St. Louis River Area of Concern Updates: Interstate Island Final Phase of Restoration

Apr 13

Interstate Island Final Phase of Restoration
Press Release from Minnesota Land Trust

Contact Information: Beth Westerback bwesterback@mnland.org, 651-917-6297

“It’s an exciting time for a Common Tern who soon will return to its restored nesting site on Interstate Island after overwintering in South America.

Last year, restoration began on Interstate Island to combat habitat loss that happened over recent years due to flooding and higher water levels. Next week JF Brennan Company will complete the construction aspects of the habitat restoration. They will import sand and complete grading of the expansion area as well as construct rock vanes to protect against wind erosion.

Interstate Island is home to one of only two Common Tern colonies in the Lake Superior watershed. The island straddles the Minnesota and Wisconsin state line between Duluth and Superior and is jointly managed by both states. The birds are listed as a threatened species in Minnesota and endangered in Wisconsin.

Minnesota Land Trust is managing this project in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Federal partners include the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

This project has nearly doubled the size of the island and raised the nesting area above long-term high-water levels, giving the terns the greatest chance of survival. It is one of numerous projects in the St. Louis River Estuary to delist it as one of the largest Areas of Concern in the Great Lakes.

This project is funded in part by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act, and by the Outdoor Heritage Fund, as appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature and recommended by Lessard Sams Outdoor Heritage Council (LSOHC).”

TO LEARN MORE CLICK ON THE ‘INTERSTATE ISLAND FACT SHEET’ BUTTON BELOW

INTERSTATE ISLAND FACT SHEET