Begin forwarded message: From: Julie Brophy <[email protected]> Date: February 10, 2011 10:14:31 AM CST To: [email protected], Laura Erickson <[email protected]> Subject: Roberts Bird Sanctuary: Call to Action Reply-To: [email protected]
********************************** For the past 18 months, the Audubon Chapter of Minneapolis (ACM) and two neighborhood organizations have worked on the Roberts Revitalization Project (RRP). The keystone of the RRP is a long-term management plan for the Sanctuary. A crucial component of the plan is establishing and maintaining a buffer zone around Roberts to help protect this Important Bird Area. A management plan is being prepared for public comment in the summer of 2011. As you might know, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) Commissioners recently announced they are forming a Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) to look at three possible sites for a new off-leash dog park in the 6th District. Two of the three sites under consideration are located next to the Roberts Bird Sanctuary. The MPRB Commissioners want the advisory committee to begin meeting in late February/early March, and finish their work within 45 days. They want the the dog park completed by July or August 2011. Here is the link to MPRB Commissioners' announcement: http://www.minneapolisparks.org/default.asp?PageID=52&prid=1447 Opponents of the idea want the MPRB Commissioners to know NOW that any new developments next to the Sanctuary should NOT be considered until the long-term management plan (currently in development) is completed and adopted by the Commissioners. If you have concerns over the possible location of an off-leash dog park next to the Sanctuary, there are several ways to express your concern: ONE: Attend the MPRB Commissioners meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 16 at 2117 West River Road in Minneapolis. The meeting runs from 5 to 8 p.m. It would be great to have the public chamber of the Feb. 16 meeting room filled with birders from all over the metro area. If you want to speak for 3 minutes as well, please call John Goodrich at the MPRB to request to be put on the list. John's number: 612.230.6404. TWO: Write a snail mail letter and send it the Commissioners. If you live in Minneapolis, you can send it to your Commissioner and identify yourself as someone who lives in his/her district; if you live outside of Minneapolis, you can send it to Brad Bourn, 6th District Commissioner (Roberts is located in the 6th District), and the President John Erwin. THREE: Call any or all the Commissioners. FOUR: Send an email to any or all of the Commissioners. FIVE: Forward this email to others who want to help preserve and protect the Roberts Bird Sanctuary. Here is a link to the MPRB page with contact information for writing, calling, or emailing all the Commissioners and a map of the six districts in the Mineapolis park system. http://www.minneapolisparks.org/default.asp?PageID=36 Thank you. Kit Healy Chair, Conservation Committee Audubon Chapter of Minneapolis forward by Jim Williams, Wayzata www.startribune.com/blogs/wingnut ---- Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
