Ollie Ox of Blue Stem Prairie sent along a feature on Southeastern Minnesotans for Environmental Protection (SEMEP) in the Fillmore County Republican Leader. Born out of a successful opposition to a proposed tire burning plant in Preston, MN, the group shares its experiences with other citizen groups and focuses on current issues threatening Minnesota’s environment.
The list of recent issues that SEMEP is impressive.
• When SEMEP was first starting, it heard from a group in Vermont concerned that the New York-based International Paper Company had proposed to begin tire burns at their company, located across Lake Champlain from Vermont. The state of Vermont joined the opposition and, any day now, the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) should be weighing in on the issue.
• Citizens are concerned about a proposed expansion of the Winona port on the Mississippi that would impact Prairie Island in Winona.
• Pilot Mound Township residents were concerned about a temporary asphalt plant to be used during a construction project. Sauer said this concern was resolved with cooperation from the Fillmore County Board of Commissioners.
• Pilot Mound Township residents also are concerned over a proposed campground to be located on the Root River, near the Allen Bridge northeast of Fountain and by County Road 11. This is in the planning stages. No permits have been issued yet.
• The proposed Spring Valley Ponds’ trout pond project is currently on hold due to the sudden death of facilities owner John Bondhus. Concerns there regard the permitting process and possible detrimental effects to the nearby trout stream.
• Recently, concern over having the Minnesota Pipe Line Company cross certified organic land on the Garden of Eagan farm in Dakota County was resolved with an agreement by MPL that no pipeline would cross the land. Sauer said SEMEP was contacted regarding this last fall and put the concerned citizens in contact with Twin Cities’ area contacts SEMEP has maintained.
• The Olmsted County Board of Commissioners recently responded to concerns about the Decorah Edge by passing an ordinance regulating construction along this shale edge that has been discovered to recharge water aquifers.
• Rochester citizens had concerns over a permanent asphalt company in their area. The issue has been “frozen” while the developer and the citizens review advantages, risk and concerns.
• In another Rochester issue, citizens were concerned about the destruction of trails and wetlands for a housing development. Sauer reported that despite the concerted efforts of area citizens, development in that area will proceed.
• A newly formed group of southeastern Minnesotan residents continues to move forward with concerns about the use of pesticides, their drift factor and the health issues they present. Sauer said they would like to see the use of pesticides on parks or school grounds discontinued and are talking to related officials. The group began less than one year ago and involves citizens in the Rochester and Red Wing areas.
• And, the final issue listed here could spell volumes for the respect SEMEP has gained in its few years of existence. As the city of Fountain continues to experience both residential and industrial growth, it needs to update its sewage treatment facilities to handle an increased load. City officials contacted SEMEP to talk about their various proposals.
SEMEP can be found on the web at www.semep.org.