June 15, 2021 PPCC Meeting

Tues. 6 /15, 6:30 pm set up and social time at Lafayette, inside upstairs. Masks recommended for unvaccinated attendees.

7:00pm meeting

Guests:

Matthew Stewart, C.M., ACE,Airport Planner,Short Elliott Hendrickson, Inc., Ongoing Master Plan project at Sky Harbor, project website is updated with project materials and can be found here: https://skyharbor.duluthairport.com/projects/

At-Large City Councilor Terese Tomanek 

Communications & Articles – please send items of interest to share

Please leash your pets on Park Point!

Quiet signs that someone is drowning- check out this important information!

Operation Slow Motion: Heading to the beach? Residents, Duluth police ask drivers to slow down on Park Point in the DNT

StarTribune, “Watch for Park Point beach closures this summer as debris is cleaned”

Letter to Mayor Emily Larson re. beach nourishment concerns from Club member

Copy of letter sent to:

Ms. Melissa Blankenship, EPA Region V; Ms. Sarah Strommen MPCA Commissioner; Lt. Col. Katalenich, USACE Detroit

Note: PPCC Recommendation #4 for 2021 “Dredged materials considered for continued beach nourishment will undergo detailed analysis for suitability before they are placed on the beach. The USACE’s sediment sampling plan must demonstrate state water quality standards for Lake Superior will not be exceeded. During the application of new beach materials in 2021, the City of Duluth and PPCC will request MPCA require constant monitoring of the lake and discharged materials for the presence of any harmful components. If harmful components are found in the discharge, the USACE will take steps to remove or treat them.”

PPCC has asked the City of Duluth to provide assurances and data to show that these standards will be met. Calculations based on the USACE’s samples and data indicate that materials placed in 2020 on the beach near the bridge do not align with the Club’s recommendation as stated above. Unfortunately, “historical” trash from the harbor bottom- metal cans, glass and plastics were inadvertently shredded and placed on the beach during the beach nourishment processes in 2019 & 2020. While learning more on how this occurred, sediment data from the USACE was reviewed by a water quality expert. The PPCC, City Administrators and City Councilor Randorf were apprised of the concerns revealed by the data and the negative implications for Lake Superior and its ecosystems. In 2019, the PPCC requested help from the City of Duluth as the beach, infrastructure, and homes along the very north end were in peril due to erosion processes, rising waters and strong storm surges. The City requested that the Corps. of Engineers (USACE) move their nourishment operation to the north end of Park Point to help with that crisis area. The USACE was in the early phase of a 5 year permitted process of depositing 1,000,000 cubic yards of dredged materials into Lake Superior starting at the south end. The alarming appearance of beach sharps has raised numerous concerns from Park Pointers and other individuals and organizations:

The Minnesota Conservation Federation, Brad Gausman, Executive Director

The Save Lake Superior Association, Lori Andresen, President 

Clean Water Action, Deanna White, Minnesota State Director

The National Wildlife Federation, Great Lakes Office, Jason Dinsmore, Director of Conservation Partnerships

The North Shore Surfrider Foundation, Bob Pokorney, President 

Grant Merritt, Former Executive Director, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency 

Willis Mattison, Former Regional Director, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Subsequently, the City of Duluth has requested another Section 111 study to determine the level of the USACE’s responsibility for damage caused by the construction of the canals at both ends of MN Point.

Clean-up on the beach:

While on the beach-pay attention!

The second most common cause of death in children, drowning usually occurs due to an adult not paying attention and missing the signs. As drowning is hard to spot, it is important to know the signs and always stay aware.

• They cannot call for help: People drowning will not be able to call out for help as they are taking in water and struggling to breathe in oxygen.
• They cannot wave for help: People drowning will be using their arms to attempt to push themselves out of the water but will be unable to wave them above their head.
• They will remain upright: People drowning will remain upright in the water without showing signs of kicking for up to 60 seconds before going underwater.
• They will have glassy eyes: People drowning will be unable to focus and may have their eyes closed.
• Their face will be hard to see: People drowning may not be visible due to being in and out of the water, causing hair to cover their face.
• They will be hidden by the water: People drowning may have his/her head tilted backwards or forwards as his/her mouth will be at water level
• They will be quiet: People drowning may be quieter than normal as they can no longer speak. It is best to find out why immediately.
• They may not seem in distress: People drowning may already be unconscious and therefore not moving at all. It is important to ask if they are okay and get them out of the water if they do not respond.

Redlining Map in 1932- Check out Park Point from this link! Zoom in on Duluth