================================================

================================================

Bruce, Is your group planning to pursue any action, legal or otherwise, re the lift bridge? Thanks, Mary

Mary Divine
Reporter
St. Paul Pioneer Press
345 Cedar St. 
St. Paul, MN 55101
651-228-5443
651-228-2179 (fax)
612-606-0917 (pager)  

============================================================

MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION CONSTRUCTION PROJECT

2 page Project Handout - (1,658kb PDF) Construction Schedule Non-intrusive repairs: Currently underway (minimal, if any, impacts to vehicle and river traffic) August 1: bridge closed to all vehicle (cars/trucks/pedestrians) traffic but river traffic will be maintained August 8: Approximate date span #6 will be removed, and river traffic will be rerouted through the open span October 24: Approximate date span #6 will be replaced, normal lift bridge schedule to be resumed October 31: Approximate date bridge reopened to vehicle traffic, non-intrusive repairs resume May 5, 2006: Completion date of project Normal Lift Bridge Opening Schedule (307kb PDF)   News Releases Stillwater Lift Bridge Repair Project Underway Bridge Closure Scheduled for August 1 (July 18, 2005) The Stillwater Lift Bridge repair project began in spring 2005 and is scheduled for completion in May 2006. Motorists will not experience significant traffic delays until August 1, 2005 when the bridge will be totally closed to traffic. The lift bridge will reopen in early November 2005. Detour Map Construction The Stillwater Lift Bridge repair project includes: Structural steel repairs on truss components of the Lift Bridge. Replace mechanical and electrical components of the lift-span drive. Replace the concrete deck Repair the Tender’s House and construct a supplemental Tender’s House east of the existing Tender’s House. Paint and repair the pedestrian railings. Background The 106th U.S. Congress appropriated $5 million in 2003 for the rehabilitation, repair and restoration of the historic Stillwater Lift Bridge between Stillwater, Minnesota and Houlton, Wisconsin. Project Location: Minnesota Hwy 36 and Wisconsin Hwy 64 on the St. Croix River Cost Estimate: $5 million     © 2000-2005 Minnesota Department of Transportation 395 John Ireland Boulevard • St. Paul, MN 55155-1899 Phone: 800/657-3774 • 800/627-3529 (TTY, Voice, ASCII) This site best viewed with 1024X768 or greater and with Netscape 4.7 or Internet Explorer 4.5 or greater.

  

================================================

-----Original Message-----
From: Bruce Ehlers [mailto:bruce@mnpba.com]
Sent: Monday, September 19, 2005 12:34 PM
To: 'Steven Adamsky'
Cc: 'Richard Stehr'; 'Douglas Differt'; 'Lars Impola'; 'Mary McFarland'; 'mcfarlin@dot.state.mn.us'; 'mdivine@pioneerpress.com'; MNPBA Members
Subject: RE: Stillwater Lift Bridge Schedule

Mr. Adamsky,

Thank you for your professional, detailed, prompt response even though I do not agree with your position. I think the pressure from the WI bridge traffic is the primary focus because it certainly is not coming from the Stillwater residents or businesses. In fact, WCCO TV had a news piece last night that focused on the impact of the bridge closure on local Stillwater businesses. I believe everyone interviewed stated that their business revenues were either unaffected or increased without all of the turmoil the bridge traffic generates in downtown Stillwater. Maybe this short experience will inspire more folks to get involved in the planning and implementation for the "new bridge" project? Or, maybe at least they will place more pressure on the public officials and "special interest groups" that are currently working on the project to get it done sooner rather than later.

I am forwarding this to the MNPBA members for their input to the contacts you listed below and for their general information.

In the future, could you make sure that I am included (bruce@mnpba.com) on the e-mails sent out notifying the public about issues that affect the St. Croix River? We would have participated with vigor in the public forum last year regarding this matter if we had been informed.

Thanks,

=====================
Bruce Ehlers
Founder
bruce@mnpba.com
http://www.mnpba.com



-----Original Message-----
From: Steven Adamsky [mailto:Steve.Adamsky@dot.state.mn.us]
Sent: Monday, September 19, 2005 12:10 PM
To: bruce@mnpba.com
Cc: Richard Stehr; Douglas Differt; Lars Impola; Mary McFarland; mcfarlin@dot.state.mn.us; mdivine@pioneerpress.com
Subject: RE: Stillwater Lift Bridge Schedule

First, the change in the rule occurred before I got involved in this project, but in talking to those who were involved, the rule change was proposed and open for public comment, then changed. I believe they said there was not much public comment to consider.

Second, in this climate, the later in the year you place concrete, the more care you need to take to make it work. Since concrete has water as a main ingredient, you need to be sure that water does not freeze before the concrete hardens. It's complicated more because the best wet to cure the concrete is by using a 'wet cure', and as the name implies, it means keeping the surface wet for several days. This prevents the surface from drying out faster than the inside, and cracking. (The west end of the bridge should have concrete placed in the next week, look for the garden hoses keeping the surface wet.) After Oct. 15, we normally don't allow concrete to be placed on bridges without addressing the potential for freezing. We are already pushing beyond that date. The later we get, the more risk there is in freezing.

You're right, it is not your fault the contractor has had problems. But as is the case too often, innocent people have to pay for someone else's mistakes. It's not fair, but we have to balance everyone's needs due to this. There are over 15,000 cars per day that use that bridge, there are businesses that are impacted, there is a hospital impacted, and potential emergency services impacted by the road closure. The river closure some of the same concerns, but not in the same numbers. Because of this, no matter what is decided, someone will be impacted.

If you think that you have a claim of damages because of this contract, that is an issue that you should pursue with the contractor, Lunda Const. We have a person who deals with claims, and you could contact him to discuss, but there is a standard clause in our contracts for the contractor to be responsible. Our claims person is Lars Impola, his number is 651-634-2379. He can give you specific information about making a claim. If you had extra costs to get your boat into storage earlier than planned, that might be a claim worth pursuing, but if your claim is missing 2 weeks of fall colors, that might be a harder claim to pursue. I'm not trying to minimize your claim, but you have to be able to put a cost to it that can be recovered.

