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Kingsbury Bay-Grassy Point habitat restoration project: A Health Impact Assessment-oral presentation
Citation:
Hoffman, J., K. Williams, R. Clarke, F. Fulk, B. Majewski, J. Rhodus, A. Lan, AND S. Shattuck. Kingsbury Bay-Grassy Point habitat restoration project: A Health Impact Assessment-oral presentation. St. Louis River Summit, Superior, WI, March 13 - 14, 2018.
Impact/Purpose:
Undertaking large-scale aquatic habitat restoration projects in prominent waterfront locations, such as city parks, provides an opportunity to both improve ecological integrity and enhance community well-being. However, to consider both opportunities simultaneously, a community-based decision support process is required, particularly to incorporate the knowledge and values of the local community into decision-making. Here, we demonstrate the application of a Health Impact Assessment to a 200-acre wetland remediation and restoration project along an urban waterfront to demonstrate its utility for community-decision making. We show that the project would have a substantial health benefit through improved ecosystem services.
Description:
Undertaking large-scale aquatic habitat restoration projects in prominent waterfront locations, such as city parks, provides an opportunity to both improve ecological integrity and enhance community well-being. However, to consider both opportunities simultaneously, a community-based decision support process is required, particularly to incorporate the knowledge and values of the local community into decision-making. In the St. Louis River, the Kingsbury Bay-Grassy Point project, a 200-acre project to restore Kingsbury Bay and Grassy Point, exemplifies this situation. Both areas fall along Duluth’s Western Waterfront Trail, are adjacent to Duluth parks, and potentially provide new opportunities for human engagement with nature along Duluth’s riverfront. Our objectives were to conduct a Health Impact Assessment (HIA) with state, city, and community stakeholders, and to provide information to decision-makers regarding the health consequences of the restoration project. The HIA was used to integrate local values and knowledge, as well as cooperative research, with agency and community decision-making through the lens of community health benefits. Overall, we identified seven major health pathways associated with project construction, maintenance, and long-term operation. Potential health impacts from project construction include short-term concerns with respect to equipment operation and traffic, noise, light pollution, air quality, and disruptions to recreational and cultural opportunities. Long-term health benefits from the project include improved wetland and aquatic habitat; improved water quality; increased recreational, cultural, and spiritual value; and potential improvements in safety and security. Together, these benefits can increase social cohesion, reduce stress and chronic disease, and improve quality of life.