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Kingsbury Bay-Grassy Point Habitat Restoration Project: A health impact assessment-presentation
Citation:
Clarke, R., J. Hoffman, B. Majewski, J. Rhodus, AND K. Williams. Kingsbury Bay-Grassy Point Habitat Restoration Project: A health impact assessment-presentation. Stakeholder Meeting for the Kingsbury Bay-Grassy Point Restoration Project Health Impact Assessment, Duluth, MN, March 07, 2018.
Impact/Purpose:
We conducted a Health Impact Assessment (HIA) to consider the public health implications of both the environmental changes and the subsequent park amenities planned as part of the Kingsbury Bay-Grassy Point Restoration Project in the St. Louis River Area of Concern. The HIA provided the opportunity to investigate the public health impacts of undertaking this 200-acre wetland restoration that is occurring as part of an urban waterfront revitalization, as well as provide specific project recommendations to stakeholders regarding the protection and improvement of health and wellbeing.
Description:
The St. Louis River Area of Concern is a large remediation site along the Minnesota and Wisconsin border. In the next phase of the clean-up, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is undertaking a 200-acre wetland remediation and restoration project at Kingsbury Bay and Grassy Point. The site is considered important to the City of Duluth, Minnesota as a critical element to the revitalization of the community. We conducted a Health Impact Assessment (HIA) to consider the public health implications of both the environmental changes and the subsequent park amenities. Specifically, the HIA evaluated the health impacts associated with changes in ecosystem services from planned sediment remediation and wetland and riparian habitat restoration, as well as the construction of potential waterfront amenities including trails, boardwalks, bird watching stations, fishing piers, kayak launches, and swimming beaches. The findings describe how the remediation and restoration project will impact local pollution and improve the quality of life and ecosystem services, including increased areas for recreational and human-powered boating and additional opportunities for fishing. The HIA also quantified how much noise and additional traffic will cause disruption to the neighborhood during the construction phases of the projects. Key recommendations include conserving existing high quality wetlands and focusing efforts on areas with highly degraded conditions, the creation of sediment and vegetation management plans, increased communication about safety, and encouraged dialog with neighborhood residents and user groups about changes to the existing parks.