A Finding Aid for the Environmental Studies Management Center Records 1973-2002

Collection Summary

Collection Title: Environmental Studies Management Center Records

Creator: Ferris State University. Environmental Studies Management Center.

Dates: 1973-2002

Abstract: The Environmental Studies Management Center was founded in 1972 after receiving a federal grant. The center utilizes an interdisciplinary approach to teaching environmental planning and management. Students carry out assessment and survey projects in the local area under the direction of the guidance of faculty members. The records consist of reports produced by the students.

Language: English

Quantity: 1.5 cubic feet; 1 records center box

Identification: UA 23.7.1

Repository: Ferris State University Archives and Records Management Program

Historical Note

In 1972, Ferris State College received a three-year grant from the U.S. Department of Health Education and Welfare, Division of Health Manpower for the creation of the center. The $31,000 grant drew faculty from various programs including biology, faculty and surveying engineering, environmental management and cultural geography in order to create an environmental management program that went beyond the classroom. The course has modified over the years with the removal of cultural geography, the modification of the biology component, and the addition of both geomatic engineering and the additional of environmental assessment and impact analysis.

Between 1972-2002, the Center has completed 33 major reports and over 493 background papers. These projects have been used as support papers for grant applications and for community planning. Study areas include traffic patterns, bridges, lakes and hazardous waste sites.

The Center is currently headed by the Department Head of the Health Management Programs in the College of Allied Health Sciences.

Scope and Content Note

The Environmental Studies Management Center takes an interdisciplinary approach to the subjects of environmental planning and management. It provides skills and real-world experience not often available to undergraduate students. This "Environmental Assessment" course is typically offered during a summer term and is the capstone project for the Environmental Health major. Students work as a team, and are required to orally present their findings in addition to the creation of the report.

Studies have been used by local planning boards to make significant decisions regarding natural resources. A 1979 study of Chippewa Lake helped justify the construction of a community sewage system to prevent septic system nutrients from entering the lake. A 1992 study helped the Village of Morley obtain funds to refurbish a dam. Finally, several Muskegon River report studies were utilized in grant requests in 2000 to remove the Big Rapids Dam remnant

Arrangement

The papers are contained in a single series.

Access Information

Conditions of Access

The Environmental Studies Management Center Records are open for research to all users in accordance with University Archives and Records Management access policies. It is available in the reading room of the Ferris State University Archives.

Conditions of Use

Requests for permission to publish material should be directed to the University Archivist. It is the responsibility of the researcher to identify and satisfy the holders of all copyrights.

Copyright interests for this collection have been transferred to Ferris State University. For more information, contact the University Archivist.

Subject Headings

Below are a list of names, organizations and subjects relating to the collection. Names have been taken from Library of Congress Authority headings whenever possible.

• Community development- Michigan
• Ecological surveys- Michigan
• Environmental impact analysis- Michigan
• Ferris State College (Big Rapids, Mich.)- Environmental Studies Management Center
• Ferris State University (Big Rapids, Mich.)
• Ferris State University (Big Rapids Mich.)- Environmental Studies Management Center
• Land use surveys-Michigan

Related Materials

None specified.

Administrative Information

Citations

Footnotes and bibliographic references should use the following format:
[Item], Folder, Box. Environmental Studies Management Center Records. Ferris State University Archives. Big Rapids, Michigan.

Provenance (Acquisition Information)

The Environmental Studies Management Center Records were donated by the center at the time of the individual reports to the library. They had previously been cataloged individually within the library online catalog.

Processing Information

The Environmental Studies Management Center Records were processed to the folder level by Melinda McMartin Isler and Nicole Vanderlaan in March 2003. A finding aid was prepared in a word processing format and converted to EAD 1.0. A revised finding aid was created in January 2008. A collection level MARC-format record was prepared and placed in the library online public access catalog. Description was based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (Chicago: Society of American Archivists, 2004).

Separated Materials

During processing, duplicate materials were discarded. There were no other materials placed in other collections.

Technical Requirements

This collection consists of printed publications. No specialized software or hardware is required for viewing.

Content Listing

Series 1. Reports. 1973-2002.

