St. Louis River AOC Remediation to Restoration Support-2013
The St. Louis River Area of Concern (SLRAOC) conservation partners are focused on removing Beneficial Use Impairments (BUI) in the estuary and eventually delisting the SLRAOC. Cooperative efforts between multiple resource agencies and regional stakeholders have identified a host of restoration objectives, developed project support activities, and partially secured funding that includes a state commitment through the Minnesota Clean Water Fund. Continued cooperative success to remediate and restore habitat conditions within the SLRAOC for the purpose of removing BUIs and delisting the SLRAOC depends on securing non-state matching resources. This project will support the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) in coordinating the SLRAOC Remedial Action Plan (RAP) through the following tasks: 1) assessment of remedial alternatives and the development of quality assurance plans, 2) assessment of dredge materials and volumes needed for restoration, 3) development of engineering design and construction specifications for specific project sites, and 4) evaluations of pre-project ecological conditions for reference conditions and long-term monitoring design objectives. Program success will be demonstrated by evaluating BUI removal objectives in relation to delisting goals, applicability and efficiency of dredge materials, and informing the final stages of the SLRAOC Implementation Framework. The Minnesota Clean Water Fund is supporting item 4 of this comprehensive package to achieve water quality improvements in the lower St. Louis River and Duluth harbor.
Federal