At a Glance

Ecological restoration projects removed pollution, halted invasive species, and helped regenerate a healthy Great Lakes ecosystem.

Project Description

Launched in 2010, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) was the largest multi-year, multi-agency effort to protect and restore the Great Lakes in U.S. history. A federal program designed to accelerate efforts to protect and restore the health of the largest system of fresh surface water in the world, the GLRI supported projects to restore habitat and wetlands, clean up toxic pollution, combat invasive species such as Asian carp, and prevent runoff from farms and cities.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) was among several federal agencies implementing projects under the GLRI and Biohabitats was one of only four teams contracted to assist the USACE with this work in its Buffalo, Chicago, and Detroit Districts.

Projects Biohabitats implemented under this contract included:

USACE Buffalo District: Ashtabula Harbor & Vicinity Sediment Sampling & Analysis, Ashtabula, OH

USACE Buffalo District: Determination of Federal Interest (DFI)–

  • Cornelius Creek, Buffalo, NY (DFI)
  • Mentor Marsh, Mentor, OH (DFI)
  • Dugway Creek, Cleveland, OH (DFI)
  • LaSalle Park, Buffalo, NY (DFI)
  • Buffalo Outer Harbor, Buffalo, NY (DFI)
  • Scajaquada Creek, Erie Co., NY (DFI)

USACE Detroit District: Knowlton Creek Run-Off and Sediment Control Design for the Spirit Mountain Recreation Area Authority, Duluth, MN

USACE Detroit District: Underwood Creek Section 206 Feasibility Study, Wauwatosa, WI

USACE Buffalo District: Blanchard River Phase I
Historic/Archaeological Survey, Hancock Co., OH

USACE Buffalo District: Fish Tracking & Recovery, Manistique AOC, Manistique, MI

Biohabitats’ responsibilities included: risk assessment; remedial strategic planning and design; toxicological studies; sediment treatment and technologies; ecological assessment and planning; ecological restoration design and implementation; invasive species suppression and management; habitat assessment and restoration; stormwater pollution prevention; and stakeholder and public outreach. In performing this work, Biohabitats helped the Corps address the GLRI’s focus areas: Toxic Substances and Areas of Concern; Invasive Species; Nearshore Health and Nonpoint Source Pollution; Habitat and Wildlife Protection and Restoration; Accountability, Monitoring, Evaluation, Communication, and Partnerships.

By applying a whole systems approach to the protection, maintenance, and restoration of the chemical, biological, and physical integrity of the Great Lakes, Biohabitats helped the Corps enhance the health, resilience, and adaptive capacity of these important waters.

Details

Bioregion

Great Lakes

Physiographic Province

Interior Plateau and Laurentian Upland

Watershed

Great Lakes Basin

Expertise Areas

Ecological Restoration

Owner

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District

Location

Various locations, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, United States