June 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.
Continue reading for June St. Louis River Area of Concern project updates.
Photo: An Aerial view of the C. Reiss remedial site. Provided by WDNR.
C. Reiss Slip Remediation
The US Army Corps of Engineers have contracted with J.F. Brennan for dredging contaminated sediment from C. Reiss Slip in Superior, WI. Crews mobilized and started dredging on 5/29/24. Removed sediment will be managed on site by C. Reiss with completion expected in late June.
Photo: Fencing is installed to protect portions of the manoomin beds from herbivory. At some sites, the portions protected by fencing are the only places that manoomin can grow and produce seed. Provided by WDNR.
Manoomin (Wild Rice) Restoration
Fencing to prevent geese from eating manoomin is being installed again this year. Herbivory has been the greatest challenge to re-establishing rice beds. About 50 “exclosures” are placed in the river by staff from the Fond du Lac Band, MNDNR and WDNR. They are removed after the rice seed has ripened.
For more information on this project, click here.
Photo: construction photo of clay being placed on the OU-J CDF. Provided by EPA.
Spirit Lake/U.S. Steel
Work is underway at this site to complete habitat restoration and final construction activities. It is not yet open to the public, either via land or water. Stay tuned for a public event announcing the opening event later this year. Until then, please stay out for safety’s sake.
For more information on this project, click here.
Photos: Stand-up paddleboards and boaters have been able to use and enjoy this area since the new openings allow for better access. Provided by Entact.
Pickle Pond Remediation and Habitat Restoration Project
The construction crew has returned to Pickle Pond, preparing shoreline and wetland areas for the planting and seeding of native plants for a vegetate buffer. Work will be done before the Dragon Boat Festival. People and critters are already enjoying the new waterway connection to Superior Bay.
For more information on this project, click here.
