The St. Louis River and Duluth/Superior Harbor, historically polluted by industries like logging and papermaking, have experienced significant ecological degradation. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) are addressing these issues through a comprehensive cleanup plan. Bay West, a key participant in the project, has contributed through extensive data collection, development of remediation plans, and overseeing dredging and remediation efforts. Our work has significantly reduced the AOC’s ecological impairments, marking progress towards the goal of remediation, and ongoing monitoring to maintain the river’s health.
Bay West collecting sediment samples on the St. Louis River in the Duluth/Superior Harbor.
Bay West has acted as an important piece of this project. Our team of experts gathered a wide variety of data—including sediment chemistry, toxicity and bioaccumulation data, and bathymetry—to develop numerous remediation plans for the St. Louis River Area of Concern. Bay West’s data collection efforts included accessing water bodies with no boat access, collecting sediment cores from frozen sediment, gathering thousands of mayfly larvae for tissue analysis, and sending divers to collect sediment from behind dock walls.
During remediation activities, Bay West oversaw contractors during contaminated sediment dredging and restoration activities to ensure the successful execution of the remedy. As a result of these remediation activities, beneficial use impairments in the St. Louis River Area of Concern have decreased significantly.
The partnerships and innovative solutions that Bay West has developed and executed have allowed great progress to be made toward contaminated sediment remediation in the St. Louis River Area of Concern. Bay West continues to monitor contamination levels to ensure the effectiveness of remediation activities and to document the health of the river.
Up-close view of Bay West employees collecting sediment samples.
COPYRIGHT © 2024 BAY WEST LLC
