beneficial use impairment status report

St.MarysRiverAreaofConcern(CanadianSection)

BeneficialUseImpairmentStatusReport:

DegradationofFishandWildlifePopulations–WildlifePopulationsLossofFishandWildlifeHabitat–WildlifeHabitat

September2018

Preparedby:

LisaDerickx,St.MarysRiverRemedialActionPlan,AlgomaUniversity

ExecutiveSummaryIn1987,theInternationalJointCommissionidentifiedtheSt.MarysRiverasoneof43AreasofConcern(AOC)intheGreatLakesbasin,andCanadaandtheUnitedStatescommittedtorestoringitundertheCanada-U.S.GreatLakesWaterQualityAgreement.

TheDegradationofFishandWildlifeHabitatwasidentifiedasoneoftenbeneficialuseimpairments(BUI)intheSt.MarysRiverStage1RemedialActionPlan(RAP)in1992,duetosignificantlossandalterationofhabitatresultingfromindustrialization,urbanizationandshippingactivities.ThewildlifeportionoftheDegradationofFishandWildlifePopulationsBUIwasdesignatedasREQUIRESFURTHERASSESSMENTduetoalackofassessmentcriteriaanddocumentationindicatingimpairment.However,therewasanassumptionatthetimethathabitatlossandchemicalcontaminantscouldbehavinganegativeimpactonwildlifepopulations.In2002,theStage2RAPreportidentifiedfourwildlife-specificactionsneededtofurtherinvestigatethematter:

• ActionFFM-2:ContinuedsupportfortheMarshMonitoringProgram(LossofFishandWildlifeHabitat)

• ActionFFM-5:CompleteanassessmentofCommonandBlackTernpopulationsforthearea(DegradationofFishandWildlifePopulations)

• ActionFFM-6:AnalyzecontaminantlevelsineggsfromHerringGull,BlackTern,andCommonTernnestsintheAOC(DegradationofFishandWildlifePopulations)

• ActionFFM-8:ReproductiveassessmentsofHerringGulls,BlackTernsandCommonTernswithintheAOC(BirdandAnimalDeformitiesorReproductiveProblems)

SincetheriverwasdesignatedasanAOC,vastimprovementshavebeenmadetohelprestorewaterqualityandecosystemhealth.Theseimprovementshelptosupporthealthywildlifepopulationsandimproveoverallhabitatquality.

Thisdocumentservesasanofficialrecordtoaccountandrecommendchangeinstatus,ontheCanadiansideoftheSt.MarysRiverAOC,thewildlifeportionoftheDegradationofFishandWildlifePopulationsBUIandtheLossofFishandWildlifeHabitatBUItoNOTIMPAIRED.

Theredesignationsaresupportedbystudies(Appendix1andAppendix2)thataddresstheStage2RAPrecommendedactions.ItshouldbenotedthatalthoughthewildlifeportionsofbothBUIshavebeenfoundtobeNOTIMPAIRED,thefishportionsremaininastateofimpairmentpendingthecompletionofremedialactionsandanevaluationonthecurrentconditions.NeitherBUIwillbefullyredesignateduntilallelementsofthedelistingcriteriahavebeenmet.

AcronymsandAbbreviations

AreaofConcern(AOC)

BeneficialUseImpairments(BUI)

BinationalPublicAdvisoryCouncil(BPAC)

Biologicaloxygendemand(BOD)

CanadianWildlifeServices(CWS)

DepartmentofFisheriesandOceans(DFO)

EnvironmentandClimateChangeCanada(ECCC)

FloraandFaunaMonitoringrelatedactions(FFM)

FloraandFaunarelatedactions(ActionFF)

Indexofbioticintegrity(IBI)

InternationalJointCommission(IJC)

MinistryofEnvironment,ConservationandParks(MECP)

MinistryofNaturalResourcesandForestry(MNRF)

Non-GovernmentOrganization(NGO)

Non-PointSourcerelatedactions(NPS)

OntarioMinistryofAgriculture,FoodandRuralAffairs(OMAFRA)

PointSourcerelatedactions(ActionPS)

Polybrominateddiphenylethers(PBDEs)

Polychlorinatedbiphenyls(PCBs)

RemedialActionPlan(RAP)

SaultSte.MarieRegionConservationAuthority(SSMRCA)

Ultraviolet(UV)

ContentsExecutiveSummary.......................................................................................................................................i

AcronymsandAbbreviations........................................................................................................................ii

1. Introduction.........................................................................................................................................3

TheSt.MarysRiverAreaofConcern.......................................................................................................3

AboutthisReport....................................................................................................................................3

2. BeneficialUseImpairmentsRelatingtoWildlife..................................................................................4

DegradationofFishandWildlifePopulations.........................................................................................4

LossofFishandWildlifeHabitat..............................................................................................................4

3. RemedialActionsIdentifiedtoAddressBUIsRelatingtoWildlife.......................................................4

ContinuedSupportfortheMarshMonitoringProgram(ActionFFM-2).................................................4

CompleteanAssessmentofCommonandBlackTernPopulationsfortheArea(ActionFFM-5)...........5

AnalyzeContaminantLevelsinEggsfromHerringGull,BlackTern,andCommonTernNestsintheAOC(ActionFFM-6)andcompleteReproductiveAssessmentsofHerringGulls,BlackTernsandCommonTernswithintheAOC(ActionFFM-8)......................................................................................................6

OtherStage2RemediationandMonitoringActions...............................................................................6

4.DelistingCriteria......................................................................................................................................8

DelistingCriteriaforDegradationofFishandWildlifePopulations........................................................8

DelistingCriteriaforLossofFishandWildlifeHabitat............................................................................8

5. References............................................................................................................................................9

6.Appendices............................................................................................................................................10

AppendixA:St.MarysRiverAreaofConcern–CoastalWetlandHabitatAssessmentReport.............10

AppendixB:AnAssessmentofBreedingPopulationsofCommonTernsandBlackTernsintheSt.MarysRiverAreaofConcern(Ontario).................................................................................................10

AppendixC:AssessmentoftheWildlifeReproductionandDeformitiesBeneficialUseImpairmentintheSt.MarysRiverAreaofConcern(Ontario)......................................................................................10

AppendixD:NotificationLettertotheIJC.............................................................................................10

AppendixE:SummaryandStatusoftheStage2RemedialandMonitoringActionsSpecifictotheDegradationofFishandWildlifePopulationsBUIandtheLossofFishandWildlifeHabitatBUI.........11

ActionPS-1:Virtualeliminationofallpersistentandbioaccumulativecontaminantsfromindustrialandmunicipaldischarge....................................................................................................................11

ActionNPS-1:Developmentofamulti-agencysedimentmanagementprogram.............................12

ActionNPS-4:IdentificationandcontrolofcontaminantsfromtheAlgomaSlagDump..................13

ActionNPS-6:Controlofagriculturalandothernon-pointsourcesofpollution..............................13

ActionNPS-7:Remediationforcontaminatedterrestrialandaquaticdisposalsites........................14

ActionFF-1:BarRiverhabitatproject................................................................................................15

ActionFF-2:WatershedDevelopmentPlanforBennettandWestDavignonCreeks.......................15

ActionFF-3:WatershedDevelopmentPlanfortheEastDavignonandFortCreeksetc...................16

ActionFF-6:Remediationofrapidshabitatandassociatedwetlands...............................................16

ActionFF-7:Developa10YearFisheriesAssessmentProgramfortheriver....................................17

ActionFF-8:ContinuedsupportforSeaLampreycontrolefforts......................................................17

ActionFF-9:StabilizeshorelineoftheAlgomaSlagDumptoprovidehabitatforplantgrowth(e.g.,viasoiladdition)tosoftenandstabilizethelandscape.....................................................................17

ActionPSM-6:MonitoringreceivingwateratSt.MarysPaper.........................................................18

ActionPSM-8:Monitoringstudytoexamineshort-termvariabilityandmonthlyrangesofcontaminantdischargesfromwastewatertreatmentplants............................................................18

ActionNPSM-9:Identifyterrestrialandaquaticdisposalsitestransferringcontaminantsintowaterways.........................................................................................................................................18

ActionNPSM-11:Assessthepotentialhazardsassociatedwithspillsfromshippingvessels...........18

ActionFFM-2:Themarshmonitoringprogram.................................................................................19

ActionFFM-5:TheCWSsurveysoftheCommonandBlackTernpopulations..................................20

ActionFFM-6:Analysisofcontaminantlevelsineggs.......................................................................21

