A bluff showing signs of erosion along the Lake Michigan shoreline (Photo: Wisconsin DNR)
A deal has been worked out to allow the transport of used concrete from a runway project at the Waukegan Airport to the Racine County Village of Mount Pleasant for use by residents affected by serious bluff erosion along Lake Michigan.
During a news conference on a street currently within 5 feet of being undermined by the erosion, Village President Jerry Garski said the concrete will be made available to affected homeowners at no cost.
Racine County Executive Jonathan Delegrave said the county will haul the concrete, dump it at the affected homes, and then try to recoup the cost from the state.
It’s just the first step in shoring up the bluffs, according to Martye Griffin of the DNR, who said larger stones, or blocks, will have to be installed to stop wave action from continuing to eat away at the bluffs.
The concrete will be available only to affected lake shore residents in Mount Pleasant, as well in Caledonia, where bluff erosion has also taken place. It will be up to those homeowners to move the material to the shoreline.
WRJN