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3. 5 1 Comments received after the 04 25 14 public comment sessionScandia website From: Mark Schlingerman <markschlingerman@gmail.com> Sent: Friday, April 28, 2017 7:57 AM To: mail@ci.scandia.mn.us Subject: The future development of the Log House Landing site. Option 3, Carry In would best serve the history of the site, recognize a vision for Wild and Scenic rivers and help grow the tourism potential. As a onetime resident, frequent visitor and supporter of Scandia website From: randall claryr <oto4kids@yahoo.com> Sent: Thursday, April 27, 2017 7:32 PM To: mail@ci.scandia.mn.us Subject: Log House Landing TO: the City Council of Scandia RE: Proposed changes to Log House Landing I am a resident of Scandia and a taxpayer. I oppose spending taxpayer money on increasing the scale of the ramp and landing. For my friends who would like to hunt and fish on the river, there are William Obrien and Franconia boat ramps which already exist. It is an excessive use of taxpayer money to build an additional boat ramp between these two ramps. In addition, I like the rural nature of Scandia.... that's why I moved here. I thought that this river was under the protection of the Wild and Scenic River Act. While I think that everyone (fisherman, hunters, boaters, and campers) should have excess to the river, we need reasonable limits to maintain the natural beauty of the river. The Log House Landing Carry - in Option is a very reasonable approach which allows access and minimizes environmental damage to this beautiful river. Sincerely, Randall A Clary Scandia website From: Jim Fitzpatrick <jmfitzptrk@gmail.com> Sent: Thursday, April 27, 2017 6:09 PM To: mail@ci.scandia.mn.us Subject: Log house Landing I want to submit my brother John Fitzpatrick 20733 Quint Ave. Scandia MN Neil Soltis From: Ross Brunfelt <rossbrunfelt@kw.com> Sent: Thursday, April 27, 2017 4:53 PM To: c.maefsky@ci.scandia.mn.us; j.schneider@ci.scandia.mn.us; b.hegland@ci.scandia.mn.us; c.ness@ci.scandia.mn.us; s.kronmiller@ci.scandia.mn.us; Neil Soltis Subject: re: Boat Landing Dear Mayor, Administrator and Council Members, I'm writing as a follow up to the public hearing in regard to the Log House (or Copas) Landing. I appreciate you all taking the time to listen to voters and others Tuesday evening. Three minutes is a short time to express one's thoughts on a subject although I understand the necessity to allow all to speak. I dropped off a petition, but was unable to print it well so wanted to provide the link here (littps://www.p,opetition.com/petitions/save-scandias-river-boat-access.litm1) so that you can see more detail or match comments to individuals if desired. Our petition states the following: We, the undersigned, call on the City of Scandia to reject any attempts to close or limit the historical usage of Copas (Log House) Landing. We prefer the City either chooses the option of leaving the ramp alone with no changes; or the City install minor erosion control methods and DNR -style concrete planks on boat launch portion only. Both of these options retain the City's ongoing commitment to typical maintenance and access to all user groups. My additional thoughts, if you care to read at some time, follow within: While I understand the desire by some to limit usage to certain user groups; I don't agree with them and am hopeful you decide this is unacceptable in the public interest of all. It's unfortunate that an issue has been created that serves to divide people into groups rather than allow all groups to use this public land, as been its history. In reality, many sportsmen and women are both boat users and paddlers at different times - and most riverfront owners that do not need the landing do both activities. I know I do and love both activities. We all agree it's a gem and we all agree it's a landing. Most dictionaries define a landing as this or similar: an instance of coming or bringing something to land, either from the air or from water So now the question, or division that has been created, is what to allow to land here I guess. It should not be a question of erosion, or litter, or noise or who "respects the River more". For decades from Native Americans to ferries to horses to the modern day - ALL groups have landed there and the vast majority respect the river with all it's beauty and inherent dangers. Rivers demand respect. The non -respect we see from some is from ALL user groups and ultimately an education issue - nothing more. I remember being taught this lesson by the late Paul Rasmussen, Jr. sitting on the swing bridge with my friends. We'd been camping and partying the night before as teen-agers and he being a bit older and wiser he gave us an ear -full for leaving some refuse behind. While I do think today one sees much less litter on the St Croix then back then; it's still an issue and needs education. In general, the leave no trace attitude is much more known and accepted now - not just here but many places. In my mid -thirties, I discovered the BWCA and love to go