Lake Superior Research Institute

The Lake Superior Research Institute (LSRI) is an applied research institute at the University of Wisconsin-Superior.  The functions of the LSRI are to address regional environmental issues through research and education, facilitate the professional growth of faculty and staff, and provide hands-on research experience to students.  The Institute employs a permanent staff of 35 professionals, 12 affiliated faculty, and 20 to 30 students.  LSRI currently completes between $1.5 million and $2.0 million of research projects annually, with no regular state appropriation.

LSRI is composed of the following three departments: 

1. The Center for Lake Superior Environmental Studies (CLSES) at the University of Wisconsin-Superior
2. The Cooperative Research Unit, a research arm which collaborates with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Laboratory in Duluth, Minnesota
3. The Environmental Health Laboratory, a cooperative venture between the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission and CLSES.

CLSES has the experience necessary for conducting analyses in areas such as general water quality, contamination of sediments and fish with organic compounds and metals, and toxicity of chemicals such as pesticides.  The scientists at the Environmental Health Laboratory conduct applied research on the environmental problems of the area such as aquatic toxicity.  The citizens of Superior and Douglas County are appreciative of the state's involvement and financial support in the creation of the Environmental Health Laboratory.  Local support for the establishment of the Environmental Health Laboratory has been provided in the form of a $50,000 grant from Douglas County through a Revolving Loan Fund, and a $50,000 grant from the City of Superior.

The growth of activities in recent years has led to a severe shortage of laboratory and office space at the Institute.  There also exists a need to consolidate the efforts of the three departments in a central location with up-to-date research facilities.  Despite such space limitations, the Institute has been able to consistently respond to regional environmental concerns.  However, the growing nature of the Institute calls for immediate building expansion and renovation efforts.

Plans exist for the relocation of the Environmental Health Laboratory into the vacant water pumping station near the waterfront, opposite Barker's Island.  Two additional floors need to be added to accommodate CLSES and the Cooperative Research Unit.  In order to provide parking facilities and access to the research vessel, the Burlington Northern Rail Yard, situated between the pumping station and the waterfront, needs to be relocated.  The residents of Superior and Douglas County are intent on promoting the effective use of the waterfront by developing it into an "Environmental Sciences Park."  The planned park will incorporate an extensive trail system focusing on different aspects of a thriving waterfront.  The park will also include a natural habitat restoration project demonstrating areas under different stages of renovation depicting the development and changes that take place over time.  Educational signs will aid users in understanding the process of restoration from an abandoned rail yard to a fully restored habitat.

Residents of Superior and Douglas County request the state legislature to support the University of Wisconsin's request through the Wisconsin Initiatives for Science, Technology, and Applied Research (WISTAR) program, and other state sources to enable timely completion of the renovation and relocation efforts.