[mou] conservation- Acacia/Pilot Knob Development Proposal

[fredericksonr@willmar.k12.mn.us]

>Delivered-To: mou@cbs.umn.edu
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>Date: Fri, 19 Sep 2003 09:33:24 -0500
>From: "Bruce M. White" <white067@tc.umn.edu>
>X-Accept-Language: en-us, en
>To: mou@cbs.umn.edu
>Subject: Acacia/Pilot Knob Development Proposal
>X-Virus-Scanned: by amavisd-new
>
>Sept. 19, 2003
>To: Minnesota Ornithologists' Union
>From: Bruce M. White, Pilot Knob Preservation Association
>(651-310-0601), P.O. Box 50823, Mendota, MN 55150-0823
>Subject: Development proposal for the area around Acacia Cemetery,
>Mendota Heights, Dakota County

Birding Friends-

I'm hopeful that some of you who live near and/or bird this region will
become involved in this issue.  If, on behalf of the MOU, I may be of
further assistance, please contact me.

Randy Frederickson
MOU conservation committee
>
>It is my understanding that members of the MOU find Acacia Cemetery
>and the area around it to be a fruitful place for birding. I don't
>know if many of you are aware of a high-density housing development
>that is proposed for the entire area north of Acacia Boulevard on the
>east side of Pilot Knob Road and north of the cemetery on the west
>side of the road. The area on the east side of the Pilot Knob Road is
>Acacia Cemetery property, but the cemetery has a purchase agreement
>for this land with a developer who wants to put 157 units of housing
>on this and the adjacent property, some 26 acres in all.
>
>This site is part of a uniqe, historic, and culturally important hill
>or ridge called Oheyawahi by the Dakota and Pilot Knob by early
>European Americans. It has been documented as being a Dakota Wakan
>Ceremony grounds and a burial place, among many other things. It is
>also important to early whites as part of the Fort Snelling
>landscape. A nomination for Pilot Knob for the National Register of
>Historic Places, including the development property, is scheduled to
>go to the State Review Board for the National Register on October 28.
>However, even National Register status would not necessarily prevent
>the development from going forward.
>
>I am part of a group that wishes to preserve the area from
>development for historic, cultural, and environmental reasons.
>Starting September 29 the city of Mendota Heights is holding a 30-day
>comment period for the Environmental Assessment Worksheet relating to
>the development, during which time individuals can submit information
>on the potential effects of the development.
>
>I am interested in getting in touch with members of the MOU who may
>be interested in submitting information concerning such possible
>effects. For one thing is there a record of rare and interesting
>species that may have been spotted around Acacia Cemetery over the
>years? What would be the effect of a high density development
>surrounding the cemetery be on the bird population? For many years
>the cemetery has spoken with pride about the area as a "bird
>sanctuary" but the effect of the development on this aspect of the
>area has not been discussed.
>
>Any ideas or information may have would be greatly appreciated. If
>you wish to submit information to the city regarding the effect of
>this development, I will provide you with information on how to do
>that.  We are trying to coordinate the opposition to this development
>so as to be most effective. Thanks for your time.
>
>--
>Anthony X. Hertzel -- axhertzel@sihope.com
>
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