Assessment of Areas of Concern Targeted for Remediation
NOAA natural resource specialists work with state and local partners to eliminate or mitigate the effects of contaminants in Areas of Concern (AOCs). Habitat enhancement areas and restoration project opportunities will be identified within priority AOCs that can remove pathways and mechanisms by which contaminants impair beneficial uses. Developing the next generation of projects to control contaminant sources and improve habitat will facilitate delisting of AOCs.
Contact: Annie.Johns@noaa.gov
Great Lakes Sediments Database Expansion
For two decades, NOAA has compiled Great Lakes sediment chemistry, sediment toxicity, and tissue chemistry through its free and accessible Query Manager database. Thanks to the GLRI, NOAA has been able to expand the database to include more data collected from the Great Lakes and associated tributaries and upland areas.
Contact: Benjamin.Shorr@noaa.gov
Lake Sturgeon Health Assessment
NOAA has initiated a Lake Sturgeon Health Assessment. Results will be applied to the assessment, cleanup, and restoration of contaminated sites to improve habitat quality and fisheries, particularly in AOCs.
Contact: Mary.Baker@noaa.gov
Mercury Air Modeling
GLRI funds are supporting a global atmospheric “fate and transport” model to estimate the amount of mercury deposited in the Great Lakes and, perhaps more importantly, pinpoint the source(s) of the toxic chemical.
Contact: Mark.Cohen@noaa.gov
St. Louis River DIVER Data Systems
This project continues the development of NOAA’s Great Lakes DIVER data warehouse, query, and visualization tools to meet the data system requirements of the SLR AOC managers. Under previous GLRI funding, NOAA incorporated the Great Lakes sediment chemistry data.
Contacts: Robb.Wright@noaa.gov and Benjamin.Shorr@noaa.gov
Wisconsin Point Dune Restoration
The Wisconsin Point Dune Restoration project was specifically listed as a priority in the St. Louis River Area of Concern 2013 Remedial Action Plan update as an “Action Still Needed to Achieve Removal” of BUI 9: Loss of Fish and Wildlife Habitat. Completion of this project is contributing to rehabilitation of hydrologically connected habitats and treatment of invasive species.
Contact: Chiara.Zuccarino-crowe@noaa.gov