What is the status of the Thunder Bay, Ontario harbor cleanup?

The article states that as of September 2025, the fact that fish caught in Thunder Bay's harbor can now be safely consumed is considered a "huge win" by researchers, and they believe the area could be delisted as a federally designated "Area of Concern" within the next five years.

Home / Environment / Funding Cuts Jeopardize Great Lakes Cleanup and Research

Funding Cuts Jeopardize Great Lakes Cleanup and Research

Q: How are proposed U.S. funding cuts to the EPA expected to impact Great Lakes research and restoration efforts?

The article explains that the U.S. government's plans to cut EPA funding by 54% in 2026 could significantly reduce research south of the border and increase industrialization along Great Lakes shorelines, which concerns researchers and First Nations groups like Biigtigong Nishnaabeg.

Q: What are the potential consequences of reduced U.S. involvement in Great Lakes protection?

The article warns that a reduction in U.S. participation could jeopardize the legally binding Canada-U.S. Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement and have far-reaching consequences for the ecological health of Lake Superior as a whole.

9 Sep

•

Summary

Thunder Bay, Ontario, may be delisted as an "Area of Concern" in 5 years
U.S. plans to cut EPA funding by 54% in 2026 could reduce Great Lakes research
First Nations groups concerned about potential mercury contamination reversal

As of September 2025, researchers are seeing positive signs of progress in the cleanup of Lake Superior's north shore. Specifically, the fact that fish caught in Thunder Bay, Ontario's harbor can now be safely consumed is considered a "huge win" by Tim Hollinger, the coordinator for the North Shore of Lake Superior Remedial Action Plans (RAP). The RAP team is working to delist the four federally designated environmental areas of concern in the region, and they believe Thunder Bay could be delisted as an "Area of Concern" within the next five years.

However, Hollinger is concerned about potential setbacks on the horizon, particularly regarding the U.S. government's plans to cut Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) funding by 54% for the 2026 fiscal year. This could significantly reduce research south of the border and increase industrialization along Great Lakes shorelines. First Nations groups, such as Biigtigong Nishnaabeg, are also worried that these funding cuts could reverse the progress made in reducing mercury contamination levels in the region's fish.

Despite the pending cuts, the EPA believes it can maintain its Great Lakes environmental protection efforts. However, researchers and environmental advocates warn that a reduction in U.S. involvement could jeopardize the legally binding Canada-U.S. Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement and have far-reaching consequences for the ecological health of Lake Superior as a whole.

Disclaimer: This story has been auto-aggregated and auto-summarised by a computer program. This story has not been edited or created by the Feedzop team.