Wetland_Overview

	Protecting Van Buren Township’s wetlands Many of Michigan’s wetlands have been lost since European settlement due to human activities such as draining the land for farming and development. Studies estimate that Wayne County has lost approximately 84 percent of its wetland areas to these activities between 1800 and 1980. In order to protect the wetlands that remain, both the state and Van Buren Township have developed or are developing wetland protection programs. Also, since many of our wetlands exist on private property, Van Buren Township encourages landowners to become stewards of their wetlands to protect this valued community resource. The role of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality in Protecting Wetlands Wetlands that are larger than five acres and/or are located within 500 feet of a water body (like a lake, pond, river or stream) are regulated by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ.) Based on Part 303 of the Natural Resources Protection Act, the MDEQ requires anyone planning to do certain activities in wetlands apply for and receive a permit *prior* to starting work. This applies to both public and private land with wetlands. Work in wetlands that requires a permit includes: · Filling or placing material in a wetland (bulldozing, grading, dumping) · Dredging or removing soil from a wetland (removing tree stumps, digging) · Draining water from a wetland (diverting water to another area via ditch, pump or drain) · Constructing or maintaining a use or development in a wetland (building homes, cottages, outbuildings, additions, boardwalks, peat mining, wastewater treatment, etc.) If a wetland is regulated by the state, it is important for the landowner to keep in mind that even general residential landscaping practices are prohibited within the wetland, such as planting, mowing, disposing of grass cuttings or leaves, or placing a structure such as a doghouse or deck over the wetland. Activities that are exempt from receiving a permit are certain recreational activities, such as hiking, fishing, or hunting; or existing farm activities. In most cases, however, site-specific conditions must be referenced to determine an exemption. Obtaining a wetland boundary delineation After one has determined whether or not a wetland exists on a property, based on observation of the indicators listed previously, it may be desired or necessary to define the specific boundaries of the wetland. Defining the “line” between upland and wetland, called wetland delineation, is a complicated process and requires substantial technical knowledge. Wetland delineations can be done by either the MDEQ or by a private wetland consultant. The wetland delineator will visit the site and record evidence of wetland plants, wetland hydrology, as well as certain soil characteristics to delineate the wetland. Although one can hire a private consultant, the MDEQ has the final authority over the delineation of wetland boundaries in the state. For more information about how to have a delineation done for your property, call the Land and Water Management Division of the MDEQ at 517-241-8485. The role of Van Buren Township in protecting wetlands. Van Buren’s Wetland Protection Plan Van Buren Township is working with six neighboring communities that drain to the Lower Branch of the Rouge River to implement a regional wetland protection plan. Wetlands in the area were identified and mapped, assessed in the field for certain functions, and assigned methods for protection based on the functions provided. For instance, if a two-acre, unregulated wetland was assessed as having flood prevention benefits, the community can use this information to protect these wetland functions should the wetland be considered for filling sometime in the future. These protection measures are also considered when there is an opportunity for wetland restoration in the community. The assessment suggests that most of Van Buren’s wetlands are providing at least one of the important functions listed in the benefits of wetland protection section. Many wetlands provide more than one of these functions. For more information, please call Van Buren’s Environmental Services Department. The role of Homeowners and Homeowners Associations in Wetland Stewardship Many of Van Buren’s wetlands are located on privately owned land and we encourage and support landowners that wish to protect and/or restore wetland areas on their property. Although the landowner should be aware of the activities that are not allowed in state regulated wetlands (described above), the following are various voluntary management practices that can enhance, restore, and protect wetlands on private land. Understanding and living with a conservation easement: Your subdivision may have been built around the conservation of a wetland area. If so, that area may be protected with a conservation easement. Generally, the purpose of a conservation easement is to maintain the area in their natural and undeveloped condition. A conservation easement is a voluntary agreement that is used to transfer certain rights concerning the use of land to a qualified nonprofit organization, governmental body, or other legal entity without transferring title to the land. For the state of Michigan, Part 21 of the Michigan Natural Resources and Environmental Code (Act 451 of 1994) provides authority for the creation of voluntary conservation easements. The conservation easement must be recorded with the registrar of deeds in Wayne County and is held with the land in perpetuity. Conservation easements are flexible with use limitations and objectives identified by the property owner and can ensure that the natural resource you enjoy today will benefit generations to come. Because they are drawn up individually, every conservation easement is different. Specific boundaries, guidelines and rules should be listed in your master deed and you should call the president of your Homeowners Association for information about your subdivision’s conservation easement restrictions. If you have a wetland on your property that does not have a conservation easement and you would like to find out how to obtain one, please call Van Buren’s Environmental Services Department. Provide habitat for breeding birds One of the most critical components of wildlife habitat in your wetland is the availability of safe nesting areas. For example, preserving natural vegetation in an upland buffer around your wetland will provide ground nesting areas for the mallard duck, while maintaining large trees and woody debris in and around your wetland will provide cavity nesting places that will attract wood ducks. In addition, you can create and install simple nest boxes and platforms to be placed 4 to 5 feet above water surfaces and 15 to 30 feet above land surfaces. Simply affix these structures to adjacent trees. Tree swallows may also use these nesting structures which will provide mosquito control. Establish and maintain a natural buffer around wetlands A 25-50 foot no-mow and chemical free zone around your wetland will act as a natural filter for pollutants as well as provide habitat for birds, frogs and toads, and other wetland species. The natural vegetation around the wetland will also slow the flow of runoff into the wetland thereby reducing erosion and increasing infiltration potential. Use fertilizers and pesticides wisely Reducing the impact of pollutants in the upland areas near your wetland can have a great impact on the quality of water, even if you are able to protect or establish a natural buffer between the wetland and upland uses. Upland landscape maintenance activities, such as fertilizing and using pesticides can create wetland stress and can drastically reduce water quality and the survival of wildlife. If you need to use these products, try to use organic pesticide formulas or other insects and natural predators to control pest insects. Before adding fertilizer to your lawn, contact Michigan State University’s Extension office (to have your soil tested to see if fertilization is necessary. If adding nutrients is recommended, choose low-phosphorus fertilizers or organic compost to enrich soils and do not apply more than is recommended. Control pets and manage recreational use: Dogs and cats can become serious predators of wildlife species in wetlands and this threat should be recognized. In order to protect wildlife from harassment and predation, especially in the spring and summer nesting season, keep pets away from the wetland area. Control exotic and nuisance plant species: Exotic or nuisance plants in Michigan wetlands include buckthorn, purple loosestrife, reed canary grass and phragmites. These plants share many similarities – they have few competitors, they form dense stands which crowd out other vegetation, and they have little value as food or cover for native wildlife. Removal methods include hand pulling or cutting the vegetation before the seeds set. (Information for wetland section was adapted from Rouge River National Wet Weather Demonstration Project material)