Here and Now: The Ecological Resources of Grassy Point and the importance of the area to the region.

The Grassy Point area has been recognized for a long time as an important area of plant and animal habitat. In their 1977 report "Assessment of habitat types and bird populations in the Duluth-Superior Harbor," Niemi, Davis, Kotar and Hofslund describe the area as follows:

"Grassy Point is a unique area because it is made up of a variety of marsh types. These types include cattail, arrowhead, sedge, and alder-willow marshes. There were many outstanding observations made within this area including the identification of Least Bittern, young Virginia Rails during July 1976, many Green Heron observations, Sora rails, and a lone Snow Goose that lingered in the area until 6-8-77.

"Important breeding species included 112 breeding Ring-billed Gulls and twenty-two breeding Common Terns on the two small islands to the east of the marsh area. The Grassy Point area is a unique part of the harbor and, based on both preliminary evaluations of the upper St. Louis River area and available habitats in the Duluth-Superior Harbor, it represents a diverse marsh not found elsewhere in the entire river system. One additional wildlife feature recorded while censusing the birds in the area was a high density of both Painted and Snapping Turtles. Many of the logs found in the area were literally covered with turtles during the latter part of April and early May. This phenomena was not noted in any other parts of the harbor area during this time period. Grassy Point was one of the few marsh areas on the Duluth side of the present study area, thus we encourage the preservation of this site in its present state."

Long-term fisheries monitoring sites have been established in the In the St. Louis River estuary by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources since 1980. One of these locations is in the waters just east of the Grassy Point marsh area. Results of this monitoring effort show that the area is "Prime" habitat for adult gamefish including species such as northern pike and yellow perch, and "Good" habitat for forage species such as shiners, and young gamefish.

Planning documents developed over the past 25 years have repeatedly called for protection and management of this area for wildlife habitat and wildlife observation. In July 1985, the Metropolitan Interstate Committee released the "Superior-Duluth Harbor Natural Resources Management Program." In this plan, the overall objective identified for Minnesota's Grassy Point area was: "To maintain the undisturbed portions of the parcel in their relatively natural state, and to return the remaining disturbed area to a "natural" state. In particular, to perpetuate the unique wetlands and shallow waters and their use by waterbirds and fish."

Several management recommendations were also made, including the following:

"Administrative:

1. Those portions of the parcel in public ownership (tax forfeit) should be put under the jurisdiction of the MDNR for the purposes of managing them as a wildlife management area.
2. Private ownership within the parcel should be determined, and the feasibility and desirability of transferring ownership to the State of Minnesota or other public entity examined.
3. Assuming the forgoing actions occur, a management plan for the area should be developed.

"Physical Management:

"The following represent suggested actions which could be incorporated in the management plan for the parcel:

1. Those areas with debris present should be cleaned up.
2. The present flow patterns of Keene Creek should be examined and re-routing considered.
3. Present roadways should be closed.
4. Construction of boardwalks and other public use developments of the area compatible with protection of the parcel should be explored.
5. Possible expansion of the available Common Tern nesting habitat should be examined and implemented if deemed feasible."

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