Michigan takes ownership of wetland area from Waste Management

Lansing, MI— Waste Management, Inc. purchased a 455-acre Blue Water Isles parcel as part of a wetland mitigation project, and transferred ownership to the State of Michigan to expand the St. John’s Marsh to the eastern shore of Lake St. Clair in Clay Township.

A ceremony held in April brought together wildlife enthusiasts, state and local officials and Waste Management officials to celebrate the transfer, which was actually approved by the Michigan Natural Resources Commission earlier in the year.

Ecologists and environmental stewards have long recognized the value of the Blue Water Isles as a unique part of Michigan’s Great Lakes coastal wetlands. The ecology of Blue Water Isles is essentially a part of St. John’s Marsh, and will now be preserved and protected from development.

The DNR has been working since the 1970s to purchase and preserve parts of St. John’s Marsh. The DNR has purchased more than 2,400 acres of the wetland using state money and private donations.

The Blue Water Isles acquisition is an important addition to St. John’s Marsh, linking the marsh’s property back to Lake St. Clair and preserving it in perpetuity. The marsh is part of the migration flyway used by ducks, geese and songbirds.

“Waste Management is proud to affirm our commitment to preserving Michigan’s natural resources,” said John Meyers, compliance and engineering manager, Waste Management, Inc.