February 2, marks World Wetlands Day, an opportunity for communities across the globe to celebrate and share the invaluable functions of wetlands. Southeast Michigan’s coastal wetland system is the largest in the Great Lakes region, and it is an essential part of our landscape. Covering over 330,000 acres, our wetlands play a crucial role in enhancing water quality, carbon sequestration, and flood prevention. Under SEMCOG’s GREEN Strategic Framework, the goal is to expand the restoration efforts to a total of 500,000 acres of wetlands by 2050.
World Wetlands Day traces back to 1971, so the value of wetlands is not a new concept. However, wetlands and their essential functions have declined as development has progressed in subsequent decades. Efforts led by SEMCOG and partners are currently underway to adopt comprehensive strategies for the restoration and enhancement of wetlands throughout the region, thereby mitigating the impacts of environmental challenges.
Contributions to Climate Resilience
Wetlands provide natural buffers when storms hit, absorbing and storing substantial amounts of floodwater. A single wetland can store about three acre-feet of water, equivalent to one million gallons (picture covering an entire football field with water, three feet deep)! Wetlands also serve as natural filters, improving water quality by removing pollutants and sedimentation. This is a critical function for a region like Southeast Michigan, which has substantial phosphorus and sediment generation from impervious surfaces.
Restoring Historic Landscapes Key to Success of Southeast Michigan’s Green Infrastructure Network
Stormwater infrastructure challenges – which result from the confluence of climate impacts, aging infrastructure, the lack of a designated stormwater funding source, and the challenges associated with trying to create one – continue to grow. The need for nature-based solutions, both naturally-occurring and constructed green infrastructure, is clear. Regional partners have recognized the importance of restoring historical wetlands to connect and safeguard the green infrastructure network.
SEMCOG’s Green Infrastructure Vision for Southeast Michigan targets water quality improvements by reducing stormwater runoff and strategically utilizing green infrastructure. It is no secret Southeast Michigan’s current stormwater infrastructure is inadequate for the anticipated rise in regional rainfall. SEMCOG’s Current and Future Precipitation Study underscores a critical challenge. The study estimates that the rainfall classified as a 100-year event today may be equivalent to the 10-year event by 2050. Without coordinated investments in updating our infrastructure systems, flooding will persist, even in smaller rain events. Nature-based solutions, with a specific emphasis on incorporating wetlands, present cost-effective alternatives to bolster the capacity of our aging infrastructure, addressing stormwater runoff and gaining added benefits for public health and environmental quality.
SEMCOG’s GREEN (Growing our Resilience, Equity, and Economy with Nature) Initiative addresses flooding mitigation, fostering climate resilience, improving community health, and protecting natural assets. It is driven by the goal to ensure that public benefits of green infrastructure are resilient, equitable, and improve the quality of life in Southeast Michigan communities. SEMCOG offers updated wetland data on our GREEN Dashboard, sourced from the National Wetland Inventory (NWI), which identifies various wetland types and their functions.
Wetland Conservation Grant Program
The Wetland Conservation Program, managed by Ducks Unlimited, Inc., in collaboration with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR), the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), is a key initiative. Funded in part by The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), this program aims to restore and enhance wetlands in the Western Lake Erie and Saginaw Bay watersheds, areas that are plagued by harmful algal blooms. This includes eligible areas in Livingston, Monroe, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne Counties. Designed for local and federal governments, tribal, and non-profit organizations, the grant program has allocated $3.65 million to fund five to ten projects, with an expected project range of $250K to $750K. Grant applications must be submitted by March 11, 2024, and the projects are scheduled to commence in Summer 2024.
Part of the Bigger Picture
Ongoing development of the Southeast Michigan Healthy Climate Plan reflects our region’s proactive and holistic approach, addressing climate resiliency, water quality, high-impact solutions, equitable outcomes, and more. By addressing flooding, water quality, habitat protection, and even air quality, wetlands have become essential in the region’s strategy to reduce climate impacts, especially for our most vulnerable populations. As Southeast Michigan strives to build thriving, resilient communities, the preservation and restoration of wetlands stand as a cornerstone for achieving this vision. Stay tuned for the development of a wetland mapper on SEMCOG’s website, which will provide further insights into designated wetland areas and their functions, aiding in the restoration and enhancement of these integral parts of Southeast Michigan’s natural resources.
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