Success Stories:Members
Demonstrate |
 A
view of the Meadows wetlands before it was destroyed
to make way for a 42 - home subdivision. |
We promptly realized the power of the forces aligned against us. We attempted to oppose the development by attending city council and planning board meetings, but our concerns seemed to fall upon deaf ears. CUFA’s next step was to challenge the determination by the MDEQ that the amount of wetlands on the site was less than that which would subject the site to MDEQ regulation. However, red tape and a lack of expertise exposed us to obstacles that precluded us from entering into an administrative challenge to the determination.
With little more than our profound commitment to our cause, we set forth to educate ourselves about wetland issues and environmental law and policy. We spent countless hours disseminating everything we learned to other residents and implored them to join in our struggle against the development of the Meadows wetland. We diligently surfed the Web, petitioned for information and canvassed for funding, which would result in CUFA’s acquisition of a generous GLAHNF grant of $3,500 in the fall of 2001. Such contributions made it possible for us to employ the services of a highly qualified wetlands consultant who determined that the findings of the consultant engaged by the developer, which had been sanctioned by the MDEQ, were questionable.
Further research led us to the centerpiece of our campaign, the filing of a Michigan Environmental Protection Act (MEPA) suit, a remarkably seldom used option with incredible potential that has failed to be realized because of a lack of knowledge of its substance. CUFA experienced further good fortune in acquiring the pro bono services of an environmentally dedicated and qualified attorney who committed himself to the success of CUFA’s efforts. CUFA and its allies researched, planned, and conducted intense, laser guided ecologic surveys of the site to garner further evidence in support of our challenge.
CUFA’s numbers had grown to over 20 supporters and we had gathered enough information to build what we felt was a very strong case. Our crusade had gained momentum in a way that we never thought possible. We knew we had a long battle ahead of us but we felt that we would triumph; we were going to save the Meadows wetland.
 A
view of the Meadows wetlands after it was destroyed
to make way for a 42 - home subdivision. |
Unfortunately,
and much to our members’ horror, on the day the
MEPA suit was to be filed, February 14, 2002, the
developers showed up with their equipment and razed
the woods in a few short hours. Woefully heartbroken,
yet even more determined, CUFA remained undeterred
in its effort to press forth with the suit. Though
the majestic arboreal giants, many hundreds of years
old and serving as home to a wondrous array of fauna
had been felled, we were still motivated. Our motivation
was the hope of setting an environmental precedent,
furthering awareness of MEPA, and achieving what
would be a near miracle: restoration of the site.
Ultimately, the case did come before a Wayne County
Circuit Court judge in June 2002, and the suit was
dismissed on a technicality rather than its merits.
As disappointed as CUFA’s members were with the
legal outcome of our suit, we found numerous reasons
to determine that our efforts were, in many ways,
quite successful. We garnered impressive media coverage
for our cause, including television, radio and newspaper
stories, which further served to inspire the interest
of other environmental groups and, more importantly,
unaffiliated citizens. CUFA members have been invited
to speak before assemblies of students at a number
of schools throughout the metropolitan area. Further,
we remain ready and willing to lend our knowledge
and expertise to other environmental activists and
concerned citizens upon request.
Some important elements in our struggle were: 1)
educating ourselves about environmental laws regulating
the site, 2) helping each other maintain our determination,
3) finding good legal counsel, and 4) garnering
good media attention. Our group is also inspired
by the realization that we helped to explore relatively
uncharted environmental litigation territory. We
take solace in the notion that our beloved wooded
wetlands might serve as a martyr in the struggle
for the furtherance of environmental protection
and the realization of the remarkable potential
of MEPA litigation.
CUFA members have also determined that we conveyed
an important message that our members are ready
and willing to stand up and to protect the ecological
treasures of this great state, and we will use all
of the legal tools at our disposal to do so. Finally,
CUFA members believe that our greatest success was
achieved through the continued existence of the
organization. Regardless of the outcome of our effort,
we were successful because we persevered against
nearly insurmountable odds, continued to educate
ourselves, and ultimately demonstrated that average
citizens can participate in the fight for environmental
and political empowerment. The lesson has been taught-now
will it be learned?
Citizens United for Action
Darryl Braun
26001 Cherry Hill Rd, #B13
Inkster, MI 48141
(313) 277-1466
Email: darrylrich@yahoo.com
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The Great Lakes Aquatic Habitat Network & Fund is a project
of the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council. Funding for the project is provided by the C.S. Mott Foundation of Flint, Michigan.
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