December 2022: SLR Area of Concern Updates
The St. Louis River (SLR) was designated as one of the 31 Areas of Concern (AOC) on the Great Lakes. It was designated as an AOC under the U.S. – Canada Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement in 1987 because of significant impacts that occurred before modern environmental laws were in place. Following the SLRAOC Remedial Action Plan, state and federal agencies have been implementing management actions to address the legacy impairments. If you look, you can now see the work in progress throughout the SLRAOC: contractors are busy each construction season, plant and animal populations are rebounding, water is cleaner, and lost habitat is being restored.
Here are some current project updates, continue reading for further details:
Degraded Fish & Wildlife Populations BUI | Beneficial Use Impairment removal request
Superior Slips Sediment Remediation Feasibility Study | Major environmental remediation project kicks off in the port of Superior
Winter Construction | For safety, please stay away from construction sites
SLRAOC Remedial Action Plan Draft | Announcement coming later in December
Degraded Fish & Wildlife Populations BUI
The request to remove the Degraded Fish & Wildlife Populations Beneficial Use Impairment (BUI) was submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency on 11/28. Their concurrence is expected by the end of December. If received, this will be the 4th of 9 BUIs removed for the SLRAOC.
What is a Beneficial Use Impairment (BUI)?
An interim success of remediation and restoration work is removing Beneficial Use Impairments (BUIs). BUIs are designations created by the International Joint Commission, representing different types of significant environmental degradation. As cleanup work is completed, and monitoring demonstrates sufficient environmental health improvements, BUIs can gradually be removed. The list below shows which BUIs have been removed, and which remain. Once all BUIs are removed, the process of delisting the AOC can begin.
Restrictions on Fish and Wildlife Consumption
Degraded Fish and Wildlife Populations
St. Louis River Fish Tumors BUI Removals (pdf) (5.74 MB, June 2019) - Removed 2019
Degradation of Benthos
Restrictions on Dredging Activities
St. Louis River Eutrophication or Undesirable Algae BUI Removal package (pdf) (107.97 MB) - Removed 2020
Beach Closings
Degradation of Aesthetics (pdf) (7.13 MB) - Removed 2014
Loss of Fish and Wildlife Habitat
Superior Slips Sediment Remediation
Major Environmental Remediation Project Kicks Off in the Port of Superior
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and its partners have begun a feasibility study to remediate environmental contamination in the Port of Superior. The St. Louis River Area of Concern has been subject to pollution and habitat loss over many decades from heavy industrial use, and the Superior Slips Sediment Remediation Feasibility Study is focused on improving environmental conditions in contaminated sediment in four industrial slips. The project is one of many – with Federal, State, Local, and Tribal participation – designed to restore the waterways’ health and use for recreation and commerce. This project is just getting underway, and there will be many opportunities for community input and your involvement. Look for more information in January 2023 and the launch of the project website.
Winter Construction
Winter construction activities continue at the Munger Landing, Ponds behind Erie Pier, Spirit Lake & Perch Lake sites in MN. Public access remains closed. For safety’s sake, please stay away & be alert to construction traffic near these sites. Learn more from the story maps.
Remedial Action Plan Draft Coming Soon
Watch for an announcement later in December that will invite public input on the draft 2022 SLRAOC Remedial Action Plan. The “red line” draft will show changes since 2021 & summarize the completed and future SLRAOC work. Comments will be due in January.
