Durbin Discusses Chicago Water Infrastructure Projects with Army Corps District Commander
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) received an update today from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Chicago District Commander Colonel Paul Culberson about several Chicago area Army Crops water infrastructure projects, including the expansion of the Chicago Shoreline, the Great Lakes Resiliency Study, and the Bubbly Creek Restoration Project.
“The time is now to address the rising lake levels on the Chicago shoreline,” said Durbin. “Over the years, the Army Corps has helped build structures to protect Lake Shore Drive and the Chicago Shoreline. I’ll be pushing the Biden Administration to continue this effort so we can increase resiliency along our shoreline and combat the effects of climate change.”
Durbin has pushed for funding for two important studies that would help address the effects of climate change on the lakeshore: the expansion of the Chicago Shoreline Project and the Great Lakes Resiliency Study. Durbin, along with U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL- 09), recently urged the Biden Administration to include funding for the reevaluation of the Chicago shoreline in this year’s budget request. During his call today, Durbin also pushed the Army Corps to include funding for the comprehensive Great Lakes Resiliency Study in the upcoming budget.
After years of delays, Durbin secured an $11.6 million authorization in the Water Resources and Development Act of 2020 to begin restoration of the 1.25-mile South Fork of South Branch of the Chicago River, known as the Bubbly Creek Restoration Project. The money will allow the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to assess and address combined sewer overflows, sediments and loss of aquatic habitat.
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