Commission presses staff to locate tree-ordinance draft as MS4 compliance question remains

At the June 25 meeting the Sparta Environmental Commission raised concerns that the township is not yet in compliance with new MS4 (municipal stormwater) rules that reference a tree or woodlands ordinance. Commissioners said the tree-ordinance language is part of the township's MS4 plan and asked staff to locate prior drafts and follow up with the stormwater coordinator.

Councilwoman Margie Murphy asked staff (referred to as Courtney in the meeting) to contact Jim Zepp, the stormwater coordinator, and to find earlier work done by Corey Stoner and by commissioner Barbara Kasula on the tree ordinance. "I asked Courtney actually to try to find out the status of our MS4 municipal wastewater permit," Murphy said, noting the commission may not yet be in compliance with the new rules.

Commissioners discussed a practical approach: get the tree ordinance codified first and then use that format to develop a native-plant ordinance and related standards. They also recommended coordinating the tree ordinance language with the master-plan committee so that intensity and planting recommendations are reflected in the broader document.

No formal action was taken at the commission level other than direction to staff to retrieve drafts, contact the stormwater coordinator and report back. The commission identified outstanding stormwater-report items on the township website, some with completion dates expected in 2025, and asked for a follow-up on who will perform next steps.