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Loss of Fish and Wildlife Habitat
IJC Criteria: An impairment will be listed when fish and wildlife management goals have not been met as a result of loss of fish and wildlife habitat due to perturbation in the physical, chemical, or biological integrity of the waters, including wetlands.
SLR RAP Rationale for Listing:
- Fish and wildlife habitat in the AOC is threatened by development and
by exotic vegetation. In addition, the contaminated sediments in the river
and estuary and the high sedimentation rates in the AOC may contribute
to the loss of habitat.
- Wetlands, shorelands, and near-shore areas have been filled or altered. Historically, an estimated 3000+ acres of marsh and open water in the lower estuary below the former Arrowhead Bridge have been filled. Most of the original shoreline has been altered to accommodate industrial and commercial purposes. Between 1981-1991, the net wetland loss in the St. Louis River watershed was 438 acres. The only large remaining wetland in the lower estuary is Allouez Bay (Stage I Report, pps. IV-66 to IV-72).
- Purple loosestrife, an exotic plant from Europe, has infested the estuary and has the potential to reduce fish and wildlife habitat. The plant crowds out native vegetation yet provides little or no food or habitat for waterfowl and other animals. The thick growths of loosestrife can choke off or eliminate access to fish spawning grounds (Stage I Report, pps. IV-22, IV-24, IV-69).
- Contaminated sediments at Stryker Bay (St. Louis River) and Newton Creek/Hog Island Inlet (Superior Bay) have impaired the benthic communities and thus the fish and wildlife communities at these sites. The degree and extent of fish and wildlife habitat loss or impairment at other regions of the AOC due to contaminated sediments is not known because the full extent and spatial distribution of contaminated sediments has not been fully determined (Stage I Report, pp. IV-67).
- High rates of sedimentation in the estuary with the ensuing turbidity and reduced light penetration limit macrophyte growth and may inhibit shoreland wetland communities thus limiting fish and wildlife habitat. However, the limited information on aquatic vegetation and wetland habitat is not sufficient to demonstrate degradation (Stage I Report, pp. IV-67).
Draft Proposed Restoration Goals for the Beneficial Use Impairments in the St. Louis River Area of Concern
9. Loss of Fish and Wildlife Habitat Goals
Meetings to Develop Restoration Goals for the Beneficial Use Impairements
The Degraded Fish and Wildlife Populations (BUI #2), Degradation of Benthos (BUI #4), and Loss of Fish and Wildlife Habitat (BUI #9) are dealth with by the SLR Habitat workgroup.
The SLRCAC Board of Directors discussed BUI restoration goals at quarterly meetings: May 26, 2004 Minutes.