Tittabawassee River Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration Overview
On July 27, 2020, a settlement with the Dow Chemical Company to address federal, state, and tribal claims for natural resource damages in the Tittabawassee River System was finalized. The settlement is for an estimated $77 million in projects and funding that will restore fish, wildlife, and habitats injured following releases of hazardous substances in past decades from Dow’s manufacturing facility in Midland, Michigan. Under the settlement, Dow will implement or fund a number of restoration projects identified in Midland, Bay, Saginaw, and nearby counties. The natural resource Trustees evaluated a range of restoration actions and alternatives which would provide benefits to natural resources to compensate the public for losses to natural resources injured by releases from Dow's Midland plant and published the Final Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment for the Tittabawassee River System.
Greater Midland Nature Preserve Restoration Project
The Greater Midland Nature Preserve project is a 1,460 acre project on Dow-owned land consisting of three tracts in Bay and Midland counties. The project will convert approximately 940 acres of agricultural land into natural habitat, including 200 acres of wetlands. The Preserve will feature recreational amenities that allow public access through construction of 4 to 6 miles of nature trails and public parking at Tracts A and C.
- Tract A: Approximately 620 acres preserved as native forest habitat including approximately 100 acres of farmland that can be restored to natural habitat in partnership with conservation organizations. This area will feature nature trails.
- Tract B: This property is 165 acres of primarily farmland that will be restored and maintained as natural habitat.
- Tract C: Approximately 675 acres of farmland that will be restored to natural habitat including a large wetland area. This area will feature nature trails.
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