ActionFFM-7:Monitoringofpopulationchangesduetohabitatenhancement..............................22

ActionFFM-9:Evaluateinfluenceofwaterlevelsandflowsonspawningandproduction..............22

ActionFFM-10:Determineminimumwaterlevelsandflowratesnecessaryforspawning.............23

ActionFFM-11:Monitoringwaterquantity.......................................................................................23

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1. Introduction

TheSt.MarysRiverAreaofConcernTheSt.MarysRiverisa112kmwaterwaythatinterconnectsLakeSuperiorandtheNorthChannelofLakeHuronintheGreatLakes.Historically,theSt.MarysRiverhasexperiencedsignificantenvironmentaldegradationandimpairedbeneficialuses,whichleadtoitsdesignationasanAreaofConcern(AOC)undertheCanada-U.S.GreatLakesWaterQualityAgreementin1987.AnAOCisanareawheresignificantimpairmentofbeneficialuseshasoccurredasaresultofhumanactivitiesatalocallevel,tothepointwhereitaffectstheenjoymentoruseoftheareaand/ortheoverallhealthoftheecosystem.Métis

TheSt.MarysRiverAOChasaRemedialActionPlanthatguidesprotectioneffortsandhelpsrestorebeneficialuses.Thesebeneficialuseimpairments(BUIs)arereductionsinthechemical,physical,orbiologicalintegrityoftheareasufficienttocauseenvironmentalissuesandhavebeenidentifiedinaStage1RAPreport(1992)fortheSt.MarysRiverAOC.In2002,anumberofremedialactionsandmonitoringinitiativeswereidentified,inaStage2RAPreport,tohelpaddresstheseissues.CurrentlytheSt.MarysRiverRAPteamisworkingonrestoringnineBUIs,twoofwhichincludewildlifecomponents:

− DegradationofFishandWildlifePopulations− LossofFishandWildlifeHabitat

Note:BirdandAnimalDeformitiesorReproductiveProblemswasathirdBUIimplicatingwildlifeintheSt.MarysRiverAOC.ItsstatuswaschangedfromrequiresfurtherassessmenttonotimpairedontheU.S.sideinFebruary2014(followinganassessmentbytheStateofMichigan)andontheCanadiansideinJanuary2016,aftera4-yearstudybyEnvironmentandClimateChangeCanada(ECCC).ThatBUIassessmentandredesignationcontributestotheweight-of-evidenceinexaminingwildlifepopulationsandhabitat.

AboutthisReportThepurposeofthisreportistosynthesizeknowledgefrommultipleareasrelatedtothewildlifepopulationsandhabitatintheSt.MarysRiverAOC.AllrecommendedremedialandmonitoringactionspertainingtothewildlifecomponentsoftheDegradationofFishandWildlifePopulationsBUIandtheLossofFishandWildlifeHabitatBUIhavebeencompleted.Theattachedtechnicalreportsprovidedetailedrationaleincludingstudymethods,fieldandlaboratoryanalysis,results,anddiscussionandconclusions.Thisdocumentservesasanofficialaccounttorecommendthechangeinstatus,ontheCanadiansideoftheSt.MarysRiverAOC,thewildlifeportionoftheDegradationofFishandWildlifePopulationsBUIandLossofFishandWildlifeHabitatBUItoNOTIMPAIRED.ThefishportionofbothBUIsremaininastateofimpairment,pendingthecompletionofremedialactionsandanevaluationonthecurrentconditions.NeitherBUIwillbefullyredesignateduntilallelementsofthedelistingcriteriahavebeenmet.

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2. BeneficialUseImpairmentsRelatingtoWildlife

DegradationofFishandWildlifePopulationsIntheStage2RemedialActionPlan(RAP)report,thewildlifeportionoftheDegradationofFishandWildlifePopulationsBUIwasdesignatedas“RequiresFurtherAssessment”.Althoughwildlifepopulationsappearedtobestableorincreasing,itwasnotedthatassessmentcriteriawasneeded.Atthetime,CommonTern(Sternahirundo)populationsweredecliningwhileRing-billedGull(Larusdelawarensis)numberswereincreasing.AsstatedintheStage1RAPreport,habitatlossandalterationwerecausingareductioninnestinghabitatandthelarger,earliernestingRing-billedGullsweredisplacingCommonTernsalongwithothersmallerspeciesfromnestingsites.TheStage2RAPreportrecommendedanassessmentofCommonTernandBlackTern(Chlidoniasniger)populationsfortheentireSt.MarysRiver(ActionFFM-5)andareproductiveassessmentofHerringGullsandBlackandCommonTerns(ActionFFM-8,whichfellundertheBirdandAnimalDeformitiesorReproductiveProblemsBUI).Inaddition,boththeStage1and2RAPreportsnotedchemicalcontaminantswithinthetissuesofwaterfowl,particularlymercuryandpolychlorinatedbiphenyls(PCBs).TheStage2RAPreportrecommendedafullanalysisofcontaminantlevelsintheeggsofHerringGullsandBlackandCommonTernswithintheAOC(ActionFFM-6),

LossofFishandWildlifeHabitat AtthetimeofdevelopingtheStage1RAPreportintheearly1990s,significantlossoffishandwildlifehabitathadoccurredasaresultofshorelinealteration,industrialization,urbanizationandshippingactivities,particularlyaroundtheSt.MarysRiverrapids(Stage1RAP).LossofFishandWildlifeHabitatwasdesignatedaBUI.Bytheearly2000s,theStage2RAPreportmaintainedtheimpairedstatus.Forwildlifehabitat,thiswasmainlyduetowetlandlossandlittoralzonedegradationfromdecadesofurbanandindustrialdevelopmentaroundthetwincitiesofSaultSte.MarieandtheoperationoftheCompensatingWorkscontrollingwaterflowoutofLakeSuperiorandovertherapids.AmongthelistofremedialandmonitoringactionsrecommendedintheStage2RAPreport,marshmonitoringsurveyswereidentifiedtobeconductedinordertoproperlyassesshabitatlossintheSt.MarysRiverwatershed(ActionFFM-2).

3. RemedialActionsIdentifiedtoAddressBUIsRelatingtoWildlife

ContinuedSupportfortheMarshMonitoringProgram(ActionFFM-2)In2011,theCanadianRAPAgenciesandBinationalPublicAdvisoryCouncil(BPAC)discussedtheneedforacomprehensiveassessmentofwildlifehabitatconditions(specificallycoastalwetlands)andassociatedwildlifepopulations,andtoevaluatethedegreeofimpairment,ifany.Amulti-yearstudybytheCanadianWildlifeServiceofEnvironmentandClimateChangeCanada(ECCC)startedin2012,andinAugust2016,the5-yearmonitoringeffortwascompleted.Thestudyassessedbaselinewildlifehabitatconditionsandevaluatedcoastalwetlandwaterquality,andbreedingbird,amphibian,aquatic

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macroinvertebrateandsubmergedvegetationcommunitieswithintheAOC,concludingthewildlifehabitatandpopulationsarenotimpaired(Darwin,2016,seeAppendixA).Keyfindingsinclude:

− WaterqualitywithintheAOC’scoastalwetlandsiscomparabletonon-AOCreferencesites;suggestingoverallwaterqualitycanbeconsiderednotimpaired.AlgomaUniversity’swaterqualitysurvey(2013-15)supportsthis(Ginou2016).

− BreedingmarshbirdsintheAOCareinrelativelyundisturbedcondition,andsitesinsideandoutsidetheAOCareincomparablecondition;suggestingthereisnoimpairment.

− Thereisnoclearresponsedisturbancewithintheamphibianandaquaticmacroinvertebratecommunities,suggestingthosepopulationsarenotimpaired.

− TherearesomedifferencesbetweensubmergedaquaticvegetationcommunitiesintheAOCversusnon-AOCreferencesites,buttheoverallareaisnotimpairedforthiscommunitytype.

