About this archived opportunity

The Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge (ONWR) seeks to restore approximately 55 acres of wetlands in the lacustuary area of Crane Creek within ONWR. A total of $1,500,000 is available to conduct site assessments, engineering, design, permitting, and implementation including but not limited to site surveys, drawings, plans, permits, labor, materials, equipment, plantings, invasive species control, etc. Depending on estimated project costs determined during engineering and design, the project acreage will be adjusted to maximize the benefits to the Crane Creek lacustuary area. The long-term maintenance of this site will be the responsibility of the US Fish and Wildife Service (USFWS). The goal of the Crane Creek Lacustuary Wetland Restoration project is to demonstrate that fish and benthic habitat and populations can be improved in the many drowned river-mouths within the Maumee Area of Concern (AOC). This project will utilize restoration techniques such as submerged barrier bars/shoals and rock/earthen islands with fallen/dead tree installation. These features will allow water to move in and out of the site with seiche and river flows, creating fish and benthic habitat that benefit the natural aquatic environment which in turn will improve the water quality in Lake Erie for the citizens who utilize this resource. The Crane Creek Lacustuary Wetland Restoration project was conceived by a Team of regionally active habitat restoration experts, based upon their knowledge from other sites around the Great Lakes basin. This Team included restoration implementers and regulatory representatives from USFWS, US Geological Survey (USGS), Ohio Environemental Protection Agency (OEPA), Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Great Lakes Commission, Ducks Unlimited, Toledo Metroparks, Partners for Clean Streams, and several consulting firms. This project will be modeled after similar projects in the area including the Penn 7 Wetland Restoration project and the Maumee River Islands