View Spring 2022 issue

Spring 2022

The Grassy Point-Kingsbury Bay Habitat Restoration project addressed ecological impacts from 100-year-old submerged wood waste, restored valuable coastal marsh habitat, and created water recreation opportunities for residents and tourists.

Restoration project near Lake Superior wins top honor

March 31, 2022

A habitat restoration project that renewed more than 200 acres of impaired waters in the St. Louis River Estuary recently won the 2022 Grand Conceptor Award by the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) of Minnesota. The award recognizes the project that received the highest score from the judges in ACEC’s annual Engineering Excellence contest. The project also received a National Recognition Award from ACEC.

Renewing impaired waters

The five-year, $18 million Grassy Point-Kingsbury Bay Habitat Restoration project employed an innovative design and beneficial reuse of wood waste while combining two environmentally impaired sites—Grassy Point and Kingsbury Bay—into a single project that represents the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR’s) largest restoration project to date. As the engineering consultant for the DNR, Barr provided design and construction administration services to restore aquatic and terrestrial habitat within the St. Louis River Area of Concern.

“Barr’s technical expertise and experience with dredging projects was valuable as the project team navigated and addressed issues that arose during construction,” said the DNR’s St. Louis River and Lake Superior Program Supervisor, Melissa Sjolund.

In addition, Barr’s work on the City of Bemidji, Minnesota, PFAS treatment plant was recognized by ACEC/MN with an Honor Award, while the Karey Dam rehabilitation and Phases 2 & 3 of the Mouse River enhanced flood protection project—both in North Dakota—received National Recognition Awards from ACEC.

About the author

Guy Partch is a vice president and senior environmental consultant. He has more than 25 years of experience in the study and remediation of contaminated sites and the management of large, complex environmental projects. His expertise includes design, permitting, and construction quality assurance (CQA) for response action construction projects in aquatic and shoreline settings.