GLIN==> Red Mill Pond GLFER Project

The Great Lakes Fishery Commission is pleased to mark tomorrow's groundbreaking of the first project funded under the Great Lakes Fishery and Ecosystem Restoration program, or GLFER.  GLFER authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to undertake projects, with local sponsors, to restore the Great Lakes fishery and ecosystem.  A wide range of environmental projects could be executed under GLFER including: riparian habitat and wetland restoration, dam removal to reestablish free flowing tributaries, construction of fish passage over existing structures, improving spawning and nursery habitat, erosion and sedimentation control, and construction of facilities to preserve historic fish stocks.  The Great Lakes Fishery Commission is a primary partner in the broad implementation of GLFER.

The Red Mill Pond project is the first GLFER project to go to construction since the program was authorized under the Water Resources Development Act.  The local sponsor is the LaPorte County Parks Department.  The goal of the project is to preserve and restore high-quality wetland habitat in the headwaters of the Little Calumet River.  The project has also aimed to improve the aquatic resources of the river.

On Friday, July 9th, the corps and LaPorte County will officially break ground on the Red Mill Pond project.  The event will recognize this important project and celebrate the progress in implementing this important restoration initiative.

Red Mill Pond is one of seven GLFER projects that are expected to go to construction within the next year.  The other projects are Chautauqua Creek in New York, the 63rd Street Beach Restoration Project in Chicago, the Calumet Prairie and Ivanhoe project in Indiana, the DuPont Natural Area in Indiana, Burnham Prairie in Illinois, and the Orland Tract Perimeter in Illinois.

GLFER is funded through a combination of appropriations through the Energy and Water Appropriations Bill and the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

I hope this information is helpful.

Marc Gaden


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Marc Gaden, PhD
Communications Director and Legislative Liaison
Great Lakes Fishery Commission
2100 Commonwealth Blvd. Ste 100
Ann Arbor, MI  48105
734-662-3209 x. 14
marc at glfc.org<mailto:marc at glfc.org>
www.glfc.org<http://www.glfc.org>
P Please consider the environment before printing this email.

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