Complete report - Partners for Clean Streams

Waterbank Program
1992-1994
Description:
Lead Organization:
Private landowners placed their wetlands and cropland buffer areas into 10-year
easements to provide wildlife habitat. Approximately 50 landowners in Ottawa County
participated, with 1,971 acres in easements. Lucas and Sandusky County
cooperators were involved as well. Initially FSA managed the program and NRCS
wrote the conservation plans, now NRCS manages all program facets.
USDA-NRCS and FSA
Manhattan Marsh Nature Preserve / Detwiler Wetlands
1990-Present
Description:
The largest remaining estuarine wetland system in the City of Toledo is now mostly
preserved as "Manhattan Marsh Nature Preserve". The complex consists of a 50-acre
cattail marsh and pocket prairie fringed by woods and three smaller wetlands. All are
connected by Detwiler Creek. Historically the estuary to Swan Creek, and part of
Maumee Bay, the area was included in the 1990s designation of the Ohio Coastal
Zone. Threats to the marsh were featured in a 1989 article by local outdoor writer
Steve Pollick. This lead to the formation of Citizens for Buckeye Basin Parks, Inc.
(CBBP), a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit, to support preservation of the area.
CBBP purchased the first acre in 1990 at the corner of Manhattan Boulevard and
Suder Avenue. The parcel was sold for $2,000 by Marathon Oil, which discounted the
price to support the preserve effort. Acquisition targeted the perimeter, initially, to
control access to the wetlands interior and prevent illegal dumping and incompatible
developments. In 1997, Canadian National Railroad sold 30 acres, also at a
discounted price to support the preserve. Additional parcels were purchased at tax
auction, and others donated outright. The current preserve holdings exceed 54 acres.
A building at 720 Suder Avenue was purchased, along with the wetland behind it, for
eventual conversion into an environmental education center and preserve visitor
center. Considerable additional funding is needed for this endeavor.
In addition, volunteer clean up efforts since 1990 have removed over 180 tons of
dumped debris from locations at the marsh and the surrounding area. Additional
efforts are planned to remove the final dump area at the marsh.
Future efforts planned include the potential acquisition of an adjacent brownfield site
at 600 Bassett Street to convert to green space as part of the preserve. The land
would serve as a buffer area to the marsh. A small pond could also be constructed.
Lead Organization:
Collaborator(s):
Citizens for Buckeye Basin Parks, Inc.
Grants from the Great Lakes Aquatic Habitat Fund, waiver of fees by City of Toledo
with assistance of Council member Edna Brown, resolution of support from Toledo
City Council, corporate support in the form of discounted land sales, and private
donations from Perstorp Polyols, N-Viro, ClearWater, Inc., and others.
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Activities and Accomplishments
Issue 3: Wetlands and
in the Maumee Area of Concern Open Space Preservation