includes a summary of the December 14 public input meeting at this link:
https://www.minneapolisparks.org/_asset/dgpp1k/2018mwc_trails_12-14_meeting_summary.pdf
Not surprisingly, the report reflects several familiar rationalizations that
are common to the MPRB "community engagement" process and familiar to people
who participate in this dubious (at best) process:
1) Thank the public for participating, so that later MPRB can say that its
plans reflect what the community wants.
2) Minimize or explain away the fact that the current plans are not consistent
with the Master Plan; in this case, yet another resolution by the Board will be
needed to authorize the expansion of the scope of trails and to authorize the
damage to be done to the natural areas. (Conversely, for project consistent
with the Master Plan, use the Master Plan as the deciding factor for moving
forward--after all, "it's in the Plan.")
3) Sweep aside expressed concerns about protecting natural areas by stating
that the project will have minimal effect--with no documentation or proof
whatsoever. (In this case, Wirth Park woodlands are part of the Chain of Lakes
Important Bird Area, but never mind, the birds can go elsewhere.)
4) Remind everyone that the Park Board must accommodate "competing interests,"
meaning just about anything is fair game when it comes to using park land for
sports and events that a monied "partner" wants to host.
5) Emphasize that development will occur in areas with a lot of buckthorn and
ash trees, without supplying any data to support that claim. Then make no
attempt to inform the public of how many and what types of trees will actually
be lost until after the Commissioners approve the final plan.
6) Leave the DNR out of the process until absolutely necessary; i.e., act as if
water quality won't be affected even though it might.
7) Give the appearance of delaying final decisions while "further
investigation" and "further clarification" occur, meaning they will find more
reasons to justify the plan to give the Loppet whatever it wants.
8) Announce that the Park Board already has an agreement with the Loppet, so
its plans will proceed regardless of what the public says or wants.
Basically the Park Board has already decided to allow the Loppet sponsors free
rein in publicly-owned natural areas, meaning endless ski trail grooming (noise
pollution and air pollution), motorized equipment on frozen lakes (but only for
a few hours a week!), and lost trees (with few restrictions and no compensation
for these losses). It also appears that MPRB gave the Loppet permission to
build a permanent pond for ice-making, which will certainly have adverse
effects on trees and other vegetation that will suffer increased competition
for water.
Last fall someone posted photos in this forum of damage being done to the Wirth
Park landscape for ski trails, and asking who is looking out for the Park:
http://forums.e-democracy.org/groups/mpls/messages/topic/5FLIARxGEo1FtzGJAZcbTd/
Not a single Park Board Commissioner responded to this question on this forum,
or on Facebook pages.
Many trees will be removed to expand ski trails so that the Loppet can compete
to host the 2018 Masters World Cup Ski event. But long after that race is run,
the real cost to our parklands will remain. Mature trees are worth a lot of
oxygen, shade, wildlife habitat, and money, so at best it's unfortunate and
short-sighted to devalue the trees and allow a private entity to cause removal
of those trees.
Development of Minneapolis parklands continues unchecked, with no requirements
for saving trees, protecting wildlife, and reducing pollution caused by
stormwater runoff. Options are running out for bird watchers, walkers, and
people just wanting to enjoy the peace and quiet and wildlife of a natural
area, because this "use" of parkland has no support from Commissioners or
staff. The Master Plan for Lake Harriet and Lake Calhoun is another example of
MPRB's woeful lack of environmental stewardship, but that's the subject for
another post.