December 7, 2004 To: supporters of preservation of Pilot Knob From: Gail Lewellan, Pilot Knob Preservation Association
Thank you for your support in the past in working toward the goal of saving Pilot Knob from development. We need your help again! Great progress has been made during the last year toward the preservation of this scenic, natural, and historically important site in Mendota Heights. Discussions have been undertaken to negotiate a purchase of private lands on the hill and thereby prevent development. Efforts are now underway to find funding and negotiate a purchase of a 8-acre piece of land just north of Acacia Cemetery, overlooking the Minnesota and Mississippi River valleys. As part of this effort the Trust for Public Land has submitted a request for funding from the Metro Greenways program of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. To support this proposal, we need groups and individuals who value Pilot Knob, to write letters of support to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. In writing it is especially important to emphasize the ecological aspects of Pilot Knob, its scenic value, its wildlife, its importance to the river valleys. Please send me a letter of support by December 15, 2004. I will collect the letters and submit them as a group. Thank you again your help. Gail Lewellan 656 Sibley Memorial Highway Mendota Heights, MN 55118 651-457-4652 [email protected] The letters should be addressed to: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Attention: Kate Drewry Metro Wildlife Corridors/Greenways Coordinator e-mail [email protected] Here is a suggestion for language to be used in writing letters Re: Application of Trust for Public Land for Funding for Pilot Knob I am writing in support of the application of the Trust for Public Land for Metro Greenways funding for the protection of Pilot Knob. I understand that the Trust for Public Land, in cooperation with local organizations, hopes to acquire at least 8 acres of land at the northwest end of Pilot Knob and convey it to a public owner for long term protection as open space available to the public. As much additional undeveloped adjacent land as is feasible should also be included in the project. (Describe here your organization and/or familiarity with Pilot Knob) Pilot Knob meets the selection criteria for the Metro Greenways program because (Please discuss one or more of the following selection criteria:) Community Support and Collaboration: Local community elected officials, residents, and other interest groups support this project. Compatible Public Use: Describe educational and recreational activities that can be accommodated without compromising the sites ecological value. Imminence of Threat: Repeated proposals for residential and commercial facilities threaten to degrade the availability of the site as a wildlife corridor, damage the natural character of the confluence of two great rivers, and forever deny public access to this place of ecological, cultural and historic significance. Visibility: How might the characteristics, location and history of this site further natural resource protection by increasing awareness of the Metro Geenways program and its goals? Ecological Value: A primary criteria for this Metro Greenways includes protection and restoration of plant communities, habitat quality, protection of ground water and surface water, soil stability and other ecological functions. The Trust for Public Land proposes restoration of plants native to the area, plants that were likely used by Native Americans for religious and medicinal purposes for thousands of years. I believe that with a strong commitment of public funding, the community will work to raise additional private funds. (If you believe your organization can make a financial contribution in the future toward a $1.5 -2.5 million budget, you could mention this.) I hope you will generously fund this important, community-supported project. Sincerely, .
