Acacia Park Cemetery and its surroundings in Dakota County, located on a landform known as Pilot Knob, is often mentioned for sightings of rare and interesting birds. According to the cemetery itself "The Audubon Society recognized Acacia Park for its bird sanctuary which attracts thousands of birds each year."
That status would be jeopardized by a current development proposal to place 156 units of high and medium density housing on the twenty five acres of land directly north and east of the developed portion of the cemetery, including most of the land north of Acacia Boulevard and east of Pilot Knob Road. This includes seventeen acres of open space owned and used by the cemetery since the 1930s. This area is also mentioned in reports of bird sitings. What would be the effect of this project on bird populations and on the experience of those who enjoy visiting the area? It is urgent those who have an opinion on the advisability of this project submit their comments to the Mendota Heights City Council. Those voicing opinions should provide specifics about why Pilot Knob and Acacia are important, including details about bird sightings and experiences involving the area. They should also note that the effect of the development on bird populations has not been considered by the developer and that a full Environmental Impact Statement or EIS should be done to examine such effects. Further, is it possible to mitigate against these and other adverse effects of the development proposal? During October the council is accepting comments as part of an Environmental Assessment Worksheet comment period that runs until October 29, 2003. Comments for the official record should be sent in writing before October 29, 2003, to: Cari Lindberg, City Administrator, 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, MN 55118, 651-452-1850 Fax 651-442-8940. E-mails can be sent to [email protected]. In addition to being an area known for its bird population, Pilot Knob is also important as a traditional cultural area for the Dakota people, as a geographical landmark of importance to the Fort Snelling landscape, and for its associations with the Treaty of 1851, the crucial treaty whereby the U.S. government obtained title to all of southern Minnesota. For more on these aspects of Pilot Knob read the following piece put out by the Pilot Knob Preservation Association. For additional information please contact me, Bruce White, at [email protected]. Save Pilot Knob Pilot Knob is the most historic site in Mendota Heights, a place of statewide and national importance. It should be preserved for present and future generations. The City of Mendota Heights web site describes it as unusual in its broad scope of historical significance. The historical and cultural integrity of Pilot Knob will be lost forever under the current plan to build 157 town homes on the north slope of the hill. Significance: The Dakota call it Oheyawahi, a hill much visited; for Indian People, the hill served as burial, meeting, and ceremonial space; it remains a sacred site. Pilot Knob overlooks the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers, a uniquely historic area. The Dakota people call this location Mdote Minisota and think of it as the center of the world. The Treaty of 1851, a nationally-important event whereby Dakota people ceded 35,000,000 acres in southern Minnesota and surrounding states to the United States, took place on the slopes of Pilot Knob. The hill figures prominently in Minnesotas landscape. Located opposite Fort Snelling, Pilot Knob was often mentioned by early traders, soldiers, and travelers, for its prominence, its use as a landmark, and its view. The view of undeveloped Pilot Knob is important to the Fort Snelling Historic Landmark District. Pilot Knob is a beautiful natural area, part of the larger Minnesota-Mississippi Valley ecosystem. It is known for its many bird species. Current Proposal: A proposal to build 157 town homes on 25 acres of Pilot Knob is pending before the Mendota Heights City Council. The developer and the city council have completed an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) which supports the cultural and historical importance of the site. The developer has offered to devote about one acre out of 25 to ceremonial space and an overlook. What You Can Do: The public has until October 29 to submit written comments about the construction of town homes on Pilot Knob and about whether to do a full investigation or Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The city council must address each comment. Under EAW rules, comments should discuss the accuracy and completeness of the EAW, reversibility and mitigation of potential impacts, and reasons for a full EIS. You should explain why you think the effect of the development on this important natural, cultural, and historical resource should be studied more carefully. Are a ceremonial space and an overlook in the midst of a dense housing development adequate to address the effect of the development of this historic area? Copies of the EAW are available from: Linda Shipton at the City of Mendota Heights, 651-452-1850. Comments for the official record should be sent in writing before October 29, 2003, to: Cari Lindberg, City Administrator, 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, MN 55118, 651-452-1850 Fax 651-442-8940. E-mails can be sent to [email protected]. For More Information, contact: The Pilot Knob Preservation Association, P.O. Box 50823, Mendota, MN 55150-0823, James Rogers at 651-962-5662, or Bruce White, 651-310-0601 ([email protected])
