EAST SIDE RIVER DISTRICT

Long disconnected from the surrounding community, this area of the river has many shared uses, including Dakota homeland and sacred sites, industry, parks and recreation, and natural areas that serve as a bird migration route. Great River Passage Conservancy is partnering with local, state and tribal governments, businesses and nonprofits to reveal the complex systems and stories of the area, heal a compromised landscape, connect to and throughout the area, and protect sacred and significant sites.

We’re collaborating closely with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s (MPCA) Pig’s Eye Dump Task Force—a multi-agency team developing a plan to clean up and restore the Pig’s Eye Dump. The cleanup and restoration plan is set for completion in February 2026, with “future public use” being a key factor in determining the site’s full remediation.

Exploring Innovative Restoration

In addition, we are currently working with the city and a group from the University of Minnesota to plan bioremediation projects that will help us understand how plants can accelerate cleanup and demonstrate what a restored, healthy landscape looks like. In a recent webinar, Scientists from the University of Minnesota discussed the results of baseline monitoring of the site’s ecology and contamination, and gave an early look at experiments set to begin in spring 2025. Watch it here!

Engaging the Community

We’re committed to ensuring the voices of community groups are central to shaping future remediation plans and are working closely with partners to activate and restore the site. Key partners include Urban Roots, Urban Bird Collective, and Wakaŋ Tipi Awaŋyaŋkapi.

Location

East of downtown Saint Paul, the 1,000-acre East Side River District includes the area bound by the Mississippi River on the south and west and the bluffs to the east and north. This area is on the Mississippi flyway bird migration route, and includes Pigs Eye Park and Pigs Eye Island Heron Rookery Scientific and Natural Area.

Stay connected with us to receive updates as the project continues to move forward!