Name the Project

The "Norway Wetland and White Creek Restoration Project" offers a unique opportunity to restore the beneficial functions of a 23 acre, previously drained wetland in the city of Norway. The site is part of a 40 acre parcel between U.S. 2 and Kimberly Road and lies to the south of the former Vecellio's, Dairy Queen, and the BP station. The wetland will be enrolled in a permanent conservation easement through the USDA Wetland Reserve Program and will include the creation of two shallow wildlife ponds, the return of a channelized portion of White Creek to near its original stream bed within the easement and away from urban pollution inputs, disruption and removal of drain tiles and sump pump draining the site, wildlife plantings, and the creation of walking trails, viewing platforms, and educational trail signage. The existing DNR designated snowmobile trail through the center of the property will remain, with a bridge crossing over the relocated White Creek at the south end of the conservation easement. (See attached maps Map 1 and Map 2)

Due to the complexity of activities and coordination of several governmental entities, this project has been in the planning phase for about five years. It is a partnership including the following:

• The City of Norway - primary landowner & administrator of construction contracts
• USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service - designed conservation practices including ponds and stream relocation
• UP Engineers & Architects - design of bridges and sediment basin
• Peterson Welding (Glenn Peterson) & Lofholm Building Center - cooperating partners

Funding sources are also varied and include:

• USDA Wetland Restoration funds
• Non-Point Source Pollution Clean Michigan Initiative Grant administered by the Dickinson Conservation District
• "We Energies" Mitigation Enhancement Fund Grant
• Wildlife Unlimited

There is still plenty of opportunity for other groups and businesses to get involved. There are a number of items like boardwalks, bridges, observation platforms, nesting boxes, and other ways to enhance wildlife and human interaction in the site.

We invite you to name the NEW Norway wetland restoration and recreation area to be constructed during the summer of 2006. This will be a unique area and deserves a fitting name. The name should be brief enough to appear clearly on a road sign. It should possibly have a Scandinavian flavor and it should indicate that this will include a wildlife habitat, conservation measures and a recreation area. Background information and a plan map can be found on the Dickinson Conservation District website at dickinsoncd.org.

The deadline for entries is May 31, 2006. Please send entries to:
Dickinson Conservation District
102 North Hooper
Kingsford, MI 49802
Phone - 906-774-8441