This program was recently expanded to an amount of $1,500 per easement, with four individual cash incentives available.

“In this program, we work with Superior Watershed Partnership and Land Conservancy to perform site visits with interested landowners to confirm the presence of wetlands on their property,” said Wetlands Program Coordinator Alex Berrones. “If a site visit confirms the presence of wetlands, Superior Watershed Partnership will work with the landowner to draft a conservation easement that aligns with the landowner’s needs and goals. Citizens for a Safe and Clean Lake Superior will then pay $1,500 directly to the landowner, and also separately pay Superior Watershed Partnership for creating the conservation easement.

“The Wetland Protection Cash Incentive Program is part of Citizens for a Safe & Clean Lake Superior’s ongoing campaign to protect wetlands in Marquette county and provide education to the public about the importance of wetlands.”

Placing wetlands into a conservation easement is one way to ensure the continued protection of that land, which is especially important as many wetlands are disappearing.

“Wetlands are crucial to the health of the Lake Superior watershed because of the many ecosystem services they provide, including pollution filtration, carbon storage, and erosion control,” said Berrones. “Wetlands are also biodiversity hotspots, as they provide food and habitat for fish, birds, insects, and so many other critters. According to data from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, Marquette County has lost over 45,000 acres of wetlands over time. Preserving our remaining wetlands is not only important to us at Citizens for Superior, but also essential if our watersheds and communities are to remain resilient in the face of a changing climate.”

Conservation easements offer a flexible way to preserve land for future generations.

“Conservation easements are voluntary, legal agreements that can permanently protect land and water for preservation – while also offering flexibility for the property owner,” said Berrones. “Property owners may allow certain land uses as they see fit, such as hunting and fishing, recreational trails, and timber harvesting, and retain their right to own, sell, and pass the property on to heirs. If the property owner might one day seek to build a garage or an addition onto their home, for example, they may also choose to place only the portion of their property with wetlands under the conservation easement. This would allow them flexibility to undertake future projects outside of the easement area.”

Anyone whose property is located entirely within Marquette C

“Although there is no requirement for how large the wetland must be to qualify, priority will be given to properties that are composed of a majority of wetlands, display high functionality of ecosystem services, and/or are located in an area of critical wetland loss,” said Berrones.

This project expansion is only the latest way that Citizens for a Safe & Clean Lake Superior are focusing their attention on wetland conservation.

“Citizens for a Safe & Clean Lake Superior is also organizing to achieve municipal wetland protections in Powell, Marquette, and Chocolay Townships,” said Berrones. “If you live in any of those townships and want to see more of our local wetlands preserved, please reach out to us at citizensforsuperior.org.”

Annie Lippert can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 550. Her email address is alippert@miningjournal.net.