St. Marys River Area of Concern

Background | Use Impairments RAP Status | Schedule Progress and Achievements Publications | Community Involvement Partners | Contacts

What is an AOC and a RAP?

Background

The St. Mary's River is a 112 km connecting channel between Lakes Superior and Huron. The Area of Concern extends from the head of the river at Whitefish Bay (Point Iroquois - Gros Cap), downstream through the St. Joseph Channel to Humburg Point on the Ontario side, and to the straits of Detour on the Michigan side. Severe impairment of water quality, sediment, and biota remain on the Ontario shoreline due to major point source discharges; sediments became contaminated with arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, cyanide and lead.

Contaminants of concern include oils and greases, suspended solids, metals, phenols, ammonia, bacteria, and PAHs. Sources contributing to the use impairments include Algoma Steel, the east end water pollution control plants in Ontario, St. Mary's Paper, and three Ontario tributaries. Non-point sources, such as the Cannelton Tannery site in Michigan (which operated during the years of 1900 – 1958), contribute to a lesser extent than the point sources. Combined sewer overflows in Michigan and wet weather, by-pass events in Ontario also contribute to the use impairments. Loss of wetlands and rapids habitat due to urban/industrial development and operation of navigational structures are also a concern.

Priorities for the Michigan side of the St. Mary's River are cleanup of the Superfund site, sea lamprey control, and elimination of combined sewer overflows.

Beneficial Use Impairments
                and
Restoration Priorities

Impaired beneficial uses are identified in the table to the right. Restrictions on fish consumption are due to mercury and PCBs. Fish populations have been impacted heavily by the parasitic sea lamprey, an introduced species. Also, benthic invertebrates have shown signs of PAH and PCB contamination, most likely from sediments. White suckers have exhibited liver tumors – another sign of exposure to contaminated sediments. The benthic communities on the Michigan side appear to be healthy, while localized areas on the Ontario side have exhibited significant degradation. Contaminants of concern include oils and greases, suspended solids, metals, phenols, ammonia, bacteria, and PAHs. Contaminated dredged spoils from the Algoma Steel Boat Slip must be disposed of in an approved waste disposal site, and several other sites have exceeded contaminant level standards. Eutrophication and algae continue to be an issue in the vicinity of the East End Water Pollution Control Plant. Beach sites close to Algoma Steel on the Canadian side have been impacted by PAHs, while in Michigan total body contact activities are periodically impaired due to elevated bacteria levels. Some aesthetic degradation has occurred on both sides due to oil slicks and floating algae scum. Significant loss of fish and wildlife habitat has occurred as a result of shoreline alteration, industrialization, urbanization, agricultural impacts, and shipping activities, particularly in the St. Marys rapids.

Restrictions on Fish & Wildlife Consumption Fish consumption advisories currently in effect:

• Ontario -- mercury: larger sized chinook salmon (>65cm), walleye (>45cm), yellow perch (>35cm), and longnose suckers (>30cm) in the St. Marys River (OMOE 1999); mercury: chinook salmon (>75cm), walleye (>55cm), northern pike (>75cm), and channel catfish (>55cm) in the North Channel of Lake Huron (OMOE 1999)
• Michigan -- mercury: walleye (>14 inches); PCBs: northern pike (>26 inches) and carp (>6 inches) in the St. Marys River(MDCH)

Consumption of Wildlife
Although there are no guidelines for human consumption of wildlife, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources has advised against the consumption of kidneys and liver from moose, black bear, and deer because of high cadmium levels.

Priorities/Proposed Recommendations

• Virtually eliminate all persistent and bioaccumulative contaminants from industrial and municipal discharge.
• Continue with sport fish contaminant monitoring programs in the St. Marys River and tributaries.

GLIN: Fish Consumption Advisories; Wildlife; Toxic Contaminants

Tainting of Fish and Wildlife Flavor: NOT impaired
Tainting of fish from the St. Marys River is not common. In the few isolated cases that were reported, a determination could not be made as to whether tainting was due to poor handling or other problems, either acute, as in chemical or industrial spills, or chronic, as in long term chemical loading (Skinkle 1992). Because the incidence of tainted fish is infrequent, a comprehensive fish tainting evaluation has not been conducted.

