Created 25.95-acres of self-sustaining wetlands by restoring a historic, substantially degraded wetland that had been in agricultural and silviculture production for more than 50 years in the Shiawassee River Banking Watershed. The Bank has been sited to ensure a successful restoration that maximizes the benefits to the Shiawassee River Watershed. The siting of this bank will reduce downstream flooding and improve water quality in the Shiawassee River, the Saginaw River, and ultimately Lake Huron. The site design and location address several potential threats to the river identified in the EGLE Nonpoint Source Program 319 approved Mid-Shiawassee River Watershed Management Plan (2011) including altered hydrology, sediments, excess nutrients and pollutants (i.e. pathogens, organic compounds, debris and litter). The bank addresses multiple impairments outlined in the watershed plan, including restoration of wildlife habitat, assimilation of nutrients, capturing sediments, and improving flood storage reducing stream peak flows during storm events (hydrology). The mitigation bank addresses each of these impairments using best management practices (i.e., wetland restoration, conservation cover, vegetative plantings) outlined in the watershed plan. Bank management activities will also prevent and regulate the spread of non-native species.
