In Gary, Indiana U.S. Representative Frank J. Mrvan this week announced a federal grant that will go toward the completion of final design and permitting steps for riparian and wetland restoration on the nearly 800-acre Chase Street Complex along the Little Calumet River. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation says the Wetlands Initiative will receive $794,000 to support planning, design and implementation. A news release said the funding will yield critical habitat benefits for birds, fish, and other wildlife and flooding resilience benefits for surrounding Region residents. Officials said the grant will also extend and build on a Community Advisory Board made up of local residents to ensure robust community input towards the final design of this publicly accessible green space.
This project is being collaboratively facilitated by the Little Calumet River Conservation Collaborative, led by the Wetlands Initiative in partnership with Audubon Great Lakes, Calumet Collaborative, the City of Gary, Lake County Parks and Recreation, the Little Calumet River Basin Development Commission, The Nature Conservancy in Indiana, NiSource, and NIPSCO.
Congressman Mrvan stated, “Thank you to all of the leaders and Northwest Indiana partners with the Wetlands Initiative for successfully securing this federal funding for restoration efforts along the Little Calumet River in Gary. I am grateful for your dedicated work and this exemplary collaboration that is instrumental in attracting new people and economic activity to our region.”
Paul Botts, President and Executive Director of the Wetlands Initiative, stated, “Collaborative restoration efforts along the West Branch of the Little Calumet River floodplain corridor are transforming habitat for the benefit of both people and wildlife in Gary. The community-driven planning process at the Chase Street Complex will center the needs and aspirations of surrounding residents in plans for the site’s restoration. The Wetlands Initiative is grateful for Congressman Mrvan’s support of this important work, and thrilled that the project will continue with funding through the National Coastal Resilience Fund.”