CompleteanAssessmentofCommonandBlackTernPopulationsfortheArea(ActionFFM-5)In2009,theCanadianRAPAgenciesandBPACdiscussedtheneedtoassessthepopulationsofCommonTernsandBlackTernswithintheAOC;twoindicatorspecieslongidentifiedintheRemedialActionPlan.In2014,ECCCcompletedthepopulationassessmentbasedonnestcountsurveysconductedbetween2010and2013,supplementedwithhistoricalbreedingdatafrom1978-80,1989,1999-00,and2007-08(Hughesetal.2014b,seeAppendixB).PopulationtrendsforcolonialwaterbirdsbreedingontheNorthChannelofLakeHuronwereincludedtoprovideabroadercontextoftrendsindiversityandabundancewithintheAOC.ThestudyconcludedCommonsTernsandBlackTernsarebreedingwithintheAOC,thatthereisnoevidencethatbreedingstatuswithintheAOCdiffersfromthatoutsideofAOC,andthatnestingandpopulationpatternsareinfluencedbylifehistorystrategiesofthespeciesandfactorsthatareregionalorbasin-wideinnature,andnotspecifictoinfluenceswithintheAOC.Keyfindingsinclude:

− Despitenaturalfluctuations,CommonTernpopulationshavehadnosignificantchangeoverthepast30years,with70nestsfoundin1978-80versus78in2007-08.

− Evidencefromnestcountsurveysbetween1980and2013suggesttrendsinpopulationsofnestingCommonTernsintheAOCarelikelyrelatedtofactorsconsistentwiththelifehistorystrategiesofthespecies,andarenotspecifictoinfluencesintheAOC.

− BlackTernsseemtobelimitedontheOntariosideoftheriver,withabreedingcolonyfoundonlyatEchoBay.ItisnotpossibletoreportontemporaltrendsinabundanceofBlackTernsintheAOCduetolimiteddata.However,basedonthedatathatisavailable,thereisnoevidencetosuggestthatbreedingstatusofBlackTernsnestingwithintheAOCdiffersfromthosenestingatsitesdownstreamintheNorthChannel.

− TherelativelowpopulationofnestingBlackTernsislikelyreflectiveoflowdensitiesreportedthroughouttheregion,OntarioandtheGreatLakesbasinandnotduetoAOC-specificconditions.

− Overall,thetotalnumberofcolonialwaterbirdnestsontheOntariosideoftheSt.MarysRiverincreasedbyalmost23%between1999and2008;largelydrivenbydramaticincreasesinRing-billedGulls.

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AnalyzeContaminantLevelsinEggsfromHerringGull,BlackTern,andCommonTernNestsintheAOC(ActionFFM-6)andcompleteReproductiveAssessmentsofHerringGulls,BlackTernsandCommonTernswithintheAOC(ActionFFM-8)Inparalleltotheabove-mentionedassessmentofCommonTernandBlackTernpopulationswithintheAOC,in2014,ECCCalsocompleteditsthree-yearCommonTernandHerringGullstudybasedonfieldworkandlaboratoryanalysistoassessdeformities,reproductivehealth,andchemicalcontaminationineggsoftheseindicatorspecies.Thestudyreport(Hughesetal.2014a,seeAppendixC)concludesthatthereisnoevidenceofimpairedreproductionordeformitiesincolonialwaterbirdsattributabletolocalcontaminationeffectswithintheAOC,andthereproductivesuccessforbirdsstudiedwithintheAOCissimilartothatfromoutsidetheAOC.Keyfindingsinclude:

- Contaminantlevelsarelowoverallandnotsufficientlyelevatedtohaveanadverseimpactonreproductivesuccessanddevelopment[whichisanimpactrelatedtopolychlorinatedbiphenyls(PCBs)andotherorganochlorines,dioxins/furans,heavymetalslikemercury,andpolybrominateddiphenylethers(PBDEs)].

- Nophysicaldeformitieshavebeendetectedwithingullorternchicks(theoriginalissueidentifiedbytheRAP).Thereisalowincidenceofembryonicdeformitiesthatcannotbelinkedtocontaminantburdensorgeographicalarea(i.e.,thereisnosignificantdifferencebetweenAOCandnon-AOCbirdcolonies);andthereproductivesuccessforHerringGullswithintheAOCishigh,andthatofCommonTernsissimilartotherestoftheregion.

ThereportsupportedtheofficialredesignationoftheBirdandAnimalDeformitiesorReproductiveProblemsBUIfromRequiresFurtherAssessmenttoNOTIMPAIREDinJanuary2016viaanotificationlettertotheInternationalJointCommission(AppendixD).ThisisconsistentwiththesamechangeinBUIstatusbytheUnitedStatesEnvironmentalProtectionAgencyin2014.ThepreviousdesignationofREQUIRESFURTHERASSESSMENThadbeeninplacesince2002.

OtherStage2RemediationandMonitoringActionsTheStage2RAPreportlists23recommendedactionsfortherestorationoftheDegradationofFishandWildlifePopulationsBUIandtheLossofFishandWildlifeHabitatBUI.Table1summarizesthestatusoftheseactions.RefertoAppendixEforasummaryofeachactionanditscurrentstatus.Allactionsspecifictowildlifepopulationsandhabitathavebeencompleted.Theactionsthatarecurrentlyunderway,astheyhaveyettobecompleted,arethosespecifictofishpopulationsandhabitat.

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Table1:Stage2RAPRecommendedRemedialActionsandMonitoringActivitiesfortheDegradationofFishandWildlifePopulationsBUIandtheLossofFishandWildlifeHabitatBUI.

RemediationandMonitoringActions

ActionsUnderway/

UnderReview

ActionsComplete/Addressed/Ongoing

PS-1: Virtuallyeliminateallknownpersistentandbioaccumulativecontaminantsfromindustrialandmunicipaldischarge !

NPS-1: Developmentofamulti-agencysedimentmanagementprogram !

NPS-4: IdentificationandcontrolofcontaminantsfromtheAlgomaSlagDump !

NPS-6: Controlofagriculturalandothernon-pointsourcesofpollution !

NPS-7: Remediationforcontaminatedterrestrialandaquaticdisposalsites !

FF-1: BarRiverhabitatproject !

FF-2: WatersheddevelopmentPlanforBennettandWestDavignonCreeks !

FF-3: WatershedDevelopmentPlanfortheEastDavignonandFortCreeksetc. !

FF-6 Remediationofrapidshabitatandassociatedwetlands !

FF-7: Developa10yearfisheriesassessmentprogram !

FF-8: ContinuedsupportofSeaLampreycontrolefforts !

FF-9: StabilizeshorelineoftheAlgomaSlagDumptoprovidehabitatforplantgrowth(e.g.,viasoiladdition)tosoftenandstabilizethelandscape !

PSM-6: MonitoringreceivingwateratSt.MarysPaper !

PSM-8: Monitoringstudytoexamineshort-termvariabilityandmonthlyrangesofcontaminantdischargesfromwastewatertreatmentplants !

NPSM-9: Identifyterrestrialandaquaticdisposalsitestransferringcontaminantsintowaterways !

NPSM-11: Assessthepotentialhazardsassociatedwithspillsfromshippingvessels !

FFM-2: TheMarshMonitoringprogram !

FFM-5: TheCWSsurveysoftheCommonandBlackTernpopulations !

FFM-6: Analysisofcontaminantlevelsineggs !

FFM-7: Monitoringofpopulationchangesduetohabitatenhancement(COMPLETEforWildlife;PENDINGforFish) !

FFM-9: Evaluateinfluenceofwaterlevelsandflowsonspawningandproduction !FFM-10: Determineminimumwaterlevelsandflowratesnecessaryforspawning !FFM-11: Monitoringwaterquantity !***ActionsFF-4,FF-5,FFM-1,PSM-1,NPSM-2andNPSM-3arenotapplicableastheyareMichigan-specificactions.

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4.DelistingCriteriaThesearemeasurabletargetsforrestoringbeneficialuses,andultimatelytheAOC,andestablishabenchmarkforwhenabeneficialusecanbedeemednolongerimpaired.ThedelistingcriteriaforthesuiteofBUIswereupdatedinconsultationwiththeBinationalPublicAdvisoryCouncil(BPAC)andreceivedendorsementinFebruary2015.TheBPACrepresentsstakeholdersonboththeAmericanandCanadiansidesoftheAOC.

DelistingCriteriaforDegradationofFishandWildlifePopulationsThedelistingcriteriaforDegradationofFishandWildlifePopulationsstatesthattheBUIwillnolongerbeimpairedwhen:

TheBUIwillnolongerbeimpairedwhentheoverallfishcommunityhealthwithintheAOCiscomparabletothatofasuitablereferencesite,asassessedusinganindexofbioticintegritythroughaminimumoftwoconsecutivestudies.

