Wetland Issues
Coastal Wetlands and Great Lakes Shoreline Management
During low water periods such as we have right now, nearshore areas of the Great Lakes that are typically under water are exposed. These exposed bottomlands naturally become vegetated and form coastal wetlands. This natural increase in vegetation growth during low water periods is vital to the overall health of the Great Lakes ecosystem. Coastal wetlands provide a range of important functions including critical habitat for fish and wildlife, erosion control, water quality protection, and a myriad of recreational opportunities. Coastal wetland systems support diverse assemblages of invertebrates, fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals. In particular, over 90% of the roughly 200 fish species that occur in the Great Lakes are dependent upon coastal wetlands for some part of their life cycle.
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During low water periods such as we have right now, nearshore areas of the Great Lakes that are typically under water are exposed. These exposed bottomlands naturally become vegetated and form coastal wetlands. This natural increase in vegetation growth during low water periods is vital to the overall health of the Great Lakes ecosystem. Coastal wetlands provide a range of important functions including critical habitat for fish and wildlife, erosion control, water quality protection, and a myriad of recreational opportunities. Coastal wetland systems support diverse assemblages of invertebrates, fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals. In particular, over 90% of the roughly 200 fish species that occur in the Great Lakes are dependent upon coastal wetlands for some part of their life cycle.
Learn more...
The Rapanos Decision
In one of the most important clean water cases in decades, the United States Supreme Court issued a fractured decision on the reach of the federal Clean Water Act in June 2006. The 5-4 decision further confused federal protection of wetlands throughout the country.
The Supreme Court case combined two cases, United States v. Rapanos and Carabell v. United States, involving Michigan wetlands and streams. The combined case addressed whether the Clean Water Act protects wetlands adjacent to small tributaries that flow into larger water bodies.
Learn more...
In one of the most important clean water cases in decades, the United States Supreme Court issued a fractured decision on the reach of the federal Clean Water Act in June 2006. The 5-4 decision further confused federal protection of wetlands throughout the country.
The Supreme Court case combined two cases, United States v. Rapanos and Carabell v. United States, involving Michigan wetlands and streams. The combined case addressed whether the Clean Water Act protects wetlands adjacent to small tributaries that flow into larger water bodies.
Learn more...
