Dear List members,
There has been considerable discussion on the issues list about Crown Hydro and I would like to take a moment to note a couple of points. 1) I have spent a considerable amount of time looking into the comments and justifications prior to and after the installation of similar hydro electric facilities in Massachusetts (Lowell) and New Hampshire (Manchester). Neither of these facilities has had a significant impact on the health of the rivers on which they were placed. In addition, there are ways to minimize any impact to fish populations as well. All pluses. 2) The current agreement crafted between Crown Hydro and the Park Board would yield an annual payment to the Park Board of $30,000 plus an additional payment based on output/profit (likely be between $0-5,000 annually). The Park Board would lose parking revenue and the parking lot that generates approx. $3,000 per year. Net income would therefore, be between $27,000-32,000 annually. This parking lot is the only one on the west side of the river in that area and is important for accessibility to the area. 3) The lower lock and dam area (immediately below St. Anthony Falls) is not fully utilized with respect to potential hydro-electric development. A license has apparently recently been applied for development of that area more fully with hydroelectric power. 4) There are many new residents around the St. Anthony Falls area. They have a stake in the development of the area which should be respected as anyone adjacent to a park area has. 5) Congressman Martin Sabo has been enormously helpful in working with the Park Board in getting federal dollars to help redevelop the St. Anthony Falls area including the Stone Arch Bridge and Mill Ruins Park. There are a number of proposals out there that include a water park in the east side of the river that would include white water rafts. This development has spurred new housing in the area and is good for the entire city of Minneapolis and enhances our downtown. These additional property tax dollars provide needed support for police and fire departments that all of us use. In addition, this area with time could help increase convention center use to increase revenues to the city as well. The future of this area is exciting for the entire city. 6) I do not believe that Crown Hydro Project would negatively impact the historical integrity of the Mill Ruins Park or the structural integrity of any of the adjacent buildings. 7) St. Anthony Falls are the ONLY falls on the Mississippi River! They are a natural resource - albeit modified. 8) The addition of a hydroelectric plant at this location would decrease water flow over the falls to 300-500 cubic feet per second at a minimum. Based, in part, on these facts, I decided last week to NOT support the Crown Hydro Project at this location. Comments of list members were also helpful. I DO SUPPORT renewable energy sources and environmental issues and any suggestion that I do not is simply wrong. For instance, Annie, Walter Dziedzic and I are working on the eventual addition of more solar power throughout the park system. I talked with Mike Krauss (Green Institute) a couple of months ago about how the Park Board could participate in a biomass generation plant. I have worked hard to dramatically increase tree planting and greening of the City among other projects. I DO support continued development of hydroelectric power below St. Anthony Falls in a thoughtful way. However, why risk a NATURAL RESOURCE such as St. Anthony Falls for $27,000-30,000 annually? These falls benefit the entire city, are a landmark, and in a variety of ways contribute far more to the City than the revenue the Park Board would receive, as well as, to the atmosphere of downtown. Bottom line, in my estimation, this is not the best site for this development and I would be irresponsible if I did support it as an environmentalist, Park Board Commissioner, and Minneapolis citizen. Sincerely, John Erwin Citywide Commissioner REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
