AUTHORIZATION:  Section 514 (Missouri and Middle Mississippi Rivers Enhancement Project) of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 1999 (Public Law 106-53).

Project map

Location and Description:  The study area includes approximately 1,500 acres on Chouteau and Gabaret Islands in Madison County, Illinois. The purpose is to restore the ecosystem of the area in partnership with several state and local government entities, as well as not-for-profit groups. The project will provide habitat restoration in the greater St. Louis, Missouri, metropolitan area. The proposal is to take approximately 1,320 project acres and restore the natural flood plain ecosystem (a mixture of bottomland hardwoods, wet and dry prairie, and slough restoration) and produce approximately 460 average annual habitat units.

Activities in FY 2010 ($95k)
- Continue feasibility study (alternatives analysis)

Local Sponsor:  Illinois Department of Natural Resources