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Remediation to Restoration to Revitalization - a Path Forward for AOCs?
Citation:
Hoffman, J. AND K. Williams. Remediation to Restoration to Revitalization - a Path Forward for AOCs? To be Presented at International Association of Great Lakes Research, Detroit, MI, May 15 - 19, 2017.
Impact/Purpose:
not applicable
Description:
Remediation and restoration goals for Great Lakes Areas of Concerns (AOCs) are defined by the status of the Beneficial Use Impairments (BUI), or the uses of the Great Lakes ecosystem that have been compromised owing to historical industrial or urban activities. Conceptually, “beneficial uses” are analogous to ecosystem services, or the benefits people derive from nature. For AOC communities to better realize the benefits of sediment remediation and aquatic habitat restoration, however, we need to determine which ecosystem services are improved by remediation and restoration, and characterize the steps between improving environmental quality, changing the flow of ecosystem services (e.g., increasing recreational or cultural value), and revitalizing urban waterfront neighborhoods. To address these questions, we initiated a conversation at the US EPA’s Annual AOC meeting in 2016 with those community members and technical advisers who are committed to the AOC program. While participants recognized recent improvement in a variety of ecosystem services, among the AOCs present, increased recreational use was ubiquitous and the two most observed recreational uses were kayaking and new trails. Recreational users of the land and water are becoming an important social indicator of the health and value of these formerly degraded resources. Further, we found that local leadership and planning is the most significant factor affecting changes on land including brownfield reclamation, park and trail development, and community planning. We conclude that to enhance the public benefits from AOC projects, it is important for the AOC community to discuss these waterways both in terms of established water quality targets and as a valued resource that people benefit from in a variety of ways.