October 2023: 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 and Spirit Lake/U.S. Steel: As construction continues, please stay out of the project areas, including trails and the railroad, until official reopening announcements are made.
Superior Slips: Sediment Remediation Study has reached a milestone with Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ approval to remove contaminated sediment in three large slips within the Port of Superior. Watch for an upcoming public meeting about the clean-up effort!
Pickle Pond: Crews have completed 90% of the wetland and are working to remove a section of the railroad embankment. The new openings will improve water exchange, water quality, and restore unrestricted navigation by small craft for the first time in over 130 years. More information HERE.
Perch Lake: Expect single-lane traffic to continue into October as the Perch Lake culvert is being installed under Highway 23. This new opening will help restore waterflow between the St. Louis River and Perch Lake.
Howards Bay: In association with the Howards Bay project, the City of Superior is building a trail on the former Wisconsin Point landfill that will be open for recreation in spring 2024, after the construction contract and permits are closed. More information HERE.
Completed Management Actions: Ponds behind Erie Pier and Scanlon Reservoir represent two projects that have been added to the list of completed management actions, with 27 management actions in progress.
Munger Landing & Spirit Lake/U.S. Steel
Arial view of Munger Landing. Photo Credit: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Construction continues at Munger Landing and Spirit Lake/U.S. Steel sites. For everyone’s safety, please stay out of the project areas, including trails and the railroad, until official reopening announcements are made.
The Superior Slips
Historical photo of the General Mills Slip. This picture displays the Great Northern Dock on the left and the Great Northern Railway Elevator on the right.
The Superior Slips Sediment Remediation Study has reached a milestone with Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. This is possible with the approval of Remedial Action Options Reports with recommendations for removing contaminated sediment in three large slips in the Port of Superior.
Watch for an upcoming public meeting about the clean-up effort!
Pickle Pond
Pickle Pond overview. Photo Credit: White Lake Dock & Dredge, Inc.
At Pickle Pond, crews have completed 90% of the wetland and are now working to remove a section of the railroad embankment. The new openings will improve water exchange, water quality, and restore unrestricted navigation by small craft for the first time in over 130 years. Native plants are coming in 2024.
More information on this project, HERE.
Perch Lake
Culvert installation under highway 23. Photo Credit: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Expect single-lane traffic to continue into October, as the Perch Lake culvert is being installed under highway 23. This new opening will help restore water flow between the St. Louis River and the Lake to improve habitat for fish and wildlife.
Howards Bay
Picture of the newly proposed hiking trail at Wisconsin Point, opening Spring of 2024.
Photo Credit: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
In association with the Howards Bay Project, the City of Superior is building a trail on the former Wisconsin Point landfill that will be open for recreation in spring of 2024, after the construction contract and permits are closed. Eventually, the trail will connect Wisconsin Point Lot #1 to Barkers Island.
More information on this project, HERE.
Completed Management Actions
Graphic showing completion level of remediation projects, with a 66.3% completion.
Credit: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Two contaminated sediment remediation projects have been added to the list of completed management actions: Those remediation projects include: The Ponds behind Erie Pier & Scanlon Reservoir. The total percentage complete is now 66.3%. Twenty-seven management actions are in progress.
