Corps of Engineers commemorates two projects in Port Clinton area

Published April 18, 2018
Phragmites overruning a beach area in Port Clinton. The invasive species is negatively impacting the habitat of plant and animal species along the coast. (Picture by Chris Akios)

Phragmites overrunning a beach area in Port Clinton. The invasive species is negatively impacting the habitat of plant and animal species along the coast. (Picture by Chris Akios)

Buffalo, New YorkThe U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District will host a Project Partnership Agreement signing ceremony celebrating a coastal wetland restoration project in Port Clinton, as well as a “pipe signing” ceremony to acknowledge a sanitation project already underway, both Thursday.  

 

Event #1 – Coastal Wetland Restoration PPA Signing

Time:            9:30 AM

Location:      Port Clinton City Hall (1868 E. Perry St. Port Clinton, OH 43452)

 

The coastal wetland restoration project will look to enhance the existing 12.2 acres of wetlands (including invasive plant species control) as well as expand the current wetland by 1.4 acres in the project area. The project, initiated under the Great Lakes Fishery & Ecosystem Restoration program, will create topographic variability, which will promote a greater diversity of native plant establishment and proliferation, coupled with invasive plant control. 

The official Project Partnership Agreement, signed Jan. 23 2018, allowed the project to move forward with design and eventually construction. The target contract award for construction is around Aug. 2018, with completion targeted in summer 2019. The total project cost is approximately $1.3 million, with a construction contract expected to be approximately $600,000.

 For more information on the project, see article here: https://www.dvidshub.net/news/270002/government-agencies-collaborate-restore-coastal-wetlands-great-lakes

Speakers for Event #1:

  • Lt. Col. Adam Czekanski, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Buffalo District Commander

  • Kelsey Krull, Rep. for Senator Robert Portman

  • Jane Ruvolo, Rep. for Congresswoman Marcie Kaptur

  • Ann Longsworth Orr, Rep. for Senator Sherrod Brown

  • Mayor Hugh Wheeler

“This is another good step in our work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to restore our waterways and improve water quality," said Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur. "Efforts such as this one restore a diversity of plant life, which in turn allows our native fish species to flourish. It is a good example of working with nature to safeguard our freshwater resources."

“The Army Corps of Engineers’ investment will help Ohio communities continue their work to protect Lake Erie and the surrounding wetlands,” said Senator Sherrod Brown. “Millions of Ohioans rely on Lake Erie, and we must remain vigilant in protecting one of our nation’s most important resources.”   

 

Event #2 – Ottawa County Sanitation Project Pipe Signing

Time:           11:30 AM

Location:      Assemble Room of the Ottawa County Courthouse (315 Madison Street, Port Clinton, Ohio 43452)

 

This project will collect sanitary discharges from approximately 173 equivalent dwelling units and deliver it to the city of Port Clinton’s wastewater treatment plant. The project includes the construction of gravity sanitary sewer, force main, laterals and pre-cast concrete manholes, and a sanitary sewer pump station with a standby power generator. Construction of the project was awarded for approximately $940,000. The site is located in the Erie Township just west of the Port Clinton, OH city limits, near the mouth of the Portage River.

 

Speakers for Event #2:        

  • Lt. Col. Adam Czekanski, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Buffalo District Commander

  • Kelsey Krull, Rep. for Senator Robert Portman

  • Jane Ruvolo, Rep. for Congresswoman Marcie Kaptur

  • Ann Longsworth Orr Rep. for Senator Sherrod Brown

  • Kelly Frey, Sanitary Engineer

“The Ohio Environmental Infrastructure Program has significantly improved critical infrastructure in communities across Ohio since its inception nearly 20 years ago,” said Lt. Col. Adam Czekanski. “We are proud to partner with the Ottawa County Sanitary Engineering Department on this project to make much needed improvements to the sanitary sewer system that will ultimately help improve the water quality in the Western Lake Erie Basin."

"The pipeline construction project represents another step forward in our effort to improve Lake Erie's water quality while serving public interests," said Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur. "I am pleased that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is positioned to share its expertise, resources and support with Ottawa County citizens."

 

 


Contact
Dr. Michael Izard-Carroll
716-879-4150
716-368-2060 (cell)
michael.d.izard-carroll@usace.army.mil
1776 Niagara St. Buffalo, NY 14202

Release no. 18-005