National Estuarine Research Reserve
The Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve Site Nomination is Approved!
The National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) System is a network of coastal areas established for long-term research, education and stewardship. This partnership program between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and coastal states provides essential habitat for wildlife, educational opportunities, and living laboratories for scientists. There is local, statewide, and national interest in designating a Wisconsin Lake Superior NERR, which would represent only the second freshwater estuary NERR site in the nation.
UW-Extension led the site selection process for the Lake Superior NERR in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Administration and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The site selection process evaluated 35 candidate sites and included over 70 individuals that met more than 20 times over a 15 month period. Individuals involved in the process included mayors, county supervisors, municipal officials, state and federal agency representatives, non-government organization representatives, tribal representatives, and many others. Seventeen informational presentations were also given to local governments and organizations about the NERR program and the site selection process. Seven communities on the south shore of Lake Superior passed resolutions supporting the NERR effort and eleven organizations expressed their support for the project.
On May 30th, Governor Doyle announced the nomination of the St. Louis River freshwater estuary for NERR designation. The St. Louis River freshwater estuary, which is situated on the border between Wisconsin and Minnesota, is located at the headwaters of the Great Lakes. The river represents the largest United States tributary to one of the world’s largest freshwater resources. Near the end of its 179 mile journey, the river slows and spreads into a diverse 21-mile long, 12,000-acre freshwater estuary. The freshwater estuary is surrounded by two communities and includes an international harbor. A NERR designation will complement existing community, university, agency, and non-government resources that exist in the area. A second NERR site in the Great Lakes region will create an important platform for collaborative freshwater estuary research and comparative studies.
In November, NOAA approved Wisconsin’s site nomination. The next steps for the NERR project include development of a Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement, which is anticipated to be completed in 2010.
Wisconsin Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve Nomination Documents:
Executive Summary (120 Kb pdf)
Main Nomination Document (17.9 Mb pdf)
Appendices (13.2 Mb pdf)
Photo credits: Pokegama River wetlands - Mike Anderson; Governor Doyle signing the Lake Superior NERR package - Lynelle Hanson.
This page was updated on October 22, 2008.