Leaving a legacy of healthy wetlands, intact wildlife corridors and high water quality for generations to come is a lofty goal. With the announcement last December of a Clean Michigan Initiative (CMI) Grant for $723,800 to help protect the health of Lake Leelanau, we are coming closer to achieving that goal. We must raise $241,000 in matching funds to claim the grant.

The monies awarded will help us purchase conservation easements over wetlands and their associated forests within the watershed from landowners wanting to protect these valuable habitats.

The wetland areas flanking Lake Leelanau range from alder and cedar forests to floating mat fens near the Mebert Creek mouth and the Solon swamp at the south end of the lake. The nutrient-filtering capabilities of the wetlands lining Lake Leelanau tributaries allow for sensitive organisms, such as mayflies and brook trout, to flourish and provide an important link in the food web. Development along natural shorelines and flanking wetland areas not only reduces vital food sources—it results in the loss of habitat itself. When vegetation is removed and wetlands are filled, the number and diversity of plants and animals able to live there diminishes.

Filling wetlands wreaks havoc on habitat and water quality

Many Michigan lakes are buffered to some degree by adjacent wetlands, but Lake Leelanau is particularly blessed with extensive wetlands lining its many tributary streams and remaining undeveloped shoreline. These sensitive ecosystems are prized by naturalists, but often despised by developers seeking new areas to build. Beyond the competing human interests familiar to us all, there exists common ground vital to both developers and conservationists. Paradoxically, the economic benefits accruing to this region from development are dependant on the preservation of its high water quality, which is at the heart of this region’s desirability.

The filling and development Lake Leelanau’s natural shoreline and surrounding wetlands was slow until the late 1950’s, when construction of cottages and retirement homes began to accelerate. In 1979, the Wetland Protection Act helped slow large-scale filling along the lake. Despite the legislation’s best intentions, filling continues to wreak havoc on remaining habitat and water quality. According to MDNR Fisheries Biologist, Mark Tonello, North and South Lake Leelanau has had more wetland fill permit applications then any other lake in the region for years.

Such pressures have motivated the Conservancy in cooperation with the Lake Leelanau Association to produce the Lake Leelanau Watershed Management Plan and to apply for CMI funds designated for watersheds with approved management plans. Through this grant, the Conservancy can begin working with interested landowners to protect areas that support plants, animals and habitats that maintain the water quality of Lake Leelanau.

What's the Plan?

In order to prioritize protection areas, the Conservancy will rank parcels according to size, amount of wetland habitat they contain and whether they have frontage along the lake or one of its tributaries. Additionally, if a parcel is located near an existing Conservancy Natural Area, conservation easement or state forest, they will rank higher in the prioritization process because they could contribute to a conservation corridor.

Corridors of protected land provide habitat, pathways of migration/movement, enhance genetic diversity, and present a barrier to environmental disturbances that can degrade water quality. Being able to add to a block of protected lands increases our ability to protect the watershed, and that increases its priority for protection. Landowners who are interested in the sale of development rights on properties they believe could be critical to maintaining high water quality and providing essential plant and animal habitat are encouraged to call us (231-255-9665). Our staff will evaluate the property’s overall fit and determine if it is a good match for the program.

Aren't Wetlands Already Protected?

A common perception regarding the need to permanently protect wetlands is that our laws already provide sufficient protection. While the law may prevent filling, property owners are not typically prohibited from cutting some to all of the vegetation, providing they do not disturb the roots. A clear-cut wetland is virtually stripped of its habitat potential. Most commonly, streams along cleared wetlands become sediment-filled and lose shade from cedars and spruce, thereby warming into sandy, aquatic desserts. These streams are severely handicapped in their ability to maintain water quality and sustain wildlife populations since the nutrient-filtering capacity and habitat of the riparian vegetation has been removed.

Degraded streams lose native populations of sensitive fish like brook trout, and often serve as conduits for the spread of invasive plants such as purple loosestrife. By acquiring a conservation easement over critical wetlands, we can provide a higher standard of protection, not just against gross disturbance such as dredging and filling, but against destruction of wildlife habitat.

The protection of natural shorelines and wetlands is intrinsically bound to the enjoyment that thousands of tourists and residents derive from this region annually. By successfully completing several conservation easements in priority areas the Conservancy will come closer to protecting the largest watershed in our County for generations to come. Through continued outreach efforts, the Conservancy and Lake Association hope we can raise landowner awareness that the remaining undeveloped shorelines and wetland areas are absolutely critical in maintaining our quality of life, along with the quality of our lakes and streams.

Tribe’s Grant Jump Starts Fundraising Challenge Campaign

The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians was the first to contribute to help match the state funds. The Tribe contributed $20,000 as a part of its two percent program where it shares a portion of its revenues with area agencies and organizations. “We appreciate the Tribe’s support and look forward to continuing cooperation in conserving natural lands that we all enjoy in Leelanau County,” says Conservancy director Brian Price. “We have a long way to go to make this match, and are grateful to the Tribe for getting us off to such a great start.”

Help Protect the Lake You Love!

Donate now to the Lake Leelanau Watershed Fund, P. O. Box 1007, Leland, MI 49654.

Help sign letters to friends and neighbors (call or email Carolyn at the Conservancy: 231-256-9665 or cfaught@theconservancy.com

Call Land Protection Specialist Matt Heiman if you think your land would qualify for this program: 231-256-9665