there as often as I can for the escape from boats, lights, signs, people. On the flip side I love to go to Lake of the Woods and Lac Seul with big boats and motors for walleye fishing. I've been on many a landing much more remote than ours. This is NOT the BWCA. This is our town which fortunately for us borders the St Croix National Scenic Riverway. It is open to all, but it has rules. It does not have a rule about not using fishing or hunting boats - in fact, it's encouraged. To think that shipping our boaters to another community or to a concrete landing in a state park (as if somehow this user group doesn't like Copas for all the same reasons a paddler does) is crazy! It's non -neighborly at it's worst and as the young man from Franconia pointed out would only put undue pressure on their town and their landing. Osceola and Franconia have a FREE 24/7 landing - and so do we! This should not change unless for some reason you want to alter decades long family traditions - whether that be catfishing, duck hunting, or just trying to get some sun on our stretch of the river after work. It's approximately 10 miles on the River from Franconia back to our stretch - for a boater obeying the rules what is that - a couple hours minimum - to get back to his or her town to fish? It's approx. 2.4 miles (or 3 around the island) from W'm O'Brien and despite the fact some think it's "not an inconvenience" it is - big time! Let me tell you the Park (despite what anyone says) does not want duck hunters and catfishermen coming in at the hours required to be successful. Their rules do and will change. The fee IS a big deal to some after paying for licenses etc already. Snowmobilers CANNOT use the park. No matter what landing you pick, closing one will put more crowding and pressure on the others. An interesting side note - W'm O'Brien is ALSO a great place to launch a canoe or kayak :) if it's not a burden to where you want to get to. As for the "big boat" issue. I landed my 17' pro V lund with a 70hp at Copas ONE time and said "NEVER AGAIN". It's a fallacy that all kind of big boats are using this landing. The quirky curve, gravel, etc just discourage it being a smart choice. Other than high water times I'm not sure why anyone would even want a big boat on our stretch. Now I know some still do, but it a small portion of overall users and many once they do - go elsewhere. Most folks I know that have a 150hp motor want to go somewhere they can open it up and cruise if desired. Here's the rule, I believe, regarding speed in our area: Definition: operation of a motorboat at a leisurely speed, less than planing speed, whereby the wake or wash created by the motorboat is minimal. If that rule is being broken it has NOTHING to do with allowing boats to use our landing. We are not in a bubble here. It's an education and enforcement issue. Sorry for the length, but if you're still reading I appreciate it. I'll end by saying - imagine if Scandia had no landing ever and your task was this: Create a free landing open 24/7 for our town that will fit with Nature and allow both paddlers and small boat users to access the river, while discouraging bigger boats. Guess what? That's what we've got. Thanks again; I sure appreciate those who volunteer and step up to for public service. Good luck with your decision. Ross Brunfelt Keller Williams Premier Realty Vadnais Heights, Forest Lake, Scandia offices Office: 651-433-3333 Mobile: 651-755-3470 Scandia website From: Hooley, Daniel M. <HooleyD@missouri.edu> Sent: Thursday, April 27, 2017 4:26 PM To: mail@ci.scandia.mn.us Subject: Log House Landing input Dear Members of the Scandia City Council, I'm writing because I could not be at the recent open meeting and would like to express my view of the situation. By now you've heard, I'm sure, all the arguments for the various positions and I don't doubt for a minute that even different views raise good points for your consideration. It's a tough decision and I appreciate your taking time to deliberate the issues carefully. I have used both canoes and small motorboats on the river, so I don't write this from a categorical motorized v. non - motorized perspective. I do think, however, that one of the chief considerations to be borne in mind is the historic nature of this landing—it really is a priceless piece of local history. When the Ingersolls donated the land their intention was that it be a park, a quiet place providing limited access to the river. The current landing, while not terribly large, is certainly more than they ever intended, and the danger now is that it become a busy and unsightly denaturing of the landscape. I think that option 3, changing the access to walk-in only respects the Ingersolls' original intentions, the desire of local homeowners for a quiet, natural setting, and the interests of non -disruptive access to the river. We frankly do not need larger, motorized watercraft in this spot where wake -erosion issues are significant. My objections to other options can be briefly summarized. Option 1, leaving the landing