IntheStage1and2RAPreportsthewildlifeportionoftheDegradationofFishandWildlifePopulationsBUIwasneverdeemedIMPAIRED,butwasdesignatedasREQUIRESFURTHERASSESSMENT.Delistingcriteriaareonlyappropriateforwhenabeneficialuseisimpaired,andthustheRAPrequiresameasurabletargettodeterminewhenitisnolongerimpaired.Asaresult,thedelistingcriteriafortheDegradationofFishandWildlifePopulationsBUIonlyfocusesonthefishcomponent.FisheriesandOceansCanadacompletedanoverallassessmentoftheAOCfishcommunityusingtheindexofbioticintegrity(IBI)approachintwoseparatestudies,encompassingfieldworkanddataanalysisin2006-08and2014-15.BothstudiesconcludetheSt.MarysRiverishometoarelativelyhealthyfishcommunitythatiscomplex,diverse,anddominatedbynativespecies.FinalresultsweresharedanddiscussedwithBPACinOctober2017,butbeforeinitiatingaformalwrite-uprecommendingaBUIredesignation,otherinformation/datasourceswillbeusedtosupplementtheIBIapproach.Specifically,resultsfromthebinationalSt.MarysRiverFisheriesTaskGroup’sfishsurveys(producedevery3years)willbeusedtoconfirmthestatusof“managed”fishpopulations.ThisisexpectedinNovember2018.

DelistingCriteriaforLossofFishandWildlifeHabitatThedelistingcriteriaforLossofFishandWildlifeHabitatstatesthattheBUIwillnolongerbeimpairedwhen:

i. CoastalwetlandwildlifehabitatconditionswithintheAOCarecomparabletothoseofsuitable

referencesites,asassessedusinganindexofbioticintegrity(ACHIEVED);ii. Rapidshabitatconditionsareenhancedthroughfeasibleconservationandrestorationmeasures

identifiedintheStage2RemedialActionPlan(UNDERWAY);andiii. ThecloselylinkedDegradationofFishPopulationsBUIisnolongerdeemedimpaired

(UNDERWAY).

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5. ReferencesDarwin,A.(2016)St.MarysRiverAreaofConcern:CoastalWetlandHabitatAssessmentReport.EnvironmentandClimateChangeCanada–CanadianWildlifeService.

Ginou,C.(2016).WaterQualityMonitoringandAnalysis:AnInvestigationoftheEutrophicationandUndesirableAlgae,andtheDegradationofAestheticsBeneficialUseImpairmentsintheCanadianSt.MarysRiverAreaofConcern(2013-2015).AlgomaUniversityRemedialActionPlanOffice.94pp.

Hughes,K.D.,Crump,D.,Williams,K.,andMartin,P.A.(2014a)AssessmentoftheWildlifeReproductionandDeformitiesBeneficialUseImpairmentintheSt.MarysRiverAreaofConcern(Ontario).EnvironmentandClimateChangeCanada–EcotoxicologyandWildlifeHealthDivision.

Hughes,K.D.,Moore,D.J.,andMartinP.A.(2014b)AnAssessmentofBreedingPopulationsofCommonTernsandBlackTernsintheSt.MarysRiverAreaofConcern(Ontario).EnvironmentandClimateChangeCanada–EcotoxicologyandWildlifeHealthDivision.

St.MarysRiverRemedialActionPlan:Stage1Report(RAP1).(1992).St.MarysRiverAreaofConcernEnvironmentalConditionsandProblemDefinitions.OntarioMinistryoftheEnvironment,ConservationandParksandMichiganDepartmentofNaturalResources.

St.MarysRiverRemedialActionPlan:Stage2Report(RAP2).(2002).St.MarysRiverAreaofConcernRemedialStrategiesforEcosystemRestoration.EnvironmentCanada,UnitedStatesEnvironmentalProtectionAgency.OntarioMinistryoftheEnvironment,ConservationandParks,andMichiganDepartmentofEnvironmentalQuality.

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6.Appendices

AppendixA:St.MarysRiverAreaofConcern–CoastalWetlandHabitatAssessmentReport

AppendixB:AnAssessmentofBreedingPopulationsofCommonTernsandBlackTernsintheSt.MarysRiverAreaofConcern(Ontario)

AppendixC:AssessmentoftheWildlifeReproductionandDeformitiesBeneficialUseImpairmentintheSt.MarysRiverAreaofConcern(Ontario)

AppendixD:NotificationLettertotheIJC

AppendixE:SummaryandStatusoftheStage2RemedialandMonitoringActionsSpecifictotheDegradationofFishandWildlifePopulationsBUIandtheLossofFishandWildlifeHabitatBUI

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AppendixE:SummaryandStatusoftheStage2RemedialandMonitoringActionsSpecifictotheDegradationofFishandWildlifePopulationsBUIandtheLossofFishandWildlifeHabitatBUI

ActionPS-1:Virtualeliminationofallpersistentandbioaccumulativecontaminantsfromindustrialandmunicipaldischarge.*Notethatthisactionhasbeeninterpretedasvirtualeliminationofallknownpersistentandbioaccumulativecontaminants.CurrentStatus:ONGOINGWorkcompletedtodate:St.MarysPaper•Asof2012,theSt.MarysPaperplanthasbeendecommissionedandthesitedismantled,thereforethereisnowastewaterdischargetotheriver.Beforetheclosure,contaminantsinthemill’swastewaterwerereducedsignificantlybetween1995and2006duetotheinstallationofanactivatedsludgesecondarytreatmentfacility(reducingsuspendedsolidsbyover91%,biologicaloxygendemand(BOD)bymorethan97%,andodour-causingphenolsbyover95%).Algoma(formerlyEssarSteelAlgoma)•In1991,Algomainstalledamainfiltrationplantforwastewaterdischarge,whichreducedlevelsofsuspendedsolidsandphenols.ItalsodecommissionedtheTerminalBasinsettlingponds,reducingdischargesintotheriver.•Between1997and1999Algomainvestedin:anewbiologicaltreatmentfacilitytotreatCokemakingwastewater,newdirectcastingfacility,toxicitycontrolsystemontheBarandStripprocesseffluent,andawaterrecirculationsystemonIronmakingBlastFurnacewaterfacilities.Theseimprovementsledtoreducedphenol,ammonia,cyanide,oilandgrease,andsuspendedsolidsconcentrationsinwastewaterandoptimizedwaterre-usebyupto90%.•Since2002,AlgomahasmadeupgradestotheSecondaryEmissionControl,CompositionAdjustmentSystemwithOxygenBlowing,andhotmetaltransferBaghousesatthesteelmakingoperationstoimprovethecaptureefficiencyofparticulatematter.•In2004,thefacilityestablishedanextensivecontinuousairqualitymonitoringprogramsurroundingtheentirefacility.Therearetwocontinuouson-linemonitoringstationsandfourcontinuousoff-linemonitoringstationsusedtomeasureseveraldifferentparameters,includingsuspendedparticulatematter,dustfall,totalreducedsulfur,metals,polycyclicaromatichydrocarbonsandvolatileorganiccompounds.FormoreinformationonthisseeAlgoma’swebsite(www.algoma.com).•In2005,thecompanycompleteditsEnvironmentalManagementAgreementwiththeMinistryoftheEnvironmentandEnvironmentandClimateChangeCanadaforenvironmentalimprovements,andaddressedsurfacewaterrun-offfromthecoalpilesbydivertingitintoasettlingareatoeliminatecoalenteringtheriver.•Beginningin2007,awindbermmeasuring600meterslongby10metershighwasconstructedtodeflectwindoverAlgoma’scoalpilestoreducethegenerationofwind-blowncoalandparticulates.

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•2009sawanew70megawattco-generationfacilitythatconvertspreviouslyflaredby-productfuelsfromthecokeandironmakingprocessesintoelectricityandsteamforthesteelworks.ThisistheonlyfacilityofitskindinCanadaanditreducesthefacility’srelianceontheprovincialgridbyapproximately50%.Theuseofthesebyproductfuelstogenerateelectricity,effectivelyoff-setsthereleaseofapproximately500,000tonnesofcarbondioxideperyear.•In2009,inanefforttoaddressairemissions,AlgomaaddedbaghousestoitsNo.7blastfurnace,thede-kishoperations(seeActionPS-9),andthelimeplantbaghousewasalsoupgraded.Anextensivemonitoringprogramwasalsoinitiatedforthematerialstorageandreprocessingsitethatmonitorsgroundwaterandsurfacewaterqualityonaquarterlybasisfortheentire320hectaresite.CityofSaultSte.Marie’sEastEndWastewaterTreatmentPlant•In2006,SaultSte.MarieupgradedtheEastEndWastewaterTreatmentPlanttoincludesecondarytreatmentusingthefirstbiologicalnutrientremovalsysteminOntario,includingultraviolet(UV)lightfordisinfection,meaningnochlorineisdischargedtotheriver.•TheCityofSaultSte.Marieisimplementingastormwatermanagementpolicy/masterplanthatidentifieswaystoimprovethemanagementofstormwaterrunoffandreducetheinputsofcontaminantstotheriver,suchasoil,grease,nutrientsandbacteria.WithfinancialsupportfromEnvironmentandClimateChangeCanada,thisisanefforttoaddressstormwaterquantityandqualityissueswithinnewandexistingdevelopmentaroundthecity.

