Michigan Underwater Preserves
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Michigan Underwater Preserves or Michigan Bottomland Preserves are protected areas of the Great Lakes on Michigan's coast. The eleven designated areas, comprising a surface area of over 2,400 square miles, are considered to be "Underwater museums" and serve to protect concentrations of shipwrecks, unique geologic features and other submerged sites through awareness and public interest. The program is currently receiving no funding from the state and does not offer any extra legal protection for the sites in the preserves. However, it is a felony to remove or disturb underwater artifacts in the Great Lakes. Persons apprehended and convicted of removing or willfully damaging underwater artifacts risk confiscation of their equipment (boats, cars, dive gear, etc.), stiff fines and up to two years imprisonment[1]. The Michigan Underwater Preserve Council oversees activities relating to all of Michigan's Underwater Preserves.
Below is a list of underwater preserves in the State of Michigan:
- Alger Underwater Preserve
- De Tour Passage Underwater Preserve
- Keweenau Underwater Preserve
- Manitou Passage Underwater Preserve
- Marquette Underwater Preserve
- Sanilac Shores Underwater Preserve
- Southwest Michigan Underwater Preserve
- Straits of Mackinac Shipwreck Preserve
- Thumb Area Bottomland Preserve
- Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve
- Whitefish Point Underwater Preserve
- Grand Traverse Bay (Proposed)
