ST. LOUIS RIVER CITIZENS ACTION COMMITTEE ANNUAL MEETING AND STEWARDSHIP AWARD CEREMONY

Karen Plass, Executive Director, welcomed those in attendance with a history of the St. Louis River Remedial Action Plan Citizens Advisory Committee, which began in 1989 with support from the Minnesota MPCA and the Wisconsin DNR. In 1996, the committee became a non-profit organization with membership open to interested individuals and organizations, and is now known as the Citizens Action Committee.

Suzanne Hanson, MPCA, introduced the staff with special recognition to Brian Fredrickson, who has been committed to the RAP since the beginning. She congratulated the CAC on becoming a non-profit organization.

Bill Smith, WDNR, told how the RAP has moved into implementation with sediment clean-up, e.g. Newton Creek, USX and Interlake sites, and has raised public awareness of habitat issues. WERCO project was a special accomplishment. The CAC has broadened the base of membership and funding by going non-profit and now can expand its focus to the lake and watershed issues, e.g. toxic reduction. He introduced the staff, with thanks to Ted Smith and Nancy Larson for their involvement with St. Louis River projects.

Anne Holy showed slides and explained the Watershed Guardian Project with pictures of the Biosentinel Stream Monitoring. Fathead minnows are placed in 2-liter plastic pop bottles in stream sites and near storm drains for two week periods. Currently 27 sites are being monitored around the Twin Ports, with 14 adults, eight H.S. students, and eight schools with 150 students as volunteers. Volunteers are also learning how to monitor dissolved oxygen in the water. Later this fall, storm drains will be stenciled "Dump No Waste", with five schools and 120 students involved.

Kay McKenzie, CAC Co-chair, and Bill Majewski, CAC Executive Committee presented the 1997 Environmental Stewardship Awards:

• Sally Gibson Award: Willard M. Munger
• Milton E. Pelletier Award: Miller Creek Task Force
• Randy Marshall Award: Koppers Industries
• Stowe School
• Western Lake Superior Sanitary District

Special recognition for CAC leadership went to: Mary Ann Koth, Brian Fredrickson, Jack Ezell, Jean Longenecker and Phyllis Clevenger.

Special recognition for major land purchases and donations:

• Willard Munger, St. Louis River Board, Arrowhead Regional Development Commission, Minnesota DNR and Minnesota Power
• Wisconsin DNR and Douglas County

At the conclusion of the Awards Ceremony, refreshments were served and everyone had an opportunity to congratulate the award winners and visit with attendees.