St. Louis River Restoration Initiative - Phase 11

The SLRRI will restore and enhance priority habitats in the St. Louis River estuary and its watershed. As partners, the MNDNR and Minnesota Land Trust (MLT) have successfully restored wetland, stream, and open water aquatic habitats while leveraging significant federal support.

This Accomplishment Plan incorporates an October 5, 2023, Council requirement to limit work done under the ML2024 appropriation to the St. Louis River estuary. Projects described below reflect an interpretation that the ML2024 priority work area includes the St. Louis River channel in addition to adjacent wetland, stream, and terrestrial habitats. Stream segments that allow for fish passage between the estuary and stream at Munger Landing are retained, while upland forest parcels not adjacent to the river and upland tributaries to Knowlton Creek are removed.
The SLRRI will continue to restore or enhance 60 acres and approximately 750 feet of stream habitats with an emphasis on the following parcels:

Radio Tower Bay Phase 2: MNDNR will restore approximately 5 acres of coastal wetland and/or terrestrial habitat for fish, birds, and other wildlife. In 2015, the SLRRI restored select portions of the Radio Tower Bay aquatic footprint under the AOC program, with a focus on fish habitat. With this proposal, the SLRRI will implement a project to restore additional aquatic and/or terrestrial habitat outside of the prior project's scope, with a focus on improving habitat for avian species.

Munger Landing: MNDNR will restore approximately 5 acres of coastal wetlands and 750 feet (2 acres) of stream habitat. Under the Avian Forest Habitat Restoration Project (below), MLT will enhance terrestrial habitats at Munger Landing benefiting fish, birds, and other wildlife. In 2023, MPCA will be completing a contaminated sediment remediation project in the St. Louis River adjacent to Munger Landing under the AOC program. This project's completion signals an opportunity for the SLRRI to lead fish and wildlife habitat restoration within the degraded Stewart Creek wetlands and enhance forest habitats to benefit migrating and breeding birds, and other wildlife.

Avian Forest Habitat Restoration is an on-going initiative led by MLT within the globally and regionally important St. Louis River Important Bird Area. The current phase of the effort includes enhancing 50 acres of forested habitat for birds. Restoration will be conducted in wet forests and other important forested habitats located within designated natural areas or other protected lands adjacent to the St. Louis River estuary. Improvements will restore or enhance habitat conditions to be more attractive to migrating and breeding birds and other native wildlife communities. Proposed work in the forested areas includes underplanting or replanting in areas at risk from emerald ash borer or impacted by invasive trees and shrubs. The work will be conducted in cooperation with Community Action Duluth Stream Corps, who will conduct invasive species control, tree and shrub planting, and other forest management activities.

In addition to specific projects mentioned above, SLRRI will continue coordinating with partners to develop projects to improve fish and wildlife populations throughout the estuary and surrounding watersheds. Work on project sites previously identified within the SLRRI program will continue.