ActionNPS-1:Developmentofamulti-agencysedimentmanagementprogram

*Thisactionincludesshortandlongtermactivitiesrangingfromtheassessmentofimmediateremedialoptionstotheimplementationofmanagementactions.Assuch,therearetenactions(a)-(j)listedintheStage2RAPReport.

CurrentStatus:UNDERWAY

Workcompletedtodate:•In2009,EnvironmentandClimateChangeCanada(ECCC)andtheMinistryofEnvironment,ConservationandParks(MECP)formedamulti-agencysedimentmanagementtechnicalteam,whichincludesrepresentativesfromAlgomaUniversity,DepartmentofFisheries&Oceans,MinistryofNaturalResourcesandForestry,SaultSte.MarieConservationAuthority,andtheCityofSaultSte.Marie.BPACrepresentativesoccasionallyparticipateinorobservethemeetings.•(a)In2010,ECCCcompletedmapping/characterizationofcontaminatedsediment.•(b)In2008,theCanada-OntarioDecision-MakingFrameworkforAssessmentofGreatLakesContaminatedSedimentwasdevelopedbytheSedimentTaskTeamonbehalfofECCCandtheMECPasaconsistent,scientificallydefensible,andpublicallyaccepteddecisionmakingframework;theframeworkhasbeenappliedtotheSt.MarysRiverandwillguidefuturedecisions.•(c)In2010,ECCCcompletedastudythatconcludedmanagementactionisnotrequiredforsedimentupstreamofBellevueMarineParkandintheLakeGeorgeChannel.Thesamestudyrecommendedfurtherassessmentfortheareaeast(downstream)ofBellevueMarinePark.•In2012,theSaultSte.MarieInnovationCentreinitiatedaprojecttoassessthequantityandqualityofsedimentbeingdepositedintheareaeastofBellevueMarinePark.Theresultswillhelpidentifysuitablemanagementactionsforthecontaminatedsedimentinthisarea.

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•(d)In2012,theSaultSte.MarieInnovationCentrecompletedareportthatdescribesaconceptualsitemodelforsedimentsintheSt.MarysRiverandincludesrecommendationsforfurthereffortstowardacontaminatedsedimentmanagementstrategy.TheConceptualSiteModelrepresentsthesite-specificstateofunderstandingofcontaminantsources,fate,transport,andpotentialexposureofreceptorsandistobeupdatedasnewinformationbecomesavailable.•(g)Thissub-actionisbeyondthescopeoftheAOCandRAPprogram.Atmosphericinputsarealreadyaddressedunderanumberofotherprograms(i.e.LakeSuperiorLakewideManagementandActionPlan,LakeHuronBinationalInitiative,andfederalandprovincialregulationswithrespecttodomesticsourcesofatmosphericemissions).

Currentworkandactionstobeundertaken:

•(e)TheCityhasvariousstormwatermanagementinitiativesunderway.

•(f),(h),(i),(j)Thesesub-actionsarependinganddependonthemanagementactionstaken.

•Continuedworkonthesedimentmanagementplanisplannedfor2018pendingcompletionofsedimentquality,stabilityandbiologicalstudies.

•ADredgingAdministrativeControlsdocumenthasbeencreatedtoprovideguidancefordredgingproponentsandpermittingagenciesontheregulatoryoversightsintheplanningandundertakingofdredgingactivities.Itwasfinalizedin2016,andwillbelinkedtotheplannedsedimentmanagementplan.

ActionNPS-4:IdentificationandcontrolofcontaminantsfromtheAlgomaSlagDump

*Includingstabilizationofshorelineandnearshoresediments.Brokeninto2subsections(a)-(b)oftheStage2Report.

CurrentStatus:COMPLETE

Workcompletedtodate:•(a)Thisthree-partyEnvironmentalManagementAgreement(2001-2005)iscomplete.•RelatedtoActionNPS-2:Startingin2010,AlgomahasimplementedanextensivegroundandsurfacewatermonitoringprogramaspartoftheEnvironmentalComplianceApprovalforthelandfill.AnalysisisperformedonaquarterlybasisandreportedannuallytotheMECP.•(b)Forinformationonshorelinestabilization,seeActionFF-9.Currentworkandactionstobeundertaken:Nofurtheractionrequired.

ActionNPS-6:Controlofagriculturalandothernon-pointsourcesofpollution

*Brokeninto5subsections(a)-(e)intheStage2Report.

CurrentStatus:COMPLETE[agriculture];COMPLETE[urbanstormwater]

Workcompletedtodate:

Agricultural-basedpollution•In2013-14,ECCCcommissionedastudyto:1)determinethecurrentpotentialforwaterqualityimpactsontheAOCfromagriculturalactivities;2)determinehowthiscomparestootherregions

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alongGreatLakesthatarenotAOCs(asreferencesite)andtotheagriculturalsectorintheProvinceofOntario;and3)inventorythecurrentregulationsandprogramsnowinplacethatgovernagriculturalsourcesofwaterpollutioninOntario(i.e.,whichwerenotinplacewhenActionNPS-6wasrecommended,suchasOntario’sNutrientManagementAct,2002andCleanWaterAct,2006).•Overall,thestudyconcludesimpactsfromOntario-basedagricultureintheAOCarelow.Specifically,thesefarmsaroundtheAOC:consistofmoresmalleroperationswithmixedfarming(diversityoflivestockandcrops)asopposedtolarger,moreintensivelivestockfarmsinotherjurisdictionslikeSouthHuron;utilizemanureuse/managementthatismuchlessriskyforimpactingwaterqualitythanotherjurisdictionslikeSouthHuron(i.e.,therearefewerfarmsoccupyingsmalleracreagethattendtousecompostedorsolidmanure,notliquid);andhavecuttheuseofcommercialfertilizer–andalthoughveryfewreportusingherbicides,insecticidesandfungicides–thenumberthatdoissignificantlylowercomparedtofarmsinSouthHuronandtherestofOntario.•Thereport’sfindingissimilartoconclusionsreachedintheSaultSte.MarieRegionSourceProtectionPlan,whichafterassessingtheimpactofagriculturalactivitiesonthewellheadsandsurfacewaterintakesintheSourceProtectionArea;concludedagricultureisoflimitedsignificance.•Inaddition:sub-actions(a),(b)arecoveredunderOntario’sNutrientManagementAct(MECP/OMAFRA);(c),(d)arecoveredunderregulationsadministeredbytheConservationAuthority;and(e)iscoveredundertheCanada-OntarioEnvironmentalFarmPlan.Urbanstormwaterrunoff•InFebruary2015,CityCouncilapprovedthenewStormWaterManagementMasterPlanandGuidelines.•TheCityundertooktargetedmonitoringbetween2012and2015todeterminebaseline:-waterqualitydataforpotentialinstallationofoil/gritseparators;-dataattheBellevueParkpondtoquantifythepotentialimpairmentandassesspotentialmitigatingactions,and;-dataattheEastEndSnowDumptoassesspotentialimpactsandidentifymitigatingmeasures.ResultswerepresentedtotheBPACin2016.•Continuetomonitorandsupportprogressinbettermanagingurbanstormwaterasanon-pointsourceofpollutiontotheAOC.ThisincludedevaluatingrainwaterinflowandinfiltrationintheDellAvenuesanitarysewersystemforthreeyears(endingin2016)toidentifyareaswithhighflowsandthuspotentiallymitigatewastewateroutflowsandtreatmentbypassestotheSt.MarysRiver.•PendingtheCity’sbudgetingprocess,includingapprovalbycouncil,theCityplanstoimplementacity-wideapproachtostormwatermanagement.•TheCitywillbeimplementingastormwatermanagementprojectthatwillhelpreducetheriskoffloodingandhelpmitigatefuturedamagefromfloodingbyimprovingandupgradingthestormwatersystem.

