Researcher Tim Hollinger highlights the positive progress in Lake Superior’s health, emphasizing the safety of consuming fish from Thunder Bay, Ont.’s harbor as a significant achievement. As the coordinator for the North Shore of Lake Superior Remedial Action Plans (RAP), Hollinger acknowledges the ongoing efforts to restore the city’s waters, aiming to remove its federally designated environmental areas of concern (AOC).
While optimistic about Thunder Bay potentially being delisted as an AOC within the next five years due to improved fish safety and coastal wetland restoration, Hollinger expresses concern over potential changes, especially regarding U.S. funding for Great Lakes research across the border.
The North Shore of Lake Superior RAP, operating from Lakehead University, secured a provincial grant of $346,250 to further their remediation endeavors, collaborating with entities like Bare Point Developments Inc. and the City of Thunder Bay to enhance wetland habitats and shorelines.
The U.S. government’s proposed 54% cut in Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) funding for 2026 raises worries about reduced research and increased industrial activities along the Great Lakes, potentially impacting the ecological balance.
In a separate development, Great Lakes researchers in the U.S. face challenges following the EPA’s decision to shut down its Office of Research and Development (ORD), resulting in layoffs and administrative leaves. The ORD’s vital role in scientific research, particularly in the Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology lab, is crucial for monitoring and preserving Lake Superior’s health.
Environmental concerns persist, with the rollback of regulations and plans for expedited mining projects posing threats to water quality. Hollinger underscores the risks of increased pollution reversing progress made in reducing mercury contamination, especially impacting local communities like Biigtigong Nishnaabeg.
Despite these challenges, ongoing efforts to protect Lake Superior’s ecosystem remain critical. Collaborative initiatives, both in Canada and the U.S., are essential to maintain the ecological balance and safeguard the Great Lakes’ health for future generations.