The once-polluted Duluth riverfront U.S. Steel Superfund Site in Morgan Park is set to re-open next summer with new trails and wildlife habitat after $165 million in cleanup efforts.

This past Wednesday, October 25th, St. Louis River Alliance Executive Director Kris Eilers joined Mayor Larson and city leaders aboard the Lake Superior & Mississippi Railroad to view the nearly completed projects. The finished projects will provide new public access to the St. Louis River and extended recreational trails.

The St Louis River Alliance gives thanks to the neighbors and many project partners for their vision and collaboration to see the site cleaned up and reclaimed.

“The Alliance has been working to help connect people back to the river, and now that some of these projects are being completed, we look forward to helping provide more opportunities to access the river... Community participation, partnerships and problem solving led to the success of these projects and we are so grateful to be here to witness the recovery of a once degraded waterway.” said Kris Eilers

Many projects are happening to help clean-up and delist the St. Louis River Area of Concern. Here are some current project updates for October:

• 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.

Many projects are happening to help clean-up and delist the St. Louis River Area of Concern. Here are some current project updates for September:

• Regulated Navigation Areas: To protect engineered remedies, 6 sites in Minnesota are being proposed as federal Regulated Navigation Areas. To submit comments, more details below.

• Pickle Pond: Crews began constructing a wetland spillway and are approximately 90% complete with dredging. Rail removal, wetland and filter strip construction and monitoring of water clarity outside of Pickle Pond are ongoing. Find more details below.

• Perch Lake: Starting September 5th, Landwehr Construction will begin installing a concrete culvert under Highway 23. Expect single-lane traffic during construction, continuing through about October 20th.

• Thomson Reservoir: Join the Environmental Protection Agency, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and PotlatchDeltic for a public meeting at the Fond du Lac Tribal & Community College Amphitheatre on Thursday, Sept. 21 at 6 PM. This meeting is to learn about the 2024 Thomson Reservoir sediment remediation project and ask questions. Register HERE, with more details below.

• Scanlon Reservoir: The public parking area, trail, fishing pier and walk-in paddle sport landing are all open to the public, but may experience temporary closures to accommodate construction.

• Munger Landing & Spirit Lake/U.S. Steel: Please stay away from these sites until they officially reopen. For everyone’s safety, please stay out of the project areas, including trails and the railroad.

Many projects are happening to help clean-up and delist the St. Louis River Area of Concern. Here are some current project updates for August:

• Munger Landing: remedial construction is going well, and the public are reminded to please stay away from the site until it reopens in the spring of 2024.

• The Spirit Lake/U.S. Steel: site is NOT open to the public. Please stay off the site, trails, railroad tracks, and shorelines.

• Pickle Pond: crews have removed all the contaminated sediment and transported it to a landfill. Rail removal, filter strip construction and monitoring of water clarity continues.

• Scanlon Reservoir: upland site restoration activities will resume in August, with the public parking area and fishing pier open to the public, with possible disruptions at times.

• Thomson Reservoir: Kayak Center has a new sign with information about the sediment remediation project that starts in 2024. A public meeting about the project will be held on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023 at 6 pm at the Fond du Lac Tribal & Community College.

• Environmental Protection Agency and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency are hosting a public open house to discuss PCB cleanup near Snively Creek, on Thursday 8/17, from 4:40-6:30, more details to follow. Soil excavation to remove the contamination will begin the week of 8/21

From January 2023 to March 2023, the St. Louis River Alliance, in partnership with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, hosted six in-person neighborhood input events within the 18 communities adjacent to the St. Louis River. The goal of these events were to identify what activities community members wanted to experience on and near the river, in addition to any barriers that kept them from those activities.

Approximately 300 people attended the six events, in addition to online feedback received via a google form. We had a total of 180 people submit forms (both physical and online). From this information, the St. Louis River Alliance created a River Connection Summary Report, which is available HERE for viewing.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Beginner Paddling + Water Safety event on Tuesday, July 25th at Boy Scout Landing in Duluth. We learned about the importance of cold water safety, how to properly fit and wear a life jacket, and basic paddle strokes and canoe terminology, surrounded by community in a safe and fun atmosphere!

Many projects are happening to help clean-up and delist the St. Louis River Area of Concern. Current project updates for June 2023: Here are some current project updates, continue reading for further details:

• Piping Plover Habitat Restoration Site: Over 5,200 plugs were planted to expand the dune grass area at the Piping Plover habitat restoration site on Wisconsin Point.

