s
Summary of the St. Marys River RAP Stage 2 Report
Ontario
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The St. Marys Remedial Action Plan 2 Report contains detailed descriptions of over 60 recommended actions which environmental degradation
in the St. Marys River Area ot Concern, These actions fall into four categories: point sources of pollution, non-point sources of pollution, flora and tauna,
and public involvement. The Report outlines delisting criteria for each impaired beneficial use and ultimately the AOC itself. The process for revising and refining these
criteria is also outlined.
This brochure is a summary of the St. Marys Plan Stage 2 a list of and it RAP
and as well. To more information the St. Action Plan or a full copy of the Stage 2 Report, contact one
of the listed at the end of this document
The St. Marys River is an international waterway located in northern Ontario the communities of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and SaultSte. Marie, Michigan. It is the
only outlet of Lake Superior, and as such it is the main route for marine traffic on the Great Lakes-St Lawrence Lakes Superior and Huron. Major
industries in making, commercial fishing and tourism.
The St. Marys River was originally identified as an Area of Concern (AOC) in 1985, as a result of the following problems:
4 Pollution from identifiable sources such as industrial facilities or Water Pollution Control Plants
4 Pollution from diffuse sources such as sediment, air, water or land
* in fish and wildlife
In 1998, Environment Canada, the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, the US Environmental Protection Agency and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
renewed their intentions to resolve these problems by a Letter of Commitment to ecological restoration of their Areas of Concern. This
identified Environment Canada and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment to lead and activities in the St. Marys River AOC.
During the first stage of the action all the and magnitudes of the environmental problems in the
St. Marys River AOC, and this information with the public through a Binational Public Advisory Committee (BPAC). During this initial stage, it was determined that
nine of the fourteen beneficial uses were impaired as a result of the problems listed above. These nine uses, impaired not only from the human perspective but also from
that of the local fish and wildlife, are:
4 Restrictions on fish and wildlife consumption
+ Unhealthy fish and wildlife populations
4 Fish tumours and other deformities
4 Unhealthy populations of bottom-dwelling organisms
4 Restrictions on dredging
4 Undesirable algae due to excess nutrients in the water
4 closures
4 Poor aesthetics
4 Loss of fish and wildlife habitat
During the second stage of the process, the BPAC developed a vision of the Mure which is articulated in a list of Water Use Goals. Then, with the of agency
experts, the Stage 2 Remedial Action Plan Report was which to each of the uses and the
Water Use Goals. These recommended actions fall into four and fauna, and and sediment, and water and air quality.
Now that the St. Marys Stage 2 RAP Report is complete, the new focus will be implementation of these important recommendations and monitoring progress towards
restoring impaired beneficial uses in the AOC.
Cover Photo; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit Office.
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11978, Canada and the United States entered into an international treaty called the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA) in order to restore, protect and I
maintain the environmental quality of the Great Lakes Ecosystem, In 1987, the GLWQA was revised to include an Annex to address Areas of Concern (AOCs), locations I
where the environment is especially degraded. The Annex describes Action Plans (RAPs) whose aim is to protect and restore these areas. Under |
the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, a RAP is required for each Area of Concern to encourage an "ecosystem approach" to improve water quality at these 1
locations so that the environment is no longer degraded, The Great Lakes WaterQuality Agreement requires that each RAP produce a report after each of three stages.- f
Stage IAOC Assessment and Identification of Beneficial Use Impairments
Stage 2; Selection and Implementation of Appropriate Remedial Actions and Selection of Appropriate Oelisting Targets
Stage 3: Confirmation that Remedial Actions have restored Beneficial Uses and DelistingTargets have been met
Currently there are 41 Areas of Concern in the Great Lakes Basin that have ongoing RAPs, Five, including St. Marys River, are shared between Canada and the United
States, Regardless of their location, the general goat of all RAPs is to restore ecosystem health by achieving the 'Delisting Targets for the Area of Concern, When this
occurs, the RAP has been successful and the AOC can be delisted from the program. Currently only two AOCs have been delisted: Collinpood Harbour and Severn
Sound, in Ontario, Canada.
