Kaptur Delivers $5.4 Million From Great Lakes Restoration Initiative To Restore And Protect Clark Island And Delaware Horseshoe Islands
Toledo, OH – Tuesday, January 23, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), and Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz hosted a press conference and groundbreaking with local and regional leaders from the Toledo-Lucas Port Authority, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the Environmental Protection Agency’s Great Lakes National Program Office, and the city of Toledo to break ground on construction to help restore and protect the Clark Island and Delaware/Horseshoe Islands, which are City of Toledo-owned islands in the Maumee River. The project funding includes $5.4 Million secured by Congresswoman Kaptur through the federal Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. H2Ohio has invested more than $8.7 Million in the island restoration to include the project’s engineering and design work and the construction.
The rebuilding initiative will restore Clark and Delaware/Horseshoe islands and the downstream portion of Delaware/Horseshoe Island which have deteriorated over the years due to erosion. The process of restoring the islands will improve water quality by reducing sediment and nutrients in the Maumee River and ultimately Lake Erie.
“When local, state, and federal entities come together in partnership we can achieve great things. I am glad to work in partnership with the Toledo-Lucas Port Authority, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the Environmental Protection Agency’s Great Lakes National Program Office, the city of Toledo, and all of our partners who make it possible to break ground on this major effort today.” said Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09). “With this $5.4 Million federal investment from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, we benefit the Maumee River, and Western Basin of Lake Erie, help to boost our local economy, and also protect wildlife and our precious natural resources. Partnerships such as these are vital to ensuring that our fresh bodies of water flow and flourish for generations to come.”’
“We are committed to protecting our water quality in Toledo,” said Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz. “This investment benefits the health of the Maumee River, while also enhancing the quality of life for our community. I call that a win-win.”
“We have made it our mission to find innovative ways to improve water quality across Ohio, and this project is a prime example,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. “By restoring these eroded islands, more nutrients will be filtered out of the water, ensuring cleaner, safer water to drink and enjoy.”
The islands will be restored through a process known as natural sediment capture. Instead of constructing the islands with off-site material, a reef structure will be built around the original island footprints to accumulate sediment as it flows down the Maumee and through the reef. The result will be an island complex that builds itself naturally.
“This is an extraordinary project to restore the islands using a natural process and a first-of-its-kind for ODNR,” said Ohio Department of Natural Resources Director Mary Mertz. “This is just one of many examples of how H2Ohio is thinking outside the box to ensure quality drinking water.”
ODNR is working with the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority for the island restoration projects. This has been an effective partnership to oversee the work contracted with consultants and construction firms. Local partners, like the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority, have been a crucial factor to keeping H2Ohio projects moving forward.
“The Port Authority is proud to partner with so many great organizations to help administer and now deliver these projects to our community,” said Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority President and CEO Thomas J. Winston. “A healthy Maumee River and Lake Erie is important to all residents of this community, as this project will undoubtedly improve water quality and provide additional recreational opportunities for all.”
Along with improving water quality, the restored island will have the added benefit of reducing wave strength through the river. That can result in reduced erosion along the riverbank, a more resilient habitat for river fish and wildlife, and enhanced outdoor recreation opportunities.
The H2Ohio project is happening alongside another project to improve the habitat on Delaware/Horseshoe Island through funding with the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Partners with that project include the City of Toledo, Ohio EPA, US EPA, and the Maumee Area of Concern (AOC) Advisory Committee (MAAC).
“This grant will improve habitat for fish and wildlife, and will also improve recreation and ultimately boost the local economy,” said EPA Great Lakes National Program Office Director Teresa Seidel. “EPA is proud to build long-term relationships with our partner organizations to facilitate this community-led restoration work.”
More information on this project from the City of Toledo can be found by clicking here.
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