Southern Wisconsin Times

Kenosha County has been awarded a $700,000 grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to enhance water quality and restore habitats along the Pike River. Congressman Bryan Steil announced the funding, which will aid the Kenosha County Parks Department in its efforts to improve streambank and riparian habitats within Petrifying Springs Park.

"Our state’s natural resources are an important part of what makes Wisconsin a great place to live and work," said Steil. He expressed gratitude towards the Trump Administration for granting Kenosha County this significant sum for water restoration along the Pike River. Steil also acknowledged County Executive Samantha Kerkman and Kenosha Parks Director Wyatt Moore for their leadership on this project. "This funding will help ensure that our rivers remain stable and vibrant for future generations to enjoy," he added.

Samantha Kerkman extended her thanks to Congressman Steil and the EPA, noting, "This is the largest grant awarded to the project and will help us bring it across the finish line this fall." She emphasized the importance of this project for both Petrifying Springs Park and Pike River's water quality.

Wyatt Moore highlighted that completing this section of river marks a major milestone in an ongoing restoration effort initiated in 2017. "This has been an incredibly impactful project for Petrifying Springs Park," he stated.

The grant falls under the Clean Water Act’s Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, which aims at maintaining the health of ecosystems within the Great Lakes region. Congressman Steil has consistently supported funding initiatives like these, having voted in favor of $368 million in funding for such programs as recently as March 2024.

The funds allocated will be used by Kenosha County Division of Parks to restore 3,280 feet of streambank, create 12,040 square feet of in-stream habitat, and repair 5.2 acres of riparian habitat along Pike River within Petrifying Springs Park.