St. Louis River Restoration Initiative - Phase 6
MNDNR’s St. Louis River Restoration Initiative (SLRRI) is a collaborative program that has successfully enhanced and restored the ecological diversity of this unique and valuable resource. The vision for the Estuary includes diverse, productive, and healthy aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems of the river and watershed. Contributing to this vision, MNDNR will restore 133 acres of priority aquatic and riparian habitat at multiple sites in the Estuary in partnership with the Minnesota Land Trust. When Phase 6 is complete, approximately 627 acres of habitat will have been restored by using OHF funds to leverage a substantial amount of federal funding.
The St. Louis River Restoration Imitative (SLRRI) and OHF partnership began in 2014 to achieve fish and wildlife habitat restoration in the St. Louis River Estuary (Estuary) that contributes to the delisting of the St. Louis River Area of Concern (AOC). The partnership has effectively and efficiently restored 551 acres of aquatic habitat. This proposal includes projects identified by the 2002 Lower St. Louis River Habitat Plan (Habitat Plan). If accomplished, these projects will move toward complete implementation of the vision described in the Habitat Plan, and will maintain investments already made in the Estuary. Funding for this phase of the SLRRI will be leveraged with Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) funding. In Phase 6 of the SLRRI, MNDNR will continue to apply its broad partnership to construct 138 acres of projects. The MNDNR will also continue its close implementation partnership with the Minnesota Land Trust (MLT) to speed completion of priority projects. Similar to 2017 and 2018, funds will be directly appropriated to MLT for Perch Lake, Interstate Island, or other projects as determined by MNDNRPerch Lake is a shallow sheltered bay that is isolated from the Estuary by Minnesota Highway 23. The goal is to restore a hydrologic connection with the Estuary to improve water quality, promote diverse aquatic vegetation, and establish recreational boat access. Perch Lake represents the last MNDNR objective toward delisting the AOC. Interstate Island WMA is a critical habitat project. The island is located in the lower Estuary and is home to Lake Superior’s largest colony of Common Terns (threatened) and is critical habitat for Piping Plover (endangered). Increasing water levels have decreased available nesting habitat by 50% since an emergency restoration effort was conducted by MNDNR in 2015 with funds from OHF and United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Restoration will increase the island’s elevation to protect against flooding. MLT submitted a proposal for this work to LCCMR for $1,243,500 on April 11, 2018, including a partner letter from MNDNR’s Division of Fish and Wildlife.Mud Lake is a warm water fish and migratory bird restoration project. Mud Lake is the Estuary’s flat/sheltered bay upstream of the US Steel Superfund Site impacted by legacy wood waste and bisected by a railroad causeway. The SLRRI team will work in close coordination with the MPCA, USEPA, and the City of Duluth to address sediment contamination, enhance hydrologic connection, remove legacy wood waste, and restore aquatic ecological function.Kingsbury and Keene Creeks are trout stream restoration projects. These multi-partnered projects will enhance the creeks’ connection to their floodplains, reduce sedimentation, restore trout habitat, and increase resiliency of Estuary restoration efforts currently being completed with earlier OHF appropriations.Lower Knowlton Creek is a trout stream restoration project. The project will remove a fish and wildlife migration barrier along recently restored Knowlton Creek between the Estuary and Magney-Snively Forest Complex. Proposed work will remove the barrier and restore a natural stream channel.
$3,777,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to restore aquatic and riparian habitats in the St. Louis River estuary. Of this appropriation, up to $2,182,000 is for an agreement with Minnesota Land Trust. A list of proposed restorations must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.
Improved availability and improved condition of habitats that have experienced substantial decline - MNDNR evaluates habitat restoration effectiveness using a variety of physical and biologic metrics measured pre- and post-project. Completed restoration associated with the AOC will be measured in acres of habitat restored and evaluated to remove beneficial use impairments and ultimately delist the AOC. .
NRDA, USEPA