Since the St. Marys River is an international waterway, public involvement is an international effort. The goal of public involvement is to make the remedial action plan
accountable to the opinions and needs of the local community. Headed by the Binational Public Advisory Committee (BPAC), a number of community workshops have
been held to increase awareness of the St. Marys River RAIP and to obtain public opinion and support for restoration from citizens and industry on both sides of the river.
After several public workshops and with local stakeholders, the BPAC decided on the Water Use Goals for the remediation of the St. Marys River in December
1992, These goals have been adopted as the ideal vision of the St. Marys River once the over 60 recommended remedial actions have been successfully completed.
Public involvement and input from BPAC has been an important part of the St. Marys River RAP process. BPAC supports the goals and objectives laid out in the RAP Stage 2
Report and looks forward to their implementation. The BPAC has established an office and library at Lake Superior State University in Michigan in order to provide better
information access to local citizens on both sides of the border.
Friends of the St. Marys River, a Canadian non-profit group, will be asked to assist with implementation of the Stage 2 recommendations, especially those to
remedial work, education, promotion and reporting.
The following government work together on the St. Marys River Action Plan:
4 Environment Canada (co-lead)
•* Ontario Ministry of the Environment (co-lead)
* United States Environmental Protection Agency
* Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
Many other groups, organizations and individuals from the St. Marys River community and beyond have also contributed to the St. Marys River Remedial Action Plan,
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The Sediment Management Program is an important component of the St. Marys River RAP, The sediment, or nverboftom soils, are contaminated with excess nutrients,
heavy metals, toxic organic chemicals and oil and grease. Some of these toxins aie by bottom-dwelling organisms that are eaten by fish, and thus the fish
exposed to toxins as well, Furthermore, the toxins and contaminated sediment can be mixed into the water of the St. Marys Rivet, which may pose a risk to plants,
animals and humans alike, and the excess nutrients cause unpleasant algal blooms. The contaminated sediment and its effects on the ecosystem could be responsible
tor many of the Beneficial Use Impairments identified in Stage One of the RAR Therefore, a majoi portion of Stage Two of the RAP is the Sediment Management Program
that aims to and manage the contaminated sediments of the St. Marys River.
The majorgoals of the St. Marys River Sediment Management Program are:
H Describe and assess each zone of contaminated sediment in the river
® a consistent, science-based, community supported method for identifying remediation options for each zone if necessary
® Identify and control all major sources of toxins (excess nutrients, heavy metals, toxic organic chemicals, oil and grease) to prevent further sediment contamination
O Monitorthewaterand sediment quality near major sources of toxins to ensure no further sediment contamination occurs
© ionitorand control the mixing of water and sediment during remediation activities where required to ensure water quality is maintained
® Monitorand control theinput of toxins from the air (e.g. factory smokestack emissions) into the water and sediment of the St. Marys River
® Conduct of qualityto is
The remediation of the St. Marys River Area of Concern has only just begun, in order to restore proper ecological function and sustainable human use of the river, much
more activity is Some of the currently , which stem from the over 60 recommendations in the 2 Report, include:
+ Elimination of phosphorus, bacteria, trace chemicals, heavy and oil and from all
4 Oevelopinga contaminated sediment management program which will and implement any necessary remediation measures and associated monitoring
*• Continuation of sea lamprey control efforts
*• of the Slag shoreline to improve
* Various ecological restoration projects to improve habitat and ecosystem health in the main channel and tributaries of the St. Mary's River.