ActionNPS-7:Remediationforcontaminatedterrestrialandaquaticdisposalsites

*IfidentifiedthroughActionNPSM-9andNPSM-12.

CurrentStatus:ADDRESSED•KnowncontaminatedterrestrialandaquaticdisposalsiteswithintheAOCarealreadyaddressedthroughotheractions.•KnownsitesarebeingaddressedandtherelatedmonitoringactionsareoutsideofthescopeoftheRAP.

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ActionFF-1:BarRiverhabitatproject

*Includesrecoveryofthewalleyehabitatandspawningstock.



•WithsupportfromECCCandthelocalofficeoftheMinistryofNaturalResourcesandForestry(MNRF),treeplantingwascarriedoutinSpring1999bythelocalchapterofScoutsCanadaandteachersandstudentsfromCentralAlgomaSecondarySchool.Cedar,spruceandsomehardwoodspeciescultivatedintheOntarioForestResearchInstitute’sarboretumwereplantedonthreepropertiesintheupperreachesoftheBarRiver.


•InJuly2013,ECCC-CWSconductedafollow-upsitereconnaissancetodeterminetheefficacyoftheoriginalrestorationprojectandtoprovideaqualitativeevaluationofthecurrentconditionoftheBarRiver.Theteamlookedtoidentifyanysignificantimpactsfromlivestockorfarmingpractices,whichweretheoriginalstressorsthatpromptedtherestorationprojectin1999.•Theconclusionisthat,overall,thepositiveeffectsofthe1999restorationprojectarestillevident,particularlywiththeimprovementofstreambankandriparianzoneconditionsthroughplantingsandlivestockrestriction.Thestreambankremainswellvegetatedandcontinuestostabilizetheriverbank,andfencingappearssuccessfulinreducingtheinstancesoflivestockaccesstotheriver.Therewereisolatedlocationswithdamagedlivestockfences,andthesehavebeenflaggedtotheOntarioMinistryofAgriculture&Food,astherelevantauthorityforappropriatefollow-up.•ButfortheBarRiveroverall,observationssuggesttheprojecthashadalasting,positiveeffectontheSt.MarysRiveryearsafteritsimplementation,andcanbeseenasapositivestepinhelpingdelisttheSt.MarysRiverasanAOC.

ActionFF-2:WatershedDevelopmentPlanforBennettandWestDavignonCreeks*Brokeninto23subsections(a)-(w)intheStage2Report.CurrentStatus:ONGOING

Workcompletedtodate:•Sub-actions(a)-(g),(k)-(o),(q),(s)-(t),(v)-(w)arecoveredbytheSaultSte.MarieRegionConservationAuthority(SSMRCA)mandate/regulations.•(h)isimplementedthroughtheCityofSaultSte.Marie’sOfficialPlanandMNRFregulations.•(i)–(j)MECPandAlgomawillensurethatthesesub-actionshavebeenaddressed.AllbutoneundergroundfuelstoragetankatAlgomahasbeenremovedandthesitesremediated.TheformerDomtarsitehasbeenremediatedandcoveredwithaclaycapandvegetated.Somehydrocarboncontaminatedsiteswithintheboundsoftheslagstorageareawereremediatedandcoveredwithclaycapstopreventinfiltrationofwater.•(n)SSMRCAalsoallowstheDepartmentofFisheriesandOceansandU.S.Fish&WildlifeServicetocontrolSeaLamprey(e.g.usinglampricide)viatheGreatLakesFisheriesCommission•(p)istheresponsibilityofMinistryofAgriculture&Foodandprivatepropertyowners.•(r)isaddressedbytheCityofSaultSte.Marieunderthestormwatermanagementpolicyand

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masterplan.•(u)istheresponsibilityofprivatepropertyowners.

Currentworkandactionstobeundertaken:•(w)SSMRCAencouragesNGOstoaccomplishthissub-actionwithrespecttotheDiversionChannelaslongasitdoesnotimpedefloodflows.ECCCwillacceptprojectproposalstoitsGreatLakesSustainabilityFund.•AlgomaUniversityisinconsultationwiththeSSMRCAandtheCitytoidentifywherehabitatimprovementscanbemadealongtributariesconnectingtotheAOCasacomponenttodevelopingsub-watershedplans.

ActionFF-3:WatershedDevelopmentPlanfortheEastDavignonandFortCreeksetc.

CurrentStatus:ONGOING

SimilartoActionFF-2,pleaseseeabovefordetailedexplanation.Someadditionalsub-actionsarelistedbelow.

Workcompletedtodate:•In2005,SSMRCAidentifiedsedimentstudiesandimprovements.•In2009,SSMRCAcompletedimprovementsSouthofSecondLine,plantedtrees,establishedpondwhichincreasedwildlife,improvedflowwithsedimentandgarbageremoval.Currentworkandactionstobeundertaken:•Manyarethesameasabove.•DiscusspossibilitiesofassessingRootRiver,CrystalCreek,BigCarpRiver,andLittleCarpRiver.

ActionFF-6:Remediationofrapidshabitatandassociatedwetlands

*Brokeninto8possibleoptions(a)-(h)intheStage2Report.

CurrentStatus:UNDERWAY

Workcompletedtodate:•InOctober2013,followingacompetitivebidprocess,ECCChiredacontractortocollectnecessarydataandevaluatethephysical,ecologicalandeconomicfeasibilityofundertakingactionsFF-6candf(creatingneworaugmentingexistingrapidsareasintheSt.MarysRiver)andFF-6e(creatingwetlandsinassociationwiththeexistingBigRapids).•ECCCalsoenteredintocontractswithBatchewanaFirstNationsandGardenRiverFirstNationstosecuretheirknowledge,dataandinsightsintopastandcurrenthabitatconditionswithinspecificlocations,andfortheirideasonfuturepotentialoptionstocreateand/oraugmentrapidshabitat.•InMarch2015,resultsofthefeasibilitystudywerepresentedanddiscussedwithBPAC,andthereportwassharedwithcommunitystakeholders.Atotaloffiveconceptualdesignsweredeveloped,withcommentaryontheoverallbenefittothespecificstudyareaandtotheAOC.Theoptionsidentifiedtobemostfeasibleare:1)channelmodifications/enhancementsandwetlandcreationonWhitefishIsland,followedby:2)wetlandcreation,channelrealignment,andhabitatenhancementsatthemouthofFortCreek.

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•ThelatterwasdiscussedwithCityofficialsinJune2015,whoindicatedFortCreek(currentlyabrownfield)isnotanoptionbecausetheCity-ownedareaisalreadyslatedtobepartoftheCity'sproposed"Gatewaysite"underthelong-termCanalDistrictNeighbourhoodplan.Currentworkandactionstobeundertaken:•InJanuary2017,ECCCandtheBatchewanaFirstNationsignedacontracttoadvanceproposedaquatichabitatrestorationonWhitefishIsland,startingwithprojectplanninganddesign,communityconsultationandapprovals,constructionlogisticsandmaterialsourcing.Thereareconceptdrawings(sharedwithBPACinDecember2016)thatillustrateoptionsfornaturalizingchannelbedandbankareas,replacingconcrete/rockbermswithnaturalmaterialsandplants,creatingwetlandfeatures,improvingfishpassageandsedimenttransporttobenefitBrookTroutandotherfish,andbuildingaseriesofislandsandshoalseastoftheislandtoprovidenurseryhabitatforWhitefishandWalleye.

ActionFF-7:Developa10YearFisheriesAssessmentProgramfortheriver

*Includesanassessmentofmortalityratesforwalleye,pike,andyellowperch.


Workcompletedtodate:•In2002,theSt.MarysRiverFisheriesTaskGroupcompletedtheSt.MarysRiverFisheriesAssessmentPlantoguidefisheriesmanagementforthenexttenyearperiod.Theplanprovidesastandardizedapproachforregularassessmentoftheriver’sfisheryandaquaticresources•TheplanensurescoordinationofmanagementactionsfortheSt.MarysRiverFisherythroughtheGreatLakesFisheryCommission’sLakeHuronCommittee.Currentworkandactionstobeundertaken:•Aspartoftheaboveplan,theTaskGrouphasongoingFishCommunitySurveys.•Thisassessmentwassetupforaten-yearperiodandwillbereviewedperiodicallytoensurethatitreflectstheongoingneedsoftheSt.MarysRiverfisheries.

