National Park Service Approves Perry’s Victory Seawall Restoration

Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial

Put-in-Bay, Ohio – The National Park Service has approved a project that will repair and replace the north and south side concrete seawalls at Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial (PEVI).  Years of wave action, ice loading and geological processes have deteriorated and undermined the two seawalls resulting in the creation of sink holes and other unsafe conditions. Both seawalls are also functionally necessary to protect the cultural resources of the park due to the proximity of Lake Erie and the relatively low elevation of the park.

“We are grateful for the tremendous community support and involvement in this process, as well as the support from other federal, state, and local agencies in completing this important step. We look forward to the start of this project to restore the north and south seawalls later this spring,” Superintendent Barbara Rowles said.

The Environmental Assessment (EA) for the project examined two alternatives in detail, addressed the environmental impacts of each alternative, and identified a preferred alternative. The Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) explains why the selected alternative will have no significant effects on the human environment, and is based on the EA, comments received from the public, interested parties, other federal, state and local agencies, as well as staff during the public review period which concluded December 31, 2020. The FONSI summarizes the public comments received, lists the responses to those comments, and identifies the changes to the text in the EA as a result of comments received.

Together the FONSI, the EA and the response to public comments represent the NPS’s approved action to restore the seawalls and to preserve and protect the site’s properties and cultural resources associated with Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial. Project documents are available online at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/projectHome.cfm?projectID=62176.

 

 

Coast Guard Search/Rescue Underway in South Passage

Coast Guard Dolphin Helicopter trains spotlight on South Passage ice at 10:05pm.

12:02pm 2-23-2021 UPDATE:  An attempt to gather status information from the Detroit U.S. Coast Guard Public Affairs Office resulted in our leaving a voice-mail message.

U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Detroit activated a search/rescue operation in the South Passage of Lake Erie, between South Bass Island Lighthouse and Miller Boat Line Catawba Dock, after receiving a “hole in the ice with tracks leading up to it” report around 6pm.   According to Public Affairs Petty Officer Greg Schell,  the Marblehead Unit investigated and determined an ATV broke through the ice; however, there is no overdue persons report as of 10:37pm.  Mr. Schell added, “the search will continue at first light.”

National Weather Service Issues Ice Alert

Ice Alert

Marine Weather Statement
National Weather Service Cleveland OH
839 PM EST Sat Feb 20 2021

A Marine Weather Statement has been issued for the following areas:
Maumee Bay to Ripley, New York.

Dangerous ice conditions are possible along the Lake Erie shore through Monday. A large area of ice formed along the Lake Erie shore from Maumee Bay and the Islands east to Ripley, New York over the last few weeks. Large openings in the ice in the middle of the lake developed during the day Saturday increasing the potential for ice floes to break off from the southern shore of the lake and around the islands.

Winds are expected to increase from the southeast during the day Sunday and then increase even further from the southwest on Monday.  This increase in wind will progressively increase the risk for the ice to break off from shore. It is advised to stay off the ice.  Anyone on the ice when the ice floes break off will become stranded.

Ice

Photos by Amanda Downey

the crystal snow freezes my heart
the piercing wind blows me down
but among the swampy ice
i sat with my Family,
in suffice  –Henri Bariselle

                             

Heavy Snow Resets Put-in-Bay Landscape

Snow accumulation between eight and ten inches greeted island residents on Tuesday morning.  Gusty winds created snowdrifts, but Put-in-Bay Township and private contractors cleared roads and driveways.  As of 10am, Sheriff Stephen J. Levorchick continued the LEVEL 3 Snow Emergency for Ottawa County, with re-evaluation scheduled for 2pm.  Text your zip code to 888777 to receive alerts from local agencies.