Degradation of Fish & Wildlife Populations
Dynamics of fish populations -- The St. Mary's River remains the major contributor of sea lamprey infestation to northern Lake Huron, as well as Lake Michigan and Lake Erie, where parasitic lamprey account for an annual mortality of 54% of adult lake trout. Excessive mortality rates preclude lake trout rehabilitation efforts as well as other Lake Huron fishery programs (GLFC 1997). Sea lamprey population in the St. Mary's River is estimated to be ~5.2 million. Sea Lamprey control measures are expected to reduce lamprey populations appreciably. Fish communities are diverse and healthy in the St. Mary's River, however, populations of native fish have been reduced and assemblages have changed due to habitat alteration, over fishing, pollution, exotic species and stocking. Zebra mussels were discovered in the Ontario waters of the St. Marys River in 1994. They were found near the U.S. Army Corp locks in Michigan several years earlier.

Body Burdens of Fish -- Hepatic mixed function oxidase (MFO) activity in white suckers sampled below the power dam on the St. Mary's River suggests exposure to chemicals with MFO inducing potential (e.g. PAHs and PCBs)(Smith et al 1990). The condition reflects localized contamination of the sediments, water and benthic invertebrates.
Most resin and fatty acids were non-detectable in white suckers collected downstream of St. Marys Paper Ltd.; however the presence of dehydroabletic acid (DHA) indicates the bioaccumulation of resin acids as a result of exposure to the pulp mill effluent (Beak 1996). Resin acid levels in fish tissue are expected to decline now that secondary treatment of mill effluent is in place.

Dynamics of Wildlife Populations -- Extensive development on both sides of the river has resulted in the degradation and loss of aquatic and terrestrial habitat. The potential effect of this development on birds, mammals, and other animals has not been well documented.
Wildlife populations appear to be stable or increasing (i.e., double-crested cormorants) but assessment criteria are required. Ring-billed gull numbers are increasing while common tern populations are decreasing due to a decline in nesting habitat (CWS study of colonial waterbirds nesting on the Great Lakes).

Body Burdens of Wildlife -- Mercury concentrations in waterfowl breast meat ranged from 0.12-0.46 mg/kg. Aroclor (PCB) was detected in all samples ranging from 0.002-4.873 mg/kg, however there is no criteria for assessment (CWS National Wildlife Research Center).

Priorities/Proposed Recommendations

• Continue to support sea lamprey control efforts.
• Complete a Canadian Wildlife Survey assessment of common tern and black tern populations for the entire St. Marys River.
• Analyze contaminant levels in eggs from herring gull, black tern, and common tern nests in the AOC.
• Virtually eliminate all persistent and bioaccumulative contaminants from industrial and municipal discharge.
• Monitor the receiving water every three years at St. Marys Paper Ltd. to document response of fish communities to improved effluent quality as mill upgrades and process improvements are implemented.
• A monitoring program should be developed to assess change in fish and wildlife populations in the AOC in response to habitat enhancement efforts.
• Continue with St. Marys River Fishery Task Group efforts to develop a 10 year assessment program for the river.

GLIN: Fish; Wildlife

Fish Tumors and Other Deformities or Reproductive Problems
Live tumors have been identified in white suckers from industrialized sites on the Great Lakes. The prevalence of hepatic neoplasms in excess of 5% should be interpreted as an indicator of environmental degradation. White suckers sampled from the St. Mary's River (1985-1990) exhibited tumor prevalence in excess of 9% (N=185). It is likely that hepatic cancers are associated with exposure to chemical contaminants, such as PAHs in contaminated sediments. Liver cancers have also been identified in brown bullheads from Munuscong Bay.

Priorities/ProposedRecommendations

• Resample fish for tumors.
• Virtually eliminate all persistent and bioaccumulative contaminants from industrial and municipal discharge.
• Continue with process improvements at industrial and municipal facilities.

GLIN: Birds

Degradation of Benthos
Dynamics of benthic populations -- Benthic community health on the Michigan side of the AOC appears to be good, however detailed studies are necessary to confirm this. In localized areas on the Ontario side, benthic communities are moderately impaired relative to upstream unimpaired areas. Impairment also occurs on both sides of the Lake George Channel, within Little Lake George, and at the north end of Lake George. Since 1985, sediments in the vicinity of Bellevue Marine Park have had a relatively diverse benthic fauna. These is a reduction from previous years, likely associated with reduced surficial sediment concentration (Kilgour and Morton 1998).

