POSTER PRESENTER: http://tinyurl.com/2024WSC-Cole CO-AUTHOR: Katie Unke Ehrenberg, GEI Consultants TITLE: Development of wildlife habitat restoration design plans for the Tank Farm Marsh in an urban setting ABSTRACT: GEI Consultants Inc. (GEI) partnered with the City of Green Bay and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for planning and design services for fish and wildlife habitat restoration within the Tank Farm Marsh. The site is surrounded by highly industrialized lands and has many urban challenges. This area is a remnant of the former 600+ acre Atkinson Marsh and is located along the southwest shoreline of the bay of Green Bay. The marsh is still an important refuge for migratory and resident wildlife species but is degraded. The purpose of the project is to improve fish and wildlife habitat to address fish and wildlife-related beneficial use impairments (BUIs) and support long-term Lower Green Bay and Fox River Area of Concern (AOC) delisting efforts. The project was constrained by several factors that are associated with an urban setting: management of sediment, contaminants, access, utilities, and more. These conditions jeopardized the project but did not stop the team from developing concepts and solutions. GEI conducted field surveys and desktop reviews for the documentation of wetlands/waterways, invasive species, wildlife species and habitats, bathymetric data, contamination, and more. Engineering staff utilized these data and conducted hydrologic and hydraulic modeling of the site to support the accuracy of design and feasibility of the project. The collected data were used to develop three concepts that determined how to best improve conditions for AOC priority fish and wildlife populations and habitats while balancing existing site conditions and constraints: with one concept moving forward to final design. The final design will establish multiple wetland types based on fluctuating water levels, making the site more resilient and self-sustaining. BIO: Stephanie Cole is an environmental scientist at GEI Consultants, Inc. She recently earned her master’s degree in environmental science and policy from UW-Green Bay and her bachelor’s degree in biology from UW-La Crosse. Her career has been focused on implementing and planning wetland restoration projects, particularly within the Green Bay area.