Four Illinois Coastal Communities in USACE Pilot Program

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently announced that four Illinois communities will be the recipient of a very competitive USACE pilot program for the beneficial use of dredged materials.

The coastal communities of Evanston, Glencoe, Lake Bluff and North Chicago, together, will be one of 10 recipients, USACE said in its latest release.

The pilot program was established under the Water Resources Development Act of 2016, Section 1122, which requires the Corps to recommend 10 projects for the beneficial use of dredged material.

According to USACE, 95 proposals were received nationwide from February 8, 2018, to March 11, 2018.

Under the pilot program, the materials dredged from Waukegan Harbor, Illinois, will be used to provide public beach protection to the four Illinois coastal communities.

“Erosion is a real concern and this assistance is a positive step forward to restoring public beaches and promoting erosion control,” said Ron Salski, executive director of the Lake Bluff Park District.

The dredged material from the Waukegan Harbor will be placed onshore to protect 54,560 yards of shoreline at six sites:

• Sunset Park and Beach (Lake Bluff);
• Foss Park (North Chicago);
• Glencoe Beach (Glencoe);
• Dog Beach (Evanston);
• Greenwood Street Beach (Evanston);
• Lee Street Beach (Evanston).

The project will also support planting of trees, shrubs, and grasses in all four communities that reduce shoreline and bluff erosion and enhance these habitats. These plantings will help dredged material to stay in place and ensure more lasting ecosystem benefits.