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2 MICHIGAN 



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X General description: Michigan, as a glaciated state, has a very large number of 



O poorly drained, boggy wetlands. In addition, there are marshy areas as, for ex- 



2 ample, along the edge of Lake Huron (Tobico Marsh), in the Detroit- River 



(Celeron Island), and on the Upper Peninsula within the Seney Wildlife Refuge. 



Status of the wetlands: Encroachments on the wetlands include pressure for 

 recreational use as on Celeron Island; timber removal and development around 

 Grand Mere Lakes. In the case of a dedicated natural area in the National 

 Forest such as the Virgin Cedar Swamp, where records regarding location have 

 been lost or mislaid, the safety of old growth timber may be in jeopardy. 



Sources of data: Data were provided by the chairman of the Michigan Natural 

 Areas Council and the National Park Service. Coverage of the state was very in- 

 adequate. 



Recommendations: Of the areas reported, the Grand Mere Lakes Area, which is 

 highly significant from an educational standpoint, has already been evaluated by 

 the National Park Service as an eligible Natural Landmark. Presently in private 

 hands, the integrity of this complex of bogs and lakes is threatened by en- 

 croachments. Formal designation as a Natural Landmark should be helpful in 

 encouraging restrictive zoning. Three outstanding areas — Dead Stream, Celeron 

 Island, and the Tobico Marsh— are presently all or partly in state ownership. 

 Designation as landmarks should be helpful in encouraging a policy of preserv- 

 ing these areas for their natural area values and in restricting their recreational 

 use. The Waterloo Spruce Bog is now owned by the Michigan Botanical Club 

 and is worthy of recognition. The quality of Proud Lake Bog is inadequately 

 documented. The Dead Stream Preserve is now being permanently protected by 

 The Nature Conservancy, but this is only a portion of the area. Registration as a 

 landmark might help to Firm up a commitment by the state on adjacent acreage. 

 The wetlands within the Northern Hardwoods Natural Area, the Seney Wil- 

 dlife Refuge, and the Virgin Cedar Swamp are on federally owned lands and 

 have already been recognized and dedicated as natural areas by the agencies in- 

 volved. 



