Congratulations to the Peoria Park District on the successful overnight installation of the Rock Island Trail Bridge over Knoxville Avenue.

Congratulations andnbsp;to Larry O’Hern, and his family, for being featured in an article on theandnbsp;USDA-NRCS website.

Maurer-Stutz agricultural engineers worked with Larry O’Hern and his family to help address resource concerns with their farming operation and take a step toward future sustainability.andnbsp; As NRCS certified Technical Service Providers (TSPs), MSI worked with Larry on development of his Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP).andnbsp; After many hours of planning and updating, the concept plan was developed through a team effort with Mr. O’Hern to include a new mono-slope beefandnbsp; barn to house cattle that previously were raised on earth feedlots.andnbsp; The barn is a hybrid including bedding pack housing with sloped scrape alleys on the ends of the barn in addition to a fully slatted below building deep pit in the center. andnbsp;

MSI designed and developed plans and specifications of the waste system for state permitting and approvals. The CNMP was submitted to NRCS and approved for cost share through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). andnbsp;andnbsp;MSI provided construction phase services for quality assurance working with Summit Livestockandnbsp;http://www.summitlivestock.com/andnbsp;who designed and provided the mono-slope building and construction management services.andnbsp; The barn received its first calves in the fall of 2012 and closeouts continue to be great.