Chouteau Island in the Confluence Greenway

Lake: Rivers Project

Partners: USACE; Southwestern Illinois Resource Conservation and Development, Inc.; City of Madison, Illinois; Illinois Department of Natural Resources; Illinois Historic Preservation Agency; National Park Service; Trailnet, Inc., The Trust for public Land

Partnership Type: MOU

Corps POC: Kimberly Rea, Park Ranger

Story: Chouteau Island encompasses approximately 5,500 acres of land to include Mosenthien Island and Gabaret Island. Due to the islands’ proximity to interstate 270, they are considered a primary gateway to the Confluence Greenway, which is a 200-square-mile system of parks, conservation areas, trails, and recreations areas that span 40 miles on both sides of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. Currently The City of Madison, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers own land on Chouteau Island, Mosenthein Island, and Gabaret Island. Over 60 percent of Chouteau Island is owned by state and federal agencies while 100 percent of Gabaret and Mosenthien Islands are publicly owned.

The agencies involved with the development of the Chouteau Island complex are trying to utilize all aspects of the islands’ hydro-geological features, environmental significance, habitat expanse, and cultural and historical resources. Some of the goals are to create educational and interpretive opportunities; improve hiking, biking, equestrian and water-based access; protect, restore, improve and expand animal, plant, and river habitat to enhance biodiversity; preserve the islands’ role as a green gateway; encourage a habitat that is beneficial to wildlife, interpretation, education and recreations; preserve and restore the island complex in a manner that is environmentally and economically sustainable, as well as numerous other goals.

This project has a large number of partners as well as stakeholders. It is a very complex project that when completed will provide a needed source of recreational opportunities for the St. Louis Metropolitan Area.

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