Body Burdens of benthic organisms -- Arsenic, mercury, and PCBs tend to bioaccumulate in benthic organisms. Caged mussels placed downstream of the Algoma Slip acquired the highest total PAH levels in comparison to mussels placed upstream of the Algoma Slip and near the Michigan shore. Elevated PAH levels were also noted in mussels exposed to sediments along the Algoma Slag Dump shoreline (Kauss 1999a). The effects of these contaminants on benthic organisms are not known.

Priorities/Proposed Recommendations

• Monitor effluent from East End Water Pollution Control Plant for concentrations and loadings of persistent contaminants exceeding guidelines in Lake George Channel sediments.
• Complete sediment chemistry analysis and benthic community assessment as part of the St. Marys River Contaminated Sediment Zones Evaluation (Kauss 1999b).
• Periodically conduct benthic, toxicity, and sediment chemistry studies in the Bellevue Marine Park area.
• Resample river sediments every five years to obtain trend with time information.
• Algoma Steel Inc. has removed sediments from the slip during maintenance dredging operations. Therefore, further sediment quality and benthic community assessments should be made to determine the effectiveness of contaminant removal and to determine the need for further dredging.
• Conduct further studies to characterize sediment quality in high priority areas (ie., adjacent to Algoma Slag Dump, portion of Little Lake George Channel downstream of East End WPCP, and the Algoma Slip).
• Monitor the receiving water every three years at St. Marys Paper Ltd. to document response of benthic communities to improved effluent quality as mill upgrades and process improvements are implemented.
• Develop a multi-agency sediment management plan for the river to address remedial options and implement actions for contaminated sediments, including long-term sediment contamination studies.
• Monitor surface water, groundwater, wetland soils, and biota at the Cannelton Industries Superfund site to ensure protection of the ecological food chain. Conduct a site review (U.S. EPA) every five years to ensure that the remedy continues to provide adequate protection.

Restrictions on Dredging Activities
Contaminated dredged spoils from the Algoma Slip must be disposed of in an approved waste disposal site. Dredged spoils from navigation channels have always been approved for open water disposal. Sediments from several sites have had contaminant levels that exceeded OMOE or U.S. EPA guidelines for the disposal of contaminated sediment.

Priorities/Proposed Recommendations

• Evaluate sediment quality in the Algoma Slip to determine need for further dredging.
• Develop a multi-agency sediment management plan for the river to address immediate dredging needs.

GLIN: Dredging

Eutrophication or Undesirable Algae
Eutrophication and algae continue to be an issue in the vicinity of the East End Water Pollution Control Plant (WPCP). Conditions in embayments and in slow moving parts of the river downstream from the WPCP have not been documented.

Priorities/Proposed Recommendations

• Upgrade East End Water Pollution Control Plant to secondary treatment.
• Control non point source pollution from agricultural activities.

Restrictions on Drinking Water Consumption or Taste and Odor Problems: NOT impaired
Treated water consumption has never been restricted in the AOC. Taste and odor problems have not been reported. Although ambient water quality is not recognized as a beneficial use impairment, it is reflected as a goal in the Stage 2 RAP.

Priorities/Proposed Recommendations

• Upgrade East End Water Pollution Control Plant to secondary treatment.
• Reduce storm water infiltration to prevent sewage bypasses.
• Design and implement monitoring system for storm water.
• Continue with Clean Water Regulation (Canada) and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (US) Programs for industrial dischargers.
• Continue with process improvements at industrial and municipal facilities.
• Virtually eliminate all persistent and bioaccumulative contaminants from industrial and municipal discharge.
• Address contaminants in storm water discharge system by source control, air quality control, and pollution prevention education programs.

Beach Closings
In Michigan, total body contact activities are periodically impaired due to elevated bacteria levels (e.g. beach closings on Sugar Island after rain events due to combined sewer overflows and releases of raw sewage from the Sault, Ontario system). Bacterial densities have exceeded Provincial Water Quality Objectives and Michigan Water Quality Standards.