Each of these projects will be conducted in conjunction with ongoing monitoring of the water quality, sediment contamination, fish, birds and wildlife in the St. Marys
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Assistthe recovery of the Bar Riverwalleye stock by redueingtheeffects of land use practices upstream of historic spawninggrounds
4 ImplementtheWatershedOevelopmentPlanforBennettandWestOavignonCreeks
4 a Watershed Development Plan for East and Fort Creeks
4 .Reduce sediment inputs from erosion inthelunuscongRiverand Bay
4 Complete a characterization andfeasibility studyforwaste removal in Mission Creek
4 Remediation of rapids habitatand associated wetlands to enhance fish and wildlife populations ,
4 DevelopatenyearfisheriesassessmentprogramfortheStlarysRiver
4 Monitorwaterquantity
4 Evaluate the influence of water levels on fish reproduction and population levels, and determine minimum water levels and flow rates needed for successful
reproduction
4 Identify causes offish tumours and other deformities that originate within the AOC
4 Continue supportfor sea lamprey control«fforts
4 MonitartheCanneltonlndustriesSite wetland area
4 Continue to participate in the Marsh Monitoring Program to provide baseline information on marsh bird and amphibian populations
4 Continuethefishharvestsurveytomeasurethem
4 Continue fish contaminant monitoring programs that are used to determine fish consumption advisories
4 Complete a Canadian Wildlife Service assessment of common and black tern populations forthe entire St. Marys River
Control of undesirable emtic species, such as ttie black sea
lamprey pictured above, is essential to improving the health
of animal populations in the St. Marys River and
accomplishing water quality goals. Photo: U.S. Fish & Wildlife
Service.
Long term monitoring offish populations will be important to
measuring the success of the St. Marys River RAP Angler
surveys are just one of many ways that the health and
populations offish can be monitored. Photo: John Cooper.
Revitalize public consultation activities in the AOCto generate and sustain community understanding and support of the goalsfor restoration
Communicate potential adverse effects of aboriginal lands or water supplies to the local First Nations community by utilizing existing aboriginal outreach |
programs I
Identify, track and publicize implementation activities within the AOC and their benefits to local residents and industry I
Raise public awareness of environmental concerns, reduce hyman exposure to potentially harmful contaminants, and increase public support for f
remediation |
Publicize the links between economic developmentof the areaand the restoration, enhaneementand protection of the natural ecosystem
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Develop a multi-agency Sediment Management Program to oversee the planning, remediation and monitoring of sediment quality
Further characterize several high priority areas of poor sediment quality, including the Slag Dump, the East End Water Pollution Control Plant, the Algoma
Slip and Little Lake George
Complete the St. Marys River Contaminated Sediment Zones Evaluation
Assess potential health risks to swimmers at Bellevue Marine Park
Continue studies of bottom-dwelling organisms, toxins and sediment at Bellevue Marine Park
Identify and control contaminants from the Algoma Slag Dump
Monitor persistent contaminants from the East End Water Pollution Control Plant and identify other upstream non-point sources of these harmful
substances
Re-sample river sediments to obtain trend information on sediment quality and benthie community status
Evaluate Algoma Slip sediment quality and implement clean-up as needed
Control non-point source pollution from agriculture and road crossings
Stabilize the shoreline of the Algoma Slag Dump to provide habitatfor plants
Conductaerial monitoring of the Cannelton Industries site to ensure that sediment erosion will not bea concern inthefuture
Conduct biological monitoring to ensure fish and wildlife are protected from persistent toxic substances
Determine disposal options for dredged material following Provincial Sediment Quality Guidelines
Monitor change and impacts of remedial activities
Establish a monitoring program for potential dredging and sediment dispersal within navigation channels
An important goal of the St. Marys River RAP is to make the shoreline more aesthetically pleasing similar to other
nearby portions of the Lake Superior shore. Photo; Michigan Sea Grant Extension (Carol Y. Swinehart),
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Virtually eliminate all persistent and bioaccumulative contaminants from industrial and municipal discharges
Reduce stormwater infiltration attheEastEndWaterPollution Control Plantand relocate the discharge pipe
Upgrade the East End Water Pollution Control Plant to secondary treatment
