Created 158.13 acres of self-sustaining wetlands by restoring a historic, substantially degraded wetland that had been in agricultural production for more than 50 years in the Looking Glass River Banking Watershed. The Bank has been sited to ensure a successful restoration that maximizes the benefits to the Looking Glass River Watershed. The siting of this bank reduces downstream flooding and improves water quality in the Looking Glass River, the Grand River and ultimately Lake Michigan. The site design and location address several potential threats to the river identified in the EGLE Nonpoint Source Program 319 approved Protecting and Restoring the Upper Looking Glass River: A Watershed Management Plan (February 2008) 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.
