The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, together with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, is hosting a public meeting and open house July 16 to discuss plans for ecosystem restoration at the Keithsburg Division of Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge.
According to the Corps, the event is scheduled from 4-6 p.m. at the New Boston Community Center located at 502 Main St., New Boston, Illinois.
The Keithsburg Division is a 1,400-acre backwater complex located in Pool 18 of the Mississippi River just north of Keithsburg, Illinois. It is made up of interconnected wetlands and floodplain habitat inside the Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge.
Over time, human activity has impacted the health of the aquatic, wetland and floodplain forest habitats in this portion of the refuge and it is this project’s goal to restore and bring back habitat that was once common in the area.
During the public meeting, Corps representatives will explain the tentatively selected plan which has been recommended for restoring and enhancing the area. Following the presentation, the public is invited to provide feedback and engage in discussion about the plan. Representatives from all three partnering agencies will be on hand during the meeting to answer questions and gather input from the community.