Potato Creek Wetland Mitigation

The Potato Creek Wetland Mitigation Bank, a pilot project for the Michigan Municipal Wetland Alliance (MMWA), spans nearly 60 acres along the Potato Creek Intercounty Drain in Gratiot County. This initiative, a public-private partnership with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR), aims to provide affordable wetland mitigation bank credits to Michigan municipalities, agriculture producers, and blueberry growers.

Spicer Group, in collaboration with Streamside Ecological Services, supported MMWA in restoring, enhancing, and creating wetlands on previously farmed land. The newly established wetland mitigation bank will offer wetland credits for municipal projects within the Shiawassee Watershed and Saginaw Bay Lake Plan region.

Key environmental services included a comprehensive hydrologic assessment to optimize stormwater retention. Spicer Group facilitated the preparation of conservation agreements, easements, and the wetland mitigation bank agreement in conjunction with MMWA and legal counsel. They also managed the permitting process, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations.

The project encompassed engineering design, plan preparation, bid assistance, construction administration, staking, inspection, and material testing. Following construction, the team initiated a long-term management plan to promote the establishment and growth of wetland habitats. This plan aims to enhance water quality and support diverse ecosystems, ensuring the wetland mitigation bank's sustainability and environmental benefits.