• Manoomin (Wild Rice): Partners have been busy observing promising Manoomin (wild rice) growth this summer. 49 protective exclosures have been installed in 6 locations.

• C. Reiss Terminal: US EPA, C. Reiss, and WI DNR entered an agreement under the Great Lakes Legacy Act at the C. Reiss Terminal in Superior, WI. This partnership will help restore operations of a dormant dock and accelerate the clean-up of contaminated sediments. The project is in design, slated for 2024 construction.

• Pickle Pond: Crews continued dredging and have removed 80% of the contaminated sediment from Pickle Pond. Rail removal and monitoring of water clarity is ongoing. Contractors continue sediment removal & disposal through July. The next phase will be deepening the pond and wetland restoration work.

• Munger Landing: Work has resumed at Munger Landing. As the contaminated sediments are dredged, they are piped to Hallett Dock 7 for dewatering and water treatment. Once that work is complete, about 35,000 cubic yards of clean sand cover will be placed over remedial area. Please stay out of the entire project area!

• Ponds Behind Erie Pier: Site restoration at the Ponds Behind Erie Pier Great Lakes Legacy Act project has been completed and the City’s adjacent Cross-City Trail has been reopened.

• Upcoming events:

  • Lake Superior Days: Sunday, June 16th from 11 am - 3 pm on Barkers Island. Enjoy free family fun, music, kids’ activities, stand up paddle boarding, food vendors & more info booths focused on our Great Lake.

Many projects are happening to help clean-up and delist the St. Louis River Area of Concern. Current project updates for June 2023: Here are some current project updates, continue reading for further details:

• Thomson Reservoir: An Environmental Assessment Worksheet that describes the potential effects of the Thomson Reservoir remediation project in MN is available for review & comment until July 6th

• Pickle Pond: Crews started dredging & have removed 10% of the contaminated sediment at Pickle Pond in Wisconsin. Rail removal has started on the north bank. A 3rd barge will be added to the fleet to continue sediment removal & disposal through July. Then the pond will be deepened and wetland restoration work started.

• Superior Slips: The team is evaluating the collection of more samples at the Superior Slips sites in WI to further define contamination areas. Organotin & other targeted contaminants will be sampled in the Tower Ave & General Mills slips to refine cost estimates the options to clean up contaminated sediments. 

• St. Louis River Area of Concern Story Map: Changes made by the software vendor have driven changes in the SLROAC’s story map.  On this website, click on the story map button to see the new, six-chapter layout. Chapter 1 gives navigation tips and site locations maps in Ch. 3 and Ch. 4 are linked to detailed information about the mapped projects.

• Upcoming events:

  • Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Action Plan IV Public Input Session: Wednesday, July 12th from 6-8 pm at the University of Wisconsin-Suprior Yellowjacket Union in Superior, WI

  • 2023 Great Lakes Areas of Concern Conference: held in Green Bay on September 13 & 14, with pre-conference sessions and tours on 9/12. It is open to the public.

Construction is underway to clean up polluted sediment and restore fish and wildlife habitat at Pickle Pond, a nine-acre urban pond that was created by the construction of a railroad embankment that cut off part of Barker's Bay in Superior. This project is part of a large-scale effort to address historical pollution and habitat loss in the St. Louis River Area of Concern and funded by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

Many projects are happening to help clean-up and delist the St. Louis River Area of Concern. Current project updates for May 2023:

• Munger Landing & Ponds behind Erie Pier: Construction will resume soon. For everyone’s safety, please stay out of these work areas until official announcements about their reopening have been made.

• Scanlon Reservoir: Site restoration work will begin soon. The entrance road, parking area, fishing pier, & paddle boat launch at Scanlon Reservoir Park are open; however, they may temporarily close to accommodate site work. There’s no access past the road gate.

• Pickle Pond: Construction has begun at the Pickle Pond restoration site in Superior. Crews will be setting up equipment and clearing areas to access the pond. Dredging will continue throughout the summer to remove contaminated sediments and create a deeper pond that is better connected to the St. Louis River.

Many projects are happening to help clean-up and delist the St. Louis River Area of Concern. Current project updates for April 2023:

• Superior Slip Sediment Remediation Project | Information can now be found on the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources website.

• Spirit Lake | Construction in progress, no public access until work is complete. Please stay clear of work outlined in map below.

