February 2024: St. Louis River 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:
Munger Landing: Removal of contaminated sediments at Munger Landing in Minnesota and Wisconsin is complete! Most site restoration and enhancement tasks are also finished, so the site is now open to the public.
2023 Remedial Action Plan: The Remedial Action Plan for 2023 has been finalized and will be posted on February 9th, to both the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources website.
Save the Date! The 2023 Celebration of Progress will be held on April 23, 2024 at Clyde Iron Works. Stay tuned for more information about the time and program!
In January, the Environmental Protection Agency approved $455,000 in environmental justice funding for the City of Duluth for multiple projects to improve access at four St. Louis Area Of Concern sites. Congrats!
St. Louis River Summit: You can learn more about the St. Louis River Area of Concern (SLRAOC) progress at the 2024 St. Louis River Summit. This event will be held on March 6th through March 8th, located at the UW-Superior Yellowjacket Union. More information HERE.
Munger Landing
Photo showing the partially restored boat launch at Munger Landing. Photo Credit: US Army Corps of Engineers
Removal of contaminated sediments at Munger Landing in Minnesota, and Wisconsin is complete! Most site restoration and enhancement tasks are also finished, so the site is now open to the public. However, contractors will return in late spring to apply asphalt to the motorized boat launch and parking lots.
2023 Remedial Action Plan
The Remedial Action Plan for 2023 has been finalized and will be posted on February 9th, to both the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources website, linked below.
Click HERE for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency website.
Click HERE for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources website.
Environmental Justice Funding
In January, the Environmental Protection Agency approved $455,000 in environmental justice funding for the City of Duluth for multiple projects to improve access at four St. Louis Area Of Concern sites (Grassy Point, Kingsbury Bay, Chambers Grove and Munger Landing) and to implement river-based programming throughout the estuary. Congrats!
St. Louis River Summit
You can learn more about the St. Louis River Area of Concern (SLRAOC) progress at the 2024 St. Louis River Summit. This event will be held on March 6th through March 8th, located at the UW-Superior Yellowjacket Union. Registration is open and the detailed agenda describing presentations, posters and networking sessions will be posted soon.
More information HERE.
