Project Detail

CAC Support for the St. Louis River Alliance

Objective

The Wisconsin and Minnesota state agencies are working cooperatively toward the delisting of the St. Louis River AOC. An EPA Great Lakes Restoration Initiative was awarded to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) to complete an Implementation Framework toward delisting the AOC. With joint responsibility, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) will work together with the MPCA and other entities to accomplish specific tasks. In 2011, the WDNR will provide funding to the St. Louis River Alliance (SLRA) to assist in this project. The assistance requested primarily focuses on outreach and education needs in furthering the delisting targets. Current objectives include beginning the process for removal of the Aesthetics Beneficial Use Impairment (BUI), initial exploration of the potential for removal of the Fish Tumors and Deformities BUI and the updating of the Stage II Remedial Action Plan documentation. The work accomplished on the removal of the Aesthetics BUI will act as a pilot project for future BUI removals. The final deliverables will include a report from SLRA on the status of the BUI removals and recommendations coming out of meetings held.

Outcome

The SLRA will facilitate and coordinate public involvement as well as coordinate with the lead Framework consultant to the MPCA, various nonprofits, tribal and governmental agencies to gather comprehensive information as it pertains to removal of BUIs in the AOC. The process will be documented and utilized in the Framework as a guide for outreach in the BUI removal process for other BUIs. SLRA will include information on the AOC and BUIs in information supplied to the public through on-going SLRA events such as river cruises, watershed festivals, river clean up activities and other future events (ie point out areas that have been cleaned up during river tours, utilize existing handouts). Maintain the existing website with up-to-date information on the AOC.

Project Type

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative

Project Sub Type

Toxics and Areas of Concern

Project ID

CAC_1_2011

Year Started

2011

Status

Complete

Reports and Documents

SLRA Final and Quarterly Progress Report