Federally Financed Conservation Project Completed

From the McHenry Couonty Conservation District:

Nippersink Creek $4.9 million Aquatic Restoration Project Culmination Celebration & Ribbon Cutting

McHenry County Conservation District and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will celebrate the completion of the Nippersink Creek Aquatic Restoration Project with a presentation and ribbon-cutting, Tuesday, November 5, 10 a.m. at the Lost Valley Visitor Center in Glacial Park, Ringwood.

Presentations will be made by Col. Aaron Reisinger, Commander of Chicago District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers discussing the US Army Corps Role in the big picture and the benefits of making projects like this a reality.

In addition, Ed Collins, Director of Land Preservation & Natural Resources for McHenry County Conservation District will present the History of the land, the project, the partnership, and the biological benefits.

The relationship between the McHenry County Conservation District and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers spans three decades, with the latest partnership working together to tackle the long-awaited fourth phase of the Nippersink Creek Restoration Project.

In the summer of 2014, the US Army Corps of Engineers began a 5-year, $4.9 million project to restore 3.5 miles of Nippersink Creek.

The project was funded by the US Army Corps of Engineers, Section 206 program.

This year marked the completion of this historic project.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers provided not only funding, but worked collaboratively with the District, ENCAP, Inc. and our partners to improve the ecological integrity of the entire watershed.

Thanks to this continued collaboration, today’s re-born stream is home to game fish, silt intolerant mussels, ospreys and bald eagles.

During large rain events the restored wetlands around the stream hold tens of millions of gallons of water that once impacted downstream communities with flooding.

The Nippersink Creek Aquatic Restoration Project offers the promise of a healthier stream capable of supporting not only a full array of aquatic biodiversity but ready to build paddling and fishing memories for generations to come.

Nippersink Creek plays a significant role as the largest tributary to the Fox River, which drains 137 square miles in Illinois and 50 square miles in Wisconsin.

Sections of the creek are ranked among the highest quality in Illinois, supporting at least 21 animals and 30 plants listed as Illinois endangered or
threatened species.

McHenry County Conservation District and the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) will be recognized with an Intergovernmental Cooperation award for their work on the 206 Nippersink Creek Aquatic Restoration Project at the Illinois Association of Park District’s Best of the Best Awards, Friday Nov. 8 in Wheeling, IL


Comments

Federally Financed Conservation Project Completed — 1 Comment

  1. Useless project while the southern wall remains incomplete.

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