The following blog post is a summary of the news release published on October 10, 2024, by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. To read the original news release, click here.
This past October, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) announced the successful completion of their wetland restoration project along Ohio’s Lake Erie shoreline. The USACE Buffalo District, in collaboration with the City of Port Clinton, set out to accomplish this massive undertaking five years ago, and are pleased with its success. This $1.9 million initiative, part of the Great Lakes Fishery and Ecosystem Restoration Program, focused on revitalizing 1.4 acres of coastal wetland, removing invasive phragmites, and creating a diverse habitat that benefits both wildlife and the local community. Leaders like Lt. Col. Robert Burnham and Mayor Michael Snider emphasized the ecological and economic importance of preserving wetlands to ensure a thriving local ecosystem and sustainable way of life for residents reliant on Lake Erie. Federal and local leaders, including Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur and Senator Sherrod Brown, lauded the project’s bipartisan support and role as a model for similar efforts.
The project spanned a 12.2-acre wetland and beach complex, transforming 4.6 acres of struggling wetland into six acres of vibrant habitat. Construction efforts included terrain restructuring to promote diverse plant growth, the installation of nearly 40,000 native plant plugs, and the removal of invasive species. Early outcomes have shown significant ecological improvements, including a shift from a phragmites-dominated landscape to a diverse ecosystem supporting native wildlife. Port Clinton’s wetland, situated along two critical bird migration flyways, now serves as a vital link for migratory species and enhances biodiversity in the region. The restored site also offers residents and visitors opportunities for recreation, such as birdwatching, further enriching the community’s connection to its natural surroundings.
The Port Clinton Coastal Restoration Project reflects the USACE Buffalo District’s broader expertise in Great Lakes restoration. Drawing from prior successes in New York and applying lessons to ongoing efforts in Ohio, this collaborative endeavor involved multiple stakeholders, including the Ohio EPA, Ohio Division of Natural Resources, and Great Lakes Fishery Commission. This project demonstrates the power of partnerships in addressing environmental challenges: without all of the stakeholders working together, a restoration of this scale would have been harder to attempt, let alone finish, and may have never gotten off the ground. Funded under Section 506 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2000, the project also highlights the importance of restoring critical habitats and addressing invasive species to sustain the Great Lakes ecosystem. With monitoring underway, the Port Clinton Coastal Restoration Project serves as a blueprint for future coastal restoration efforts across the region, ensuring long-term benefits for both the environment and local communities.