Third, this contract is set up with penalties on the contractor if the work is not done on time. When these are threatened and/or imposed, the contractor will make an arguement against them, and there is a contract claims process to resolve. They are aware of the penalties, and my intention to assess them, and as you might expect, they are already trying to make a case against them. I do have the right under the contract to reduce or eliminate the penalties, and one factor that goes into that decision is how concerns like yours, are addressed.

We are meeting with commercial marina owners later this week, and if you want to meet at some point to see what can resolved with your group, I'd be happy to do so. Feel free to contact me at 651-779-5038 to set up a time.

If there was some way to resolve this so as not to impact anybody any more, we would do it. But unfortunately, there isn't. The most we can do is try to mitigate those who are impacted. I know this will upset someone, perhaps you and your organization, but try to understand all the issues we need to balance to get things done as soon as possible.

Steven Adamsky, P.E.
Mn/DOT Metro Senior Engineer
Oakdale Construction Resident Office
Office:651-779-5038

>>> "Bruce Ehlers" <bruce@mnpba.com> 09/16/2005 3:16:57 PM >>>
How did the regulation get changed temporarily (text below)? Was there a public input period? Was it advertised to the public? Why October 17th and not November 1st?

The middle weeks of October are the absolute best weeks for boating on the St. Croix with the fall changes occurring. That is why most of the larger boats wait until after then to pull their boats out for winter storage.

The project as advertised on all of the information locations around Stillwater shows it running into November which was taken to mean that the river would be navigatible at least until then. I simply do not understand why we are now losing those 2+ weeks without any input to the decision. It is not our problem that the "contractor has had problems fulfilling the contract and getting parts for the lift bridge."

There are a large number of boaters that are pre-scheduled to have their boats pulled out of the river and stored for the winter that need to get from their slips north of the bridge to a location south and vice versa after October 17th. Is MNDOT going to provide money or make arrangements for those boaters to temporarily slip their boat on either side of the bridge after the 17th until they can be pulled out?

Will the contractor will be paying performance penalties? Those penalties could be used to compensate the boaters for their out of pocket expenses due to the premature closure of the river.

Or since the temporary CFR states that the Stillwater Bridge "may remain in the closed-to-navigation position", MNDOT could wait until November to "exercise the 'no-lift' option that is allowed in the CFR" when the recreational boats will be mostly unaffected. This option would be the most appropriate course of action.

Please advise, thank you.

=====================
Bruce Ehlers
Founder
Minnesota Power Boaters Association
bruce@mnpba.com
<http://www.mnpba.com/> http://www.mnpba.com

=======================================================================

[Federal Register: February 14, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 29)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 7405-7407]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr14fe05-15]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD08-04-036]
RIN 1625-AA09

Drawbridge Operation Regulation; St. Croix River, MN

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is changing the regulation governing the Stillwater Highway Drawbridge, across the St. Croix River at Mile 23.4, at Stillwater, Minnesota. Under this rule, the drawbridge need not open for river traffic and may remain in the closed-to-navigation position from midnight, October 14, 2005, until midnight, March 15, 2006. This rule allows time to perform maintenance and repairs to the bridge.

=======================================================================

-----Original Message-----
From: Steven Adamsky [ <mailto:Steve.Adamsky@dot.state.mn.us>
mailto:Steve.Adamsky@dot.state.mn.us]
Sent: Friday, September 16, 2005 11:42 AM
To: bruce@mnpba.com
Cc: Mary McFarland; mdivine@pioneerpress.com
Subject: Re: Stillwater Lift Bridge Schedule

The official schedule is published in the Code of Federal Regulations, 33 CFR Part 117 (you can google 'federal regulations' and get to the website and search for Stillwater). You also need to see the federal register (at the same website) for the temporary change in rule, enacted 2/14/05, that allows the drawbridge to not operate after 10/15/05 until 3/15/06.

It was the intention of our repair contract to keep at least normal drawbridge operations throughout the contract. The contractor has had problems fulfilling the contract and getting parts for the lift bridge that will keep it from lifting. We now have to exercise the 'no-lift' option that is allowed in the CFR.

The contractor is planning on replacing span #6 on 10/17. At that time, and boat that can't pass under the bridge would not be able to cross the bridge.

I'm sorry for the inconvenience, but feel free to contact me with any more questions.

Steven Adamsky, P.E.
Mn/DOT Metro Senior Engineer
Oakdale Construction Resident Office

=======================================================================

_____

From: Bruce Ehlers [mailto:bruce@mnpba.com]
Sent: Friday, September 16, 2005 10:45 AM
To: 'douglas.differt@dot.state.mn.us'
Cc: 'bob'; 'dick.stehr@dot.state.mn.us'; MNPBA Members; Mary Divine
Subject: RE: Stillwater Lift Bridge Schedule


Dear Mr. Differt,

I sent another e-mail to your info@ address at MNDOT without a reply a couple of days ago so I'm re-sending this to you for your input or redirection to someone that can enlighten our association.

I heard on the evening TV news and read in the Pioneer Press a day or 2 ago that the Stillwater lift bridge will close on or about Saturday 10/15/05 to all river traffic. Is this factual? Your website shows that span #6 won't be re-installed until Monday 10/24/05. Which is true, if either?

Please inform us of the official current schedule for the closure of the St.
Croix River for vessels requiring a lift of the bridge or require the continued use of the void #6 Span in order to pass north or south of the bridge.

Please also enlighten us on the current state and federal law as it pertains to the free flow of boat navigation on the federal waterway designated as the St. Croix River during the navigatible boating season.

It is my understanding that the St. Croix River Bridge has to accommodate any vessel asking for passage with a 24 hour notice 365 days a year or while navigatible (without ice).

The US statute (Title 33: Navigation and Navigable Waters -
<http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr;sid=053ec3a41c7c5b3677
286bb62c485381;rgn=div5;view=text;node=33%3A1.0.1.10.59;idno=33;cc=ecfr>
PART 117—DRAWBRIDGE OPERATION REGULATIONS - Subpart B—Specific Requirements
-
<http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr;sid=053ec3a41c7c5b3677
286bb62c485381;rgn=div7;view=text;node=33%3A1.0.1.10.59.2.78;idno=33;cc=ecfr
> Minnesota § 117.667 - St. Croix River) I believe is clear below. The
Stillwater Lift Bridge is required by Federal Law to open from October 16 through May 14 with 24 hour prior notice.