ActionFF-8:ContinuedsupportforSeaLampreycontroleffortsCurrentStatus:ADDRESSED•TherearededicatedprogramsdealingwithSeaLampreythatareledbytheSeaLampreyControlCentre(FisheriesandOceansCanada)inSaultSte.Marie.ItfunctionsindependentlyoftheRAP.•Thisactionisalreadyaddressedbecauseaquaticinvasivespeciesarealake-andbasin-widemanagementissue.

ActionFF-9:StabilizeshorelineoftheAlgomaSlagDumptoprovidehabitatforplantgrowth(e.g.,viasoiladdition)tosoftenandstabilizethelandscape



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•Intheearly1980s,theslagpilebanksalongtheSt.MarysRiverwereslopedandstabilized.•In2010,approximately2.6kmofshorelinewascoveredwithbiosolidsfromSt.Mary’sPaperandsuccessfullyhydro-seeded.•TheentireperimeterofAlgoma’smaterialstorageandre-processingyard(5.3km)hasstabilizedslopesandisnotsubjecttoanyerosion.Currentworkandactionstobeundertaken:Nofurtheractionneeded.

ActionPSM-6:MonitoringreceivingwateratSt.MarysPaper

CurrentStatus:NOLONGERAPPLICABLE

Asof2012,theSt.MarysPaperplantisdecommissionedandnolongerdischargingtotheriver.Duringitsoperation,ECCCandtheMECPimplementedrequirementsformonitoringthereceivingwatersofthemill(e.g.,Canada’sEnvironmentalEffectsMonitoringprogramtoassesstheimpactsofeffluentonthereceivingenvironmentandOntario’sMunicipalIndustrialStrategyforAbatementthatestablishedeffluentlimitsandmonitoringrequirements).Whileinoperationbetween1995and2006,contaminantswithinthemill’seffluentswerereducedsignificantlyduetotheinstallationofanactivatedsludgesecondarytreatmentfacility(reducingsuspendedsolidsbyover91%,biologicaloxygendemand(BOD)bymorethan97%,andodour-causingphenolsbyover95%).Thisactionisnolongerapplicablegiventheplantsdecommission.

ActionPSM-8:Monitoringstudytoexamineshort-termvariabilityandmonthlyrangesofcontaminantdischargesfromwastewatertreatmentplants



TheEastEndandWestEndPlantshavemonitoringprogramsinplacethatareimplementedbythemunicipalityasrequiredbyEnvironmentalComplianceApprovalissuedbytheMECP.

CurrentWorkandActionstobeUndertaken:Nofurtheractionrequired.

ActionNPSM-9:Identifyterrestrialandaquaticdisposalsitestransferringcontaminantsintowaterways

CurrentStatus:ADDRESSED

ThisactionisalreadyaddressedthroughtheMECP’sregulatoryprogramsandfallsoutsideofthescopeoftheRAPprogram.

ActionNPSM-11:Assessthepotentialhazardsassociatedwithspillsfromshippingvessels


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Workcompletedtodate:•In2012-13,ECCCcommissionedanassessmentandreportonvessel-baseddischargestotheSt.MarysRiver1.EventhoughActionNPSM-11callsforanassessmentonshippingvessels,thereportlooksatallvesselsfromlargefreighterstosmallpersonalwatercraft.•Coveringadecadeofreportedcases[from2001to2011],thereportsummarizesthesuspectedcauses,pollutanttypes,dischargeseverity,seasonandtimingofthespill/dischargeascapturedbytheCanadianCoastGuard’s“MarinePollutionIncidentReportingSystem”database.•TheSt.ClairRiverAOCisalsoassessedinthereport,andtoprovidecontext,itcomparestheAOC-specificincidentswiththosethathavehappenedaroundtheGreatLakessystemasrecordedbyCanadianauthorities.•Basedonthedecade’sworthofdata,itisconcludedthat,“thenumberofvesseldischargeincidentswithintheSt.MarysRiverAOCvaryfromyeartoyear,butremainsfairlylow.”Keyfactsinclude:-theprevalenceofvesseldischargesintheSt.Marysisverylow(3%),with14reportedincidentscomparedto39withintheSt.ClairRiverAOCand380intheGreatLakes[433intotal].-theproportionofpollution(i.e.,numberoflitresdischarged)intheSt.MarysRiverisverylow(<2%),with1,941litresenteringtherivercomparedtoover104,885litresdischargedtotheGreatLakes;andofthattotalnumberoflitresdischargedtotheSt.MarysRiver,almost98%ofitisattributedtoasingleincidentinvolvingan‘operationaldischarge’in2007(1892.71litresofdieseloilwasdischarged).-thereexistsanumberofdomestic,binationalandinternationalregulations/standards,agreementsandprogramsthatoverseevesseloperations;andprevent,mitigate,andmonitorvesseldischargesintheGreatLakessystem.Currentworkandactionstobeundertaken:Nofurtheractionrequired.

ActionFFM-2:Themarshmonitoringprogram*TheMarshMonitoringprogramwasestablishedtoprovidebaselineinformationonmarshbirdsand

amphibianpopulationsandtheirhabitat.



•InAugust2016,ECCC-CanadianWildlifeServicecompletedits5-yearmonitoringeffort(2011-16)to assess baseline wildlife habitat conditions and evaluate the degree of impairment (if any) ofcoastalwetlandwaterquality,andbreedingmarshbird,amphibian,aquaticmacroinvertebrateandsubmerged aquatic vegetation communities within the AOC. Non-AOC reference sites were alsoevaluatedforcomparison,andanindexofbioticintegrity(IBI)wasusedtofactorinseveralmetricsintheoverallassessment.

•Stagesofthestudyinvolved:in2011,ECCC-CWS(withhelpfromthelocalMNRFoffice)initiatedtheacquisitionandreviewofexistingdata,imageryanddocumentationonbaselineconditionsand

1FrenchPlanningServicesInc.2013.BackgroundReport:AssessingthePotentialHazardstotheRiverAssociatedWithVesselDischarges:St.

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habitat availability within the AOC. In 2012, a reconnaissance survey was carried out for siteselectionbasedongeophysicalparameters.In2013,2014and2015breedingbirdandamphibian(key indicator species) surveyswere undertaken at selected sites. In June 2015, the project leadpresentedpreliminaryresultstoBPAC.

• The final report was shared with BPAC in October 2016, and the project lead presented anddiscussed the resultsatBPAC'smeeting inDecember2016.Themain conclusionsdetailed in thefinalreportinclude:

-water quality within the AOCs coastal wetlands is comparable to non-AOC reference sites;suggestingoverallwaterqualitycanbeconsiderednotimpaired.AlgomaUniversity'swaterqualitysurvey(2013-15)corroboratesthis.

-breeding marsh birds in the AOC are in relatively undisturbed condition; thus this can beconsiderednotimpaired.

-there is no clear response to disturbance within the amphibian and aquatic macroinvertebratecommunities,suggestingtheycanbeconsiderednotimpaired.

-therearesomedifferencesbetweensubmergedaquaticvegetationcommunitiesintheAOCversusnon-AOCreferencesites,buttheoverallareaisnotimpairedforthiscommunitytype.

• The wildlife habitat component of the Loss of Fish and Wildlife BUI had been designated as"requiresfurtherassessment"sincetheStage2reportin2002.Afterthis5-yearmonitoringeffort,theAOC'scoastalwetlandhabitatandbioticcommunitieswerefoundNotImpaired,thussatisfyingthewildlifecomponentoftheBUIdelistingcritera(i.e.,coastalwetlandwildlifehabitatconditionswithin theAOCarecomparable to thoseof suitable referencesites,asassessedusingan indexofbioticintegrity).

Currentworkandactionstobeundertaken:•AlthoughthewildlifecomponentoftheLossofFishandWildlifeHabitatBUIhasbeenfoundtobenotimpaired,theentireBUIwillnotberedesignateduntilallelementsofthedelistingcriteriahavebeenmet.ThedelistingcriteriastatestheBUIwillnolongerbeimpairedwhen:i)coastalwetlandwildlifehabitatconditionswithintheAOCarecomparabletothoseofsuitablereferencesites,asassessedusinganindexofbioticintegrity(ACHIEVED);ii)rapidshabitatconditionsareenhancedthroughfeasibleconservationandrestorationmeasuresidentifiedintheStage2RemedialActionPlan(seeActionFF-6);andiii)thecloselylinked"DegradationofFishPopulations"BUIisnolongerdeemedimpaired(seeActionFFM-3).

