Wisconsin department of natural resources will administer 4 projects that will contribute to management actions across several beneficial use impairments within the milwaukee estuary and lower green…

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 5 awarded the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources $3.403 million under the Geographic Programs - Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (CFDA 66.469) on July 1, 2025, to administer four integrated restoration projects across the Milwaukee Estuary and Lower Green Bay Fox River Areas of Concern (AOCs). The award, which extends through June 30, 2030, supports comprehensive ecosystem management activities including fish collection and contaminant analysis, endangered mussel reintroduction, fish passage restoration, habitat restoration, and invasive species control. Key deliverables include detailed reports documenting fish contaminant findings, pre- and post-implementation mussel population survey data with digital maps, fish passage construction completion documentation, and comprehensive habitat restoration monitoring results for the Fox River Heritage Project.

The funded activities are expected to generate substantial environmental benefits within the project area, including enhanced health and integrity of two native unionid mussel populations, protection of 17.7 acres of habitat, and restoration of 16 miles of improved native aquatic species passage in the Menomonee River upstream corridor. The City of Wauwatosa serves as a sub-grantee, with responsibility for planning and implementing removal of a low-head concrete pedestrian bridge at Currie Park on the Menomonee River (sub-award effective December 10, 2025). These initiatives directly benefit residents and stakeholders who live, work, or recreate in the designated AOCs by restoring ecological integrity and supporting the broader Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Action Plan objectives.

Wisconsin department of natural resources will administer 4 projects that will contribute to management actions across several beneficial use impairments within the milwaukee estuary and lower green BAY FOX river areas of concern (AOCS). Activities:activities include fish collection and analysis for contaminants, reintroduction of endangered mussels, fish impediment removal, and habitat restoration including invasive species control. Subrecipient:debris from the removal will be loaded and hauled to the orchard ridge landfill by the subrecipient.outcomes:deliverables include the solicitation package for a contractor for access repair of impacted concrete pathway and adjacent roadway, final construction completion report for the currie park fish passage, and reports that summarizes 1) key findings and fish data interpretation and includes project summary, introduction, methods, results, and discussion sections; and 2) pre-implementation habitat and population mussel survey findings and data interpretation, including a digital map of survey efforts by project site; and 3) FOX river heritage project construction, habitat restoration activities conducted, results of post-restoration monitoring and, any updated map products. The anticipated outcomes of these projects include enhanced health and integrity of 2 native unionid mussel populations, protection of 17.7 acres of habitat and 16 miles of improved native aquatic species passage upstream in the menomonee river. The intended beneficiaries are those who live, recreate, or work in the milwaukee estuary and lower green BAY FOX river areas of concern.