If the bridge is unable to lift as directed by law, then I believe that the remedy would be to leave the #6 span detached until the lift is either fixed or the ice prevents any further navigation of the river by boats requiring the lift to be open.

Please enlighten the St. Croix boaters as to the facts regarding the ability to pass north and south of the Stillwater Lift Bridge for the remainder of this year. I have BCC'd the members in an effort to protect them from spam.
I will forward your response or your designee's to them.

Thank you,

=====================
Bruce Ehlers
Founder
bruce@mnpba.com
<http://www.mnpba.com> http://www.mnpba.com


Title 33: Navigation and Navigable Waters

<http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr;sid=053ec3a41c7c5b3677
286bb62c485381;rgn=div5;view=text;node=33%3A1.0.1.10.59;idno=33;cc=ecfr>
PART 117—DRAWBRIDGE OPERATION REGULATIONS Subpart B—Specific
<http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr;sid=053ec3a41c7c5b3677
286bb62c485381;rgn=div6;view=text;node=33%3A1.0.1.10.59.2;idno=33;cc=ecfr>
Requirements
Minnesota
<http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr;sid=053ec3a41c7c5b3677
286bb62c485381;rgn=div7;view=text;node=33%3A1.0.1.10.59.2.78;idno=33;cc=ecfr
>


§ 117.667 St. Croix River.


(a) The draws of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad Bridge, Mile 0.2, the Prescott Highway Bridge, Mile 0.3, and the Hudson Railroad Bridge, Mile 17.3, shall operate as follows:

(1) From April 1 to October 31:

(i) 8 a.m. to midnight, the draws shall open on signal;

(ii) Midnight to 8 a.m., the draws shall open on signal if notification is made prior to 11 p.m.,

(2) From November 1 through March 31, the draw shall open on signal if at least 24 hours notice is given.

(b) The draw of the Stillwater Highway Bridge, Mile 23.4, shall open on signal as follows:

(1) From May 15 through October 15, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays, from:

(i) 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., every hour on the hour;

(ii) 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., every half hour;

(iii) 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., at 2:30 p.m., 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.;

(iv) 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., every half hour; and

(v) 10 p.m. to 8 a.m., upon at least two hours notice.

(2) from May 15 through October 15, Saturdays, Sundays, and federal holidays from:

(i) 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., every half hour;

(ii) 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., every hour on the hour;

(iii) 8 p.m. to midnight, every half hour; and

(iv) Midnight to 8 a.m., upon at least two hours notice.

(3) From October 16 through May 14, if at least 24 hours notice is given.

(c) The draw of the Soo Line Railroad Bridge, Mile 40.7, at Otisville, need not be opened for the passage of vessels.

[CGD2–91–01, 56 FR 21303, May 8, 1991, as amended by 59 FR 63898, Dec. 12, 1994; USCG–1998–3799, 63 FR 35527, June 30, 1998; CGD08–02–035, 68 FR 74479, Dec. 24, 2003]

================================================

================================================

Lower St. Croix Partnership Team

7 p.m.

Wednesday, January 19, 2005

Community Room

St. Croix County Government Center

1101 Carmichael Road

Hudson, Wisconsin

AGENDA

7:00                 1.         Welcome, introductions

7:10                 2.         Approval of minutes of November 17, 2004

7:15                 3.         Election conducted by WDNR*

7:45                 4.         Land use reviews       

A.                Eberhart, New Scandia (Britta Lee) (3 graphics)

B.                 Hause, West Lakeland (Buzz Marzolf) (2 graphics)

C.                 Afton Care Center (Buck Malick) (1 graphic)

D.                Rolland & Hopkins, Hudson (Dave Wald) (2 graphics)

E.                 Merchak, Troy (John Jansen) (no graphics)

F.                  Richards, St. Joseph (Bill Clapp) (2 graphics)

9:00                 5.         Announcements and Adjournment

* The election will be conducted by WDNR representative Bob Baczynski.  A nomination does not require a second.  If more than two are nominated for a position, the field will first be reduced to two.  Paper ballots will be used to vote.  The present officers have agreed to be nominated for these positions: Jansen, Chair; Malick, Vice Chair; Clapp and Rolle, Technical Committee Representatives.  The elected chair will assume office immediately after the election.

Excerpt from Bylaws: B.  Officers.

The Partnership Team shall elect the following officers, each of whom shall serve until the first meeting in each new calendar year (except that the initial officers shall serve until 2005), when an election of officers shall be the first item of business.  The annual election of officers shall be conducted by staff assigned by the Minnesota and Wisconsin Departments of Natural Resources. It is desirable that, together, the officers represent both states and the river reaches above and below Stillwater.  All Members shall be entitled to vote for each office, irrespective of their state of residence.

1. Chair and First Commission Representative.  The Chair shall preside at all Partnership Team meetings unless he/she is unable to attend.  The Chair shall consult with the Vice Chair and the assigned staffs of the Minnesota and Wisconsin Departments of Natural Resources concerning preparation of meeting agendas.  The Chair must not be a resident of the same state as the Vice Chair.  The Chair shall serve as the Partnership Team's first nonvoting Member on the Commission.  She/he shall convey to the Commission communications from the Partnership Team relevant to its duties.

2. Vice Chair and Second Commission Representative.  The Vice Chair shall perform the duties of the Chair when the Chair is absent.  The Vice Chair shall assist the Chair in the preparation of meeting agendas, in consultation with the assigned staffs of the Minnesota and Wisconsin Departments of Natural Resources.  The Vice Chair must not be a resident of the same state as the Chair.  The Vice Chair shall serve as the Partnership Team's second nonvoting Member on the Commission.

3. Technical Committee Representatives.  There shall be two Technical Committee Representatives who shall serve as the Partnership Team's nonvoting Members of the Technical Committee.  They shall convey to the Technical Committee communications from the Partnership Team relevant to its duties.  Each shall be from a different state.

Next meeting: March 16 at the St. Croix County Government Center in Hudson at 7 p.m.

