Minnesota Point Section 111 Study
Project Status: Planning
Project Overview:
The purpose of the Section 111 program is to determine the effect of Federal structures (the piers that create the Duluth and Superior entries to the Harbor) on the MN Point shoreline, and develop plans for the mitigation of shore damages attributable to those structures.
In the Spring of 2020, the City requested the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) assist the City in addressing issues related to the federal structures associated with the navigational components of Minnesota Point (e.g. piers and other infrastructure relating to the use of the Duluth/Superior Harbor) through a congressional authorization of the provisions associated with Section 111 of the River and Harbor Act of 1968. The Section 111 study will identify and quantify any adverse impacts to the shoreline of MN Point from the federal navigation structures at the Duluth-Superior Harbor. The study will include development of plans to mitigate any identified shore damages attributable to those structures.
These issues are not new to MN Point and two previous Section 111 studies (1974 and 2001) identified some level of culpability by the Federal Government for erosion on the south end of MN Point (Superior Entry). Alternative solutions were provided along with cost estimates, however, no further action was taken to address the recommendations, due to a lack of funding.
There is more information available now, which is why the Study is being conducted once again.
Under this program, the US Army Corps is only obligated to fund a mitigation project (e.g. walls, beach nourishment) that address their portion of the problem, and at a maximum $12 million expense. So if the study finds that, for example, 30% of the erosion and other adverse impacts to MN Point are caused by natural forces, as opposed to federal structures, then the City would be responsible for funding 30% of the cost of the recommended mitigation project.
Timeline:
There will be several opportunities over the course of this Study for the public to receive updates and weigh in on the results of the Study.
In March of 2022, an informational charrette was held with stakeholders. A summary of this event is available here.
On June 3, 2024 and October 29, 2024, informational meetings were held for the public that focused on the modeling that is being completed to inform the Study. These meetings were recorded and can be accessed below. The data garnered from the modeling process will allow the Army Corps to determine if their structures are contributing to erosion on the North and South ends of MN Point, and, if so, what percentage of the erosion those structures are causing.
A third, modeling-focused public meeting is expected to be held in January or February of 2025.
Important Documents:
The staff liaison to the US ACE during the preparation of the Study is Kate Kubiak, Natural Resources Coordinator, who can be reached at 218-580-9150 or kkubiak@duluthmn.gov.
10-29-2024 Public Information Meeting Presentation Slides
Section 111 Study Informational Website:
https://www.lre.usace.army.mil/Missions/Great-Lakes-Information/Coastal-Program/Section-111-Program/
Project Partners:
