Specifications include, but are not limited to: The DNR is proposing to design a habitat protection and restoration project for portions of Heritage Hill State Park and adjacent public waters of the Lower Fox River to benefit habitats and populations previously determined to be priorities for restoration by an AOC technical advisory committee. Several habitat restoration elements have been proposed for this project area and will be considered in the development of a final design. Created and/or restored habitat design elements include mapping and removal of invasive wetland, forest, and nearshore species; installation of submergent and emergent marsh plantings and in-water woody habitat structure as spawning and nursery habitat for musky, pike, and other fishes; incorporation of higher-quality native plantings as needed throughout the site; stabilization of eroding banks or habitat deficient banks with habitat enhancing designs and materials that accommodate river level fluctuations and create shorebird, fish, herptile, and shoreline macroinvertebrate habitat; old field site preparation and seeding; installation of wave dampening breakwater structures, spawning reef stone, and goose/carp exclusion fencing to support establishment of nearshore emergent marsh restoration and enhancement of habitat on site that support existing target fish and wildlife populations. Habitat actions should focus on improving habitat of the priority populations identified for this project area. Additional efforts should be made to not negatively impact species groups that have been identified at the project area historically and do no harm to endangered and threatened species and priority species determined by the property owner/manager. The goal is to implement a multifaceted approach that both provides long-term enhancement and resiliency of the habitat of the site, ultimately building back lost or degraded fish and wildlife habitat. Specific objectives for this project include restoration and enhancement of the following eight priority habitats and seventeen priority populations: Work in existing habitats will include invasive species control and maintenance, diversifying of native species, and bank stabilization that will increase quality scores for the following priority habitats: Approximately 2.5 acres of Hardwood Swamp Approximately 1.5 acres of Inland Emergent Marsh Approximately 2.5 acres of Restored Grassland Approximately 10 acres of Other Forest Establishment/re-establishment of habitat structures that will increase quantity and quality scores for the following priority habitats: Approximately 10 acres of Submergent Marsh Approximately 10 acres of Riparian Emergent Marsh Fox River Open Water Tributary Open Water
