MOU e-mailers and readers:
Some of you have seen this message already. It was sent to a MRVAC group. It was also sent to the Audubon MN Environmental Issues Committee. Yesterday I forwarded it to fellow members of the MOU Conservation Committee. This is urgent because the public meeting with the Dakota Co Park Board is Monday night (tonight). There is a public comment period that ends January 18. Lebanon Hills is one of the best birding areas left in the south metro area. This plan by the Dakota Co Park Board will further fragment the habitat at Lebanon Hills Park in addition to removing many trees. They intend to add 6.5 miles of paved "trails" to the park that would allow more bikers and bladers to use the park with hikers, runners, birders, and skiers. This park is the most visited in Dakota Co now. Many of those 6.5 miles will be a direct subtraction from the natural habitat that remains in the park. This will result in more large and permanent changes to the landscape and it will destroy a large part of this park for use by birds. It is interesting to read the excerpts from previous plans by previous boards about Lebanon Hills. The clear purpose was to preserve natural values in this remnant. About 75 % of this spending plan is for "development" and 25% for "ecological stewardship." I intend to go to the open house. The link here includes links to a good historical summary and to a lot of press stories. You can request to be added to an email list. I have read the summary material and some of the media articles. I will review the 'master plan'. I think birders and conservationists need to oppose this plan as it is proposed. You can be one of "those people" that do good for conservation by writing comments to the Park Board, calling, or attending and speaking at public meetings. You do not have to live in Dakota Co or have a Dakota Co. list in order to express your thoughts and feelings. If this plan is implemented, there will be less nesting in the park and less opportunity for migration feeding there. There will be fewer numbers and fewer species of birds seen at Lebanon Hills. I have observed the development of farmland and forest and wetlands in the Mpls/StPaul area for 35 years. Most species of both forest and grassland have declined significantly even in the last decade. And protected natural areas are not protected in perpetuity. More buildings, more parking areas, more trails/roads, and more paved trails/roads seem to characterize the "management" of the parklands in the 5/7 county metro area. See the material below and thank you for anything you can do. The winter wrens and Blackburnian warblers would thank you for doing what they cannot. Gordon Andersson St Paul -----Original Message----- From: Jeri Ringold [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Tuesday, December 10, 2013 9:47 AM Subject: Lebanon Hills needs your help I am not sure if you are aware of the current plans being pushed forward in Dakota County... but Lebanon Hills needs your help! The plan to pave 6.5 miles through the heart of this treasured wilderness is a terrible idea. The unique character of Lebanon Hills is that is preserved, wild and natural, which is increasingly rare in the metro area. Unfortunately, the facilities expansion and paved trails now planned will involve cutting down acres of trees, grading down the hills, filling in valleys and paving a 10-12 foot road (plus clearance on both sides) right through the middle of the one piece of wilderness left in this area. A quick glance through the public comments clearly indicates that the general public is speaking up, but the Dakota County Commissioners do not seem to be listening. Without the organized effort and political savvy of organizations, I am afraid the wilderness of Lebanon Hills will be irretrievably damaged. Future generations will never be able to experience the same Up North feel that has been cherished by so many in this urban oasis. * Are you aware of this? (a quick summary can be found here: http://wildlebanonhills.org/) * Can you get involved? Time is running out -- the public plan open house is Dec 16th, 5-7pm and the public comments period ends Jan 18th. Thank you, Jeri Ringold Eagan, MN [email protected] cc: Mike Koutnik ([email protected]) Apologize if this has been circulated already - Lebanon Hills is under threat. I know that is a wonderful local birding area! Open House is next Monday and comments are due by January 18. -- ---- Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