as it is, does not address the current erosion issues and even the unsightly character of the site. Option 2 would permanently scar the site and open it to larger motorized boats with their attendant problems for local landowners and the "wild and scenic" character of this stretch of river. Option 4 would unnecessarily close down access altogether. I'm delighted that motorized users do have access to the river—as they do at Osceola, Franconia, and O'Brien Park. But, surely, given those three options for motorized, trailered watercraft, a good case can be made for the quiet, non - disruptive access that option 3 provides. Revegetation of the landing area is relatively inexpensive, and done correctly could provide just the kind of setting the Ingersolls imagined, and that we all need. I appreciate your reading this and considering it as you move forward. Sincerely, Dan Hooley 14241 205th St. N. Scandia, MN 55073 651-231-2892 Scandia website From: Becky Meiners <meine033@umn.edu> Sent: Thursday, April 27, 2017 12:36 PM To: mail@ci.scandia.mn.us Subject: Log House Landing Hello, I'm writing in support of the carry -in option for the log house landing. Apart from very small motored boats, the river at that section is not meant for larger boats and other motorized equipment. If an individual feels they absolutely need to get their small fishing boat in, the William O'Brien State Park access is only a few miles away. Please preserve the beauty of the St. Croix river, as well as save tax payer money, by restoring the log -house landing to a carry -in only site. Thank you, Becky Meiners University of Minnesota- Twin Cities Student Pharmacist Class of 2019 meine033@umn.edu Scandia website From: Liv C <olivia.christensen@gmail.com> Sent: Thursday, April 27, 2017 12:13 PM To: mail@ci.scandia.mn.us Subject: log house landing Hello, I'm writing in support of the carry -in option for the log house landing. Apart from very small motored boats, the river at that section is not meant for larger boats and other motorized equipment. If an individual feels they absolutely need to get their small fishing boat in, the William O'Brien State Park access is only a few miles away. Please preserve the beauty of the St. Croix river, as well as save tax payer money, by restoring the log - house landing to a carry -in only site. Thank you, Olivia Christensen Scandia website From: Peggy and Frank Johnson <peggyfrank@att.net> Sent: Thursday, April 27, 2017 11:51 AM To: mail@ci.scandia.mn.us Subject: FW: Log House Landing From: Peggy and Frank Johnson [mailto:peggyfrank@att.net] Sent: Thursday, April 27, 2017 11:48 AM To: 'mail@ci.scandi' <mail@ci.scandi> Subject: Log House Landing Since this is a no -wake area of the river, that is hard to enforce, but very detrimental to the shoreline, let's keep this landing for carry -in only. Thanks, Frank Johnson 21679 St Croix Trail North Scandia Scandia website From: Georgiana Anderson <simba@backpack.net> Sent: Thursday, April 27, 2017 11:26 AM To: mail@ci.scandia.mn.us Cc: Pam Smith Subject: Log House landing Our family has lived, down river, next door to the Log House Landing, for more than 100 years now. I fully support Pam Smith and others who have come to meetings in Scandia over the destructive plan to use cement to help out boaters with their trucks and boat equipment. This would be destructive and allow bigger,heavier equipment.Vegetation is highly preferable to control erosion.The trout stream,also owned by my family, on the southern side of the ramp, is vulnerable also. This stream has contained trout at one time.Trout can no longer to be counted on as they were many years ago. Bigger,faster boats would be able to launch there.At O Brian State Park there is a good site for boats to get onto the river.These trucks and launchers , are also detrimental to the stream. Thanks go to all of those who have been able to make it to the meetings . Georgiana Lewis Anderson Scandia website From: Lisa Philippi <lisa.philippi@gmail.com> Sent: Thursday, April 27, 2017 11:16 AM To: mail@ci.scandia.mn.us Subject: Log House landing To whom it may concern, Regarding log house landing options. I like the carry in option and creating a park area for picnics. I am a member of Friends of Scandia Parks and Trails and I would be more than happy to work on some landscaping ideas for a park area. There are not many options for the public to access the river for enjoyment in Scandia other than William O Brien. We personally don't have river access on our land and right now the only option is the park. I like the idea of calling this picnic point. If I had a boat, which we plan to own some day, the only place that I would be interested in launching is at William O Brien where they have excellent facilities and the membership fees are nothing to speak of. I don't feel this landing is really appropriate for large boats and I would never want to maneuver this landing with my boat. Thank you so much for your consideration. Lisa Philippi 21813 Quarry Ave N Scandia, Mn 55073 651-433-4091 Sent from my iPhone=