Officials briefed on Ox Creek restoration plan; $584,000 in grant-funded work proposed for Highland-to-Britain reach

Southwest Michigan Planning Commission staff and GEI Consultants presented a restoration plan Sept. 24 to remove debris, regrade banks and restore habitat on a stretch of Ox Creek between Highland and Britain, and they asked the committee to forward the plan to the full commission for approval on Oct. 6 to allow construction to proceed.

Scott Dirks, a licensed engineer leading the GEI team, described longstanding debris piles in the creek valley — including remnants of a demolished roadway and old railroad bridges — and said the project team plans to remove concrete and debris, cut or reconfigure large woody material blocking passage, and regrade and stabilize banks. The presentation emphasized both environmental goals (improving water quality, restoring habitat, supporting fish and pollinators) and recreational and economic goals tied to a planned corridor trail.

Dirks said the project is part of a broader Ox Creek…