February 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:
BUI 2 Removal | The Degraded Fish and Wildlife Populations Beneficial Use Impairment has been officially removed from the SLRAOC!
2022 RAP Posted | The annual update of the SLRAOC Remedial Action Plan has been completed.
Superior Slips update | WDNR and its partners have investigated sediment contamination in 4 industrial slips in the Port of Superior and developed alternatives for remedial cleanup.
Winter AOC Construction | Please stay away and be alert to construction traffic at work sites.
BUI 2 has been Removed
The Degraded Fish & Wildlife Populations Beneficial Use Impairment (BUI) has officially been removed from the St. Louis River Area of Concern! This is the fourth of nine removed BUIs, putting us one step closer to delisting. See the full package here.
Image to left: Common Terns nesting on Interstate Island by MNDNR
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 - Removed 2023
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 Update
Photo Credit: General Mills Slip, from AECOM.
Major Environmental Remediation Project Kicks Off in the Port of Superior
The Superior Slips Sediment Remediation Study is picking up steam! WDNR and its partners have investigated sediment contamination in 4 industrial slips in the Port of Superior and developed alternatives for remedial cleanup.
Watch for opportunities to learn more: WDNR SLRAOC Website!
2022 Remedial Action Plan
The annual update of the SLRAOC Remedial Action Plan has been completed. This document outlines the eighty management actions that need to be completed to remove nine Beneficial Use Impairments and delist the SLRAOC. The 2022 RAP can be found here.
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.
