Mich. Comp. Laws § 485.9

Sec. 9. Said corporation shall not, in their corporate capacity, hold, purchase, or deal in any lands other than lands donated to said corporations to aid in constructing said improvements, or the lands in which their canals shall run, to the width of 300 feet on each side of said canals, or which are donated to or purchased by said corporation for wharves or docking purposes, or which may actually be necessary for the construction and maintenance of the canals or improvements, or the fixtures connected therewith.