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Oct 28, 2025:
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Construction of Marquette Greenway Trail - Mnoke Prairie Segment
Indiana Dunes National Park » Construction of Marquette Greenway Trail - Mnoke Prairie Segment
Indiana Dunes National Park (the Park) has prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) to evaluate the proposed two-mile extension of the Marquette Greenway called the Mnoké Prairie section. The Marquette Greenway is a 60-mile regional multi-use trail stretching from Chicago, Illinois to New Buffalo, Michigan.
The EA has been prepared in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to provide a decision-making framework as follows: 1) Assess a reasonable range of alternatives to meet the purpose of the proposed action; 2) Evaluate potential issues and impacts to the natural and cultural resources of the Park; and 3) Identify required mitigation measures designed to lessen the degree or extent of any potential adverse environmental impacts.
Three alternatives have been evaluated: Alternative A - No Action, Alternative B - Construct Multi-Use Trail with an Underpass (Preferred Alternative), and Alternative C - Construct Multi-Use Trail with an Overpass. Under Alternative A, the trail would not be constructed. Alternative B, an approximately two-mile trail segment, would be built along the edge of Mnoké Prairie in Indiana Dunes National Park, and cross the Norfolk Southern Railroad via an underpass. Under Alternative C, the trail segment would follow the same general alignment as described in Alternative B, but construct a multi-use bridge (i.e., overpass) over the Norfolk Southern Railroad. The alternatives are described in Section 2.
The EA identifies the categories of resources, or Impact Topics, found within the project area that are most likely to be affected by the actions described in each alternative. Subject matter experts have conducted a detailed analysis to determine the most likely effects on the resources and the mitigations required to avoid resource damage. The Impact Topics are identified in Section 1.4 and Table 1 of this document. The preferred alternative, Alternative B, would result in no significant impacts to the Park's resources.
Superintendent
Indiana Dunes National Park
(219) 395-1699
The EA has been prepared in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to provide a decision-making framework as follows: 1) Assess a reasonable range of alternatives to meet the purpose of the proposed action; 2) Evaluate potential issues and impacts to the natural and cultural resources of the Park; and 3) Identify required mitigation measures designed to lessen the degree or extent of any potential adverse environmental impacts.
Three alternatives have been evaluated: Alternative A - No Action, Alternative B - Construct Multi-Use Trail with an Underpass (Preferred Alternative), and Alternative C - Construct Multi-Use Trail with an Overpass. Under Alternative A, the trail would not be constructed. Alternative B, an approximately two-mile trail segment, would be built along the edge of Mnoké Prairie in Indiana Dunes National Park, and cross the Norfolk Southern Railroad via an underpass. Under Alternative C, the trail segment would follow the same general alignment as described in Alternative B, but construct a multi-use bridge (i.e., overpass) over the Norfolk Southern Railroad. The alternatives are described in Section 2.
The EA identifies the categories of resources, or Impact Topics, found within the project area that are most likely to be affected by the actions described in each alternative. Subject matter experts have conducted a detailed analysis to determine the most likely effects on the resources and the mitigations required to avoid resource damage. The Impact Topics are identified in Section 1.4 and Table 1 of this document. The preferred alternative, Alternative B, would result in no significant impacts to the Park's resources.
Contact Information
Jason J. Taylor, Ph.D.Superintendent
Indiana Dunes National Park
(219) 395-1699