The Meadows wetland, located in Inkster, MI, was an ecological oasis in the midst of the greater Detroit metropolitan area. The roughly 12-acre woodland/wetland tract, located approximately a quarter mile north of the Lower Rouge River, was one of the few remaining environmental treasures in the region. Unfortunately in early 2000 it was slated for destruction by developers to make way for a development to result in a 42 home subdivision.

Citizens United for Action (CUFA) was formed in April 2000 by a small group of concerned residents living adjacent to this rare and beautiful site with the primary objective of compelling the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) to regulate the site and ultimately save it from destruction. We realized that wetlands are vital to our coastlines, lakes, and rivers; and we knew that these vital natural resources were being destroyed at alarming rates. Once these irreplaceable natural resources are gone so are all of the species of aquatic life that depend upon them for life. We had to make every possible effort to prevent the subdivision from being developed at the expense of the environment and those that appreciate our natural resources.

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