PT Representatives:  Due to staff and fund limitations, this and future agendas and minutes can only be furnished by email.  Please call your internet-deprived peers (shown on last roster list) to remind them of the meeting.  If feasible, arrive ten minutes early to set up chairs, and linger to put them back.

================================================

FOR RELEASE:                           12/22/04

CONTACT:                                   Robert Baczynski, Lower Chippewa Team Leader, Baldwin, 715/684-2914 ext. 115

  ASK  \* MERGEFORMAT

SUBJECT:                                    Meeting to Outline Ways to Establish Lake St. Croix Ordinary High Water Mark

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. –    Methods the Department of Natural Resources is using to establish an ordinary high water mark for Lake St. Croix on the St. Croix River will be outlined during a series of meetings in Prescott and Hudson in January, 2005.

The goal of these sessions is to help people understand the processes being used to establish the ordinary high water marks.   Sessions are scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 12 at the Prescott Emergency Medical Services Building, 1603 Pine St.,  Prescott  as well as from noon to 2 p.m. Jan. 13 and from 6 to 8 p.m. Jan 13 at the St. Croix County Government Center, 1101 Carmichael Road, Hudson.

Bob Baczynski, Department of Natural Resources Lower Chippewa Basin Team leader said staff will  explain the principles and laws defining an ordinary high water mark (OWHM), what needs to be done to establish an OHWM, and what OHWMs have been established for Lake St Croix to date

"Department staff will be present to explain the process in detail, how the determination could apply to Lake St Croix and shoreland owners, as well as to answer any questions the public may have regarding the process," he said.  He said the sessions will be a good opportunity to meet the individuals who will be conducting the field work and find out when various aspects of the process will happen.  After field work has been completed in the spring of 2005, the Department of Natural Resources will hold another series of meetings to explain the findings and seek public comments and input.

A finding for the Ordinary High Water Mark is often important to shoreland owners who want to do work on their property.  The location of an Ordinary High Water Mark can influence which regulations a property owner must follow  before any work in the shoreland zone is started. 

Department of Natural Resources staff and partners have conducted physical and biological investigations of the lake this past fall and will be continuing the effort next spring, to be used in preparing the determination.

================================================

NEWS RELEASE

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

101 S Webster, P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI  53707

Phone:  (608) 266-6790    TDD:  (608) 267-6897

dnr.wi.gov    www.wisconsin.gov

             MADISON - Due to a high level of interest in proposed changes to Wisconsin's rules on piers and related structures in public lakes and rivers, the Department of Natural Resources will extend the public comment period through Dec. 15, 2004. 

People can mail in comments on the proposed revisions to Natural Resources Chapter 326 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code, or can use a new state government Web site to submit comments.

A group of citizen stakeholders developed the proposed revisions to enact new legislation aimed at streamlining permitting for projects along lakes and rivers without weakening protections for them. Public hearings earlier this month on the group's proposal drew more than 150 people, and nearly 100 written comments have been received to date.

 “This rule proposal affects everyone who owns waterfront property or uses our state’s public waters,” says Peter Murray, executive director of the Wisconsin Association of Lakes and a member of the stakeholder group.  “We worked hard to develop a comprehensive proposal, but we want feedback from many people to help us know what’s good and what might need improvement.” 

Under the group’s proposal, most existing and proposed piers will be exempt, meaning no permit is needed. To be exempt, piers can be six feet wide or less and extend out into the water to a depth of three feet or what's needed to dock their boat. Piers also can have a loading platform up to 120 square feet as well as benches, flagpoles and navigational accessories, without needing a permit, according to Liesa Lehmann, the DNR habitat protection staff member who facilitated the stakeholder group.

The rule proposal doesn’t require piers to be arranged in a particular shape to be exempt from permitting. Piers can be placed in a straight “I”, in a “T”, an “L” or some other form, Lehmann says.  “You just need to meet the size limits and other standards that are proposed.”

The small percentage of piers not meeting exemption criteria may qualify for one of three proposed general permits, with a one-time, 30-day approval process.

(more)

DNR convened the stakeholders group, which includes waterfront property owners, anglers, Realtors, conservationists and marina operators, in July to review the agency's original proposal for revising the pier rules and to develop alternatives. DNR started revising the rules to carry out 2003 Wisconsin Act 118 -- often called the Jobs Creation Act -- which sought to streamline the state's waterway permitting program.

For more information on the stakeholder group's proposal, including a factsheet, go to the DNR Web site, http://www.dnr.wi.gov, click on "Licenses, Permits and Registrations" and select “Waterway and Wetland Permits,” then click on “Public Hearings.” 

Comments can be made over the Internet at http://adminrules.wisconsin.gov, or by mail through Dec. 15, 2004.  Mail written comments to Liesa Lehmann, DNR-FH/3, PO Box 7921, Madison, WI, 53707-7921.

================================================

-----Original Message-----
From: Baczynski, Robert J. [mailto:Robert.Baczynski@dnr.state.wi.us]
Sent: Friday, November 19, 2004 10:40 AM
To: Members
Subject:

Hello All Partnership Team Members,
As promised Wednesday night, here are the two WIDNR links, one for revised NR118 http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/water/wm/dsfm/shore/documents/nr118.pdf

and one for the DRAFT pier rules
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/water/fhp/waterway/proposedrules/proposed_nr326.pdf

*************************************************************************************************
In addition, there has been a change of schedule for the NR118 public meeting being held in Pierce County. It will NOT be held in December due to a conflict. It is being rescheduled to Wednesday, January 12, 2005 in the Prescott EMS Building (blue steel building, across the parking lot from the City Library) from 6-8pm. The meeting in St Croix County on this issue will remain the same, Thursday, January 13, 2005 in the St Croix Government Center from noon-2pm and again from 6-8pm.
*************************************************************************************************

If you notice that someone is missing from the list above that should receive this email message, feel free to forward this to them. Thanks

Robert Baczynski
Water Team Leader
Lower St Croix and Lower Chippewa River Basins Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources 890 Spruce Street Baldwin, Wisconsin 54002
(*) phone: (715) 684-2914 x115
(*) fax: (715) 684-5940
(*) e-mail: robert.baczynski@dnr.state.wi.us

