A $4.1 million grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and
Wisconsin Coastal Management has been awarded to protect the Gile Flowage, which along with the Montreal River flow into Lake Superior. According to WXPR, the funds will allow the purchase of more than 1,000 acres of land around the flowage from Xcel Energy. The land will be part of a contiguous block of land owned by Iron county, and will be given a special use designation. The funding will also keep access to the flowage open to the public, ensure access to local tribes for hunting and fishing and preserve habitats and reduce flood risks.