An array of habitat restoration projects in the Great Lakes region were in various stages of development in 2024. Project partners include GLRI, EPA, NOAA Fisheries, local organizations, and others.
In April, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the re-start of dredging in the Lower Rouge River Old Channel near Detroit, Michigan.
According to EPA, sediments in the channel are contaminated with polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs, heavy metals, and polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs.
The dredging will remove 70,000 cubic yards of impacted sediment over 10-acres and isolate an additional 35,000 cubic yards under three engineered caps. The second phase of environmental dredging work is projected to be completed by 2025.
GLRI Projects
In the Maumee Area of Concern (AOC), a total of 17 GLRI funded projects will address one or more Beneficial Use Impairments (BUIs) within the AOC. BUIs are designations identified in the 1987 amendment to the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement that represent different types of environmental degradation.
A project at Toledo Natural Science Technology Center restored a nearby stream’s natural path and movement, stabilized 700 feet of eroding streambank, enhanced 650 feet of streamside habitat, and improved macroinvertebrate habitat.
The restored habitat will provide students at the adjacent Toledo Natural Science Technology Center with an opportunity for hands-on engagement with concepts of stream ecology and restoration.
A wetland enhancement project at Turtle Creek restored local wetlands to allow for water infiltration into the soil and improve water quality. The project included maintaining existing protections against flooding upstream.
At the Oregon Recreational Complex, a project included the stabilization of more than 5,000 linear feet of eroding and incised streambanks in Wolf Creek, creating important fish habitat. The project will also reduce excess sediment and agricultural runoff along the creek.
The project’s location within the Oregon Recreational Complex will allow the public to observe the process and results of stream restoration in real time.
In Maumee Bay State Park, a waterfowl deterrent project seeks to address closures and posted advisories for the park’s inland lake beach caused by high levels of bacteria from waterfowl (primarily geese) in the area.
Selective plantings have been made with the intent of discouraging waterfowl from congregating in the area. The plantings will also increase pollinator habitat and the area’s aesthetic value for beachgoers.
Under Construction
A Maumee State forest expansion project will expand the State Forest by approximately 150 acres in several locations. Some sites have converted farmland to either wetland or forest, restoring important wildlife habitat. The expansion of the Maumee State Forest is the last remaining project being implemented to address the wildlife portion of Loss of Fish and Wildlife Habitat BUI in the AOC.
A Delaware Islands Complex restoration project is designed to recreate valuable island habitat and protect areas that are currently at risk of erosion and loss due to increased water levels and flooding events. Restoration of shallow areas may improve fish habitat and benthic biodiversity.
A restoration project along several sites on Packer Stream will address continuously eroding stream banks and a lack of valuable habitat features for fish and benthic communities. The project’s stream restoration work will improve habitat conditions along a total of 4,700 feet of streambank and create 18 acres of wetlands.
Planned Projects
At Paisley Park, a project is designed to improve degraded benthic communities by widening the stream and creating more natural bends in its path. Additionally, the project will connect the ditch to a newly established wetland and improved riparian habitat.
At Audubon State Nature Preserve, a planned project seeks to protect and enhance valuable island habitat in the mainstem of the Maumee River. The shallow waters around islands provide important habitat to both fish and benthic organisms.
A future project will increase connectivity between Turtle Creek and nearby wetlands at two sites, as well as to enhance 17 acres of wetland habitat. Further, the project is expected to create 1,730 feet of habitat, contributing to the diversity of wetland types and nursery habitat for fish.
A project along Otter Creek will restore wetlands, increase instream and streambank cover, and capture storm water runoff, resulting in improved aquatic habitat along 2,200 feet of the creek.
A project along Taylor Rd. and Yarrow St. is designed to restore vernal pool and streamside wetland habitat, improve instream cover, enhance 900 feet of riparian buffer, and capture stormwater runoff.
A Neis Ditch project is designed to stabilize eroding streambanks and improve instream habitat, building on previous stream restoration work by Metroparks Toledo. Additionally, the work will enhance or create vegetated buffers along the stream and expand access to nearby floodplain.
At Blue Creek Metropark, a project will stabilize 500 feet of eroding streambanks and improve instream habitat along Blue Creek.
In Maumee State Forest, the Blue Creek Stream Restoration at Hight Tract project is designed to improve degraded fish habitat in a conservation area owned by Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). The work will stabilize and prevent bank erosion, increase streamside and instream habitat, and divert runoff from nearby roads before it reaches the water.
At Lathrup Park, a stream restoration project includes plans to restore an eroded section of Tenmile Creek by creating and enhancing important in-stream and streamside habitat.
A habitat restoration project on the Ottawa River within Jermain Park is expected to enhance habitat for fish and benthic organisms in one of the few undeveloped, forested areas adjacent to the lower sections of the Ottawa river. The project will include stabilizing 2,300 feet of eroding streambank and enhancing 2.7 acres of wetland through diverse, native plantings.
NOAA GLRI Grants
In Buffalo, New York, a project is underway to transform the city’s largest waterfront park and better connect the local community to the Niagara River. The project includes completely redesigning and reconstructing the 100-acre former LaSalle Park into the new Ralph Wilson Park.
NOAA funding is helping to build coastal wetland habitat and restore the shoreline in a portion of the park. This will protect the area from storms and flooding while providing habitat for native Great Lakes fish.
In September, NOAA Fisheries announced the recommendation of $4.2 million in Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funding to continue ongoing work restoring important habitat in the Great Lakes.
The funding will enable partners to implement projects that restore Great Lakes habitats and lead to significant and sustainable benefits for Great Lakes native fish species.
Recommending funding will go towards the continued work of three ongoing cooperative agreements:
Ducks Unlimited will develop plans to restore wetland habitat at Camp Sabroske in Ohio, contributing toward restoring the Maumee Area of Concern.
The Great Lakes Commission will implement several high priority habitat restoration projects in the Great Lakes region, including in the Maumee Area of Concern in Ohio and the Niagara River Area of Concern in New York.
Genesee County, Michigan, will contribute to the removal of the Hamilton Dam on the Flint River, opening nearly 25 miles to fish passage.
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