================================================

Lower St. Croix Partnership Team

7 p.m.  Wednesday, November 17, 2004

Community Room

St. Croix County Government Center

1101 Carmichael Road

Hudson , Wisconsin

 AGENDA

7:00                 1.         Welcome, introductions

7:10                 2.         Approval of minutes of September 15, 2004

7:15                 3.         Land use reviews     

A.                 Adrian, Prescott (Discussion leader Carlson) (0 graphics)

B.                 Heinz, Clifton (Arnason) (4 graphics)

C.                Kubitschek, Marine on St. Croix (Dinesen)(3 graphics)

D.                Mau, Lakeland (Wolf)(1 graphic)

7:55                 4.         Status of WDNR rule NR 118 (Baczynski)

8:05                 5.         Status of WDNR OHWM (Baczynski)

8:15                 6.         Status of WDNR pier rule NR 326 (Baczynski)

8:25                 7.         Future of PT (Malick)

9:00                 8.         Announcements and Adjournment

Next meeting January 19, 2005

PT Representatives:  Due to staff and fund limitations, this and future agendas and minutes can only be furnished by email.  Please call your internet-deprived peers (shown on last roster list) to remind them of the meeting.  If feasible, arrive ten minutes early to set up chairs, and linger to put them back.

Partners Attendance at last three meetings May-16; July-22; September-21.

 ================================================

================================================

==================================================================

===============================================================

=====================

Bruce Ehlers

Founder, MNPBA

bruce@mnpba.com

http://www.mnpba.com

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Steve Johnson-WAT [mailto:steve.johnson@dnr.state.mn.us]
Sent: Sunday, March 07, 2004 1:49 PM
To: Long List
Cc: Amy Denz; Dale Homuth; John Linc Stine; humris@dnr.state.wi.us
Subject: Retirement


Dear friends:

I have decided to retire from state government on March 19, 2004.

Having spent all or part of every working day since January 1977 focusing on the St. Croix, this decision involves a significant change in my life but comes at a good time for ensuring continued protection of the St. Croix River's outstandingly remarkable values. 

Under Tom Bradley's leadership, the National Park Service is adding renewed focus to the Lower St. Croix, partially through the work of Kate Hanson.  After a bit of a lull following Terry Moe's retirement, Wisconsin DNR Regional Director Scott Humrickhouse is working to enhance Wisconsin's role on the Lower St. Croix.  Minnesota will experience a bit of a lull while my vacancy gets sorted out, but Molly Shodeen's involvement will continue, Amy Denz will remain involved, and you'll probably see more of Dale Homuth and John Linc Stine.

These are exciting times for the St. Croix.  The recent gateway community workshop in River Falls brings new energy to communities in the valley as they focus on the river.  The almost-endless Stillwater bridge debate has settled into a problem-solving mode that promises successful resolution in less than a year. 

As Walter Mondale reminded us a few weeks ago, saving the St. Croix is not something that happens once by passing a law, but happens every day through the small and large efforts of people like you.  Good luck, and thanks.  It's been great working with all of you and I look forward to seeing you all in the future. 

Steve

Lower St. Croix Partnership Team

Wednesday, March 17, 2004 - 7 p.m

Community Room

St. Croix County Government Center

1101 Carmichael Road

Hudson, Wisconsin

AGENDA

7:00 p.m.        1.         Welcome, introductions

7:10 p.m.        2.         Approval of minutes of January 21, 2004

7:15 p.m.        3.         Land use reviews

A.                 Gobout/Zigan, Lake St. Croix Beach

B.                 Antonello, Lake St. Croix Beach

C.                Palmer, St. Mary’s Point

D.                Schultz, Bayport

7:55 p.m.        4.         Proposal for Partnership Team review of NR 118 issues

8:05 p.m.        5.         Criteria for admission/removal of member organizations (proposed                                         amendment to bylaws)

8:30 p.m.        6.         Announcements and Adjournment

Reminder:  Future meetings for 2004, all at the St. Croix County Government Center in Hudson and all at 7 p.m., have been scheduled for May 19, July 21, September 15 and November 17.

==========================================================

Senator Sharon Marko wants your input... 

Here is a schedule of Town Hall meetings in February 2004:

Saturday, February 21 – 10am – St. Paul Park City Hall
                                        –   1pm – Catfish Saloon, Afton House
Saturday, February 28 – 10am – South St. Paul City Hall

Lower St. Croix Partnership Team Meeting Agenda

7 p.m. Wednesday, January 21, 2004

Stillwater City Council Chambers - Stillwater City Hall

216 N. 4th St.

Stillwater, Minnesota  55082

NOTE CHANGE IN MEETING LOCATION!

AGENDA

7:00   Welcome, introductions, reminder about future meetings

7:05   Approval of minutes of October 15, 2003

7:10   Stewardship proposal, Ron Carlson

7:20   Criteria for admission/removal of member organizations (Proposed amendment to bylaws)

7:50   Land use reviews:

             Kaplan, Lakeland Shores

B.                      Jarvis, Lakeland Shores

C.                      Putnam, Lakeland

D.                      Pond, St. Croix County

E.                      Swenson, St. Croix County

9:15   Other business, adjournment

Reminder:  Future meetings for 2004, all at the St. Croix County Government Center in Hudson and all at 7 p.m., have been scheduled for March 17, May 19, July 21, September 15, November 17.  (Only the Jan. 21 meeting will be in Stillwater; all remaining 2004 meetings will be in Hudson.)

-----Original Message-----
From: Steve Johnson-WAT [mailto:steve.johnson@dnr.state.mn.us]
Sent: Wednesday, December 10, 2003 2:11 PM
To: bruce@mnpba.com
Subject: RE: January Meeting


We have some currently unresolved workload scheduling issues that make it unclear when we will finish preparing the rules for hearing.  Once we're done with that, the package goes to the Office of Administrative Hearings and an Administrative Law Judge is assigned.  I don't know when we'll get to that point or who will be assigned, but will keep you posted. 

Wisconsin has a different process and they assign a DNR staff member to serve as the hearing examiner.  I don't know when that is likely to happen, either.

None of these processes happens fast.  I'll keep you posted as we move along, but feel free to check in every month or so.

