The pilot project proposal builds upon existing partnerships between the Chicago District, Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), coastal communities, and other stakeholders that were developed through participation in the Illinois Sand Management Working group. In 2017, non-federal entities from this coalition submitted a letter of intent to the Chicago District to beneficially use dredged material from the Waukegan Harbor approach channel to protect and restore six public parks and beaches. The project employs innovative applications to beneficially use dredged material from Waukegan Harbor for ecosystem restoration, shore protection and recreation purposes. Measures include dredging and sand transport, onshore sand placement, native plantings, and beach monitoring.
This pilot project intends to demonstrate what beneficial use of dredged material looks like for western Lake Michigan communities, how well it works, and how much it costs. From the federal perspective, this application will allow USACE to better understand the costs, develop standard plans and specifications, and streamline the contracting process for broad application, potentially decreasing uncertainty, and costs in the future.