Wisconsin department of natural resources will install green stormwater infrastructure at university of wisconsin's parkside's ranger hall parking lot to reduce stormwater runoff into the pike river…

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 5 awarded the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources $277,223 on August 1, 2025, under the Geographic Programs - Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (CFDA 66.469) to design and install green stormwater infrastructure at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside's Ranger Hall parking lot. The project, which extends through March 31, 2029, will reduce stormwater runoff into the Pike River and Lake Michigan through the installation of a bioswale system. The University of Wisconsin-Parkside serves as the sub-grantee, with responsibility for developing the solicitation package and contracting with an environmental engineering firm to complete the bioswale design.

Deliverables under this project grant include final bioswale design specifications, comprehensive engineering plans, all necessary environmental permits, and two years of maintenance and monitoring activities. The anticipated outcomes encompass two annual reports on contracted vegetation maintenance and two years of environmental surveys measuring invertebrate populations and water quality across the project area and reference sites, with full data analysis. Once operational, the installed bioswale is projected to treat approximately 1.3 million gallons of stormwater annually, providing direct environmental benefits to residents, workers, and recreational users in Somers, Wisconsin.

Wisconsin department of natural resources will install green stormwater infrastructure at university of wisconsin's parkside's ranger hall parking lot to reduce stormwater runoff into the pike river and lake michigan.activities:activities include design and installation of a bioswale followed by two years of maintenance and monitoring.subrecipient:the subaward activity includes the development of the solicitation package for an environmental engineering contractor to complete the design of the proposed bioswale.outcomes:the anticipated deliverables include the bioswale final design, engineering plans, and acquisition of all necessary permits, two annual reports on contracted vegetation maintenance, and two years of environmental surveys for invertebrates and water quality in the project area and other sample sites, with data analysis. Once implemented, the project will treat approximately 1.3 million gallons of stormwater per year. The intended beneficiaries are those who live, recreate, or work in somers, wisconsin.