Humbug Marsh Saved

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Humbug Marsh Saved

• On Monday, September 29, 2003 the wetland area
  known as Humbug marsh was finally saved from
  destruction. The battle has been going since
  early 1999 and is finally over.

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Facts about Humbug Marsh

• It is the last remaining wetland on the Detroit
  River
• It is home to many plants and animals, including
  the endangered Bald Eagle.

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More Facts

• Humbug is home to centuries old burial grounds
  from local Indian tribes which once inhabited the
  area.

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Why was Humbug in danger?

• A company named Made In Detroit, composed of
  wealthy Detroiters, bought this land for 4.8
  million to build luxury homes, a marina, and a
  golf course. They purchased the land and
  instantly started to destroy it. They had big
  dreams for this priceless area.

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The fight for preservation

• The humbug marsh is considered one of the richest
  areas of biodiversity along the river, especially
  on the U.S. side. It provides critical habitat
  for many species of fish, ducks, migratory birds,
  mammals and other animals.

• The fight to save Humbug resulted in political
  turnover in the area as citizens showed their
  opposition to this plan. Zoning battles and
  the denial of a wetlands permit by the U.S. Army
  Corps of Engineers in 1999 slowed the process but
  the battle ensued.

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What lives in Humbug marsh?

• 117 species of fish that inhabit the great lakes
• 27 species of waterfowl that frequent Michigan
• 17 species of raptors, including eagles, hawks,
  and falcons

• 48 species of non raptors, including loons,
  neotropical songbirds, and cranes
• Numerous species of dragonflies and butterflies
• The worlds richest freshwater mussel fauna
• Numerous mammal species

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Habitat description

• Mainly upland forests with some cottonwoods and
  marshes
• Shoreline and mainland have steep drop offs with
  sandy ground and scattered marshes.

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Humbug is home to these plants and more
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More than 45 species of fish use this area
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Endangered, threatened, and special species that
live here
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Approximately 20 species of ducks can be seen here
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Other waterbirds and waterfowl that frequent here
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Additional bird species
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We can thank these great people for their help in
saving Humbug Marsh

• Friends of the Detroit River
• Michigan State Representative, George Mans
• Citizens who volunteered in the fight
• Gibraltar resident and Volunteer, Steven Falwell

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Some information provided by

• http//www.tellusnews.com/ahr/hum/index.shtml
• http//tnnusa.com/humbug/
• http//www.unitedearthfund.org/03uefmi/humbugmarsh
  /