The lake county forest preserve district (LCFPD) will remove woody and herbaceous invasive species throughout the illinois lake plain, a ramsar designated high quality coastal dune and swale ecosystem

EPA Region 5 awarded a $150,000 cooperative agreement to Lake County Forest Preserve District on June 1, 2026, under the Geographic Programs - Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (CFDA 66.469) to remove woody and herbaceous invasive species throughout the Illinois Lake Plain, a RAMSAR-designated coastal dune and swale ecosystem.

The recipient will conduct mechanical and chemical spot treatments to manage invasive species across approximately 150 acres, with treatment and retreatment of identified areas at Hosah Prairie, Illinois Beach State Park, Spring Bluff Forest Preserve, and Waukegan Dunes. Activities are designed to reduce invasive species encroachment and increase restored habitat quality and resilience in the Illinois Lake Plain.

The cooperative agreement runs through August 30, 2028, with place of performance in Zion, Illinois. No sub-recipients are included in this assistance agreement. The intended beneficiaries are residents and visitors of Illinois, particularly those in the state's Lake Michigan northern coastal communities.

Activities:project activities include conducting mechanical and chemical spot treatments to manage invasive species that will reduce the growing threat of invasive species encroachment and increase restored habitat quality and resilience in the illinois lake plan, as well as treatment and retreatment of identified areas with invasive species at hosah prairie, illinois beach state park, spring bluff forest preserve and waukegan dunes. Subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:anticipated deliverables include treatment of approximately 150 acres will be treated over the course of the grant period. The intended beneficiaries are the residents and visitors of the state of illinois, particularly those in illinois' lake michigan northern coastal communities.