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Huron River Watershed
Wetlands Ordinance
 
 

PROTECTING YOUR COMMUNITY’S WETLANDS

photo of duck flying over wetland What are wetlands?
Wetlands are unique ecosystems located in the transitional zone between upland and aquatic habitats. Wetlands provide habitat for many unique plant and animal species, absorb excess stormwater runoff, and contribute to the recharge of underground aquifers.

Threats to wetlands
Over 50% of Michigan’s original wetlands have disappeared since European settlement due to filling, draining and ditching for agriculture and development.

Wetland loss continues today as residential and commercial development spreads out from urban areas. Conversion of wetlands and upland forests and fields to roads, lawns, rooftops and parking lots prevents the infiltration of rain and snow into the ground where plants take up water through their roots. Instead, rain and snowmelt, often carrying with it pollutants and eroding soils, runs off directly into waterways and wetlands, which significantly changes their hydrology and water quality.

Non-native plants such as purple loosestrife follow development and crowd out native plants, reducing plant diversity and wildlife habitat.

photo of swallow The Need for Local Protection
Michigan’s wetlands protection law requires a permit to drain, dredge, fill, or construct or maintain use in a wetland, but it only applies to wetlands that are contiguous to waterbodies or waterways, or are over 5 acres in size. Yet, studies have found that smaller, isolated wetlands can provide as many ecological and water quality benefits as larger wetlands.

Also, it is difficult for State staff alone to monitor all the activities that can occur in wetlands throughout the entire State.

Local communities can enact ordinances that protect smaller, isolated wetlands and provide local oversight over development activities that impact wetlands.

photo of treefrog on lily pad A Model Ordinance
To help local governments to enact their own ordinances to supplement the State program, the Huron River Watershed Council (HRWC), with funding from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, has developed a model wetlands ordinance that is consistent with the State law. The ordinance will provide local governments with a legally sound tool to protect their wetlands and property owners with consistent, predictable treatment throughout the State.

» Protecting Your Community’s Wetlands, HRWC's wetland ordinance brochure dated September 2006
» Frequently Asked Questions About Wetlands Ordinances, factsheet dated September 2006
» MDEQ Model Wetlands Ordinance, dated March 2003
» Notes Regarding the MDEQ Model Wetlands Ordinance, prepared April 2006
» Legal Cases Related to Wetlands in Michigan, dated March 2002
» Natural Features Setback Ordinance, passed August 1998. HRWC highly recommends that communities enact a natural features setback ordinance along with a wetland ordinance.

Last Updated: November 2006