Michigan is a state defined by water. Well known as a Great Lakes state, Michigan also has 51, 438 miles of rivers and is home to some of the most outstanding rivers in the contiguous United States: the Au Sable, Manistee, and Pere Marquette rivers in the south and the Presque Isle, Ontonagon, and Paint rivers in the Upper Peninsula to name a few. Thankfully some of these rivers, especially those in the northern part of the state, are permanently protected either as nationally designated Wild and Scenic Rivers or as Michigan Natural Rivers under state law. American Rivers is working with its partners to enhance these protected rivers and explore opportunities to protect more rivers — including the Huron River in southeastern Michigan.
This continues a legacy of work by American Rivers going back to the 1980’s, when we, along with local river groups and the Michigan United Conservation Clubs, championed the Michigan Scenic Rivers Act which protected 569 miles of Wild and Scenic Rivers. Today, Michigan has more protected miles of rivers than any state east of the Rocky Mountains.
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Many of the state’s most outstanding rivers are part of the National Wild and Scenic River System, supporting habitat, clean water, and recreation for surrounding communities. American Rivers recently surveyed local river groups and state and federal agency staff to assess the opportunities to protect more rivers and streams and improve stewardship for currently protected rivers. Based on the feedback, we are leading efforts to explore improving stewardship, increasing restoration funding for protected rivers, and seeking new protections for rivers such as the Lower Huron River, a candidate for a Partnership Wild and Scenic River study and designation. This designation would substantially increase annual funding to support the successful restoration and stewardship of this outstanding river.
The Huron is known for having outstanding fishing and recreation and the river hosts a number of historic and Native American village sites. The river provides for a wide range of quality gamefish species such as smallmouth and largemouth bass, trout, and steelhead. The Huron River Water Trail, a part of the National Water Trails System provides an exceptional 104-mile-long water-based recreational opportunity for paddling, fishing, and hiking through a significant number of public access sites.
American Rivers is working with our partners to actively explore the Huron River for Partnership Wild and Scenic River status. We are especially grateful for the support of Michigan’s representatives in the U.S. Congress, including U.S. Senator Peters and U.S. Representative Dingell, who are river champions and whose staff have expressed support for exploring opportunities to protect the Huron River.
1 response to “A History of River Protection in Michigan”
The Paw Paw River in Southwest would also be a good candidate for further study and consideration. The Paw Paw River has about 60+ miles of free-flowing river below the town of Paw Paw, MI. Much of its riparian including large chunks of ecologically important floodplain forest are still intact and provide important habitat to many species. Learn more at Two Rivers Coalition website listed below.