Posted on October 11, 2016
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, has awarded a $5.9 million contract to RTS Shearing, LLC, of Jamestown, North Dakota, to complete Phase 1 of the Marsh Lake Ecosystem Restoration Project.
Marsh Lake is on the Minnesota River between Swift and Lac qui Parle counties near Ortonville.
The project involves restoring the environment by improving the waterfowl habitat and the aquatic species in the area.
According to a news release, Phase 1 includes constructing a drawdown structure and a fish passage at the Marsh Lake Dam. Phase 2 of the project will include rerouting the Pomme de Terre River to its historic channel for an additional cost of approximately $3.5 million.
At less than 5 percent of the average cost for a habitat restoration project of this size, the project is expected to provide significant return in environmental and habitat restoration benefits, the Corps said in a news release.
The Corps is working in partnership with the Upper Minnesota River Watershed District as its non-federal sponsor, as well as other external stakeholders such as the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, to ensure the project’s success.
Source: West Central Tribune
