Northern Kentucky Stream and Wetland Restoration Program
The Stream and Wetland Restoration Program (Stream Fund) is comprised of in-lieu fees paid by Department of Army permittees as mitigation for unavoidable stream impacts in Northern Kentucky. The goal of the program is to improve stream and water quality. Projects generally include:
- stream corridor assessments
- bank stabilization
- in-stream restoration measures
- riparian habitat restoration
View our 2009 highlights brochure (PDF)
The Stream Fund is administered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Kentucky Division of Water and is managed by the NKU Center for Applied Ecology. The Center identifies and assesses stream corridor restoration opportunities and implements plans to protect, enhance, restore and monitor sites. Projects are reviewed and approved by the Mitigation Review Team. Members of the team include representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kentucky Division of Water, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Streams restored under this program are placed under permanent protection through conservation easements, deed restrictions, or similar written agreements. The projects are monitored by the Center for extended years to ensure engineering and biological restoration success. Monitoring entails regular site inspections, quantitative vegetation monitoring, water quality monitoring, photodocumentation, and if needed, erosion repair, invasive plant control, and supplemental planting.
Through the Stream Fund, more than 14 miles of stream and 180 acres of riparian areas have been restored and permanently protected in Northern Kentucky. Stream restoration projects have been conducted at:
- Adair Wildlife Management Area
- Big Bone Lick State Park
- Burlington Elementary School
- Bentwood Hills Condominium Complex
- Woodland Hills Condominium Complex