U. S. Steel Site - St. Louis River AOC

I think we've had our most dramatic changes already. Individual sites will dramatically change as we remediate and restore them, so the habitat's going to be improved. And we’ll have more habitat available. So yeah, it’s primarily individual sites that you see the big changes on, but as a whole, the river's getting healthier all the time.

- Duluth resident, 2013

Site History

Spirit Lake is a large open area in the St. Louis River estuary near the former U. S. Steel Duluth Works site. It plays an important role for local people. Spirit Island, a sacred place for the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, is located within the lake. The island was a stopping place in the southwest migration of the Anishinaabe people. Spirit Lake is also important to the Morgan Park neighborhood, which began as a company town for U. S. Steel plant workers. The plant shut down in 1981, and the property became a Superfund site soon after. The Lake Superior Mississippi Railroad operates a scenic passenger line that runs along the former U. S. Steel site with views of Spirit Lake.

Although many cleanup projects around the former plant have reduced risks to public health and the environment, contamination remains in Spirit Lake sediment near the U. S. Steel site. An investigation reveals that the contaminants include heavy metals, PCBs, PAHs, and dioxins. Local residents have tracked these projects and eagerly anticipate remediation of the lake's sediment.

Location

The former U. S. Steel Duluth Works site is located near Spirit Lake and miles upstream of Lake Superior. The site is located near the Morgan Park neighborhood of Duluth, MN and is within the St. Louis River Area of Concern, the largest U. S. AOC in the Great Lakes.

Schedule

This voluntary Great Lakes Legacy Act sediment project is in the design stage and a project agreement for a cleanup between U. S. Steel and U. S. EPA has been signed. Once the design is complete, a cleanup will begin - in 2020 at the earliest. The cleanup will take two to three field seasons to complete. A field season can last anywhere from 4-10 months and is determined by considerations like weather.

Cleanup Process

Sediment to be remediated: 2.65 million cubic yards (700,000 cubic yards removed)
Contaminants: Heavy metals, PCBs, PAHs, and dioxins
Method: Dredging and capping
When: Cleanup tentatively set to start in 2020
Partners: U. S. Environmental Protection Agency and U. S. Steel
Cost: $75 million
Note: The cleanup will incorporate the creation of a shallow sheltered bay and shallow open water habitats. Sediment will be stored long-term in two upland Confined Disposal Facilities (CDF) and one CDF built in the delta above the ordinary high water level.

Click on the gallery images to enlarge to learn more about the remedy.

Sediment Containment

Short-term Disruptions

NOISE: Mufflers and muted back-up alarms on equipment may be implemented to reduce the noise of construction on the site during night hours. The City of Duluth has noise ordinances that apply to construction sites, and this project will be no exception.

LIGHT: With around-the-clock construction, there will be lighting needs at night. Shields, barriers, and directional flood lighting can reduce the impact of light pollution.

TRUCK ROUTES: Although most of the sediment will be consolidated in on-site confined disposal facilities, large trucks and equipment will be entering and leaving the site on occasion. Trucks are expected to primarily access the site using an alternate access road south of Morgan Park.

WILDLIFE: Construction is likely to affect ducks, turtles, frogs, and other wildlife that currently inhabit the site. The disruption will be temporary, and the wildlife will return to a much healthier environment free from contamination exposure after the restoration is complete.

RAILROAD: The project team and LSMRR are coordinating possible railroad operational schedules as the team finalizes the construction schedule. The railroad will be restored to usable condition after the project so that the LSMRR can continue operations. A walking trail will be added next to the railroad tracks on the water side that will parallel the tracks through the project footprint.

Some sediment cleanup sites require round-the-clock activities and use bright lights at night.

The LSMMR Railroad runs along the shore of the St. Louis River and Spirit Lake. (Photo Credit: Bill Majewski)

Long-term Benefits

To learn more about the significant benefits enjoyed by communities in Great Lakes Areas of Concern after a cleanup, watch the Great Lakes Legacy Act video.

Community Involvement

Spirit Lake is a a sacred place for the Fond du Lac Band and an asset for many nearby Duluth residents, especially those living in Morgan Park. Contact U. S. EPA project manager, Diana Mally to provide input on the project, ask questions, or to coordinate the project with community events on the river.

March 4, 2020 Open house at Morgan Park Community Center