• The St. Louis River Area of Concern: From a Fond du Lac Viewpoint | Due to winter weather, this event has been rescheduled to Thursday, April 13th from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Black Bear Casino

• Scanlon Reservoir | Entrance road, parking area, fishing pier & paddle launch are now accessible. However, some areas may close temporarily during site restoration work in Spring 2023.

• Munger Landing & Ponds behind Erie Pier | No public access! Please stay out of these work areas until official announcements about their reopening have bene made.

Many projects are happening to help clean-up and delist the St. Louis River Area of Concern. Current project updates for March 2023:

• Perch Lake Update | In-water work at Perch Lake is complete now that dredging between Hwy 23 and the Waabizheshikana Trail (Marten Trail) is done.

• Munger Landing Update | J.F. Brennan is working ten-hour days intermittently this winter removing contaminated sediment from the Snively Creek wetlands just south of Munger Landing. 

• The St. Louis River Area of Concern: From a Fond du Lac Perspective (Event) | Tuesday, April 4th from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Black Bear Casino in the Stoney Brook Creek Room

• 2023 Anticipated Field Work & Paddlers Awareness Handout | Many projects are planned for the St. Louis River Area of Concern, review these resources to learn about construction zones to avoid.

• Winter Construction | For safety’s sake, please stay away & be alert to St. Louis River Area of Concern construction traffic near project sites

A lot of field work is planned for the St. Louis River Area of Concern (SLRAOC) project sites and is explained in the attached 2023 Anticipated Field Work document. 

PADDLERS: It is important to know what projects are happening as you explore the St. Louis River Estuary National Water Trail! Check out the attached Paddlers Awareness handout to know where current project efforts could impede your paddling plans. Be sure to reference it before you launch so you can be sure to avoid active construction sites.

****Due to the Munger Landing remediation project, the Clyde Avenue boat launch will be closed for the 2023 paddle season.

A sediment cleanup project is underway at Munger Landing, also known as the Clyde Avenue boat launch, to protect human health and the environment from contamination left behind from historic industrial discharges.

The Project includes the dredging and off-site disposal of approximately 100,000 cubic yards of contaminated sediments across 38 acres. The Project will also restore eight acres of aquatic habitat and include replacement of the motorized boat landing and constructing a new sandy paddle sport launch.

Many projects are happening to help clean-up and delist the St. Louis River Area of Concern. Current project updates for February 2023:

• 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.

Public Comment Requested: You are invited to provide input on the draft 2022 Remedial Action Plan (RAP) for the St. Louis River Area of Concern (SLRAOC).

The draft 2022 RAP, posted on WDNR’s SLRAOC website, is organized as a “red line” document showing the deletions and insertions to the 2021 document. It includes a summary of the status of all 80 management actions and notes work completed from October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022. The update also identifies remaining actions that need to be completed before the SLRAOC can be proposed for delisting, along with the anticipated schedule to do so.

Please provide your input no later than noon on Friday, January 13, 2023.

Many projects are happening to help clean-up and delist the St. Louis River Area of Concern. Current project updates for December 2022:

• Degraded Fish & Wildlife Populations BUI | Beneficial Use Impairment removal request

• Superior Slips Sediment Remediation Feasibility Study | Major environmental remediation project kicks off in the port of Superior

• Winter SLRAOC Construction | For safety, please stay away from construction sites

• SLRAOC Remedial Action Plan Draft | Announcement coming later in December

Thank you to everyone who came out to our 2022 Celebration of Progress event on November 10th, 2022. We had three incredible speakers share updates related to the St. Louis River Area of Concern.

If you were not able to make it, or are interested in reviewing the information presented, you can view the presentations here.

Many projects are happening to help clean-up and delist the St. Louis River Area of Concern. Here are some current project updates for November 2022, continue reading for further details:

• 2022 Manoomin Restoration | St. Louis River Area of Concern partners collected 8,057 pounds of wild rice & distributed it in 58 acres of shallow bay habitat.

• Perch Lake Updates | Hemi-marsh has been created to benefit marsh birds at Perch Lake.

• Management Action Status | As of September 30th, 51 of the 80 management actions have either been completed or determined that no further action is necessary.

• Celebration of Progress Event | This annual event was held on November 10th

Every 6 months, a report of St. Louis River Area of Concern (SLRAOC) progress is sent to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). As of September 30th, 51 of the 80 management actions have either been completed or determined that no further action is necessary. That means we are 63.8% of the way to being able to apply for delisting! This important work would not be underway without the support of the community members.

LEARN MORE HERE