Federal /local partnership to restore shoreline seeks feedback

GREEN BAY – The City of Green Bay is looking for input from residents and community members as it works to reduce wave impacts, mitigate flooding, create wildlife habitat and improve public access to the shoreline of Lower Green Bay.

The “Connect the Bay restoration project” is focused on a site along the lower Green Bay shoreline near Bay Beach and Renard Island.

The City of Green Bay estimates that as much as “one-third of the city could experience flooding during a 100-year storm event” with the influence of factors such as water levels and wind direction.

The City of Green Bay will host a public engagement opportunity for the Connect the Bay restoration project on Thursday, Oct. 2, 4-6 p.m. at The View at Paradise North Distillery, 101 Bay Beach Rd., Green Bay.

“This nature-based solution addresses the growing threat of coastal storms and flooding that increasingly impacts our community,” a city release stated.

“The Oct. 2 event will gather vital community feedback on the 60% design phase of the project. Attendees will have the opportunity to review conceptual designs, ask questions, and provide input that will directly influence the final restoration plans.”

“This project has the potential to significantly enhance our community’s resilience to flooding and storms while creating new recreational opportunities and wildlife habitat,” said Melissa Schmitz, the City’s Resiliency Coordinator.

“Community input is essential to ensuring the project meets our residents’ needs and vision for Green Bay’s waterfront.”

The restoration project is anticipated to improve public access with features such as a boardwalk that connects Bay Beach to a redesigned breakwater and a gathering circle.

The restoration design specifically focuses on:

• Wave impact reduction to protect shoreline communities

• Flood mitigation through natural infrastructure

• Wildlife habitat creation, including habitat for freshwater mussels and fish species

• Enhanced public access to Green Bay’s waterfront for recreation

In addition to the Oct. 2 public meeting, community members can participate through an online survey that remains open through Oct. 11.

The Connect the Bay project is made possible through a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) with support from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Additional funding and in-kind support have been provided by the City of Green Bay and McDonald Companies.

This federal /local partnership “demonstrates the project’s significance for both environmental restoration and community protection,” the release added.
For more information, visit connectthebay.com.