September 2026: St. Louis River Area of Concern Updates

The St. Louis River (SLR) was designated as one of the 31 Areas of Concern (AOC) on the Great Lakes. It was designated as an AOC under the U.S. – Canada Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement in 1987 because of significant impacts that occurred before modern environmental laws were in place. Following the SLRAOC Remedial Action Plan, state and federal agencies have been implementing management actions to address the legacy impairments. If you look, you can now see the work in progress throughout the SLRAOC: contractors are busy each construction season, plant and animal populations are rebounding, water is cleaner, and lost habitat is being restored.

Continue reading for current St. Louis River Area of Concern project updates.

Photo: Fond du Lac Forestry Department working to plant trees and grasses while removing buckthorn on Manidoo Minis (Spirit Island). Credit: Elizabeth Zing, Fond du Lac Invasive Species Specialists

Manidoo Minis (Spirit Island) Update

Fond du Lac Forestry Department has been hard at work planting trees and grasses as well as buckthorn removal to enhance the diversity of Manidoo Minis (Spirit Island) for cultural use and to reduce erosion around the perimeter of the island. To date they have planted over 3000 trees and plant plugs!

This work is part of the broader St. Louis River Area of Concern restoration effort, which is addressing habitat loss and degradation throughout the estuary. Restoring native vegetation and protecting culturally significant places like Manidoo Minis contributes to a healthier, more resilient St. Louis River as the Area of Concern moves closer to delisting.

For more information: learn more about the Fond du Lac Resource Management Forestry Division here