The City of Monroe has recently received an Environmental Protection Agency 5-Star Grant award of $10,000 for a Shoreline Restoration Project at the mouth of the River Raisin. The City of Monroe will be partnering with DTE Energy, the River Raisin Watershed Council, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, the Monroe County Drain Commission, and many others on this project. Below is an article recently posted in the Monroe Evening News with more information regarding the project.
Monroe Evening News
October 27, 2007
Riverbank restoration project set near DTE
About 500 feet of concrete-reinforced bank along the River Raisin near DTE Energy's Monroe Power Plant will be restored to a more natural condition in the spring with the help of an Environmental Protection Agency grant and a contribution from the utility.
The section of riverbank was stabilized and hardened with concrete to prevent flooding and stop erosion when the site first was developed for industrial use, a common practice at the time. Returning the riverbank to a more natural condition, the project will create fish and migratory bird habitat and enhance fishing opportunities, officials said.
The area now consists of broken concrete and large rocks that will be left in place, but a veneer of native habitat will be built on top of it to retain the erosion control but provide cover, shading and improved aesthetics.
A $10,000 EPA grant is being combined with $46,000 in matching funds and in-kind assistance, including a $39,000 DTE contribution.
Frank Wszelaki, Monroe Power Plant director, said the hope is that the project will spur similar restoration along the river and throughout the region.
"This demonstration project will serve as a model of public-private partnerships for habitat restoration," he said. "It also will demonstrate that industry and wildlife can coexist successfully. We expect the success of this project to inspire additional soft engineering projects along the River Raisin and on the Lake Erie shoreline."
The City of Monroe is a project partner and will manage the project funding. Planning for the project is under way.
"Our city is blessed with the presence of DTE," said Monroe Mayor C.D. (Al) Cappuccilli. "The company's contributions to the overall health of the greater Monroe County community has been an example in corporate citizenship that goes well beyond expectation. This restoration project of a section of the River Raisin shoreline is but one of many projects they have embarked on that will enhance the habitat of wildlife. The City of Monroe is pleased to partner with DTE and the other groups/organizations as the grant project manager for this enterprise."
Nativescape, LLC, a native ecosystem, wetland and soil bioengineering consulting firm, is another partner and will assist with the natural riverbank restoration work.
Other partners include the Metropolitan Affairs Coalition, the Monroe County Drain Commission, the River Raisin Watershed Council, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Wildlife Habitat Council, Michigan Sea Grant and the River Raisin Institute.
