01-31-2007, 05:10 PM
DNR seeks comment on proposed water access near Kellogg
For the past two years, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have worked together to provide boaters with temporary access to Pool 5 of the Mississippi River during planned, water level drawdowns on this portion of the river. Because of its popularity with the boating public, and the suitability of the location, the DNR is now seeking public comment on a proposal to make the site permanent.
One of the temporary effects of the drawdowns was to significantly limit boating access on the Minnesota side of the river. The solution was for the agencies to work together with Greenfield Township to provide a temporary site, on Corps-owned lands, using state funds for construction.
The proposed site is located approximately 5 miles east of Kellogg, MN. in Greenfield Township, Wabasha County. The new site would be developed in the same footprint as the temporary site, with the exception of an additional parking area immediately north of the ramp. Much of the access construction has already been completed, either by the Corps as a part of its initial development of this site as a dredge material placement site, or by the DNR for the temporary access.
The new facility would be operated and managed by DNR Trails and Waterways Division through a lease agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The site would also continue to be used as a dredge material placement site. Although infrequent, dredge material placement activities would necessitate temporary closure of the public water access. Signs would be posted in advance of any temporary closure and the site reopened as soon after a closure as possible. If approved, the remainder of the construction could begin as soon as late summer of 2007.
More information, as well as a map of the project location, is available on the DNR's website at www.dnr.state.mn.us. Comments or questions can be submitted until Feb. 28 via the website or to: Joel Wagar, DNR Area Trails and Waterways 2300 Silver Creek Road, NE Rochester, MN 55906. Phone: (507) 280-5062. E-mail: joel.wagar@dnr.state.mn.us
For the past two years, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have worked together to provide boaters with temporary access to Pool 5 of the Mississippi River during planned, water level drawdowns on this portion of the river. Because of its popularity with the boating public, and the suitability of the location, the DNR is now seeking public comment on a proposal to make the site permanent.
One of the temporary effects of the drawdowns was to significantly limit boating access on the Minnesota side of the river. The solution was for the agencies to work together with Greenfield Township to provide a temporary site, on Corps-owned lands, using state funds for construction.
The proposed site is located approximately 5 miles east of Kellogg, MN. in Greenfield Township, Wabasha County. The new site would be developed in the same footprint as the temporary site, with the exception of an additional parking area immediately north of the ramp. Much of the access construction has already been completed, either by the Corps as a part of its initial development of this site as a dredge material placement site, or by the DNR for the temporary access.
The new facility would be operated and managed by DNR Trails and Waterways Division through a lease agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The site would also continue to be used as a dredge material placement site. Although infrequent, dredge material placement activities would necessitate temporary closure of the public water access. Signs would be posted in advance of any temporary closure and the site reopened as soon after a closure as possible. If approved, the remainder of the construction could begin as soon as late summer of 2007.
More information, as well as a map of the project location, is available on the DNR's website at www.dnr.state.mn.us. Comments or questions can be submitted until Feb. 28 via the website or to: Joel Wagar, DNR Area Trails and Waterways 2300 Silver Creek Road, NE Rochester, MN 55906. Phone: (507) 280-5062. E-mail: joel.wagar@dnr.state.mn.us