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Project Summary

Pensaukee Harbor

Great Lakes Regional Map


1. Project Identification

Name Pensaukee Harbor
Region Great Lakes
State Wisconsin
Location Green Bay, Lake Michigan
Date of this update August 10, 1998

2. Problem(s) addressed (check one or more)

Habitat Restoration/Protection  
Wetlands X
River systems
Beaches/Dunes
Offshore areas
Mangroves
Assisting Species at Risk X
Pollution Mitigation
Non-Point Source Pollution
Other (describe)  

3. Project Description (100 words or less. Please include qualitative information, e.g. acres of habitat restored, miles of steam reopened to migration, and legislative authorization, e.g. WRDA, ISTEA, CWA/NEP, CZMA, etc.)

Pensaukee Harbor, Wisconsin, is located in Oconto County on the western shore of Green Bay about 20 miles north of the Port of Green Bay. It is a small harbor supporting a fleet of commercial fishing vessels. Shoaling at the mouth of the harbor is quite extensive because of littoral drift and requires periodic dredging to maintain the authorized project depth.

In 1993, the COE dredged approximately 55,000 cubic yards of uncontaminated sediment consisting of fine to medium sands from the harbor and entrance channel. The dredged sediments was placed south, down drift of the harbor creating a 4.6-acre rectangular shaped island. Subsequent wave action has altered the original configuration into a fish hook shaped island which provides habitat for wildlife resources that include colonial nesting birds and state listed endangered species (including the Foster's and common terns). Migrating waterfowl, especially tundra swans, make extensive use of the sheltered areas on the leeward side of the island. The island also provides erosion protection by shielding an extensive wetland located in the Pensaukee State Wildlife Area located in the lee of the island.

The COE utilized its general navigation authority to maintain the Pensaukee Harbor as the vehicle to create the proposed island. The Town of Pensaukee was the nonfederal sponsor. Oconto County, Wisconsin, through the University of Wisconsin Extension, helped the local government plan the project and assisted in the regulatory process. Finally, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources was instrumental in identifying this alternative and issued the state water quality certification and other required permits. They also aided in the preparation of the environmental assessment.

4. Goals/Benefits (quantify where possible using measures of success list) Was a cost-benefit study conducted for this project? yes/no If yes, provide a summary of findings.

No. The barrier island is protecting approximately 100 acres of Coastal wetland. The island also provides colonial bird habitat.

5. Partners (include each participant's responsibilities - funding, permitting, etc.)

6. Funding/Contributions (organization and amount)

7. Legislative authorities used by each participant

The Corps of Engineers used its general navigation maintenance authority for Pensaukee Harbor to fund the dredging activities.

8. Value added by Coastal America Partnership including Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) goals achieved through this collaboration (500 words or less)

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9. Project Status

Initiation date February 1991
Completion date May 1993
Current stage Completed

10. Contacts

11. Any additional information/comments

White pelicans have begun to nest near the site. An extensive bed of wild celery, a significant waterfowl food, has developed between the island and the mainland shore.

This page was last updated on Saturday, 24-Jun-2000 11:48:46 EDT
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