June, 17, 2025
Monroe County has been awarded a $506,000 project through the Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient & Cost-saving Transportation (PROTECT) program
of the Federal Highway Administration, United States Department of Transportation, to complete an assessment of the stream crossings and other infrastructure in the Little La Crosse
Watershed and identify strategies for increasing resiliency of the structures to extreme weather
and high water. This project is the first, and only, PROTECT project awarded in Wisconsin.
The Monroe County Highway Department, the Monroe County Land Conservation Department and the towns of Jefferson, Portland, Wells, Leon and Sparta, along with other project stakeholders, engineering and environmental consultant Emmons & Olivier Resources, invite you to the Project Kick-Off Open House for the Little La Crosse Watershed Infrastructure Resiliency Initiative. The Open House is scheduled for Tuesday, June 24th at the Leon Community Hall, 20638 Jameson Road, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The objective of the project is to identify practical, nature-based and cost-effective actions to
reduce potential future impacts, including, but not limited to, stream crossing structure
replacements and upstream/watershed mitigation. The project will produce the scope and cost
estimate of future projects to implement the strategies identified in the planning and development phase and provide the basis for future construction proposals. The project will review the condition of existing stream crossings and land management practices in the subject sub-watersheds and prioritize recommended action.
Another objective of the project is to restore stream connectivity, natural habitats, and
encourage natural stream behaviors, which will also benefit efforts to reduce the volume and
velocity of stormwater carried by the stream. Outfall treatments will be installed as necessary
to ensure that water is discharged through the structures in a manner that complements
downstream efforts to manage the effect of large rainfall events. Appropriate design and
placement of upstream mitigation and outfall treatments will also support efforts to improve
soil stability, habitat health and water quality of the watershed.
The Little La Crosse Watershed Infrastructure Resiliency Initiative has attracted nation-wide
interest. The Volpe Center, the research and technology transfer program of the United
States Department of Transportation, Office of the Secretary of Transportation, has selected
the Little La Crosse project as a case study in resilience excellence.
Please join us to kick off this exciting project. The informal, open-house format will provide
opportunities for questions, comments and participation. Displays on Watershed Attributes &
Challenges and Project Objectives will be available. Light refreshments will be provided.
Presentations by Emmons & Olivier Resources, Monroe County Land Conservation and
Monroe County Highway Department will begin at 6:30 pm.
For additional information please contact the Monroe County Land Conservation Department at (608) 269 – 8973, the Monroe County Highway Department at (608) 269 – 8740 or via e-
mail at highways@co.monroe.wi.us, or visit the project website at
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