The National Park
Service (NPS) is planning to restore wetlands at Indiana Dunes National
Lakeshore’s Great Marsh over the winter and early spring.
According to a
statement released on Thursday, the project consists of the removal of fill
and other debris comprised of sand, cement, and rubble dumped into the marsh
during the 20th century.
Removal of the
debris will expose historic peat soils to wetland hydrology and restore
ecosystem services such as water purification, water storage, plant and
animal habitat, and recreational viewing, NPS said. Regulatory permits to
conduct the wetland restoration actions have been obtained from the state
and federal agencies as required.
The debris to be
removed is scattered over approximately four acres of the Great Marsh, just
east and west of Broadway in the Town of Beverly Shores. An NPS
archaeologist will be on-site during excavation to protect any
archaeological resources that may be unearthed, NPS noted.
“Removal of the
pine trees north of the train station is necessary to complete this work but
the bald cypress trees along Broadway will be retained,” NPS added. “Removal
of the debris may require periodic, short-term closure of the Great Marsh
parking lot east of Broadway for safety.”
“Wetland plants,
present prior to human modification of the region’s hydrology, will be
planted in the restoration area,” NPS said. “These plant assemblages will be
the same as those observed in the Great Marsh by early 20th century
botanists.”
Questions may be
directed to botanist Dan Mason at (219) 395-1553; or to the Acting Chief of
Resources Management at the National Lakeshore, Gia Wagner, at (219)
395-1552.
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