The effort to clean up Ox Creek in Benton Harbor could soon expand.
Speaking to the city’s Economic Development and Parks and Recreation Committee this week, city Waterfront Restoration and Revitalization Project Manager Dane Rasmussen said a grant from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has been paying for the removal of debris in the Ox Creek valley. He said the first phase of that work is close to being finished, and it’s been making a difference.
“The current to-date debris that we’ve removed is 120,000 pounds of material has been pulled out already from the original four units that we identified,” Rasmussen said.
Rasmussen said Units 3 and 4 are about 90% complete, while Units 1 and 2 are about 50% complete. He presented the committee with a proposal to continue a contract with Davey Resource Group to expand the scope of the work to a few more areas.
Rasmussen said as this work continues, efforts are being made to ensure more trash isn’t just dumped around Ox Creek.
“Having the active contractors out there and more eyes on the ground has really helped with prevention. And then we also are working on some outreach and education for the community to help people understand where appropriate places are to take that material and also to help keep an an eye on the place.”
City Manager Alex Little said everyone should know that illegally dumping refuse can lead to serious consequences, like the impounding of an offender’s vehicle. He said there will be a lot of monitoring and policing in the Ox Creek area moving forward.
The additional properties to be cleaned up under the new contract are near Vineyard Avenue, Ross Street, and Brunson Avenue. The cost of the contract is $276,000, all covered by the NOA grant. The first phase of the work was $300,000, also paid for with the grant.
The matter could come before the full city commission soon.
Little also said the city will soon be releasing information about someone stealing walnut trees on city owned property in the area.
