Since the beginning of the Rouge River restoration effort, the stakeholders involved in the effort have recognized that habitat restoration, especially wetlands, was an important part of the overall restoration strategy. The following summary provides a description of two programs established by Wayne County to provide for the restoration of wetlands in the watershed.

Wetland Preservation Fund
The watershed management plans for the Rouge River have identified habitat goals, including the restoration of wetlands, identification of wetland areas, and preservation of remaining wetlands. Estimates of wetland loss vary, but one study has estimated that approximately 80% of the wetlands in the watershed have been lost since European settlement of the watershed. Given this historic loss and the desire to protect and restore wetlands in the watershed, a program was established to facilitate achieving these goals.

Wayne County established the Wetland Preservation Fund (WPF) on June 4, 1998 with the assistance of a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency. The WPF has been created to restore, create, and protect wetlands in the watershed at locations that provide benefits to the public through improved environmental quality. The improvement is achieved by designing wetland projects that improve water quality, increase fish and wildlife habitat, improve flood control and provide educational and passive recreation opportunities. Wetland restoration and protection sites were identified through a GIS based wetland mapping and assessment program that identified opportunities for wetland restoration and protection.

Once a site is selected, a design is developed that provides for the values and benefits to be created and restored at the selected site. The design process identifies the manner and extent of earth changes, design hydrology, and vegetation establishment goals. Using the final design for each wetland, a cost estimate is prepared. The construction process is initiated by requesting from prequalified contractors a bid to construct the wetland using the design plans developed by the design consultant. The bids are received, reviewed by a selection committee and a decision is made to select a contractor. Once the contractor is selected and a contract is awarded, the contractor begins the construction process. During construction, the wetland design consultant monitors the construction process to assure that the intent of the wetland creation or restoration is reflected in the constructed wetland. The wetland consultant also serves to clarify any questions regarding intent of the wetland design and resolves conflicts between the plans and actual conditions on the wetland construction site. To review the specifications for the construction of a wetland preservation fund project, click here.

Wetlands Mitigation Bank
The cost of wetland construction is provided for by the WPF. The WPF has been organized to allow the fund to be renewed from a variety of funding sources. Wetlands that are created in the watershed may be sold to qualified buyers for use as mitigation credits associated with state or federal permits or as special environmental projects associated with settling a complaint from a resource agency for unauthorized wetland disturbance. The funds acquired by sale of created wetlands are deposited in the WPF to be used for creation and restoration of additional wetland areas. Funding to maintain the WPF may also be derived through acquiring grants, gifts, and other sources of funding. All funds acquired on behalf of the WPF are restricted and can be used only for the planning, design, and construction of wetlands or for the purchase of land required for protecting existing wetland resources. Click here for recent information about the Hines Park wetlands project established under the Wayne County Wetlands Mitigation Bank.

Attached are five documents applicable to the Wayne County Wetlands Preservation Fund and the Wetlands Mitigation Bank:

• Wayne County Ordinance to provide for the Wetland Mitigation Bank; to establish a Wetland Mitigation Internal Service Fund; and to establish an executive committee to manage the operation of the fund and bank.
• Wayne County Wetland Mitigation Bank Administrative Rules
• Approval of Proposed Wetland Mitigation Bank Agreement with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
• Memorandum of Understanding between Wayne County Wetlands Preservation Fund and Wayne County Department of Environment for Wetland Revolving Fund Project
• Wayne County Wetland Mitigation Bank and Wetland Preservation Fund Project Summary

NOTE: Operation of the Wayne County Wetland Preservation Fund and Wetland Mitigation Bank is currently suspended.

Please address all comments and suggestions about the contents of this Web page to rougeweb@co.wayne.mi.us.

The Rouge River National Wet Weather Demonstration Project is funded, in part, by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Grants #XP995743-01, -02, -03, -04, -05, -06, -07 and C-264000-01.