR reforestation efforts. Seeds are extracted and nurtured under controlled conditions, then transplanted to forest land. Using seed orchards helps guarantee the health and success of future forests. 

Hartman said it makes sense to use the additional property to help grow trees, as space has become a limiting factor at the Tree Improvement Center.

Timber sale underway to clear land for new planting

A timber sale to remove existing trees on the properties is in progress.

Current plans are to lease sand and gravel mining rights for a limited time to reshape the land before seed trees are planted.

"It's going to reclaim the site," Hartman said. "The land was in bad shape, which is the primary reason that the state had identified it as surplus. It has old gravel pits on it. It has invasive plant species all over the place. It's not in a good state for conservation."

One of the sites also contains an underground plume of chloride. The pollution has been monitored by the state's Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.

Eric Chatterson, geology specialist with EGLE's Water Resources Division, said the plume has been evaluated in regard to the proposed sand and gravel mining activity.

"The data indicates that no adverse impacts to the plume will be caused by the proposed activities," he said. "Any groundwater withdrawal or discharge at the site would have to comply with all current EGLE regulations and oversight."

Hartman also said that contractors completing work at the site will be expected to take steps to keep noise, dust and the visual impact of their work at a minimum.

"My hope is that we can work together to mitigate these issues," he said. "That is something that our partners can help us determine throughout the permitting process."

Goal: a parklike setting, open to the public 

Hartman said he hopes the community can keep the long-term objective in mind.

"A lot of people are expressing concerns about the environment and conservation," he said. "The DNR wants to prioritize those values as well, both for this site and for forests across the state."

If the seed orchard project falls through, the land in question would likely be auctioned and developed for housing. A housing project also would require significant earth-moving and construction and would result in a loss of green space.

Hartman said the DNR plans to prioritize the pace of reclamation in the leasing process. Proposals that include a shorter timeline to complete the project, while still meeting all conservation and safety criteria, would be scored higher.

Once reclamation work is complete, people would be encouraged to walk in and enjoy these lands. Seed orchards are grown at low density to produce bushy trees for easier harvesting of cones. They also are mowed to reduce competition and disease. This translates into an open setting with healthy, full trees and lots of green space.

Steps in the process

Steps needed to make two DNR-owned parcels of land in Genoa Township into a tree orchard include:

1. Some existing trees already have been removed as a result of a timber sale.
2. In consultation with the township and the public, determine the final orchard configuration.
3. Level the site. The DNR hopes to accomplish through mining sand and gravel for a limited time.
4. Plant the orchard and finish the site.
5. Open the site for seed production and public use.

For more information, please contact Jason Hartman at the DNR at HartmanJ@michigan.gov or at 989-390-0279.

NOTICE OF PROPOSED ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT - ARTICLE 11 AND ARTICLE 25

SEPTEMBER 22, 2021

 ORDINANCE #Z-21-01 

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ZONING ORDINANCE ARTICLE 11 ENTITLED GENERAL PROVISIONS AND ARTICLE 25 ENTITLED DEFINITIONS 

Pursuant to Michigan Public Act 110 of 2006, (the Zoning Enabling Act) and Michigan Public Act 359 of 1947, (the Charter Township Act), notice is hereby given that the Genoa Charter Township Board of Trustees has introduced and will be considering an ordinance addressing amendments to Zoning Ordinance Articles 11 and 25. Consideration of said amendment is scheduled for the Board meeting on Monday, October 4, 2021, at 6:30 p.m. The meeting is planned to be held at the Township Hall located at 2911 Dorr Road, Brighton, Michigan 48116. 

The complete text of the proposed ordinance amendments is available in the link below or at the Township Office during regular business hours.  

Proposed Amendments to Article 11 - General Provisions

Proposed Amendments to Article 25 - Definitions

Tuesday, September 14, 2021 was the last day to pay 2021 Summer Property Taxes without penalty. 

All 2021 Summer Tax payments made after September 14, 2021 are now assessed a 1% fee per month.

Please contact the Genoa Township Treasurer’s office for a current amount due, 810-227-5225, or you can check the amount due at the Township website at www.genoa.org

Our Fall Yard Waste Collection program has been scheduled for the following date at the Genoa Charter Township Hall from 8 am to 11 am:

Saturday, October 23, 2021
Saturday, November 13, 2021

Residents may bring their yard waste to the Township Hall Parking lot on this date. Branches and similar materials must be in 3 foot long bundles.

Please no plastic bags.

More information can be found on our Refuse & Recycling page.

 The Livingston County Solid Waste Program has scheduled the 2021 Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events.  This service is free for RESIDENTS of Livingston County. 

HOWEVER - RESIDENTS MUST HAVE A SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT TO PARTICIPATE.

To be able to accommodate as many households as possible, please limit your sign up to 1 event .

The event will be held on the following date:

Fall Event - September 25, 2021

All events are held on Saturdays between 9 am and 12 noon.

To schedule an Appointment: you can do one of the following:

1. Schedule your appointment online.  For more information, visit the Livingston County DPW page here
2. Call 517-545-9609

*Please do not bring items to collection locations except on appointed days and at your scheduled time.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Flier

The Livingston County Solid Waste Program has scheduled the 2021 Electronic-Waste Collection Event on the following date:

October 2, 2021

New Location:  3535 Grand Oaks - Road Commission Parking Lot

No appointment needed

Electronic waste collection (TVs, electronics, etc.) is done only during scheduled Collection Events.

 If you have questions, call 517-545-9609.

This event provides a free and convenient opportunity for Livingston County residents and small businesses (fewer than 10 employees) to safely recycle a variety of electronic waste such as TV’s, computers, printers, monitors, laptops, etc. For a complete list of acceptable items, see the website at www.livgov.com/dpw.

Items can only be dropped off on the event day!

Electronic Waste Collection Flier

The Brighton Area Fire Authority is seeking men and women living in Genoa Township, Brighton Township and the City of Brighton who are willing to serve their community as a Paid On-Call Firefighter.

• No experience necessary, just the motivation to learn and serve
• All required training is provided and compensated
• Academy classes are held on evening/weekends

To apply, interested applicants can go to www.brightonareafire.com.

Brighton Area Fire Recruitment Advertisement

Weekly recycling will begin for all Township residents starting the week of May 3.

Residents can place their recycling bins out every week on their normal trash/recycling day beginning that week. Residents can confirm their trash/recycling pickup days at the My Schedule search box located on the Township Refuse and Recyling page found here.

Please remember to break down cardboard boxes. Do not put anything on top of the cart or outside of the cart. For a list of items that can be recycled, please visit the Waste Wizard search box on the Township Refuse and Recycling page found here.

Click here for a list of days the Genoa Charter Township offices will be closed.