Consumers Energy and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced a cooperative management agreement that conveys 49 acres of unique coastal wetlands and wildlife habitat into the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge.

The "Lady of the Lakes" property, as it is known, is located on Lake Erie just north of the utility's J.R. Whiting generating plant, near Luna Pier.  The land is considered unique coastal beach ridge habitat, with approximately 2,400-feet of frontage on western Lake Erie.  Prominent ecological features on the site are two natural, land-locked coastal wetlands separated from Lake Erie by a sand beach ridge.

"I am so pleased to see Consumers Energy teaming up with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to make this happen," said Congressman. John D. Dingell.  "The Lady of the Lakes property is an ecologically significant, important addition to the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge and I commend Consumers and Fish and Wildlife for getting this project done for the sake of wildlife preservation and the enjoyment of all future generations."

"Lady of the Lakes is well known locally for its wildlife, including waterfowl, blue heron, egrets, raptors and shorebirds," said Jack L. Hanson, Consumers Energy vice president of generation engineering and services.  It was during Hanson's tenure as business manager at Whiting from 2003 to 2006 that the prospect of conveying the Lady of the Lakes property to the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge was conceived.

The Lady of the Lakes property is considered an important piece of remaining natural coastal habitat on western Lake Erie, at the intersection of the Atlantic and Mississippi migratory flyways for waterfowl.  It is located in one of the top 20 'Biodiversity Investment Areas' as identified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Environment Canada.

The cooperative management agreement announced today for the Lady of the Lakes property allows the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect remaining high-quality fish and wildlife habitat; restore and enhance degraded wildlife habitats associated with Lake Erie and promote public awareness of the important resources of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge.