GLIN==> Coastal restoration changes the landscape of formerly contaminated site in Superior, Wisc.

Coastal restoration changes the landscape of formerly contaminated site in
Superior, Wisc.

Contacts:
Matt Doss, Great Lakes Commission, 734-971-9135; Cell: 734-474-1985	
Christine Ostern, Douglas County Land Conservation Department, 715-395-1266
Julie Sims, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 734-741-2385


A large-scale coastal restoration project in the City of Superior, located
in northwest Wisconsin along the south shore of Lake Superior, is changing
the landscape of an area with a toxic history. For years Hog Island and the
surrounding area served as a disposal site for dredge spoils, contaminated
sediments and industrial byproducts. At an event held today, the impact of
three years of planning and on-the-ground restoration is being celebrated
and heralded as a blueprint for habitat restoration in the Great Lakes.
Through a $630,000 grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) under the Great Lakes Habitat Restoration Program, the
Hog Island/Newton Creek Habitat Restoration Project is restoring 64 acres of
wetlands, coastal and riparian areas to create habitat for valuable fish and
wildlife resources and improve recreational opportunities for local
residents and tourists. Building on more than two decades of cleanup
efforts, the project marks a transition from “remediation to restoration”
for the degraded area and brings it closer to being removed from the list of
Great Lakes “toxic hotspots.”

In 2008 the Great Lakes Commission (GLC) received funding from NOAA to
support habitat restoration in two Great Lakes Areas of Concern – heavily
degraded coastal areas designated under the U.S.-Canada Great Lakes Water
Quality Agreement. Along with Muskegon Lake in Michigan on the east shore of
Lake Michigan, the Hog Island area of the St. Louis River Area of Concern
was selected to demonstrate the potential to restore previously remediated
sites. Led locally by the Douglas County Land Conservation Department, the
NOAA Great Lakes Habitat Restoration Partnership project at Hog Island is
making significant strides to restore ecological function, structure, and
biological diversity to a previously contaminated portion of the harbor.

Hog Island is a place of scenic beauty and high ecological value. It is part
of the St. Louis River Area of Concern, which is undergoing a long-term
process to clean up contamination, address ecological degradation and
restore benefits that are currently impaired. Remediation of contaminated
materials at Hog Island/Newton Creek was completed in 2005 and included the
removal of more than 60,000 tons of contaminated sediments. Led by the U.S.
EPA and the State of Wisconsin, the cleanup removed contaminated materials
and opened the door for habitat restoration.

The $630,000 project is restoring multiple sites within Hog Island Inlet,
Newton Creek and Allouez Bay and is led by the Great Lakes Commission and
the Douglas County Land Conservation Department in partnership with federal,
state and local agencies, organizations and businesses.

Speaking at the event, Congressman Sean Duffy stated that “this restoration
will bring a valuable boost to the community and local economy by inviting
more resident and tourist recreation to Superior, and ensuring we have a
strong legacy of fish and wildlife resources that will keep people coming
back.”

Mary Baker, Branch Chief for the Northwest and Great Lakes Region of NOAA’s
Office of Response and Restoration stated that “NOAA’s partnership with the
Great Lakes Commission put into action the concept of remediation to
restoration.” This project serves as a blueprint for other AOCs and will
help lead to the delisting of fish and wildlife beneficial use impairments
within the St Louis River AOC.”

“The completion of the remediation project addressed one of the contaminated
hotspots in the St. Louis River AOC” said Steve Galarneau, Wisconsin
Department of Natural Resources Director of Wisconsin’s Office of the Great
Lakes. “The inlet now has significant potential as fish and wild bird
habitat. It is also an investment that will build a better future for
Wisconsin,” Galarneau added.

Christine Ostern, conservationist for Douglas County and the manager of the
restoration project, emphasized that “we are increasing fish and wildlife
habitat at Hog Island and within the St. Louis River AOC and improving
environmental, recreational and economic benefits for the community.”

The restoration project builds on nearly 25 years of work by federal, state
and local agencies, in cooperation with landowners, businesses and community
groups, to restore environmental quality at Hog Island. “Restoring the Great
Lakes advances the region’s broader strategy to create jobs, stimulate
economic development and invest in freshwater resources and waterfront
communities” stated Matt Doss, Policy Director at the GLC. “These actions
will benefit the next generation of Wisconsin citizens who will look to the
Great Lakes as an important resource to improve their quality of life and
economic well-being,” he added.

Restoration efforts at Hog Island and other degraded areas along the Great
Lakes are being expedited under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, a
five-year, $2.2 billion program begun in 2009 that is supporting
implementation of a comprehensive restoration strategy for the Great Lakes.
In its first year alone, the Initiative is providing over $30 million for
more than 65 Great Lakes restoration projects in Wisconsin.


# # #


The Great Lakes Commission, chaired by James Tierney, assistant commissioner
for water resources at the New York State Department of Environmental
Conservation, is an interstate compact agency established under state and
U.S. federal law and dedicated to promoting a strong economy, healthy
environment and high quality of life for the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence region
and its residents. The Commission consists of governors' appointees, state
legislators, and agency officials from its eight member states. Associate
membership for Ontario and Québec was established through the signing of a
"Declaration of Partnership." The Commission maintains a formal Observer
program involving U.S. and Canadian federal agencies, tribal authorities,
binational agencies and other regional interests. The Commission offices are
located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Learn more at www.glc.org. 




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