Steil Announces Federal Funding for Kenosha County Water Restoration Project
Kenosha, WI (June 21, 2023) – Today, Congressman Bryan Steil announced that Kenosha County will receive a $700,000 grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to address water quality and habitat restoration along the Pike River. The funding will support the Kenosha County Parks Department’s work to restore both streambank and riparian habitat along the Pike River in Petrifying Springs Park.
“Our state’s natural resources are an important part of what makes Wisconsin a great place to live and work,” said Steil. “I’d like to thank the Trump Administration for awarding Kenosha County $700,000 to support water restoration along the Pike River, as well as County Executive Samantha Kerkman and Kenosha Parks Director Wyatt Moore for their work spearheading this project. This funding will help ensure that our rivers remain stable and vibrant for future generations to enjoy.”
The current condition of the Pike River project area
An example of what the completed restoration project will look like
"I would like to thank Congressman Bryan Steil and the EPA for recognizing the importance of this project. This is the largest grant awarded to the project and will help us bring it across the finish line this fall,” said Kerkman.
“This has been an incredibly impactful project for Petrifying Springs Park, enhancing both the park itself and the water quality of the Pike River. The completion of this section of the river marks a major milestone in a restoration effort that has been underway since 2017.” said Moore.
Background:
- On Friday, Congressman Bryan Steil announced that the Kenosha County Division of Parks was awarded a $700,000 federal grant under the Clean Water Act’s Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.
- The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Program focuses on restoring and maintaining the health of the Great Lakes ecosystem.
- Congressman Steil has regularly supported robust funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, including voting to support $368 million in funding for the program in March 2024.
- The grant will be awarded to the Kenosha County Division of Parks to help restore 3,280 feet of streambank, 12,040 square feet of in-stream habitat, and 5.2 acres of riparian habitat, repairing the ecological habitat of the Pike River within Petrifying Springs Park.