Ecological Assessment of Proposed Sand Point Wetland Restoration

Monfils, Michael; Cohen, Joshua; Higman, Phyllis; Lee, Yu Man; Cuthrell, David; Badra, Peter

The Michigan Natural Features Inventory (MNFI) was contracted by the National Park Service (NPS) to assess the potential effects of the proposed restoration of the Sand Point Wetland (SPW) within the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (PRNL). The wetland is hydrologically connected to Lake Superior via a narrow outflow, with water typically flowing from the wetland to Lake Superior. The wetland’s hydrology was altered in the 1930s when a road was constructed to access a U.S. Coast Guard station. Culverts placed under the roadbed have been insufficient to facilitate the free flow of water between SPW and the lake and sediment deposition and beaver activity have regularly plugged the culvert that serves as the primary hydrologic connection. The altered hydrology has resulted in water impounding within the wetland complex by approximately 15 cm (0.50 ft). Changes to the hydrology could in turn alter wetland functioning and plant composition. For example, stabilized and increased water levels could make SPW more vulnerable to invasive plant species colonization and spread. Scientists from MNFI evaluated all known information about the natural communities and plant and animal species within the wetland complex and used that information to assess the changes we expect to occur after hydrologic restoration. Overall, we think the benefits of restoring the hydrology and associated functioning of SPW outweigh the possible short-term impacts. If NPS implements the proposed restoration activities, we recommend ecological monitoring be conducted to assess restoration success, evaluate the status of invasive species, and inform adaptive management actions.

Ecological Assessment of Proposed Sand Point Wetland Restoration

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