GINLC Newsletter: Hennepin Marsh Tire Clean-Up

When water levels are low, numerous car and truck tires can be seen littering the mudflats north of the toll bridge. The tires, dumped into the river or broken free from docks, wash ashore in this area where the Conservancy owns property. The 121 acres of the Hennepin Marsh gifted from BASF Corporation is a coastal wetland- an important area for wildlife that attracts migratory birds and waterfowl.

Last year. the Conservancy board committed itself to remove and dispose of the scrap tires in Hennepin Marsh. Work begins later this year, with financial support from the Grosse Ile Bridge Company. EQ, an environmental services company, will perform the work and dispose of the tires for a reasonable fee. Such an operation requires some very specific conditions to be both safe and successful. Most importantly, the tires must be visible and accessible. Unfortunately, between the greater than average snow cover on the ice early this winter, a bitterly cold January and the higher water levels more recently, the stars did not converge for the project this winter.

We know that many people are concerned about the visibility of the tires during the low water conditions and the tires detract from a visitor’s first impression of Grosse Ile. We share that concern. We plan to revisit the project again in the fall when water levels are typically at their lowest for the year, and hope the removal operation may be carried out then.