March 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:
Superior Slips: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is recommending options for removing contaminated sediment from the Superior Slips. Learn about the Superior slips and provide your input at a public meeting via Zoom on April 11, 2024, at 5:00 pm.
C. Reiss Slip and Dock: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, C. Reiss Co., and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is partnering on a Great Lakes Legacy Act project to clean up contaminated sediment at the C. Reiss Slip and dock in Superior.
Paddling in the Estuary this Summer: Look at this updated map before paddling, to ensure you can avoid this year’s Area of Concern Projects when paddling though the St. Louis River this summer season. Click HERE for the map.
Field Work Season: Many field work projects will be underway during this field season. Click HERE for the handout showing you where, and when the work is planned in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Save the Date: Plan on taking a virtual tour of our accessible project sites and getting information from recreational experts during our 2024 Celebration of Progress, Tuesday April 23rd. This event will take place at Clyde Iron Works, from 5:30-7:30 pm.
Superior Slips
The General Mills Slip – formerly Great Northern dock & elevator. Photo credit: https://gottabesuperior.com/about/history/
Based on its consultant’s remediation feasibility study, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is recommending options for removing contaminated sediment from the Superior Slips. Learn about the 3 large slips in the Port of Superior and provide your input at a public meeting via Zoom on April 11, 2024, at 5:00 pm
For more information click HERE for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources website.
C. Reiss Dock & Slip
C. Reiss Slip and Dock in Superior, Wisconsin.
Photo credit: Google
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, C. Reiss Co., and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is partnering on a Great Lakes Legacy Act project, to clean up contaminated sediment at the C. Reiss Slip and Dock in Superior. The design is complete and the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers will administer the construction. Additionally, the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers anticipates the seeking of bids soon, and work will begin later this year.
Summer Paddling: St. Louis River Estuary
Paddling map through the estuary, so you can avoid this year’s St. Louis River Area of Concern projects. Photo credit: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
If you plan on paddling in the estuary this summer, be sure to check the paddling resource attached below before you launch, so you can avoid this year’s St. Louis River Area of Concern projects.
Paddling Map click HERE.
Field Work Season
Once again, many field work projects will be underway during this field season for the St. Louis River Area of Concern projects located in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Click HERE for a handout which shows you where the work is planned, and what type of work will be conducted.
Save the Date
The 2024 Celebration of Progress will be on Tuesday, April 23rd at Clyde Iron Works (2920 W Michigan St, Duluth) from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Plan on taking a virtual tour of our accessible project sites and getting information from recreational experts. More details will be announced soon, stay tuned!
