Michigan
2011
1220 Eisenhower Place | Ann Arbor, MI 48108 | P: 734.623.2000 | F: 734.623.2035
www.ducks.org
SOMERSET STATE GAME AREA - LOMBARD LAKE WETLAND RESTORATION
Lombard Lake is a 255-acre complex of emergent and submergent wetlands located within the Somerset State Game Area in Hillsdale County. The Michigan Department of Natural
Resources (MDNR) had historically maintained very productive wetland conditions at Lombard Lake through water level manipulation facilitated by a single water control structure
located at the lake’s outlet. However, by 2008 this water control structure had surpassed its life expectancy and had failed, resulting in a significant drop in wetland productivity and
use by wildlife.
About the time the wetland management infrastructure was failing at Lombard Lake, Ducks Unlimited (DU) and a coalition of 17
conservation partners were developing a $1 million proposal to the North American Wetlands Conservation Council (NAWCC) to protect,
restore and enhance more than 4,700 acres of waterfowl habitat in 21 counties of the Saginaw Bay and western Lake Erie watersheds. This grant
was awarded to DU in late 2008 and included funding for DU to provide the topographic survey, engineering design, bidding, contracting and
construction management services for the Lombard Lake project.
In 2010, the DU-designed improvements to the water level management infrastructure at Lombard Lake were implemented, including the
installation of three state-of-the art water control structures, and significant enhancements to the existing levee and emergency spillway. The
MDNR is now able to manage water levels and aquatic vegetation to maximize and sustain high quality wetland habitat for waterfowl, other
wetland wildlife, and recreational use by the public. Funding for this project was provided by the NAWCC, Waterfowl USA – Southwest Lake
Erie Chapter, and DU.
2,117 ACRES OF WETLANDS ENHANCED AT FISH POINT WILDLIFE AREA
Ducks Unlimited (DU), Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR), Fish Point Wildlife Association, and the North American
Wetlands Conservation Council (NAWCC)
completed a three-phased project at Fish Point
Wildlife Area that enhanced 2,117 acres of
emergent wetlands and flooded cropland. The
project involved the design and installation of
3 larger and more efficient pump stations and
associated water control structures and water
distribution canals. This new and improved
water level management infrastructure will allow the MDNR to more effectively
manage for sustained high-quality wetland habitat despite fluctuations in Saginaw
Bay water levels.
DU’s involvement in this project included securing $253,000 of federal funding
through the Saginaw Bay to Lake Erie Coastal Habitat Phase II NAWCC grant,
contributing $35,000 of cash toward project supplies, and providing the survey,
engineering design, bidding, contracting and construction management services
for the third phase of the project that enhanced 990 wetland acres. This project
will be featured at the 2011 Michigan PRIDE dedication to be held on Saturday
September 10, 2011.
DU RECEIVES 11 GREAT LAKES RESTORATION INITIATIVE
GRANTS FOR CONSERVATION IN MICHIGAN
In 2010, Ducks Unlimited (DU) was awarded $6.44 million in Great Lakes
Restoration Initiative (GLRI) funding to implement eleven conservation projects in
Michigan. Grants for these projects were awarded to DU by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Fish and Wildlife
Foundation (NFWF). The GLRI is President Obama’s 5-year commitment to
protecting and restoring the Great Lakes. During the first year of the GLRI, $475
million was available to fund projects that will improve the health of the Great Lakes
ecosystem.
One of the grants awarded in Michigan is the Black Creek Filter Marsh.
Black Creek is located in the Mona Lake watershed and is a significantly impaired
waterway due to high levels of sediments and nutrients. DU, in partnership with
the Mona Lake Watershed Council and Michigan Department of Environmental
Quality, will use funding provided by the EPA to develop a 102-acre wetland in the
Black Creek watershed to improve the health of Black Creek and ultimately Mona
Lake. The wetland, which will be designed by DU engineering staff, is expected to
capture 1,005 pounds of phosphorus/year and 6 tons of total suspended solids per
year before they reach Black Creek. This pollutant load reduction will
improve water quality and fish and wildlife habitat as well as increase public
recreation opportunities.
Fish Point
Wildlife Area
Black Creek
GLRI
Somerset State
Game Area
2010 ACCOMPLISHMENTS
109 Projects Completed
1,437 Acres Conserved
11,864 Acres Technical Assistance
$1.66 million Invested