In 1987, under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement between Canada and the United States, 43 areas of concern (AOC) were identified as having experienced significant levels of environmental harm. Of these 43 areas of concern, 12 are located in Canada and 5 are shared bi-nationally.

Once identified, Remedial Action Plans (RAPs) were developed for each AOC, aimed at “restoring water quality and beneficial uses of the ecosystem by cleaning up severely contaminated and degraded locations around the Great Lakes.”

In 2012, an updated version of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement confirmed that both countries are actively engaged in this goal.

Below, you’ll find some major milestones for the North Shore of Superior AOCs: Thunder Bay, Nipigon, Jackfish Bay, and Peninsula Harbour. You’ll also find PDF documents provided by the government which list why each area was designated as one of concern, what has been accomplished at each, what is left to do at each area, outlooks for each area’s recovery and delisting. 

Thunder Bay Area of Concern

Environment and Climate Change Canada – Thunder Bay Area of Concern Summary and Outlook.

ECCC projects Thunder Bay’s AOC will be delisted by 2025. Here is a list of major accomplishments along the way:

Nipigon Area of Concern

Environment and Climate Change Canada – Nipigon Area of Concern Summary and Outlook

ECCC projects Nipigon AOC will be delisted by 2019. Here is a list of major accomplishments along the way:

Jackfish Bay Area of Concern

Environment and Climate Change Canada – Jackfish Bay AOC Summary and Outlook

ECCC has declared Jackfish Bay an Area in Recovery, and expects to delist it in 2019. Here is a list of major accomplishments along the way:

Peninsula Harbour Area of Concern

Environment and Climate Change Canada – Peninsula Harbour Summary and Outlook

ECCC projects Peninsula Harbour will be delisted by 2019. Here is a list of accomplishments along the way: