Cuyahoga Valley National Park News Release
Tuesday, June 16, 2020
Pamela Barnes, 440-546-5994, 440-241-5857 (cell), or pamela_barnes@nps.gov
River Restoration Virtual Public Meeting
National Park Service and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to host
Brecksville, Ohio - The public is invited to a webinar/virtual public meeting on Thursday, June 25. Identical presentations will be held via WebEx at 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. The presentation will describe a planned Cuyahoga River restoration project and participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and make comments.
To join: https://usace.webex.com/meet/lynn.m.greer
Phone: 1-877-336-1831
Passcode: 413 385 63
Security code (if prompted): 4182
The National Park Service (NPS), in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), will be reshaping areas of the floodplain adjacent to the river between Boston Mill Visitor Center and Vaughn Road. The goals of the project are to improve water quality and return the river to a more natural condition by restoring and expanding wetlands, lengthening the river, and reforesting riverbanks. The project will improve a stretch of river that currently is listed as an Area of Concern under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. Work is scheduled to begin in summer 2021 and is expected to take two years to complete.
“This restoration project is part of a multi-year plan to improve the condition of the Cuyahoga River," Craig Kenkel, Superintendent of CVNP said. “Restoring the river to a more natural state will increase public recreation opportunities and greatly improve habitat. The Cuyahoga River is a regional asset, and the national park protects and preserves 26 miles of it. We cannot do this work alone and we appreciate the expertise of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers."
In addition to the public meetings, interested parties are encouraged to review additional information and provide input on this project using the NPS’s Planning Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) website at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/cuva under the project titled “Cuyahoga River Restoration: Boston Mills North". The public also may submit written comments by mail to Superintendent, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, 15610 Vaughn Road, Brecksville, Ohio 44141, attention: Cuyahoga River Restoration, until July 27, 2020.
"This project is just another one of many that the Corps of Engineers and National Park Service are working together to complete, with funding through the US Environmental Protection Agency managed Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. This highlights how federal agencies can come together and deliver projects that have tremendous benefits for the environment and the nation," said Lieutenant Colonel Jason Toth, USACE Buffalo District Commander. "Having a healthy environment across the Great Lakes directly benefits the nation's economy and ensures environmental sustainability for generations to come."
CVNP encompasses 33,000 acres along the Cuyahoga River between Cleveland and Akron, Ohio. Managed by the National Park Service, CVNP combines cultural, historical, recreational, and natural resources in one setting. For more information, visit the park’s website or Facebook page, or call 440-717-3890.
-NPS-
Tags: restoration project public meetings public meeting public engagement civic engagement
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