Steve Johnson
River Management Supervisor
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
DNR Waters
651-296-4802
Fax: 651-296-0445

>>> "Bruce Ehlers" <bruce@mnpba.com> 12/10/2003 1:45:27 PM >>>

Steve,

If I understand your comments below, there is no public participation on the boating issues between now and the hearing in MN before the ALJ.  Is that correct?  When do you anticipate that hearing will occur and who is the ALJ? When do you anticipate the WI hearing will occur and who is the presiding authority at that hearing?

Thanks,

=======================
Bruce Ehlers
bruce@mnpba.com
http://www.mnpba.com


-----Original Message-----
From: Steve Johnson-WAT [mailto:steve.johnson@dnr.state.mn.us]
Sent: Wednesday, December 10, 2003 12:39 PM
To: bruce@mnpba.com
Cc: Molly Shodeen; Eunice.Post@dnr.state.wi.us; rprolle@msn.com; Brian_R_Adams@nps.gov; gusclapp@qwest.net
Subject: RE: January Meeting

Sorry to be so slow in responding to your questions.  I had to figure out what the answers were first.

The Lower St. Croix Management Commission Technical Committee will meet Jan. 22, but the boating rule recommendations from the Partnership Team will not be on the agenda.  Before the recommendations move forward to the Technical Committee and then on to the full Management Commission, there is some internal agency coordination that must occur as well as some cross-coordination between the three managing agencies.  With holiday schedules and people's vacation plans intervening, it is not possible to get the necessary coordination done before Jan. 22.

The Technical Committee would next regularly meet in March; no date has been set.  The boating issues will probably come up then.  Stay in touch and I'll let you know.

Since most Technical Committee members were at the Sept. 17 public meeting and the Oct. 15 Partnership Team meeting (and all have received written summaries of both), as well as at many previous public meetings concerning the boating rule proposals, and since there are formal public hearings on the rules upcoming, the Technical Committee meeting (when scheduled) will not include a public hearing on boating rule issues.

The committee's responsibility is to review the Partnership Team's recommendations and forward them to the full Management Commission with any additional recommendations the committee wishes to attach.  That review will occur in a public setting, but will not include an opportunity for additional public testimony.  The truly meaningful opportunity for public testimony will occur during public hearings the two states will hold on the proposed rule amendments.

Steve
>>> "Bruce Ehlers" <bruce@mnpba.com> 12/9/2003 6:39:47 PM >>>
Steve,

Could you please outline the format, topics, intended conclusion and next steps for the January  22nd meeting?  We also need to know where it is being held and at what time in the evening.  I will distribute the info to others who have asked me about it.

Thanks as always,

====================
Bruce Ehlers
Founder, MNPBA
 <mailto:bruce@mnpba.com> bruce@mnpba.com
 <http://www.mnpba.com> http://www.mnpba.com

Steve Johnson
River Management Supervisor
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
DNR Waters
651-296-4802
Fax: 651-296-0445

Visit our website at http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/waters

=========================================================================

-----Original Message-----
From: Brian Utecht [mailto:brian@mnpba.com]
Sent: Monday, December 08, 2003 1:46 PM
To: bruce@mnpba.com
Subject: Camping Restrictions Meeting Tomorrow and Public Input Info


Bruce:
Can you please forward this note to our MNPBA members.

The National Park Service is putting together a Camping Management Plan for the St Croix between Taylors Falls and Stillwater and is gathering public input.

An open house will be held on TUESDAY December 9 from 6:30 – 8:30 pm (short presentation at 7pm) at the Washington County Historic Courthouse (this is the old courthouse, NOT the one currently used for government business), 101 West Pine Street in Stillwater, Minnesota.  Come anytime as the meeting is not a two hour lecture but has several stations set up where you can discuss issues with National Park Service Staff and provide comments.  I do suggest you hear the 7pm presentation to understand what this is all about.

Here are the problems as stated in the meeting notice “Below the dam, a number of unacceptable conditions related to camping use exist including human body waste and toilet paper left strewn about on islands and shorelines.  This is not only unpleasant to look at, but poses risks for water quality and public health.  Other issues include campers monopolizing sites, overuse contributing to island and shoreline erosion, and conflicts between campers and private
landowners who own shoreline property.”

Here is my initial reaction to the stated problems:
Human waste:  Add more toilets.  There already are some toilets in this area and they are serviced regularly. Monopolizing of sites: Why do they think that?  Maybe these campers want to all camp together. Overuse = erosion:  What about erosion caused strong currents from the long periods of high water. Conflicts between campers and private landowners:  We have trespassing and public disturbance laws, why do we need more restrictions.

Even if you attend the meeting and provide verbal comments you should send written comments by January 15, 2004 to:

Ms. Jill Medland
NPS Planning Team Coordinator
Jill_medland@nps.gov

Superintendent
St Croix National Scenic Riverway
National Park Service
401 Hamilton Street
PO BOX 708
St Croix Falls WI 54024

Jill can also be reached at 715-483-3284 ext. 609

Also contact Jill to get on their email and mailing list to stay informed of future National Park Service camping and river use related meetings.

=================
Sincerely,
Brian Utecht
mailto:brian@mnpba.com
http://www.mnpba.com

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===================================================================================

 LOWER ST. CROIX

MANAGEMENT COMMISSION

MEMBER AGENCIES

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE – U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES – STATE OF MINNESOTA

DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES – STATE OF WISCONSIN

Cooperative Management of the Lower St. Croix National Scenic Riverway

MEETING NOTICE

Lower St. Croix Management Commission Technical Committee

Thursday, November 20, 2003 - 1 p.m.