This series consists of approximately 1.5 cubic feet of paper records. These are the final reports produced by the center on environmental conditions in Michigan.

The issues are arranged in chronological order. Multiple copies have been noted.

Box	Folder	Contents
1	1	An Environmental Evaluation on the Muskegon River, Mecosta County, Michigan. 1973. 2 copies.
1	2	Environmental Audit and Proposed Development Plant: Ninety-Fire Acre Park Site, Big Rapids, Michigan. August 1974.
1	3	Environmental Audit and Development Alternatives: Old Dam Site, Big Rapids, Michigan. November 1974. 2 copies.
1	4	Environmental and Community Study: Rogers Dam Area, Mecosta County, Michigan. August 1975.
1	5	Flood Impact Study: Dalziel and Paris Creeks, Mecosta County, Michigan. Fall 1975.
1	6	Study and Evaluation of the Mitchell Creek Watershed, Mecosta County, Michigan. Summer 1976. 2 copies.
1	7	Environmental and Community Factors Involved in the Replacement and Relocation of the Maple Street Bridge, City of Big Rapids, Mecosta County, Michigan. Fall 1976.
1	8	Land Use Study: Paris Park and Former Fish Hatchery Area, Green Township, Mecosta County, Michigan. Fall 1976. 2 copies.
1	9	An Assessment of the Effects of Transportation on Big Rapids, Michigan and its Environs. Summer 1978. 3 copies.
1	10	Environmental and Community Study: Chippewa Lakes Are, Mecosta County, Michigan. 1979. 3 copies.
1	11	Environmental and Community Study: Canadian Lakes Area, Mecosta County, Michigan. 1980. 3 copies.
1	12	Environmental Management Follow up Report: Muskegon River Dam Site, Big Rapids, Michigan. June 1981.
1	13	Environmental Assessment: Muskegon River Basin, Mecosta County, Michigan. 1982. 2 copies.
1	14	Environmental Study: Clear Lake Area, Mecosta County, Michigan. 1981.
1	15	Environmental and Community Assessment of Round Lake, Michigan. 1983.
1	16	Follow up Survey of the 1976 Mitchell Creek Watershed Study. Summer 1983.
1	17	Environmental Assessment and Audit M-20 Bridge Replacement Project. City of Big Rapids, Michigan. 1984.
1	18	Environmental and Community Assessment of the Ryan Creek Drainage Basin. 1985. 2 copies.
1	19	Environmental and Community Study: Canadian Lakes Area, Mecosta County, Michigan. Summer 1987.
1	20	Environmental and Community Assessment of the Hersey River Area, Osceola County, Michigan. Summer 1989.
1	21	Horsehead Lake: Community and Environmental Assessment. Summer 1993.
1	22	Environmental Assessment: Hillview Lake, Colfax Township, Michigan. 1990. 2 copies.
1	23	Chippewa Lake: Community and Environmental Assessment. Mecosta County, Michigan. Summer 1994. 2 copies.
1	24	Lake Miramichi: Community and Environmental Assessment. Summer 1995. 2 copies.
1	25	Environmental Assessment of the Kenneth Richardson Property. 1996. 2 copies.
1	26	Wer-Hee-Gen Land Company: Community and Environmental Assessment. Summer 1996. 2 copies.
1	27	Hillview Lake: Community and Environmental Assessment. Summer 1997.
1	28	Environmental Site Assessment of Riversbend Trading Post: Gasoline Plume, Baldwin, Michigan. 1997.
1	29	Environmental Site Assessment of the Abandoned Amble Bulk Oil Co. Site. Amble, Michigan. Summer 1998.
1	30	Hungerford Lake: Community and Environmental Assessment. Summer 1998. 2 copies.
1	31	Removal of the Big Rapids Dam Remnant: An Environmental Assessment. Big Rapids, Michigan. Summer 2000.
1	32	The City of Big Rapids Wellhead Protection Area and Containment Source Inventory. Draft Preliminary Assessment. Summer 2000.
1	33	Big Rapids Riverwalk: An Environmental Assessment. Big Rapids, Michigan. Summer 2002. 2 copies.