US Senator and presidential candidate Amy Klobuchar was in town Thursday to tour clean-up efforts at the Minnesota Slip.

It’s a big job to make sure every aspect of Lake Superior stays healthy.

Not only for transporting goods…

“You move an average of 35 million in short tons of bulk material every year and about 80 percent of it is iron ore that’s 21.5 tons,” said Senator Amy Klobuchar.

But for tourism efforts, too.

“Each year Duluth welcomes 6.7 million visitors to our community generating $319 million in direct economic impact,” said Anna Tanski with Visit Duluth.

That’s why US Senator Amy Klobuchar, along with Mayor Emily Larson, and multiple other agencies followed up on the clean-up efforts happening in the Minnesota slip on Thursday.

“As part of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, I was happy to announce that the EPA in partnership with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency was investing more than 10 million toward cleaning up Duluth Harbor,” said Klobuchar.

The multi-million dollar project, which started last fall, aims to clean up, reconstruct, and provide improved public access.

“This is part of a larger effort to restore the St. Louis River area of concern through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative,” said Klobuchar.

Sen. Klobuchar said one of her favorite things about visiting the Great Lakes is knowing that keeping them clean is a bi-partisan issue.

“We have been working hard with the state to advance to continued investment of seawall restoration and we hope to get that done in the next legislative session,” said Mayor Emily Larson.

Because the hard work to restore the Great Lakes is never done.

“We have seven more remediation projects to come and eight more restoration projects to come. We expect those to be completed by 2024,” said Barbara Huberty with the MPCA.

And it will require a lot more money.

“We are anticipating requesting another $53.5 million. File that one away,” said Huberty.

To ensure the Great Lakes is a healthy place for years to come.

“The significant restoration and investment that has already occurred along with ongoing efforts will ensure these natural amenities will thrive for generations to come,” said Tanski.

Crews began the final phase of restoration this week.

Work is expected to be completed by Grandmas Marathon, which is taking place on June 22.