Priorities/Proposed Recommendations

• Continue separation of combined sewers in Sault Ste. Marie, MI
• Upgrade East End Water Pollution Control Plant to secondary treatment.
• Reduce storm water infiltration to prevent sewage bypasses in Sault Ste. Marie, ONT.

GLIN: Beaches; Recreation

Degradation of Aesthetics
The municipalities on both sides of the river have been increasing access and development along the waterfront. Future projects will be encouraged as long as the development proceeds within the context of protecting and enhancing the natural environment of the river. Oil slicks downstream of the Algoma Slip and Terminal Basin have occurred, however, no complaints have been received since March 1990. Oily fibrous material mixed with woody debris anecdotally occurs along the Ontario shoreline. Periodic spills have also been reported. Given the extensive use of the river for transport, oil spills from ships or accidents that release chemicals to the river are a threat to the AOC. Aesthetic impairment also exists downstream of the East End Water Pollution Control Plant. Floating scum periodically occurs along the north shore of Sugar Island and the Ontario shoreline of Lake George Channel, downstream from the East End Plant.

Priorities/Proposed Recommendations

• Relocate discharge pipe from East End Water Pollution Control Plant to deeper, faster moving water in the Lake George Channel in order to improve dispersion of discharge plume.
• The Algoma Slag Dump shoreline is an eyesore. Shoreline stabilization and providing habitat for plant growth (eg., via soil addition) would help to soften and stabilize the landscape.

Loss of Fish and Wildlife Habitat
Significant loss of fish and wildlife habitat has occurred as a result of shoreline alteration, industrialization, urbanization, and shipping activities – particularly within and immediately above and below the St. Marys rapids. The unnatural flow regime resulting from the present operation of the Compensating Works -- the gated, flow-control structure at the head of the rapids -- has resulted in changes to the biological integrity and productive potential of the remaining rapids habitat (Edsall and Gannon 1993). While agreements on water use have guaranteed minimum amounts of water for the rpaids, it is a significant change in flow from pre-1985 that has resulted in both a reduction in the size of the rapids habitat and a reduction in discharge over the rapids. Specific habitats throughout the river are threatened by colonization of exotic species such as purple loosestrife, Eurasian fish species (ruffe and gobie), zebra mussels and other exotic invertebrates. Habitat is also being degraded due to increased sedimentation resulting from poor road construction practices, soil erosion, poor farming practices and unregulated development along tributaries to the St. Marys River.

Priorities/Proposed Recommendations

• Control non point source pollution from agricultural activities and road crossings on tributaries.
• A monitoring program should be developed to assess change in fish and wildlife use of the AOC in response to habitat enhancement efforts.

Walleye recovery in the Bar River:

• Mitigate the effects of land use practices upstream of historic walleye spawning grounds. Use stabilizing structures, contour streambanks, plant trees along the shoreline, and provide exclusionary fencing to restrict livestock access to river.

Watershed Development Plan for Bennett and West Davignon Creeks:

• Maintain headwater reaches in natural state
• Restrict development within 30m of shoreline
• Plant trees in riparian zone
• Restrict livestock access to stream
• Enhance and maintain migratory pathways while excluding sea lamprey passage
• Create spawning and nursery habitat
• Naturalize Diversion Channel
• Augment wetland at mouth of Diversion Channel
• Protect groundwater quality
• Design and implement soil remediation projects for inactive parcels of land on Algoma Steel property
• Optimize volume of flow between Diversion Channel and Bennett and West Davignon Creeks
• Construct retention ponds or man-made wetlands to reduce effects of storm water discharge
• Reforestation of inactive agricultural lands
• Enhance wetland forming off mouth of Diversion Channel

Watershed Development Plan for East Davignon and Fort Creeks:

• A similar watershed plan should be developed for East Davignon and Fort Creeks as they also pass through urban and industrial lands.

Rapids Habitat: (A number of options have been presented for the remediation of rapids habitat and associated wetlands.)

