Where is the St. Marys River?

The St. Marys River originates in Whitefish Bay on Lake Superior between Point Iroquois, Michigan and Gros Cap, Ontario and flows 112 kilometers to an imaginary live connecting Bruce Mines, Ontario and DeTour Village, Michigan where it enters Lake Huron.

What is an Area of Concern (AoC)?

As of 1988, forty-three areas in the Great Lakes Basin have been identified as Areas of Concern (AOCs). The Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement defines an AOC as geographic areas that fails to meet the general or specific objectives of the agreement where such failure has caused or is likely to cause impairment of beneficial use of the area's ability to support aquatic life.  Below is a list of the 14 impaired beneficial uses in the Great Lakes AOC:

• restrictions in fish and wildlife consumption
• tainting of fish and wildlife flavor
• degradation of fish and wildlife populations
• fish tumors and other deformities
• bird or animal deformities or reproduction problems
• degradation of benthos
• restrictions on dredging activities
• eutrophication of undesired algae
• restrictions on drinking water consumption, or taste and odor problems
• beach closings
• degradation of aesthetics
• added costs to agriculture or industry
• degradation of phytoplankton or zooplankton populations
• loss of fish and wildlife habitats

*the beneficial restrictions bolded are targeted in the St. Mary's River

What is a Remedial Action Plan (RAP)?

Remedial Action Plans (RAP) aim to restore beneficial uses in the watersheds of the AOC's. A RAP is developed in three stages.  Locally, the  RAP partners have committed themselves to develop a RAP aimed at restoring beneficial uses in the watershed.

Preferred remedial options will identify:

• specific measures necessary to control existing sources of pollution
• abatement measures for environmental contaminations already present
• monitoring methods to ensure success

Stage I RAP Process

In May 1992, "The St. Marys River Area of Concern Environmental Conditions and Problem Definitions Stage I" document was prepared to summarize environmental conditions and problem definitions.

Stage II RAP Process

This stage identifies proposed remedial actions and their methods of implementation. In March of 1999, the Delisting Criteria for the Stage II RAP document was completed by members of BPAC, concerned citizens, and representatives of RAP affiliated organizations. A draft of the Stage II has been out together with the actual document to be released the summer of 2002.

Stage III RAP Process

An ongoing monitoring process in the St. Marys River Area of Concern. This process also documents evidence that uses have been restored.