Root-Pike WIN, Village of Mount Pleasant, and Racine County to Restore Pike River Tributary in Wisconn Valley
Partnership creates “The Path to Wisconn Valley”, which will improve water quality, increase native habitats, and expand recreational access
The Path to Wisconn Valley - a new environmental corridor along the Lamparek Ditch (source: Root-Pike WIN)
Root-Pike Watershed Initiative Network (WIN), the Village of Mount Pleasant and Racine County announced today a unique partnership aimed at restoring the impaired Lamparek Ditch – a critical Lake Michigan tributary. The restored environmental corridor will extend approximately 1.2 miles from Foxconn’s “Area One” at County Highway H, east through Foxconn’s “Area Three,” and connect to the restored North Branch of the Pike River. The project, called “The Path to Wisconn Valley,” will include approximately 135 acres of restored wetlands, riparian buffers, prairie uplands and a multi-purpose trail. The Lamparek Ditch is currently impaired because of excessive loading of storm water pollutants including Phosphorus, Nitrogen, total suspended solids, E.coli and road salt.
Looking west towards Foxconn from 90th St, riparian buffer work has begun in the ATC right-of-way. On the left, the agricultural berm prevents natural stream processes from occurring. (source: ATC)
As part of a memorandum of understanding (MOU), Root-Pike WIN will serve in an owner’s representative role, Racine County will be a consultant to the project, and the Village of Mount Pleasant will be final decision maker, landowner and maintenance leader. The MOU is being reviewed for approval by the Village of Mount Pleasant Board of Trustees and Racine County Board of Supervisors. The preliminary scope of work includes approximately one mile of recreational paths, 2,700 feet of stream re-meandering, 35 acres of wetland rehabilitation, and 100 acres of prairie uplands. 
The Path to Wisconn Valley will address the EPA's "Triple Benefits" (source: EPA)
The goals of this public-private partnership mirror the Environmental Protection Agency’s “triple benefits” in that the project will have substantial environmental, economic and wellness upsides.

The Path to Wisconn Valley has five main objectives;
  1. reduce storm water runoff velocity,
  2. decrease runoff pollutants,
  3. increase habitat areas for native species,
  4. create multi-use paths to connect to the Pike River Pathway, and
  5. inspire other municipalities to restore Lake Michigan tributaries.

The Pike River tributary will be renamed from “Lamparek Ditch” to “Lamparek Creek” in honor of its restoration and renewal.
Much like the restored North Branch of the Pike River, The Path to Wisconn Valley will create a sense of place. (source: Village of Mount Pleasant)
The cost of the project is estimated between $3 million and $4 million. However, the project is in the planning stages and the exact scope of work, schedule and project costs are conceptual. The project would be funded through local, state, federal and private grants and resources as they become available, which is how the North Branch of the Pike River restoration was funded.
Proof environmental corridors work... the restored North Branch takes on the record rainfall of July 2017.
(source: Root-Pike WIN)
“We are pleased to establish this results-driven partnership with Root-Pike WIN and Racine County to measurably reduce storm water volume, velocity, and increase water quality,” said Dave DeGroot, Mount Pleasant’s Village President. “We have the unique opportunity to improve conditions along the Lamparek Creek into a state that will be better than before Foxconn broke ground. The Pike River Plan has the water quality data and project recommendations to substantiate before and after improvements.”
The Lamparek Ditch is one of the most impaired tributaries in the Pike River watershed (source: Root-Pike WIN)
The restoration of the Lamparek Ditch is recommended in the 2014 EPA/DNR-approved Pike River Watershed Restoration Plan . The Plan prescribed wider buffers and stream channel improvements to filter pollutants, reduce storm water volume and velocity, and provide rich habitats for diverse native wildlife. The restored areas will also provide aesthetic, functional and recreational upsides that can improve the value of the adjacent developments and experiences. Combined, these improvements will create a corridor where people can walk, run, fish, and invest in.
Phosphorus and nitrogen produce excessive algae along the Lamparek Ditch (source: Root-Pike WIN)
“This tremendous partnership shows that economic development and environmental stewardship doesn’t have to be an ‘either-or’ – we can do both,” said County Executive Jonathan Delagrave. “As we continue to see great progress on the Foxconn project, this collaboration will strengthen the environmental integrity of the area and lead to new opportunities for our residents.”
Developments along the corridor will benefit as the restored areas will have public access for employees and residents alike. Restored environmental corridors can increase land values and provide additional wellness opportunities that become recruitment tools for employers and developers.
Northern Pike are gone from the Pike River. Restoration along the Lamparek Ditch could bring them back.
Our combined efforts to work with current and future development partners will have a multi-generational impact on the watershed, the Root-Pike basin, and Lake Michigan.
DeGroot added, “This partnership provides the perfect value-add opportunity for restoration, recreation and reclamation without sacrificing the Village and County’s development goals.”
“This is a unique opportunity to leave something better than we found it,” Delagrave added. “We know the public is closely watching this development, and this partnership will show that this community cares about its environmental assets.”

This public-private partnership would not be possible without the hard work of our staff and those from Mount Pleasant and Racine County. Major contributors include Bill Sasse, Monte Osterman, Claude Lois, Sonny Havn, M.T. Boyle, Chad Sampson, Mike Hoadley, Michael Lanzdorf, Mike Luba . Please thank them when you get a chance.

Working together, we can restore the Root-Pike basin.
Dave Giordano
Executive Director
262-496-2199
The Root-Pike Basin Watersheds
Root-Pike Watershed Initiative Network
Office: 800 Center St Room 118, Racine, WI 53403
Mail: PO BOX 044164, Racine, WI 53404