• Protect remnant rapids habitat from further reduction and degradation and maximize the productive capacity of the rapids area
• Enhance remnant rapids habitat by placing additional spawning substrate in rapids area
  
  Map existing substrate, identify target fish species assemblages, and note areas likely to become dewatered under differing flow conditions
• Create new rapids areas elsewhere in the St. Marys River, especially in the Little Rapids area
  Identify areas with the hydrologic and physical characteristics to support rapids generation
• Create alternative to rapids habitat such as artificial spawning substrate
• Create wetlands downstream of Whitefish Island to connect wetland habitat to adjacent remnant rapids
• Create new wetland/rapids complexes
• Enhance habitat and water quality in tributary watershed

Fisheries Assessment:

• Mortality rates for walleye, northern pike, and yellow perch require further assessment.
• Continue with St. Marys River Fishery Task Group efforts to develop a 10 year assessment program for the river.

GLIN: Habitat;

Bird and Animal Deformities or Reproductive Problems: NOT an Impairment but… Although this beneficial use impairment is not noted for the St. Marys River, it does require further assessment. Michigan State University researchers found three cross-bill common tern chicks out of 120 birds sampled on Lime Island in 1998. No other deformities have been noted in wildlife along the St. Mary's River, however a full assessment of bird and animal populations has not been accomplished.

Priorities/Proposed Recommendations

• Reproductive assessments of herring gulls, black terns, and common terns should be done within the AOC boundary. Deformities should be assessed in common terns in the St. Marys River.

GLIN: Wildlife

RAP Status

Results from ongoing projects pertaining to sediment remediation and habitat restoration, along with Task Team reports, are being incorporated into the Stage 2 Report for the RAP. Some progress has been made toward restoring beneficial uses. The Cannelton Superfund site has been restored for re-use by the city of Sault Ste. Marie and its citizens. The site now supports light industry, residential homes, and park areas. Certain use restrictions apply to various parts of the site to prevent contamination from affecting human or ecosystem health. The sea lamprey control efforts will help restore impaired fisheries in the St. Marys River as well as northern Lake Huron, Lake Michigan and Lake Erie. This will be a long-term, continuing effort since the opportunistic lamprey can take quick advantage of any lapse in larvae and adult control measures. Combined sewer separation in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan has already eliminated the worst of the occasional overflows of sewage to the St. Marys River in Michigan waters. Continued work on this will eventually stop all potential for untreated sewage entering the river, even in the worst run-off events. The steel mill and paper mill in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario have greatly improved the quality of their effluent due to new provincial guidelines.

Schedule

Meetings:

• A schedule of Binational Public Advisory Council (BPAC) meetings and a host of other information is available at the BPAC resource office and the St. Marys River resource library.

RAP Milestones:

• Draft Stage 2 Report -- released December 1999
• St. Marys River AOC Michigan Progress Report -- produced by the MDEQ -- issued November 1999
• Remedial Options Described -- submitted April 28, 1993
• Stage 1 Report to IJC, published by OME -- submitted May 1992
• Public Use Goals -- submitted December 1990

Progress and Achievements

The following actions and resulting achievements indicate a clear commitment to the remediation of the St. Marys River AOC:

Point Source Pollution Restoration and Protection Measures
Combined Sewer Overflows:

• Commitment from Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan to eliminate combined sanitary and storm water sewers in its wastewater treatment system

Algoma Steel Inc.:

• Commissioning of a main filtration plant in 1990 to reduce suspended solids and phenols
• Signing of Letter of Commitment to $45 million in environmental improvements
• Process improvements including basic oxygen furnace emissions project, blast furnace contact water recirculation facility, biological treatment plant the eliminates phenols and cyanide from coke oven wastes, and fixed ammonia removal system
• Established air quality monitoring station to record dustfall and total suspended particulates
• Implemented street washing program for residents near coke ovens and enhanced dust control measures with use of dust suppressants and paving

St. Marys Paper Ltd.:

• Activated sludge secondary treatment facility completed in 1995 resulting in reduced BOD and suspended solid levels
• Installed scrubbers to eliminate particulate emissions from two boilers Water Pollution Control Plants:
• Continuous phosphorus removal system added to East End Water Pollution Control Plant
• New sludge handling facilities added to East End Plant

Non Point Source Pollution Restoration and Protection Measures
Contaminated Sediments:

• Pilot test of chemical injection system to treat contaminated sediments was completed
• Relocation of Trader's Metal to clean up and beautify the St. Marys River waterfront
• Ongoing air quality monitoring program in vicinity of Algoma steel
• Remediation of Cannelton Industries Superfund site

