There’s good news for people who like to geek out with lengthy environmental assessment worksheets and pages upon pages of support documents. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is accepting public comments through April 18 on the EAW for the Kingsbury Bay and Grassy Point Habitat Restoration Project in West Duluth.

The graphic above is an interesting nugget from the documents. It shows aerial views of the Kingsbury Bay area, where Kingsbury Creek enters the St. Louis River estuary near Indian Point Campground. The 1948 version shows a wide open beach; the modern view shows a marshy swamp filled with invasive narrow-leaved cattails.

The DNR proposes to mitigate contaminated sediments, legacy wood waste and excessive sedimentation to restore 240 acres of fish and wildlife habitat within St. Louis River “areas of concern.” Detrimental materials will be removed, contained onsite or capped in place. Areas with excess sedimentation will be deepened and the clean materials transported and reused for shoreline improvements. Bay habitats that support productive Lake Superior marshes will be restored.

Links to the EAW and supporting documents can be found on the DNR’s Kingsbury-Grassy Point habitat restoration page. Copies may be requested by calling 651-259-5082 or can be viewed at the Duluth and Superior public libraries.

Email comments should be sent to environmentalrev.dnr @ state.mn.us with “Kingsbury–Grassy Point EAW” in the subject line. People sending an email should include their name and mailing address. Written comments may also be sent by fax to 651-296-1811. Names and addresses will be published as part of the EAW record.