Canton approves conservation easement, buys wetland credits to advance Fire Station No. 4

The Canton Township Board of Trustees on Dec. 9 approved an environmental mitigation package to allow construction of Fire Station No. 4 at Michigan Avenue and Lily Road. The board authorized placing approximately 12 acres around the proposed station into a conservation easement and purchasing 0.94 acres of wetland mitigation credits from Haley Farm LLC for $131,600, along with the attached budget amendment to the 2025 fire budget.

Staff explained an environmental review of the site found regulated wetlands that require mitigation before construction can proceed. The nearest mitigation bank with available credits, Haley Farm LLC, was described as being in the same ecoregion and therefore an appropriate source. Chief Stockland and Director Stockline said the township had attempted to secure mitigation credits locally but invoices and suppliers indicated those credits would not be available in Canton until 2028; delaying would risk loss of grant funding and increased construction costs.

Board members noted the conservation easement will preserve habitat and reduce the amount of required mitigation; trustees also discussed long‑term efforts to increase in‑town mitigation capacity, including state processes to certify township parcels. Chief Stockland said GIS modeling shows the new station would reduce emergency response times in the southeast corner of the township from about 10–12 minutes to approximately 7–8 minutes, which staff said would meaningfully improve patient outcomes.

The motion to approve the conservation easement and purchase of mitigation credits passed unanimously. Staff indicated planning staff and EGLE coordination will continue as the project moves toward final design and permitting.