Kateri Tekakwitha Island restoration resumes

Work on the major restoration project on Kateri Tekakwitha Island and Recreation Bay, Quebec, is expected to resume in the following days, the Kahnawake Environment Protection Office (KEPO) said.

The contractor, Rice Mohawk Landscaping, is on-site this week trimming a few trees near the Turtle Nesting Ground to create an access path for equipment.

In early May, crews will be on-site preparing for the upcoming season by repairing fences and setting up the construction trailer.

Other project components, including access points, shoreline naturalization, and rest areas will be worked on as they move into summer, with the aquatic plant harvesting beginning in late July and dredging in early August.

According to KEPO, the dredged sediment will then be blended with sand to create topsoil to be used in finishing the Linear Pond and Marsh feature with improvements on the mainland side of the bay taking place in the fall.

The main goals of the project:

• Improve water flow in the Bay and reduce sediment;

• Naturalize the shoreline to improve the landscape for wildlife and community members;

• Protect and enhance existing natural wetlands.