Tips for protecting wetlands

Wetland resources on the web

More and more developers are using better site design techniques to protect wetlands, but new homeowners often remove the wetland vegetation that has been preserved on their property. Continued education efforts are needed to help residents understand the many benefits wetlands provide.

Do I Have a Wetland on my Property?
Ask yourself the following questions. A "yes" answer to any of these questions may indicate that you have a wetland on your property.

• Is the ground soggy underfoot, in the spring or all the time?
• Are there depressions where water pools on the ground surface, either in the spring or all the time?
• Do you avoid the area with heavy equipment or vehicles for fear of getting stuck?
• Would you need to dig a ditch at the site to dry it out?
• Is the site in a depression that has different plants, such as cattails, than on the higher ground around it?
• Are there ground water seeps or springs present?
• Are fallen leaves black or very darkly stained and contain soil deposits on their surfaces?
• Dig a hole. Is the soil gray, or does it contain bright red or orange mottles against a gray background?
• If farmed, is there crop stress due to excessive water?
• Does the soil survey for your county show the soil on your property to be hydric, poorly drained, or very poorly drained?

  From Planning For Success: A Step-by-Step Guide to Conservation Planning and Design. Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council. Harbor House Publishers, Inc. 1999.

Tips for Protecting Wetlands

• Preserve existing native vegetation on your property, particularly if you think it may be located in a wetland.
• Do not apply fertilizers or pesticides within 30 feet of wetland areas. Avoid building or planting turfgrass in this "buffer zone."
• Encourage your local elected officials to pass ordinances that supplement the state wetlands law (see Wetlands Protection for Local Governments).
• Support community planning efforts that protect wetlands and other natural areas.
• Encourage your state legislators to promote policies that curb urban sprawl and protect wetlands and other natural features.
• For a brochure describing wetlands, their functions, and what you can do to help protect them, contact CRWC at 248-601-0606 or email planner@crwc.org.

Wetland Resources on the Web

Wetland Education & Stewardship
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality's wetlands page - lots of information and useful links.
www.deq.state.mi.us/lwm/grt_lakes/wetlands/ed.htm

Living With Michigan's Wetlands: A Landowner's Guide
Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council's comprehensive guide to wetland stewardship for Michigan property owners.
www.deq.state.mi.us/lwm/grt_lakes/wetlands/landowners.htm

National Wetlands Inventory - U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
The NWI was established to generate information about the characteristics, extent, and status of wetlands and deepwater habitats in the U.S.
www.wetlands.fws.gov

The Water's Edge
A lakeshore property guide from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader; long download time.
www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/water/fhp/fish/pubs/thewatersedge.pdf

Building a Pond in Michigan
An MDEQ publication about how to create wetland habitat with ponds. Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader.
www.deq.state.mi.us/ead/pub/tas/pondlwmd.pdf

Wild Ones
The source for information about native plants, natural landscaping, and native plant nurseries. Be sure to look up the Michigan chapters for local information.
www.for-wild.org

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