Resilient Coastal Projects Initiative
THE NEED
Great Lakes coastal communities are increasingly experiencing shoreline erosion, flooding, dune and beach loss, and storms that threaten roads, utilities, homes and community spaces.
The biggest barrier municipalities face when it comes to addressing these issues and preparing for future uncertainty is capacity. Many small, medium and under-resourced communities in the U.S. Great Lakes do not have enough staff, technical knowledge and federal grant experience needed to develop and finance sustainable stabilization and resilience projects.
The RCPI helps local communities plan and fund solutions. We are acting now because coastal hazards and storms have already collectively cost Great Lakes coastal communities more than $878 million, and communities are now projecting that they will spend, on average, between $1 and $10 million each over the next two years to protect their coasts.
THE PROGRAM
The RCPI develops innovative, nature-based solutions that protect natural resources, public infrastructure, and other community assets. Key activities include:
- Engaging with mayors and local leaders to learn about community priorities and the issues they are experiencing.
- Leveraging expertise from regional partners and technical consultants to develop solutions that address these issues and provide other social, ecological, and economic benefits.
- Securing project funding for design and implementation through federal, state and regional grants, specifically targeting new grants available through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act.
The RCPI currently supports projects with planning and preliminary design and works with communities to secure funding for final engineering & design and construction.
SUCCESS STORIES
Across the basin, spanning from Lake Superior to Lake Ontario, the RCPI has helped communities plan and finance projects to address their shoreline challenges. To date over $8.7 million have been leveraged through this initial investment.
We are currently partnering with six communities on preliminary design for their RCPI projects. Two projects are highlighted below. View the project slide deck for more details, including information about our projects in four additional communities: Buchanan, MI; Kenosha, WI; Pentwater, MI; and Two Rivers, WI.
Dearborn Heights, Michigan
The North Branch Ecorse Creek Greenway project manages severe and consistent flooding along a 17-mile corridor traversing seven communities in Southeast Michigan. With local partners and Stantec, the Cities Initiative is designing a 1.5-mile habitat restoration demonstration project in the upper reach of the watershed, with plans to design an additional 8.5-mile stretch in 2025. This project adds habitat, improves water quality and increases storage capacity to ultimately reduce downriver flooding.
Above left: A public works employee measures a culvert in the North Branch of Ecorse Creek (date and photo credit unknown). Above right: Mayor Bill Bazzi of Dearborn Heights visits with Dr. Rick Spinrad, NOAA Administrator, at the North Branch Ecorse Creek future restoration site in April 2024. Photo credit Bob Ankrapp, Dearborn Heights Public Information Officer.
“The North Branch of Ecorse Creek has experienced continuous flooding for some time, causing devastating impacts on residents. We are excited to be working with the Cities Initiative and the Downriver Community Conference to develop long‐ term solutions that will protect our community and provide new benefits for residents.” – Mayor Bill Bazzi, Dearborn Heights, Michigan
Cheboygan, Michigan
The Downtown Riverwalk Greenway project naturalizes the riverbank slope and replaces failing sheet piling and other outdated stabilization structures with native vegetation to manage erosion and sediment while also improving fish, bird and invertebrate habitat. This community project also improves public access to the waterfront through the construction of a ¼ mile riverwalk greenway, improved ADA access to the pedestrian bridge and new floating docks.
Above left: The project team visits with city staff and other stakeholders at the project site to plan the future riverwalk greenway (credit to Zoë Kuntze; Sept. 2024). Above right: The failing timber (shown above) and steel walls along the riverwalk are a public safety hazard (credit to Michelle Platz; Sept. 2024).
“The infrastructure along our downtown riverfront has been eroding for some time, posing a threat to public safety to our residents. We are excited to be working with the Cities Initiative to develop long-term solutions that will protect residents and provide new benefits for our community.” – Mayor Brett Mallory, Cheboygan, Michigan
LOOKING FORWARD
We continue to offer technical and planning support to communities looking to enhance their resilience and address coastal hazards. By the end of 2025, the RCPI will have supported over 90 communities in the Great Lakes!
We are currently supporting coastal communities in New York, Pennsylvania and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Members of the Cities Initiative are automatically invited to participate.
JOIN US
To learn more or inquire about technical support for your community, please reach out to Zoë Goodrow, Coastal Programs Manager, at zoe.goodrow@glslcities.org.
FUNDING ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Funding for the RCPI is provided through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s National Coastal Resilience Fund, with support from NOAA under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Grants from the Fund for Lake Michigan and the Erb Family Foundation supported the RCPI pilot projects in Wisconsin and Southeast Michigan and continue to support advancement of select projects. A grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources supported planning activities for the Illinois North Shore RCPI, including the Shoreline Resilience Plan.