3. Cusick LTR-Log House LandingMay 5, 2015
Randall Simonson -Mayor
Kristina Handt-City Administrator
I would like to comment on a front page article in the last issue of the Country Messenger regarding the
Log House Landing. As an avid user of the St Croix River I often use the Copas (Log House) Landing to
launch my boat/canoe/kayak. I know many others that do the same thing. The use of the landing differs
from that of a park as the user only needs it to launch a watercraft and have a place to park their
vehicle/trailer. It is a minor and temporary use of this public space. Attempting to use a "one size fits all"
approach by blanketing the public accesses with the park ordinance is not the answer.
Approximately five years ago the park ordinance was amended so that historical and lawful uses of the
city owned public water accesses were allowed to continue. That is why the accesses were removed
from the park ordinance. Nearby resident's complaint of users at the landing drinking, having bonfires
or voices too loud may have merit from time to time, but how tolerant are they of other people who use
our public spaces? I live nearby on a state highway and put up with far more noise from loud autos,
motorcycles and trucks, even bicyclists that have to talk loud to get over the automobile noise!. All of us
that live along the highway also routinely pick up litter. None of us complain except when an
unacceptable chronic problem arises. For example: Engine braking has been addressed and signs are
posted. When it becomes a problem, the Sheriff's Office deals with it and takes care of the problem.
In regards to the landing, there are state laws on the books that address littering, fires and also noisy or
boisterous conduct. These things can be enforced right now when they occur. A timely call placed to the
Sheriff's Office will result in a deputy responding. Complaints regarding the landing are few and some
have no merit. Deputies have responded and found there were no illegal activities as reported. It seems
some nearby residents want to privatize the access to the point where few could lawfully ever use it.
Here are the most recent complaints:
On April 3 d there was a complaint that 2 truckloads of people were at the landing being loud, fishing
and having a bonfire. The deputy checked on it and found there were only 3 people, no fire and one of
them was a member of Sheriff Explorers program.
On April 17th there was a complaint of a vehicle "racing" up and down the street near the landing. This
type of complaint could occur anywhere and has nothing to do with the landing. The deputy responding
did find a vehicle with young people that had permission to go to a nearby residence/property. No
violations were found.
On April 191h a complaint where evidence of 2 recreational fires were found and fish guts near a sign at
the landing. Whoever did this certainly could have used better judgment than to toss their fish entrails
at the landing. This was reported to the Sheriff's Office the morning after it occurred and little could be
done about it.
Here are 3 state laws/rules that are enforceable at the Log House landing:
609.72 DISORDERLY CONDUCT.
Subdivision 1.Crime.
Whoever does any of the following in a public place, including on a school bus,
knowing, or having reasonable grounds to know that it will, or will tend to, alarm, anger or
disturb others or provoke an assault or breach of the peace, is guilty of disorderly conduct,
which is a misdemeanor:
(1) engages in brawling or fighting; or
(2) disturbs an assembly or meeting, not unlawful in its character; or
(3) engages in offensive, obscene, abusive, boisterous, or noisy conduct or in offensive,
obscene, or abusive language tending reasonably to arouse alarm, anger, or resentment in
others.
169.42 LITTERING; MISDEMEANOR.
No person shall throw, deposit, place, or dump, or cause to be thrown any snow, ice,
glass bottle, glass, nails, tacks, wire, cans, garbage, swill, papers, ashes, cigarette filters,
debris from fireworks, refuse, carcass of any dead animal, offal, trash or rubbish or any other
form of offensive matter, deposited, placed, or dumped upon any street or highway or upon
any public or privately owned land.
MN Rule 6218.0100 GENERAL RESTRICTIONS ON USE OF PUBLIC WATER
ACCESS SITES.
Subpart 1.Parking restrictions. Vehicles must be parked only in designated parking
areas and may not obstruct any avenue of ingress or egress to the site or launch area,
except when loading and unloading watercraft or other equipment.
Subp. 2.Taking of wildlife prohibited. A person may not take any wildlife species,
except fish by angling, on a public water access site.
Subp. 3.Restrictions on possession of firearms, bows and arrows, and other
weapons. A person may not possess loaded firearms within a public water access site or
use any firearm, bow and arrow, air rifle, slingshot, or other missile propelling weapon.
Subp. 4.Plants at public water access sites protected. A person may not remove,
destroy, or damage any vegetation from a public water access site, except as posted or
permitted.
Subp. 5.Livestock prohibited. A person may not permit livestock to enter a public
water access site.
Subp. 6.13urning prohibited. Burning within a public water access site is allowed only
in designated locations.
Subp. 7.Destruction of public property prohibited. The destruction of any public
property within a public water access site is prohibited.
Subp. 8.Camping prohibited. A person may not camp on or remain in a vehicle
overnight in any public water access site, unless the site is posted for this use by the
commissioner.
Subp. 9.Abandonment or storage of fish houses, dark houses, other structures, or
property prohibited. A person may not leave, store, or abandon a fish house, shelter
house, dark house, other structure, or property within a public water access site.
Subp. 10. Storage of watercraft prohibited. A person may not leave, store, or moor
any watercraft on a public water access site overnight.
Subp. l l.Obstruction prohibited. A person may not place any obstacle or moor any
watercraft in a manner that obstructs ingress or egress to a public water access site.
Subp. 12.Compatible uses. Public water access sites may be used for swimming unless
otherwise posted.
Subp. 13.Intoxicating liquor prohibited. A person may not consume intoxicating
liquor within a public water access site.
Definition: "Intoxicating liquor," means any distilled, fermented or vinous beverage
containing more than three and two-tenths percent (3.2%) of alcohol by weight.
Thank you for taking the time to read this e-mail. Please forward this to those that
should have it for tomorrow night's workshop. Please contact me should anyone have
any further questions.
Jerry Cusick
Scandia
e-mail: jerry.cusick@gmail.com