Restoration and Protection Measures for Flora and Fauna

• St. Marys Rapids hydrology study
• Little Rapids restoration project
• Geozone mapping of the AOC
• Sea lamprey control
• Enhanced fish access to Munuscong Bay Waterfowl Sanctuary
• Formation of St. Marys River Fisheries Task Group

Other Items of Progress and Achievements:
2000

• After an extraordinary international effort, the Great Lakes Fishery Commission has announced that preliminary assessments show significant reductions in sea lamprey larvae populations in the St. Mary's River. The reductions are the result of large-scale Canadian and U.S. control efforts there this past summer. The announcement came following reports from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Geological Survey, who assessed and carried out the St. Mary's River sea lamprey control in July, 2000. Their data indicate that the lampricide treatment eliminated nearly half of the sea lampreys in the St. Mary's River. They also achieved a significant increase in trapping and sterile-male-release. The integrated lampricide, trapping, and sterile-male-release puts the Commission on-track to eliminate 92% of the sea lampreys produced in the river, thereby achieving the goal of reducing parasitic lampreys in Lake Huron and northern Lake Michigan by 85% over the next 15 years.

• Developed a library/clearinghouse of all materials dealing with the St. Mary's River AOC.
• Opened library with catalogued collection of documents regarding the St. Mary's River in general and specifically documents pertaining to the concerns outlined in the AOC.
• Developed and maintained a GIS specific to the St. Mary's River for planning and information use.
• Developed educational information on the St. Mary's AOC in the form of a website (gale.lssu.edu/bpac/default.htm).
• Made GIS available via the web site. The GIS contains layers for geomorphology converted from files made available from local resource management agencies.
• Excavation and disposal of contaminated soils along the site of the former tannery was completed in October 1999 at the Cannelton superfund site.
• A bridge pilings/debris dam, which contributed to bank erosion along Munuscong River, was removed in 1999.
• The St. Mary's River Fisheries Task Group, with support of the Lake Huron Committee, Great Lakes Fisheries Commission, initiated a project to collect fish harvest information from the entire St. Mary's River from May, 1999-March 2000.

• LSSU students did outdoor classroom work with bird feeders, weather station equipment, and water quality monitoring devices constructed on-site in 1998.

• The BPAC used St. Mary's River Watershed Report to better educate local residents of the pollution problems needing to be resolved.
• The Michigan WWTP continued separation of CSOs. Phase A, consisting of closing two combined sewer overflow outfalls at a cost of $8M, was completed in 1997. Phase B, consisting of closing two additional CSO outfalls at a cost of $6.5 million (US), is scheduled for completion in Dec. 2002. Phase C consisting of closing seven additional CSO outfalls is tentatively scheduled for completion in 2020.
• Local high school students stenciled warning on storm drains in 1997.

• St. Mary's River Watershed Project.
  
• Formed a Watershed Committee.
  
• Educated and informed the general public.
  
• Provided a Resource Center for interested members of general public, BPAC and RAP team.
  
• Generated interest and public participation by organizing and conducting various interesting events related to environmental protection of the St. Mary's River and the Great Lakes Basin.

• A Stage 1 (environmental conditions and problem definitions) RAP document was submitted to the International Joint Commission (IJC) by the OMOEE in May 1992. The MDNR and the BPAC raised some concerns about the accuracy and completeness of the Stage 1 RAP as submitted. The IJC completed its review of the Stage I RAP in August, 1993. Concerns of the MDNR and the BPAC have been addressed in the process of developing the Stage 2 RAP.
• The U.S. EPA issued a Record of Decision (ROD) in the late fall of 1992 for the former tannery site, now the Cannelton Superfund Site. The ROD called for: removal and disposal of debris, waste, soils, and sediments in an on-site landfill; dewatering of areas during excavation; treatment and disposal of groundwater from the dewatering operation; and preservation of on-site wetlands to the extent possible. Implementing ROD requests was estimated to take three to four years at a cost of $14.4 million (US).
• The OMOEE completed a slag disposal site investigation in March 1992 of the Algoma Steel slag dump. This waste site forms part of the St. Marys River shoreline in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. The slag site contributed about 15% of the BTX (benzene, toluene, xylene) load and 32% of the PAH load to the St. Marys River during the study period.
• Environment Canada conducted a sediment injection demonstration for remediation of contaminated sediments in 1992-93. This technique showed potential for remediation of oil and grease contamination by increasing microbial activity to break down these organic compounds.
• Ambient water and sediment sampling was completed in 1992 to ascertain PAH concentrations at nine stations on the St. Marys River in 1992. Results of a risk analysis completed in 1993 indicated elevated risks of skin health problems from frequent swimming at certain PAH contaminated sites in the river.
• Algoma Steel installed a staged sand filter plant that removes most of the oil and grease that formerly went to the river. This has significantly improved the quality of the effluent. A drainage and collection system was installed at the former Domtar facility on the slag site that reduces the PAH load to the river.

