Developing reef remediation projects: A retrospective analysis from the St. Clair and Detroit Rivers

Session: Great Lakes Reefs: Research, Monitoring, Creation, and Maintenance (1)

Jason Fischer, University of Toledo, Dept. of Env. Science, [email protected]
Christine Mayer, University of Toledo, Lake Erie Center, [email protected]
Edward Roseman, USGS-Great Lakes Science Center, [email protected]
Gregory Kennedy, US Geolocial Survey, [email protected]
David Bennion, U.S. Geological Survey, Great Lakes Science Center, [email protected]
Lynn Vaccaro, University of Michigan Water Center, [email protected]
Jennifer Read, University of Michigan Water Center, [email protected]
James Boase, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, [email protected]

Abstract

Construction of rocky reefs is a growing means for remediating degraded lithophilic fish spawning habitat in the Laurentian Great Lakes and connecting channels. However, developing successful projects requires an understanding of the socio-economic constraints dictating project feasibility, geomorphic processes influencing project maturation, and habitat conditions required by spawning fishes. What constitutes as success varies by target species and location, but quantifying progress toward success will be most effective for projects with clear and measureable objectives. Here we take a retrospective assessment of over a decade of reef remediation in the St. Clair-Detroit River System (SCDRS) to develop a framework for implementing reef remediation projects. Site selection begins with information rich criteria to quickly exclude locations where remediation is not feasible and strategically direct resources towards criteria with less pre-existing information, focusing development efforts towards areas most conducive to successful remediation. In doing so, we utilize biological and habitat assessments to develop clear and measureable objectives to be communicated with stakeholders, providing project transparency and garnering support for remediation. Our framework provides a conceptual process for planning reef remediation, facilitating the transfer of lessons learned from the SCDRS throughout the Laurentian Great Lakes and other large waterbodies.