City Hall - Council Chambers

216 N. 4^th St .

Stillwater , MN

AGENDA

1.       Call to order, introductions (Brian Adams , Chairman)

2.       Approval of minutes of September 25, 2003

3.       Town of Troy public boat launch remodeling

4.       Camping Management Plan - NPS

5.       Regulation of swimming pools in the riverway - Rolle

6.       Other

7.       Adjournment

*Copies available at meeting; electronic copies available on request from steve.Johnson@dnr.state.mn.us

============================================================================

November 4, 2003 Discussion with Mary Divine, reporter, with the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

Two Main Points:

 1.  Everyone Has a Right to Enjoy the Lower St. Croix River ; and  

2.  Additional Restrictions on the Lower St. Croix are Unnecessary. 

Discussion

1.  Everyone Has a Right to Enjoy the Lower St. Croix River --  

• The Lower St. Croix River provides a wealth of outdoor recreational activities to thousands of citizens and visitors in Minnesota and Wisconsin .  Currently, 125 of the river’s 150 miles have been preserved by the National Park Service as wild and scenic river, and rightfully so. Only 25 miles of river, from the town of Stillwater to the Mississippi River , remain a multi-use area open to all types of boating. The multi-use designation is appropriate because of the river’s width, depth and navigational safety.

• The Lower St. Croix River is a community resource that should be shared by boaters of all types.  The upper 125 miles of this river is already closed to most motor boat traffic.  My organization, the Minnesota Power Boaters Association, seeks only to preserve the rights of all boaters to enjoy the lower 25 miles of this tremendous natural resource.  Keeping the current restrictions in place will preserve the ability of boaters to access prime fishing areas in the Mississippi River , recreational opportunities from Stillwater south, and to provide the essential economic impact of the recreational boating industry that is depended upon by towns and businesses along the Lower St. Croix River .

2.  Additional Restrictions on the Lower St. Croix are Unnecessary-  

• The changes to the Lower St. Croix Management Plan proposed by the Lower St. Croix Partnership Team are unnecessary.  Already, this stretch of river is highly regulated, with five no-wake zones from Stillwater south.  Also, the entire 25-mile stretch is a no-wake zone approximately eight months of the year.

• Local and state law enforcement officials have publicly opposed the speed restrictions proposed by the Lower St. Croix Partnership Team, saying in writing that they are unnecessary and difficult to enforce.

• Accident data from this stretch of river since 1998 includes few if any accidents in which excessive speed was a factor.  Based on these data, imposing additional mandatory speed restrictions (40 mph by day, 20 mph by night) would have little impact on boating safety on this river.  Instead, we urge additional boater education and strong enforcement of existing boating regulations, especially Boating While Intoxicated laws, to enhance boating safety on the Lower St. Croix River .

============================================================================

E-Mail received 10/30/03 from Steve Johnson of the MN DNR 

============================================================================

============================================================================

----- Original Message ----- 

From: Bruce Ehlers

===============================================================================================

----- Original Message Reply----- 

===============================================================================================

Dear Lower St. Croix Partnership Team,    

I am sending this e-mail to all of the LSCPT members with e-mail addresses and copying the list of folks associated or interested in the Minnesota Power Boaters Association (www.mnpba.com).  In an effort to make the whole list of both organizations available to all for separate comment, I have openly listed the addresses below.   First I'd like to make a very general statement;  The list of folks in the carbon copy portion of this message DO NOT WANT ANY NEW RESTRICTIONS OF ANY SORT ON THE ST. CROIX RIVER, including but not limited to: 

1. Extending the current Hudson "No Wake Zone" to the point south of the Hudson Bridge past Beenies.

2. Extending the current Prescott "No Wake Zone" to the point north approximately .8 miles beyond the current line and straight across the river to the Minnesota side.

3. Adding a new "No Wake Zone" to a place south of the Stillwater Bridge directly in front of Sunnyside Marina across the river to the Wisconsin shore.

4. Adding new anchorage restrictions including the "rafting" or tie-ups of boats like occurs during the Stillwater Lumberjack Days.

5. Adding a speed limit of 40 mph during the day and 20 mph at night on the entire St. Croix South of Stillwater.

6. Adding a 20 mph speed limit between Stillwater and Arcola, redefine the existing slow speed zone north of Arcola to include reference to 15 mph, establish a 100-foot no-wake zone around non-motorized craft, and prohibit amphibious craft from driving onto publicly owned shore areas except at boat ramps.

-- Original Message -----

From: Steve Johnson

To: Bruce Ehlers

Hello:

You're receiving this message because you've asked to be provided with information about public meetings on boating rules for the Lower St. Croix National Scenic River way, or because you attended a public meeting on that topic Sept. 17.

If this message has reached you in error, or you don't wish to receive further messages about this topic at this e-mail address, please e-mail me at steve.johnson@dnr.state.mn.us and I'll be happy to remove your address.

Attached, and pasted into this message below, is the agenda for an October 15 meeting of the Lower St. Croix Partnership Team.  The Partnership Team hosted the Sept. 17 meeting to gain public input to help it prepare recommendations to the two DNRs before the DNRs begin drafting revisions to the boating rules.  The Partnership Team is expected to adopt its recommendations at this meeting. 

Since the Sept. 17 meeting was held for the sole purpose of obtaining public input prior to its actions, there may be no opportunity for additional public comment at the Oct. 15 meeting.  There will be discussion among Partnership Team members, and the public is welcome to attend.

The two DNRs are expected to prepare proposed amendments to the boating rules in coming months.  There will be formal public hearings in both states and if you remain on this e-mail distribution list you will receive more information as it is available, including notice of public hearings.

If you have questions at any time during the process, feel free to contact me.  My contact information is at the end of this message.

Following is the meeting agenda:

Lower St. Croix Partnership Team 7 p.m. Wednesday, October 15, 2003

Community Room
St. Croix County Government Center
1101 Carmichael Road
Hudson, Wisconsin

AGENDA

7:00    1.  Welcome (John Jansen, Vice Chairman), introductions, reminder about next meeting
7:10    2.  Approval of minutes of August 13, 2003
7:15    3.  Boating rule amendments recommended by Cooperative Management Plan
7:30    4.  Expansion of no-wake zone at Hudson
7:45    5.  Creation of no-wake zone at Sunnyside
8:00    6.  Expansion of no-wake zone to north city limits at Prescott
8:15    7.  Expansion of no-wake zone at Prescott to diagonal recommended by Pierce County Sheriff
8:30    8.  Regulation of anchorage
            9.  Land use reviews:
8:35         A.  Pabst, Marine on St. Croix
8:45         B.  Whitcomb, Lakeland Shores
8:55         C.  Griffith, Lakeland
9:05         D.  Mosby, Marine on St. Croix
9:15         E.  Stephens/Ferron, Marine on St. Croix
9:20         F.  Keyes, Bayport
9:25         G.  Rifleman/Banitt-Jenkover, Pierce County
9:35         H.  Dolan, Pierce County
9:40   10.  Adjourn

Reminder:  The next Partnership Team meeting will be January 21, 2004, at 7 p.m.