Design and implement a monitoring system for stormwater
Address contaminants in stormwater discharge through source control, air quality control, and pollution prevention education
Examine contaminant discharge from all Water Pollution Control Plants in the AOC
Continue with Canadian and U.S. regulatory programs for industrial dischargers
Encourage major point source dischargers to continue process improvements
Continue work on Combined Sewage Overflows in SaultSte. Marie, Ml
Limitairborne particiilate discharges from Algorna Steel's Dekish operation
Conduct long term water quality monitoring at the Cannelton Industries site
Expand the SaultSte. Marie, Michigan Air Quality Monitoring Project
Continue with data collection from the air quality monitoring network
Continue ambient water quality monitoring in the St. MarysRiver
Continue the Sault Ste, Marie, Ontario Air Quality Monitoring Program
Monitor particulateemissions at Algoma's Dekish operation to ensure Algoma Steel successfully reduces airborne-particulate emissions
Monitor receiving water at St Marys Paper Ltd. to document the response of fish communities to improved effluent quality as mill upgrades and process
improvements are implemented
Identify disposal sites on land or in water that are leaching contaminants into waterways
Identify and monitor small but widespread sources of pollution such as septic tanks, farms, and roadways
Assess the health risks to communities and individuals taking their waterfrom the "down-river" areas of the St. Marys River ecosystem
Assess potential hazards associated with spills from shipping vessels
The St Marys River RAP will implement recommended projects
that will help to resoke water quantity and water quality issues
associated with river uses such as recreation, industry (left) and
shipping (below). Photo credits: Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant
(David Riecks) and U. S. Army Corps of Engineers (Jerry Bielicki).
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Government agencies, local communities and industries have already contributed substantially to the St. Marys River RAP through a number of tunding initiatives, process
improvements and remediation projects. Some of these contributions are:
^ Investment ot $102 million by Algoma Steel Inc. since 1990 that has helped to reduce input of trace organic chemicals, heavy metals and phosphorus into the St.
Marys River
* Investment ot $14 million by St. Mary's Paper Ltd. to minimize input of phosphorus and trace organic chemicals into the St. Marys River
4> Commitment of $25 million by Sault Ste. iarie, Michigan to eliminate combined sewer overflows in the community and minimize phosphorus and bacterial inputs
into the St. Mary's River
* Commitment of $20 million by Sault Ste. Mane, Ontario to improve sewage collection in the community and minimize phosphorus and bacterial inputs into the St.
Marys River Relocation of Trader's Metal to improve aesthetics and add habitatto the St Marys River wateif rant
4 Investment of $40 million by the governments of Canada and Ontario in December 2001 to improve the East End sewage treatment plant and sanitary sewer
overflows
* Cannelton Industries Inc. has remediated then former tannery site by removing 35,000 tons of waste and soils, regrading the area and planting
native plants to prevent erosion
*• Algoma Steel Inc. has become a role model tor community involvement by voluntarily signing an Environmental Management Agreement in 2000 with Environment
Canada and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment to address their operations on the St. Marys River.
* Formation ottheSt. Marys River Fisheries Task Group
The support and co-operation of local industries are essential
to the success of the St. Marys River RAP. St. Mary's Paper,
pictured at left, has spent $14 million to install a wastewater
treatment facility that will improve the quality of water
entering the St. Marys River from the paper plant Photo:
NOAA, Great Lakes Environmental Research Lab (John
Rabbins).
For more information about the St iarys River Remedial Action Plan, or to obtain a copy of the complete St. Marys River RAP Stage 2 Report, please contact:
Victor Oriecuia
Ontario Ministry of the Environment
#331435 James St. South
Thunder Bay, ON P7E6S7
(807)475-1615
victor.oriecuia@ene.gov.on.ca
John Marsden
Environment Canada
49050ufferinSt.
DownsviewONM3H5T4
(416)7394759
john.marsden@ec.gc.ca
Arthur Ostaszewski
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
RQ.Box302?3
Lansing, Ml 48909
(517)3354119
ostaszea@state.mi.us
Jennifer Manville
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
400BoardmanAve.
Traverse City, Ml 49684
(231)9224769
manville.jennifer@epa.gov
This document is printed on paper containing 30% post consumer waste.
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