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.

Thank you to everyone who joined us on our Winter Walk, as a part of the Winter Out West weekend! We had a beautiful, warm stroll on the Waabizheshikana Trail, and a great opportunity to learn about some of the clean up projects happening along the river.

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.

On January 25th the St. Louis River Alliance and YMCA hosted a special Winter Fun Night event at the GND Rec. Center. We enjoyed hot chocolate, snowshoeing, a bonfire and time connecting with community! This event was free and family friendly.

We hosted the event as an opportunity to gain public feedback on what activities and events people would like to see on the St. Louis River. The input was overwhelming and we are so thankful for everyones participation!

Join the St. Louis River Alliance for our River Connection event on Tuesday, February 21st from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Morgan Park Community Club located at 1242 88th Ave. West in Duluth.

We want to learn about how YOU want to experience the St. Louis River! Your feedback will help us plan our event calendar for 2023 and beyond.

This event is free, family-friendly, and open to the public. We will provide food and drinks. $20 Super One gift cards will be offered to the first 50 people from the communities of Morgan Park, Smithville, and Riverside who attend the event and share their input via our River Connections Survey. 

Though this event is open to all, you must be 18+, live in the focus neighborhoods mentioned above, and complete a physical survey in order to qualify for the gift cards. *Limit of one gift card per family/address

If you have any questions about this event, please email Alyssa at outreach@stlouisriver.org

The St. Louis River Alliance is excited to be a part of the Winter Out West festivities. We will be finishing off the weekend fun with a Winter Walk on the Waabizheshikana Trail (previously known as the Western Waterfront Trail)  on Sunday, February 12th from 12:30-1:30 pm!

This event is free, family-friendly, and open to the public. Come learn about some of the plants and animals that call the estuary home. We will provide hot chocolate, coffee and snacks. Stop by our input table at the trailhead to tell us about how you want to experience the river for a chance to receive a **$20 Super One gift card!

Parking: We will be meeting at the Waabizheshikana Trail Head at 7009 Pulaski St. Duluth, MN 55807. Please carpool if possible! There is a parking lot and free on-street parking.

Transportation Options: Valley Youth Center will be providing van and bus shuttles to and from Zenith Bookstore to the Waabizheshikana trail (Western Waterfront/Martin Trail).

Join the St. Louis River Alliance and the YMCA at the Gary-New Duluth Rec. Center for a Winter Fun Night!

This event is free, family-friendly, and open to the public. Come help build a community snow sculpture while enjoying s’mores and hot chocolate around a bonfire.

The St. Louis River Alliance is hosting this event to learn about how YOU want to experience the St. Louis River. Stop by our table and let us know what outdoor activities you enjoy for a chance to win a door prize!

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.

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.

Thank you to everyone who made a contribution during our 2022 Membership Drive. We raised $12,449. This money will help us continue to provide programming and events to get the community on and connected to the St. Louis River. For a small non-profit, every penny really does count, and we are incredibly grateful for your support!

If you missed us during the Drive, please know we are always accepting memberships and donations.

You can conveniently sign-up online: www.stlouisriver.org/become-a-member

Or make a donation at: www.stlouisriver.org/donate

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.

Dara Fillmore with the Wisconsin DNR opened the night with a beautiful poem about the river. Our keynote speaker Mark Loomis, Project Manager U.S. EPA Great Lakes National Program Office, shared about the Spirit Lake Project. Kris Eilers, Executive Director for the St. Louis River Alliance shared about project and program updates the Alliance has worked on throughout the year. And Barb Huberty with Minnesota Pollution Control Agency represented all of the St. Louis River Area of Concern Coordinators with her presentation on projects that have been completed or are underway on the river.

We present to you the 'St. Louis River Roast', a balanced, lively cup of coffee that you can enjoy bundled up at home or on the banks of the river. Brewed in Duluth, you can pick this up at one of the many local retailers or purchase online.

Best part?? 100% of net profits go back to the St. Louis River Alliance so we can continue our work of protecting, restoring and enhancing the St. Louis River!

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

By being a member of the St. Louis River Alliance, you become a voice for the river. The St. Louis River Alliance is committed to protecting, restoring and enhancing the river through habitat projects, stewardship events, environmental education, and outreach. We couldn't do this work without you!

It’s important for all of us to participate in these efforts. As a member, you are helping assist with the cleanup of the St. Louis River, but most importantly you are becoming part of a community. Your contributions are what allow us to continue to get people on the water experiencing all that this beautiful resource has to offer.

Become a member today!

SLRA is hosting its annual Membership Drive November 1 to December 13. During this time, all new and returning SLRA supporters will have the chance to win a guided St. Louis River kayak trip for up to six people.

Enter to win: Become/renew your SLRA membership, successfully refer a friend to become a member, or make a tax-deductible donation today!

Here is an interesting graphic and article on AOC spending throughout the Great Lakes published by Canadian Geographic.

Check it out: https://canadiangeographic.ca/articles/a-multination-effort-to-restore-the-great-lakes-a-watershed-moment/

Join the St. Louis River Alliance and AOC Partners for our Annual Celebration of Progress on Thursday, November 10th from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Clyde Iron Works in Duluth, Minnesota

Many St. Louis River construction projects have been completed or are underway. You are invited to come learn about the progress made this past year towards delisting the St. Louis River as an Area of Concern (AOC). This event is free and open to the public. Come enjoy some food, a cash bar, and great conversation with local Area of Concern coordinators! Our keynote speaker will be sharing updates on the Spirit Lake Cleanup - this is a great opportunity to come ask your questions