Steve Johnson
River Management Supervisor
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
DNR Waters
651-296-4802
Fax: 651-296-0445

================================================================================================

The St. Croix boaters, landowners and business owners who are working to preserve and protect the Lower St. Croix Scenic River way as a valuable recreational resource.  We believe that the river can accommodate the existing diverse range of recreational uses without harming its exceptional natural resources.

The lower 42 miles of the Lower St Croix River way are classified as Recreational.  It should be managed as a recreational area, and not managed with the same philosophy as the wild and scenic parts of the River way.  The Lower St. Croix Management Plan should provide more opportunities for recreation, not impose more restrictions. The river is close to a metropolitan area and is used by many people as a recreational resource to enjoy their own particular type of recreation i.e. camping, boating, fishing, water-skiing, etc.  This use has been going on for generations and has not degraded its value as an outstanding natural resource.

Our organization believes that there should be no added regulations imposed on the Lower St. Croix River way because the enforcement of existing regulations would solve any perceived problems.  Additional regulations would simply serve to limit the rights of responsible waterway users.  We encourage the active enforcement of existing safety, noise pollution, and alcohol regulations on our waterways.  We oppose the addition of new regulations to address any perceived problems.

 The speed restrictions on boating are unjustified. 

·         The only reason that the government has given for imposing speed limits is that it will force people to slow down and enjoy the boat trip more.  We do not need the government forcing us to recreate in a prescribed manner.

·         Government aircraft flights which count boats on the lower St. Croix River show that the number of boaters using the river has gone down between 1983 and the present.  The river is not becoming more crowded.

·         According to the Washington County Sheriff there have been very few boating accidents on the Lower St. Croix River and speed limits would not have prevented any of them.

·         Problem boater behaviors, such as careless driving, loud boat engines, and failure to yield are already regulated with adequate laws.  Any problems created by a small minority of boaters can be solved by enforcement of current regulations.  

Extending and adding No Wake Zones is also unjustified. 

·         It makes sense to have a No Wake Zone in a congested area like the Hudson narrows and the Catfish Bar because there is not enough room for many boats to maneuver at speed.

 ·         There is no boating management reason to justify granting these requests for No Wake Zones at Prescott, Beanies, and Sunnyside. There is plenty of room for boats to safely maneuver in these areas of the river.  The policy must be made for proper boating management, and not for the convenience of the landowners.

 We have circulated a petition to users of the river and have received over 1700 signatures of people who are against restrictions on land and water use of the Lower St. Croix River.

An additional 700 people mailed letters to the St. Croix River way Management Commission stating their opposition to any further restrictions in the new Cooperative Management Plan. 

Therefore we have shown that we have the support of 2500 people that are opposed to this new plan. We believe that the National Park Service and the MN and WI DNRs are not listening to the citizens.  The overwhelming response has been against increasing restrictions on the river way.  They claim to have considered citizen input but have ignored it and followed their own agenda.

================================================================================================

The Thursday meeting was simply a status report to the Lower St. Croix Management Commission Technical Committee on what was said at the public forum Sept. 17, so you didn't miss much.  The Lower St. Croix Management Commission and its Technical Committee consist of agency folks who usually tend to meet during the day.  When it is making important public policy decisions, the Management Commission will meet in the evening, usually in a fairly large facility.  The Lower St. Croix Partnership Team meets in the evenings and that is the group that held the Sept. 17 meeting.  Its next meeting, which you will likely want to attend, will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15 in the Community Room of the St. Croix County Government Center on Carmichael Road, one mile north of the Exit 2 interchange off Interstate 94 in Hudson.  At that meeting the Partnership Team will make recommendations to the Management Commission about the boating rules.  There will be formal public hearings on the boating rules sometime in the next 6-12 months and they will be held both during the day and in the evening.

Let us know if there are additional questions I can answer.  I was only in the office for about 4 hours last week, but I'm in quite a bit this week.  Among other things, I'll get out an agenda for the Oct. 15 meeting and you will receive a copy of that.

================================================================================================

St. Croix River Boating Rules Forum

Citizens interested in boating rules on the Lower St. Croix National Scenic River way may attend a public forum on Wednesday, Sept. 17 at Oak-Land Junior High School in Lake Elmo (on Manning Avenue , one mile north of Interstate 94). The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. and is hosted by the Lower St. Croix Partnership Team. There will also be a written comment opportunity.

Both Minnesota and Wisconsin DNRs plan to amend their boating rules for the river and this forum will give individuals a chance to speak informally about rule changes before the states start drafting formal rules. Formal public hearings are expected this coming winter.  Public comment is especially sought on three changes proposed fairly recently: expanding existing no-wake zones northward at Prescott, southward at Hudson, and creating a new no-wake zone at Sunnyside Marina in Oak Park Heights.

In addition, individuals may speak about changes in the boating rules recommended in the 2002 Cooperative Management Plan for the Lower St. Croix . Those changes include a controversial proposal to establish speed limits on Lake St. Croix of 40 mph during the day and 20 mph at night. There are also proposals to establish a 20 mph speed limit between Stillwater and Arcola, redefine the existing slow speed zone north of Arcola to include reference to 15 mph, establish a 100-foot no-wake zone around non-motorized craft, and prohibit amphibious craft from driving onto publicly owned shore areas except at boat ramps.

The meeting's host is the Lower St. Croix Partnership Team, a 49-member group created to advise the Lower St. Croix Management Commission on certain river way management issues, including boating rules. The Partnership Team was established last winter on the recommendation of the Cooperative Management Plan and is modeled after the public task force that helped write that plan. Its members include representatives of 35 local governments and 14 interest groups. Hudsonite Clarence "Buck" Malick is chairman of the Partnership Team.

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Copyright © 2003 [Minnesota Power Boaters Association]. All rights reserved.
Revised: September 20, 2005