Ongoing Activities

• A joint project has been undertaken by the U.S. EPA, Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan, MDEQ, Ontario Ministry of the Environment, and Environment Canada to deploy an air quality monitoring network in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. This project began in 1999.
• The Department of Environmental Quality collects water samples from 2 locations on the St. Mary's River once each month from April-September as an ambient water quality monitoring project.
• Contaminants known to cause advisories on fish consumption are regularly monitored in fish in the St. Mary's River. Fish are collected from fixed stations on a 2-5 year schedule by the Department of Environmental Quality.

Publications

• RAP update for Michigan side published in November of 1999. Copies are available from MDEQ agency contact or www.deq.state.mi.us/swq/remedial/docs/remdocs.htm .
• Four Party Letter of Commitment, 1998. US EPA, MDEQ, OME, EC. Copies available from MDEQ agency contact.
• Cannelton Superfund Site Record of Decision, 1998. US EPA. Copies available at the Lake Superior State University library, Sault Ste. Marie, MI.
• Clean Michigan Initiative, 1998. State of Michigan. Overview available at www.deq.state.mi.us.
• National Pollution Discharge Elimination System Permit, 1995. City of Sault Ste. Marie, MI and Michigan DEQ. Copies available from the MDEQ, Marquette, MI, 906-228-6568.
• Stage 1 Remedial Action Plan for the St. Mary's River Area of Concern, 1992. Ontario Ministry of the Environment. Copies available at the Lake Superior State University library, Sault Ste. Marie, MI.

Community Involvement

The St. Marys River Binational Public Advisory Council (BPAC) was formed in 1988 to provide informed and continuous public participation in the St. Marys River RAP. The citizen-based group represents interests from both Ontario and Michigan. Members work with and advise RAP participants on key aspects of the planning process. A number of workshops were held in support of the Stage 2 process to ensure broad based public involvement in RAP development. As a result, the BPAC and RAP participants developed a set of water use goals and delisting criteria for the St. Marys River AOC. The goals represent a wide variety of environmental principles, which must be considered with future development along the shores of the St. Marys River, to ensure that river water quality and the overall ecosystem are protected and enhanced for all users. The delisting criteria will be used to guide the development of remedial actions, preventative measures, and regulatory programs, and to direct monitoring efforts in the AOC. These guidelines will also assist in measuring the progress towards achievement of water use goals and alleviating use impairments. In addition, four task teams were formed to develop strategic plans for the restoration of impaired beneficial uses. Task team participants, including agency and BPAC representatives, examined Point Sources of contamination, Education and Reporting programs, Clean Up and Restoration of contaminated sediments, and Flora and Fauna habitat issues in the AOC. The principle findings and recommendations of the task teams have been incorporated into the Stage 2 report.

Following are locally based initiatives related to public outreach/education, research, habitat restoration and preservation for the St. Marys River Area of Concern:

• Munuscong River Watershed Association - Formed by local people living within the watershed, the Association has identified problem areas and developed an Action Plan with the help of MDNR, USDA etc. Currently seeking funding to carry out projects in their Action Plan. Contact: Diane Serra 20064 S. Krause Rd. Pickford, MI 49774 (906) 647-6108
  
• Bay Mills Indian Community - Biological Department - Bay Mills Indian Community is a federally recognized Indian Tribe located west of the Sault at the mouth of the St. Marys River. The biological department has personnel that monitor fish harvest, help manage the fisheries and work to protect and restore natural resources in and around the reservation lands and waters. Current projects have included macro-invertebrate sampling of tributaries to the St. Marys River, restoration of wild rice habitat and sediment sampling in the St. Marys River. Contact: Ann Gebhardt 12140 West Lakeshore Dr. Brimley, MI 49715 (906) 248-3241
  
