The Superior Common Council voted to approve design plans and to support submittal of the construction-phase grant application for the Wisconsin Point Dunes Restoration Project, a shoreline and habitat restoration effort the city says began in 2010.

Parks and Recreation and Forestry Director Linda Cadott presented the plan and told the council the project team has worked with state and tribal partners and stakeholder groups. Cadott said the construction phase request totals approximately $1,700,000, with roughly $170,000 identified for the design phase. Project elements outlined included removal of asphalt in dune areas, invasive-species control and native plantings, installation of pervious pavers and modular boardwalks, replacement of concrete pylons with natural barriers in some places, improved vault restroom facilities at key access points, and shoreline stabilization using "living shoreline" planting and boulder features.

Cadott said the plan would eliminate some informal access points, consolidate others, and reconfigure parking: an aerial overlay estimated about 144 existing parking spaces in the study area and projected an end-state of about 177 configured parking locations once restoration and consolidation are complete. She also noted the plan contemplates larger trailer and bus parking at the primary access and that all boardwalks would meet ADA-accessibility standards.

The presenter said NOAA and Wisconsin Coastal Management are the grant channels and that NOAA will lead a Section 106 government-to-government consultation with tribes. Cadott reported the Fond du Lac tribe had asked that a burial marker at site 19 be left undisturbed for now; she said that tribal consultation may yield additional work such as ground-penetrating radar but, at present, no work is planned at the marked site.

Councilor Sweeney, who said he "100% support[s]" the project, asked about long-term maintenance costs; Cadott replied staff has discussed maintenance implications (boardwalk material selection, pervious-paver upkeep) and where recurring costs would sit in the city budget. She also said some shoreline repair following a recent major storm would be handled through FEMA funding and other restoration phases would follow the grant process.

Cadott outlined next steps: council approval of the design as proposed; coordination to waive the city's herbicide ordinance for implementation as required by the project scope; completion of Chapter 106 consultation led by NOAA; and, if the environmental review and consultations proceed, solicitation of bids and a construction contract to follow. She said invasive species controls could begin as early as the coming fall, with full construction spread over roughly two construction seasons.

The council approved the motion by voice vote.