Placing a rootwad for fish habitat on Great Lakes Gas and Transmission project. Bad River, Ashland County, Wisconsin, February 2006. - USFWS photo by Ted Koehler

Installing rootwad. - USFWS photo by Ted Koehler

Bank stabilization. - USFWS photo by Ted Koehler

The temporary bridge accross Bad River. - USFWS photo by Ted Koehler

A two year project to protect a Great Lakes Gas and Transmission Company (GLGT) pipeline and improve fish and wildlife habitat on the Bad River within the Bad River Indian Reservation was completed in late February 2006.  Two years ago it was discovered that river flows were starting to expose parts of the GLGT natural gas pipeline that passes under the river.  Erosion problems were also occurring at the pipeline crossing on the river’s east bank.

Over a period of two winters, construction took place to correct the erosion problems and make the engineering practices as beneficial as possible for fish and wildlife.  Working on the frozen ground at the peak of winter lessoned impacts to wetlands and other natural resources from the heavy equipment needed to complete the project.  Because of the inaccessibility of the east bank, a temporary bridge was constructed across the Bad River.  For three weeks in February the entire river ran through 12 large culverts so the monster excavators and earth haulers could operate.

The Bad River Natural Resources Department oversaw the project to ensure environmental protection of the worksite’s natural resources.  Working with the Bad River Tribe and GLGT, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Ashland Fishery Resources Office (FRO) provided technical and financial assistance in maximizing the projects benefits for lake sturgeon as well as other fish and wildlife.  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources were also involved in the estimated $1 million project.  Marine Tech of Duluth, Minn., was the construction contractor.

The first phase of the project was to stabilize the pipeline under the river with large rock.  Ashland FRO helped size the rock so much of it would be optimal for lake sturgeon spawning.  The second part of the project involved stabilization of the eroding bank.  Through the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, bio-engineering practices were incorporated into the bank stabilization work.  Over 1,000 feet of bank were stabilized with large rock riprap and bio-engineering practices.  Bio-engineering included rootwad structures, stream barbs and other large woody debris.  Much of the rock below the baseflow water line was sized for optimal sturgeon spawning.  The habitat work focused on lake sturgeon but other fish species such as white sucker, longnose sucker and walleye will benefit as well. 

Plans also included leaving as much of the riparian forest as possible.  Large groups of mature trees were left on the bank within, and in close proximity to the ripraped areas.  The trees stabilize the banks and provide habitat for multiple species of migratory songbirds such as wood thrush and yellow warblers.  Working around the trees and partnering on the fish and wildlife habitat practices made the project more difficult to complete.  GLGT went to considerable expense to make the project more natural resource friendly.  Working together, the Bad River Tribe, GLGT and other agencies involved maintained societal infrastructure while conserving fish and wildlife habitat of the Bad River watershed.