Stauber Announces $4.5 Million for Sediment Cleanup in the St. Louis River Area of Concern in Duluth

HERMANTOWN, MN – Today, Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) announced that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has signed a $4.5 million agreement to remediate contaminated sediment in the St. Louis River Area of Concern (AOC) on Lake Superior.

Of this announcement, Congressman Stauber stated, "I am incredibly happy to announce this funding agreement today because in addition to serving as a special place for many Minnesotans, Lake Superior is also a vital component of our tourism and shipping industries. By investing in the health and vitality of the St. Louis River, which flows into the Port of Duluth and ultimately Lake Superior, we are preserving this national treasure for future generations to enjoy, supporting the Port of Duluth, and guaranteeing continued economic prosperity by extension."

Background:

The St. Louis River AOC is one of 43 toxic hotspots identified by the United States and Canada in the Great Lakes basin. It is also the second largest AOC in the United States.

The EPA and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) will fund the work through a Great Lakes Legacy Act cost-sharing partnership. The MPCA has agreed to contribute $1,575,000 to the total project cost of $4.5 million.

The project will remediate approximately 55,000 cubic yards of contaminated sediment in the Azcon/Duluth Seaway Port Authority Slip, an active 6.5-acre shipping slip located in the Duluth-Superior Harbor.

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