Construction for Clover Island restoration project starting this fall
KENNEWICK, Wash. — Clover Island will soon be getting a makeover with construction starting this fall for an ecosystem restoration project.
The project is moving out of the design phase after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Walla Walla District awarded the $4 million construction project to TDX Power Services, LLC.
Deputy CEO of the Port of Kennewick, Tana Bader Inglima, told Action News that this project is 25% local cost share match against a 75% federal cost share match. The local 25% is being funded by the Port of Kennewick, the City of Kennewick, Benton County, and a grant from Washington state for aquatic land enhancement.
One goal of this project is to improve habitat conditions for aquatic species living in the river including four types of fish that are currently on the endangered species list, which are:
- Upper Columbia River spring-run chinook salmon
- Upper Columbia River steelhead
- Middle Columbia River steelhead
- Bull trout
Bader Inglima told us there will be ecological benefits from improvements such as stabilizing and beautifying the shoreline, and there will also be economic benefits from changes made on land.
"That also creates a much more visually attractive and beautiful shoreline, and then with the recreational extension of that trail, people will be able to walk and push the baby strollers and jog along the shoreline, so better waterfront access. And again, then providing the spring board for future business and economic development," said Bader Inglima.
She told Action News that there will be an impact on parking and boating during construction.
The boat launch at Clover Island will stay open, but there will be limited parking since they will be closing some parking lots for construction and staging materials.
For more information about the restoration project, you can visit the Port of Kennewick website by clicking here.
