Water-Willow Relocation

On June 19, 21, and 27, 2024, ASTI Environmental (ASTI) conducted a relocation effort for the state-threatened water-willow (Justicia americana), prior to the Denton Road bridge reconstruction, located over Belleville Lake in Van Buren Township, Wayne Co., Michigan (Impact Area). The relocation efforts were based on Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recommendation as a conservation measure for impacting a state-threatened species.

The water-willow populations in the Impact Area were previously identified by Fishbeck biologists during a wetland delineation in preparation for the future bridge replacement. Water-willow is an herbaceous plant species that generally occurs in colonies within large river systems and lakes or inland lakes, growing along shorelines in muddy lake bottoms.

ASTI investigated the transplanting suitability of the proposed relocation areas. ASTI staff determined that the most suitable location for transplanting the water-willow was in shallow water located along a shoreline with a clay substrate. To further ensure successful establishment, potential relocation areas that were devoid of dense aquatic vegetation and had existing established water-willow populations nearby were prioritized.

On three separate days, ASTI relocated and transplanted an approximate total of 1,305 individual stems to nine separate locations. Relocation sites were located with a survey-grade global positioning system (GPS). ASTI produced a graphic showing the nine relocation sites and their respective individual stem counts that is to be used by Fishbeck for the DNR permit required to continue the bridge reconstruction.

ASTI is to monitor the success and establishment of each of the nine water-willow relocation areas annually for a period of three years. ASTI will provide Fishbeck with an annual monitoring report that details the conditions of the transplanted populations. The monitoring will be based on the data obtained from the 2024 field work.