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County to partner with Delta Institute on Oak Ridge Prairie restoration; $500,000 grant proposed
Summary
Lake County presented a roughly $500,000 grant with the Delta Institute to plant trees and restore a former savannah/wetland area on county-owned land at Oak Ridge Prairie; the county match is $15,000 in-kind service and the restored wetlands would generate credits that the county expects to sell or monetize.
Lake County staff asked the council to approve applying for or accepting a roughly $500,000 grant administered with the Delta Institute to fund tree planting and restoration at Oak Ridge Prairie.
County representatives said the project will restore a degraded savannah/wetland on approximately 70 acres of county-owned land on the southern portion of Oak Ridge Prairie. The project includes tree planting and wetland restoration; the Delta Institute would administer the grant and the county would provide $15,000 in in-kind services as the local match. Staff said the restoration will generate wetland credits that could produce payments to the county for the use of restored acreage when the project is complete.
County staff noted coordination with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and other partners. The council discussion focused on logistics and an upcoming follow-up meeting; staff asked council members to remain available for additional coordination while the grant and restoration plans are finalized.
The transcript records presentation and an indication staff will meet after the council session; no final vote or contract approval is recorded in the provided text.