• Sault Sainte Marie Area Community Fund Environmental Citizens Advisory Group - The Sault Community Fund is a private, charitable foundation whose mission includes projects to enhance and protect the environment in and around Sault Sainte Marie. The Citizens Advisory Group provides suggestions for projects, community education and as assessment of needs in the community. Current projects include a lunch time forum for local groups to present their agenda to the community. Contact: Helen Gaines 320 Ashmun St. Sault Sainte Marie, MI 49783 (906) 635 1720 tartley@northernway.net
  
• Lake Superior State University - LSSU has been active in the BPAC and RAP process including facilitating meetings and housing the BPAC office project. Other programs include the Atlantic salmon hatchery in the Edison Sault hydroelectric plant. There is great potential for facilitation of other projects through LSSU. Contact: Greg Zimmerman 650 W. Easterday Ave. Sault Sainte Marie, MI 49783 (906) 635-2470
  
• Eastern Upper Peninsula Regional Planning and Development Commission – "Created by government in order to serve the government" is their motto. Provides local development planning, demographics research, small business assistance etc. Current projects include detailed GIS work on a local scale which includes geology, soils, infrastructure etc. Contact: John Campbell P.O. Box 520 524 Ashmun St. Sault Sainte Marie, MI 49783 (906) 635-1581 euprpdc@northernway.net
  
• USDA Work Group - A group developed by the USDA Soil Conservation Office and comprised of local planners, environmental personnel and faculty from local schools. The purpose of the group is to identify local problem areas which are contributing to environmental degradation. Current projects include assessing the potential to develop additional watershed management bodies (ie. Munuscong River Watershed Council), pursuing funding for hazardous household waste collection. Contact: Seldon Collins Natural Resources Conservation Service 2769 Ashmun St. Sault Sainte Marie, MI 49783 (906) 635-1278
  
• St. Marys River Fisheries Task Group - Composed of fisheries management agencies from Canadian and American sides of the river, this group was formed through the Lake Huron Committee of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission in 1998. Current projects include a binational creel survey for the St. Marys River outlined in the data collection section above. Contact: Sue Greenwood Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario 705-253-8288
  
• Michigan State University Extension - Groundwater Stewardship Program - One of several programs through MSU, the group sponsored a training workshop for assessing water quality with macro invertebrates surveys. The program seeks to reach citizens in the community, including students, to foster wise land use to prevent groundwater degradation. Contact: Tom Biron MSU Extension 300 Court Street Sault Sainte Marie, MI 49783 (906) 635-6368
  
• Sault Area Sportsmen's Club - Probably the largest group (membership) in the RAP area focusing on access to resources, fisheries enhancement, etc. This group was involved in applying for a grant through the MDNR and the Army Corp to improve the Little Rapids in the area of the Sugar Island ferry. Contact: Chuck Norton, Jr. P.O. Box 497 Sault Sainte Marie, MI 49783 (906) 635-1998

Partners

• St. Marys River Binational Public Advisory Council
• Lake Superior Binational Forum
• Lake Superior Binational Forum (2)
• Lake Superior Binational Program (intro)
• Lake Superior Binational Program
• Lake Superior Binational Program (2)
• Lake Superior Binational Program (brochure)
• Lake Superior LaMP
• Lake Superior State University
• Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
• United States Environmental Protection Agency - Great Lakes National Program Office
• Environment Canada - Great Lakes Information Management Resource

Contacts

Sharon Baker
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
Surface Water Quality Division
P.O. Box 30273
Lansing, MI 48933
517-335-3310
517-373-2040 FAX
bakersl@state.mi.us

Jennifer Manville
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Government Center
400 Boardman Avenue
Traverse City, MI 49684
231-922-4769
231-922-4499 FAX
manville.jennifer@epa.gov

Michael Ripley
BPAC
179 West Three Mile Road
Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan 49783
906-632-0072
906-632-1141 FAX
mripley@northernway.net

Compiled: June 26, 2001
by John Hummer, jhummer@glc.org

Created:
Revised:
Maintained by Pranas Pranckevicius
URL: http://www.epa.gov/glnpo/aoc/stmarys.html