(KAIR) -- A part of the Missouri River near Atchison has been revitalized in an effort to bring it back to its original form.
Excavation for the Dalbey Bottoms Missouri River Fish and Wildlife Mitigation Site began in January, several miles south of Atchison.
The U.S. Army Corp of Engineers started purchasing the nearly 1,600 acres for the project in 2007.
Congress authorized the fish and wildlife mitigation effort in 1986 as a way of returning the Missouri River to a condition that resembled its original environmental state before channelization, bank stabilization and other man-made modifications.
Kirk Thompson, area biologist with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism says the Corps had to negotiate with area property owners.
(Play Audio) RT: :21
The corps issued a $7.46 million contract to improve habitat along the river for species such as the pallid sturgeon.
Thompson says the Corps part of the revitalization consisted of making new channels.
(Audio Continues) RT: :32
Thompson says the Corps is still working with the railroad to gain public access via vehicle or to hunt; however, the area can be accessed by boat.
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