$1.88 million will restore and protect waterways in Northeast Ohio
Cleveland Metroparks was awarded a $1.88 million by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) to conserve valuable wetlands by removing or modifying a manmade dam and restoring wetlands. The award is the largest state grant Cleveland Metroparks has received in its history.
The Water Resource Restoration Sponsor Program (WRRSP) grant will allow Cleveland Metroparks to restore and reverse damage from manmade structures in Bonnie Park, a public recreation area located in the Park District's Mill Stream Run Reservation on the East Branch of the Rocky River.
"Cleveland Metroparks not only preserves valuable lands across its 18 reservations but also nearly 1,000 streams, dozens of ponds and three large rivers," said Brian M. Zimmerman, CEO of Cleveland Metroparks. "This project will help us further improve the condition of our waterways and restore valuable wetlands to their natural state."
The dam is an impediment to natural flow, sediment transport, fish passage, and macroinvertebrate populations in the Rocky River. Cleveland Metroparks will remove or modify the dam, enhance the active floodplain and modify drainage to restore natural flow. The project also includes the restoration of adjacent wetlands.
"This project is critical to improving the health and vitality of our waterways as well as native plants and wildlife in the region," said Terry Robison, Cleveland Metroparks Director of Natural Resources.
As part of the restoration work, Cleveland Metroparks will pay homage to the historical significance of the site, preserving portions of an existing stonework.
WRRSP is supported by interest collected from the Water Control Pollution Loan Fund (WPCLF) sponsor projects to fund preservation and restoration of high-quality water resources. The program has funded more than 128 preservation and restoration projects since its inception.
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Cleveland Metroparks Media Contacts:
External Communications Coordinator,
Jeffrey Tolman, 216-635-3274
Director of Communications,
Jacqueline Gerling, 216-635-3338