ActionFFM-5:TheCWSsurveysoftheCommonandBlackTernpopulations



•InDecember2014,ECCCcompletedapopulationassessmentfortheternsbasedonnestcountsurveysitconductedbetween2010and2013,supplementedwithhistoricalbreedingdatafrom1978-80,1989,1999-00,and2007-08.PopulationtrendsforothercolonialwaterbirdswereincludedtoprovideabroadercontextoftrendsindiversityandabundancewithintheAOC.Keyfactsinclude:

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-overall,thetotalnumberofcolonialwaterbirdnestsontheOntariosideoftheriverincreasedbyalmost23%between1999and2008;largelydrivenbydramaticincreasesinRing-billedGulls.-despitenaturalfluctuations,CommonTernpopulationshavehadnosignificantchangeoverthepast30+years,with70nestsfoundin1978-80versus78in2007-08;

-evidencefromnestcountsurveysbetween1980and2013suggesttrendsinpopulationsofnestingCommonTernsintheAOCarelikelyrelatedtofactorsconsistentwiththelifehistorystrategiesofthespecies,andarenotspecifictoinfluencesintheAOC;

-BlackTernsseemtobelimitedontheOntariosideoftheriver,withabreedingcolonyfoundonlyatEchoBay.ItisnotpossibletoreportontemporaltrendsinabundanceofBlackTernsintheAOCduetolimiteddata,butthereisnoevidencetosuggestthatbreedingstatuswithintheAOCdiffersfromthosenestingatsitesdownstreamintheNorthChannel.

-therelativelowpopulationofnestingBlackTernsislikelyreflectiveoflowdensitiesreportedthroughouttheregion,OntarioandtheGreatLakesbasin;notduetoAOC-specificconditions.

Currentworkandactionstobeundertaken:Nofurtheractionrequired.

ActionFFM-6:Analysisofcontaminantlevelsineggs


Workcompletedtodate:•InFebruary2014,ECCCcompletedareportonits3-yearcommonternandherringgullstudy,whichwasbasedonfieldworkandlaboratoryanalysisin2011,2012and2013toassessdeformities,reproductivehealth,andchemicalcontamination(ineggs)oftheseindicatorspecies.ThereportwassharedwithBPACinMarch2014,whichfollowedapresentationofthepreliminaryfindingsthepreviousJune.AnaddendumwascirculatedinDecember2014withaddeddetailonembryonicdeformities.•Thestudy’sconclusionis,“thereislittleevidenceofimpairedreproductionordeformitiesincolonialwaterbirds[herringgullsandcommonterns]attributabletolocalcontaminationeffectswithintheSt.MarysRiverAOC”.Keyfindingsinclude:

-contaminantlevelsarelowoverallandnotsufficientlyelevatedtohaveanadverseimpactonreproductivesuccessanddevelopment[thisisthecaseforpolychlorinatedbiphenyls(PCBs)andotherorganochlorines,dioxins/furans,heavymetalslikemercury,andpolybrominateddiphenylethers(PBDEs)];

-nophysicaldeformitieshavebeendetectedwithingullorternchicks[theoriginalissueidentifiedbytheRAP].Thereisalowincidenceofembryonicdeformitiesthatcannotbelinkedtocontaminantburdensortogeographicalarea(i.e.,thereisnosignificantdifferencebetweenAOCandnon-AOCbirdcolonies);andthereproductivesuccessforherringgullswithintheAOCishigh,andthatofthecommonternissimilartotherestoftheregion.

Currentworkandactionstobeundertaken:•InJanuary2016,theBirdandAnimalDeformitiesorReproductiveProblemsBUIwasofficiallyre-designatedto“NotImpaired,”consistentwiththedecisionbytheUnitedStatesandStateofMichiganinFebruary2015.Thepreviousdesignationof“RequiresFurtherAssessment”hadbeeninplacesince2002.

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ActionFFM-7:Monitoringofpopulationchangesduetohabitatenhancement

CurrentStatus:COMPLETE[WildlifeHabitat]PENDING[FishHabitat]

Thisactionistobeaddressedonlyafterfishandwildlife“habitatenhancementefforts”areimplemented.


Wildlife:seeActionFFM-2,FFM-6,andFFM-8.Fish:In2009,theDFOproducedaNearshoreFishCommunitySurveythatconcludedtheoverallhealthoftheSt.MarysRiverfishcommunitycomparesfavourablywithhealthyreferencesitesfromLakeHuron.DFOundertookafollow-upsurveyin2014-2015.


Wildlife:Nofurtheractionrequired.AsoutlinedunderActionFFM-2,ActionFFM-6,andActionFFM-8;throughanumberofcomprehensivestudiesthewildlifecomponentforboththeDegradationofFishandWildlifePopulationsBUIandLossofFishandWildlifeHabitatBUIhavebeendeterminedtobeNotImpaired.Fish:DFOistocompleteitssecondNearshoreFishCommunitySurveytoevaluatetheoverallhealthoftheSt.MarysRiverfishcommunity,andtheresultswillbereviewedinparallelwiththelatestfishcreelsurveyresultsfromtheSt.MarysRiverFisheriesTaskGroup.ItwaspresentedtoBPACinNovember2017.Inaddition,itisanticipatedtherewillbeapost-constructionmonitoringcomponentoftheproposedaquatichabitatrestorationprojectonWhitefishIslandbeingplannedinpartnershipwithBatchewanaFirstNation(seeActionFF-6).

ActionFFM-9:Evaluateinfluenceofwaterlevelsandflowsonspawningandproduction


ThisandotheractionsrelatedtoSt.MarysRiverwaterlevels/flowsarebeyondthescopeoftheRAPprogram.TheassociatedpoliciesandcontrollingmeasuresarethepurviewoftheInternationalLakeSuperiorBoardofControlandregulationssetbytheInternationalJointCommission(IJC).InNovember2014,theBoardofControlannounceditwasadoptingRegulationPlan2012(effectiveJanuary2015)asthemeansforregulatingLakeSuperioroutflowsinamannerthatwillallowformorenaturalflowsintheSt.MarysRiver,withsmallermonth-to-monthchangesinflowscomparedtothepreviousplaninplacesince1977.TheBoardcitesthatasanimportantfactorinthesustainabilityoftheriver’secosystemandforprotectingLakeSturgeonhabitatfromrarebutseriousimpacts2.TheRegulationPlan2012istheoutcomeoftheIJC’sInternationalUpperGreatLakesStudy3(2007-12).Thestudy–a5-year,$17.6millionbinationaleffort–examinedalternativewater-levelregulationscenarios(includingpotentialecologicalimpacts)onLakesSuperior,Michigan-Huron,andErie.TheEcosystemTechnicalWorkingGroupofthatstudyprovidedinformationonthe

2FactsheetonRegulationPlan2012foundat:www.ijc.org/files/tinymce/uploaded/ILSBC/Plan2012_FactSheet.pdf3ForinformationontheInternationalUpperGreatLakesStudy,visit:www.iugls.org

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potentialecologicalimpactsontheSt.MarysRiverrapidsshouldthewaterlevel/flowregulationschange.InMarch2012,uponcompletionofthestudy,theStudyBoardrecommended“LakeSuperiorRegulationPlan2012”astheimprovedregulationplangoverningoutflowsfromLakeSuperior.TheStudyBoard–madeupofapanelofexpertsfromCanadaandtheU.S.–believetheproposedplanoffersimportantenvironmentalbenefitsoverthestatusquo,includingbenefitstotheSt.MarysRiver.

ActionFFM-10:Determineminimumwaterlevelsandflowratesnecessaryforspawning


RefertoActionFFM-9,asthesameargumentappliesforremovingthisactionfromthelist.

ActionFFM-11:Monitoringwaterquantity


RefertoActionFFM-9,asthesameargumentappliesforremovingthisactionfromthelist.

ECCCandtheU.S.ArmyCorp.ofEngineersmonitorSt.MarysRiverwaterquantityaspartoftheInternationalJointCommission’sLakeSuperiorBoardofControlanditsprogramformonitoringthewaterlevelofLakeSuperiorandorderingadjustmentstotheCompensatingWorksattheSt.MarysRapidsasperthewaterlevel/flowregulationsoftheday.AsmentionedunderActionFFM-9,effectiveJanuary2015,theBoardofControlisadoptingRegulationPlan2012asthemeansforregulatingLakeSuperioroutflowsinamannerthatwillallowformorenaturalflowsintheSt.MarysRiver.

beneficial use impairment status report

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